Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
This is a Crete revenue stamp.
A 20 lepta postage stamp in rose in the same design was issued in March 1900.
Both sets were printed by Bradbury Wilkinson.
Login to Like
this post
I believe it to be Crete. The bottom part is "lepta" which is the currency of the island in the early 1900's. I think the stamp is from that time period. They were independent of Greece until 1913 I think. Also the figure depicted is the goddess Hera.
Login to Like
this post
Just a reminder for those using the Scott catalogs. Using this an an example, if you look up "KPHTH" in the Index and Identifier in the back of each catalog, you will find that the word is identified as "Crete". Also, if you think that this stamp is from the Greek area, the illustrated identifier right before the index in each catalog shows stamps from Crete, and even highlights "KPHTH" as the country name for Crete.
It bears repeating that the catalogs (Scott, Michel, Gibbons, etc.) are much more than just catalog numbers and values. Reading the introduction to the catalogs, and perusing the back sections will provide plenty of information, AND reduce the level of frustration when trying to figure out various elements of stamp designs and printing methods as well as country names. Like any tool, once you learn how to use it, the job gets much easier.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
02:25:50pm
Nigel - I picked up on the Crete immediately but what brings out the revenue use as opposed to postal?
Login to Like
this post
Scott does state that it is a revenue stamp. But you're right. Other than a catalog note what makes it a revenue stamp?
Login to Like
this post
Hi,
Crete stamps in this colour were only for revenue use.
The only exception was SG12, the 1 lepton revenue stamp, which was authorised for postal use for short periods.
The type of cancellation used here is a revenue one, in this case from Heraklion
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
The story of the early Crete revenue stamps is an interesting one.
First was a wide range of Turkish revenue stamps with special overprints for use in Crete where citizens hsd to psy double the tax paid on the Turkish mainland.
Then, after a short period of provisional revenue stamps starting in 1898 (including revenue stamps issued by the British and Russian administrations), the first revenue stamps for the autonomous government were the low values of the first 1900 postage set handstamped in blocks of four with the type of cancellation used here.
Then these same four values were replaced by the same postage stamps each with a large X perfin.
Then in 1901 a set of nine values were issued specifically for revenue use. These had the same face values and designs as the first postage issue but were all in this colour, variously described as "bistre-yellow" (Barefoot), "yellow-orange" (SG), "bister" (Scott) etc.
The only exception was the 5 drachma high value which was bistre-yellow except for the central medal which was in black.
After that, a number of overprinted or surcharged revenue stamps appeared, some on postage stamps, others on revenue stamps.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
I believe there are also other instances of revenue stamps being used postally in many other countries as well. New Zealand specifically comes to mind. The specialized catalogs usually indicate revenue stamps that are postally used have higher catalog values.
While there are also instances of regular postage stamps having been used for revenue purposes. For example the "Tollur" cancellations of early Iceland postage stamps. In these cases, the value of a stamp with revenue usage is usually lower than for a postally used stamp.
Login to Like
this post
So where is this invisible stamp? Maybe I need new glasses.
Tad
Login to Like
this post
Hi Tad,
Doug's original post seems to have been deleted for some reason.
Here on the left is a Crete 20 lepta revenue stamp like the one in Doug's post with a similar revenue cancellation.
On the right is the corresponding 20 lepta postage stamp which is SG 4 / Scott #53.
Apart from the cancellations the only difference is in the colour.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Thank you Nigel for restoring some sense to this thread. I just wish there was more control over post deletions; particularly the opening one.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Thanks Ningpo. I agree.
It's strange that when Doug made his original post I had this 20 lepta revenue sitting on my desk waiting to be filed away but I couldn't find my Crete revenues stockbook.
This isn't a great copy but it has come in useful this evening! 
I still don't know where my stockbook is but I'm sure it will turn up.
Login to Like
this post
The original post was deleted by the original poster.
Login to Like
this post
11:12:25pm
" It's all Greek to me."
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Hi Doug.
This is a Crete revenue stamp.
A 20 lepta postage stamp in rose in the same design was issued in March 1900.
Both sets were printed by Bradbury Wilkinson.
