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| 1901, July 18 (Known cancelled in June 1901)
Control handstamp inscribed "Ethiopie" on 1895 issue required because base stamps were sold at below face value in Paris. Violet handstamp - Issued July 18, 1901, valid for postage. [Rare and underpriced in catalogues.] Blue handstamp - Issued in January, 1902, official reprint issued to supply collector demand, including CTO. SC: 8-14. SG: 15-21. MI: 1I-7I & 1II-7II. YV: 8-14. |
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ORIGINAL
Cut from a rubber address stamp of Alfred Ilg. 9¼ mm (excluding serifs) x 2½ mm (E); No serifs on "h" and "i"s; usually blurred or smeared, with "e" filled and periods running into tops of "i"s. |
| 15 | ¼g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
4,050
3,900 |
| 16 | ½g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
4,050
3,900 |
| 17 | 1g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp b. Inverted (violet) |
3,600
3,450 |
| 18 | 2g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
3,600
3,300 |
| 19 | 4g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
3,450
3,150 |
| 20 | 8g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
2,300
2,000 |
| 21 | 16g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
2,150
1,800 |
| Notes:
1. During 1901-1902 postal use was primarily limited to the violet handstamp. The blue is found mostly unused or cancelled during 1908. 2. The quantity of issue are those reported for July 1, 1901 (show for violet) and October 15, 1901 (show for blue), although color was not specified on the report. It may be that both quantities are for violet with an unspecified quantity for the philatelic blue handstamp. 3. Postal or valid CTO use should be in 1901-1902 and 1908. Discount for numerous forged cancels. |
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OFFICIAL REPRODUCTION I - J. A. Michel
New handstamp prepared by Postmaster J. A. Michel about 1906 to meet collector demand. 8¼ mm x 3 mm; no middle serif on E; serifs on "h", "i"s, and "p"; clean handstamp. |
| 15RI | ¼g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
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| 16RI | ½g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
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| 17RI | 1g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
|
| 18RI | 2g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
|
| 19RI | 4g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
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| 20RI | 8g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
|
| 21RI | 16g Violet handstamp
a. Blue handstamp |
| Notes:
1. Prepared by J. A. Michel, to meet collector demand. His superior, Alfred Ilg, objected to their sale as it would depress the stamp market of the 1901 original and 1902 reprint. Michel was, however, Director of Posts and the sales went to the Post Office. At least one philatelic cover passed through the mails. As such the stamps are listed here as "official reproductions," while this and the following handstamp are often listed as forgeries. 2. This handstamp was later used to prepare unauthorized additional stamps, including many varieties. Late use appears fuzzy and oversize, and the middle serif of E ends with a blob which points down. Pointed tail on "e". Although this points to J. A. Michel as the perpetrator, this and the following handstamp were not in Michel's estate purchased by Ivan Adler. 3. No regular postal use. Used copies are philatelic, CTO, or forgeries. |
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OFFICIAL REPRODUCTION II - J. A. Michel
New handstamp prepared by Postmaster J. A. Michel about 1906 to meet collector demand. 9¼ mm x 2½ mm; with middle serif on E; serifs on "h" and "i"s; clean to smeared handstamp. |
| 15RII | ¼g Violet handstamp | |
| 16RII | ½g Violet handstamp | |
| 17RII | 1g Violet handstamp | |
| 18RII | 2g Violet handstamp | |
| 19RII | 4g Violet handstamp | |
| 20RII | 8g Violet handstamp | |
| 21RII | 16g Violet handstamp |
| Notes:
1. See above. |
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ESSAY
Made in 1901 from the official Post Office letterhead used by H. Muhle. 15½ mm x 3½ mm; script letters, clean handstamp. |
| 15E | ¼g Black handstamp | |
| 16E | ½g Black handstamp | |
| 17E | 1g Black handstamp | |
| 18E | 2g Black handstamp | |
| 19E | 4g Black handstamp | |
| 20E | 8g Black handstamp | |
| 21E | 16g Black handstamp |
| Notes:
1. Limited postal use. Known on a cover dated June 25, 1903 cancelled AA1 in black. 2. First catalogued by Gibbons in 1904. |
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FACSIMILE - Fournier
On Fournier facsimile stamps. See 1895 issue. 8½ mm x 2½ mm; middle serif on E; no serifs on "h" and "i"s; sharp cross on "t"; tail of "e" sticks out; clean handstamp. In violet, blue, and blue-green with Fournier facsimile cancels. |
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FORGER A
The designation "Forger A" is based on the use of fake cancel HR3-F2. 9¼ mm x 3 mm; crude leaning letters, fuzzy handstamp, poor middle serif on E; cross bar on "t" is lower; no serifs, but tail to right on "i"s; tail of "e" does not come close to top and is pointed. In violet only. Cancel: HR2-F2, black. |
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FORGER B
This handstamp is also found on post cards and provisionals. The use of genuine cancel AA1 in black suggests that his handstamp was prepared at the Addis Abeba Post Office. It is listed as a forgery based on the lack of known authorization or valid postal use. 9¼ mm x 3 mm; middle serif on E; serifs on "h" and "i"s; usually a clean overprint. In blue only. |
Revised: July 8, 2008