Page 57 - SD2015-09_John_Grant_Japan 1871to1883

1875 Issue Bird Series
15 Sen Lilac

(Designedby G.Nakamura) (Recess Govt. Ptg. Works Tokyo)

Printed on ordinary wove paper
Short Perf 9%x 12%& Compounds

15 Sen Pied Wagtail
January 1,1875

Identirying Forgeries of the 15 sen stamp
1. In many forgeries, the top chrysanthemum crest and the four cherry blossoms in

the circular band are printed more lightly than the rest of the design.
2. Ends of the leaves on the right are cut off by the inner circles: in forgeries,the leaf

ends are pointed or even round.
3. The bird's tail ends in a V-shaped notch: in forgeries, the end is square or even rounded.
4. The tip of the right-hand wing crosses under the large wing-tip and shows to the left of

it: the small wing tip does not show in forgeries.
5. Them is space between the outer circles and the bottom line: in most forgeries,the circle

touches the bottom line.

Note: all known forgeries are syllabic 1i ;2 ro and 3 ha may be presumed genuine.

Genuine conries

(~0) (ha)
Nagasaki Bota Yokohama Bota

In use from In use from

Oct. 1875 to Nov. 1875 July 1879 to March 1880

Fowed copy

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(0
hnka forgery