Login to Like
this post
re: Do not know which country
I believe it to be Crete. The bottom part is "lepta" which is the currency of the island in the early 1900's. I think the stamp is from that time period. They were independent of Greece until 1913 I think. Also the figure depicted is the goddess Hera.
Login to Like
this post
re: Do not know which country
Just a reminder for those using the Scott catalogs. Using this an an example, if you look up "KPHTH" in the Index and Identifier in the back of each catalog, you will find that the word is identified as "Crete". Also, if you think that this stamp is from the Greek area, the illustrated identifier right before the index in each catalog shows stamps from Crete, and even highlights "KPHTH" as the country name for Crete.
It bears repeating that the catalogs (Scott, Michel, Gibbons, etc.) are much more than just catalog numbers and values. Reading the introduction to the catalogs, and perusing the back sections will provide plenty of information, AND reduce the level of frustration when trying to figure out various elements of stamp designs and printing methods as well as country names. Like any tool, once you learn how to use it, the job gets much easier.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
25 Oct 2016
02:25:50pm
re: Do not know which country
Nigel - I picked up on the Crete immediately but what brings out the revenue use as opposed to postal?
Login to Like
this post
re: Do not know which country
Scott does state that it is a revenue stamp. But you're right. Other than a catalog note what makes it a revenue stamp?
Login to Like
this post
re: Do not know which country
Hi,
Crete stamps in this colour were only for revenue use.
The only exception was SG12, the 1 lepton revenue stamp, which was authorised for postal use for short periods.
The type of cancellation used here is a revenue one, in this case from Heraklion
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Do not know which country
The story of the early Crete revenue stamps is an interesting one.
First was a wide range of Turkish revenue stamps with special overprints for use in Crete where citizens hsd to psy double the tax paid on the Turkish mainland.
Then, after a short period of provisional revenue stamps starting in 1898 (including revenue stamps issued by the British and Russian administrations), the first revenue stamps for the autonomous government were the low values of the first 1900 postage set handstamped in blocks of four with the type of cancellation used here.
Then these same four values were replaced by the same postage stamps each with a large X perfin.
Then in 1901 a set of nine values were issued specifically for revenue use. These had the same face values and designs as the first postage issue but were all in this colour, variously described as "bistre-yellow" (Barefoot), "yellow-orange" (SG), "bister" (Scott) etc.
The only exception was the 5 drachma high value which was bistre-yellow except for the central medal which was in black.
After that, a number of overprinted or surcharged revenue stamps appeared, some on postage stamps, others on revenue stamps.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Do not know which country
I believe there are also other instances of revenue stamps being used postally in many other countries as well. New Zealand specifically comes to mind. The specialized catalogs usually indicate revenue stamps that are postally used have higher catalog values.
While there are also instances of regular postage stamps having been used for revenue purposes. For example the "Tollur" cancellations of early Iceland postage stamps. In these cases, the value of a stamp with revenue usage is usually lower than for a postally used stamp.
Login to Like
this post
re: Do not know which country
So where is this invisible stamp? Maybe I need new glasses.
Tad
Login to Like
this post
re: Do not know which country
Hi Tad,
Doug's original post seems to have been deleted for some reason.
Here on the left is a Crete 20 lepta revenue stamp like the one in Doug's post with a similar revenue cancellation.
On the right is the corresponding 20 lepta postage stamp which is SG 4 / Scott #53.
Apart from the cancellations the only difference is in the colour.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: Do not know which country
Thank you Nigel for restoring some sense to this thread. I just wish there was more control over post deletions; particularly the opening one.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: Do not know which country
Thanks Ningpo. I agree.
It's strange that when Doug made his original post I had this 20 lepta revenue sitting on my desk waiting to be filed away but I couldn't find my Crete revenues stockbook.
This isn't a great copy but it has come in useful this evening!
I still don't know where my stockbook is but I'm sure it will turn up.
Login to Like
this post
re: Do not know which country
The original post was deleted by the original poster.
Login to Like
this post
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
27 Oct 2016
11:12:25pm
re: Do not know which country
" It's all Greek to me."
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.