... Estonian Forgeries ...
1919


Mi 9


Forgery
Original

The "Sun Design" stamp (Mi #9) is a very interesting issue, as both the colour application and the contours in the design are more even and regular on forgeries than on original stamps [1]. The most important characteristics to distinguish originals from forgeries are:

  1. Vertical small lines in the channels to the right and left of the lower "15" are very narrow but irregular on original issues; thicker and more regular on forgeries.
  2. The horisontal lines around "15" in the upper corners are confluent on original issues, but more or less separated on the forgeries.
  3. The lines in the "mountain" in the middle of the design are confluent on original issues, but the sides and the top are very even. On forgeries the lines are separated, and the sides and top are uneven.

Forgery
Original


Mi 10

Forgery
Original

Both forgeries and originals of the "Seagull Design" stamps (Mi #10) are printed on fairly compact smooth paper. Also on this issue are colour application and design contours more even on forgeries than originals [1]. The most important design characteristics to distinguish originals from forgeries are:
  1. The top of the "5" in "35" is rather pointed on originals, rounder on forgeries.
  2. The wings of the seagull have uneven edges on original issues, more uneven on forgeries. In addition, the eye of the bird is missing on the forgeries.
  3. The slanting ovals ("feathers") to the right and left of the central design are narrow with uneven contours on originals. These ovals are much rounder and more even on forgeries.
  4. The vertical outer frameline is almost as thin as the horisontal wavelines on the originals, much thicker on forgeries.
  5. The horisontal wavelines go up around the central motive, ending in an extra thick line. This line is much thicker on forgeries than on originals.
Forgery
Original

Mi 11

Forgery
Original

Original issues of Mi #11 have a pale grey-violet colour, while the forgeries are clearly distinguishable by a more red-violet colour. (Note that the samples above are scanned through different plastic film and the difference is exaggerated.) Also on this issue are contours and colour application more even on forgeries than on original issues. The most important design characteristics to distinguish originals from forgeries are:
  1. The frames around the "Penni" field and the right "70" are clearly separated on forgeries, but confluent on original issues.
  2. The frame around "70" and the outer frame are clearly separated on forgeries, but confluent on original issues. This is especially visible on the left side of the stamps.
  3. The frame around the inner "Seagull" field is separated from the outer frame with a thin third line on forgeries, but confluent on originals.
Forgery
Original
Source:
  1. E. Sjogren: "Distinguishing features of Jaan Lubi forgeries of Estonian stamps I", Eesti Filatelist #28, 1982