Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
So why don't we share stories about what attracted us the collecting Bermuda?
I'll start;
When I was at the Columbian expo in Chicago in 1992, I visited the booth of a Commonwealth specialist from the UK. He had the most fantastic selection of the high-value King's Head definitives. They really caught my eye - a lush engraved design, brilliant colors, colored papers no less, interesting variety because of perfs and watermarks - they had it all.
To top it off, Bermuda has a very conservative issuing policy and it is actually possible to purchase kiloware unlike many other small islands. And - who doesn't like ships on stamps? Bermuda has those in spades! Finding postcards from all of the tourists is also one of my favorites especially if they are franked with commemoratives. As I have begun to sell off many of my collections to reduce my collection to a manageable size, I've decided that I MUST keep Bermuda. My collection has a long way to go, but it is a fun process finding them.
Does anyone know - do those definitives have a different name?
Why do YOU collect the stamps of Bermuda?
pics of stamps from my dream list . . .
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Bermuda is one of those countries that I kept saying "someday"...
It has always been a dream of mine to tour that tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic (my parents went there only to live through a hurricane 
)
(BTW, DON'T go on vacation with the Stewarts as my wife and I have had to evacuate from TWO hurricanes 
-- from Hilton Head Island and the Outer Banks of NC)
Finally, as I was converting my inventory list to Excel, I realized I did not have ANY country that was in Scott Volume 1.
Since I collect other British commonwealth areas, it is a really good fit for my collection.
Nice older material, varieties, plus beautiful Topicals, what else can you ask for??
BOB
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Not sure exactly why I started to collect Bermuda other than for some reason I had a fascination with this island.I collect all British Commonwealth countries but for most (4-5 exceptions) I collect only the stamps from the reign of King George VI--Bermuda is one of the exceptions.One of the things that makes it appealing for me is that the stamp issues are related to their history,culture,flora, fauna etc.I only collect to the end of Year2000 and at this point only need about 20 stamps for completion---there will always be a few that will remain on a "dream list"
Three years ago my wife and I took a cruise from Baltimore to Bermuda where the ship docked for 3 days and you could tour/explore the island and use the ship as your hotel--it was amazing how I could connect much of what we saw to various stamp issues.
Harold
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My wife and I visited Bermuda for the first time in 1989. While there we visited the main post office in Hamilton. They've got a fairly active philatelic sales counter and I picked up a few souvenirs. I couldn't help but notice that the quality of their stamps was somewhat better than that of the U.S. stamps then in production.
Upon my return home, and this is the karmic part, I happened to visit my local stamp dealer one day and somehow I got to telling him about my visit to Bermuda and about the few stamps I had picked up in Hamilton.
For the next hour or so he proceeded to tell me all about Bermuda philately. Turns out he was one of the country's premier Bermuda dealers, with mail order customers (pre Internet) from all over the United States and Canada. He had even published his own album: The Stamps of Bermuda. This, of course, was Bill Fletcher of Battle Green Stamp Company in Lexington, Mass.
Needless to say, I purchased his album (which you can still purchase today from Bermuda Stamp Company) along with a bunch of stamps then and there. Over the years, I purchased a good deal more from Bill, who was always more than helpful.
Bill sold his business and retired in the 1990s and he died in 2004. He was a boon to Bermuda collecting.
Over the intervening years I have continued to focus on Bermuda and as my interest has grown so has my collection.
Theresa, are the definatives you're referring to the ones on your illustrated dream list? If so, they are more properly known as Key Plates. They were valid for both postage and revenue, and given their high values primarily were used for revenue. Legitimate postal uses are rare. The Key Plates were printed during both King George V and King George VI eras. They come in a number of varieties, as there were dozens of printings using different paper, ink, and perfs. There are also lots of errors around that demand high prices.
The flaws and the various printings are described in great detail in a reference work by Robert Dickgiesser and Eric Yendall, entitled "King George VI Large Key Type Stamps". It's out of print but you can find copies from time to time on EBay.
I am currently working on the early years of Bermuda by slowly collecting the Queen Victoria heads. Slow going!
For those of you who may be interested, the is the Bermuda Collectors Society, of which I am a member, focuses on all things Bermuda Philatelic They publish a very nice and informative quarterly magazine. http://www.bermudacollectorssociety.com/
David
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The daughter of a close friend lives in Bermuda.Whenever my friend visits she tells me interesting stories about the island, but alas never goes to the PO to get me the stamps.....So I am collecting them in another way and recalling a bit of the island beauty...and her adventures.
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Did everybody see the nice article on Bermuda in the latest issue of the "American Philatelist?"
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No but would love to read it.
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I just got mine, Dakota, you beat me to it--looks good! BOB
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09:18:22pm
"Does anyone know - do those definitives have a different name? "
The bi-color stamps are known as the "Key Plate" stamps. The Key Plate being the central figure and the "Duty Plate" being the surrounding country and denomination information etc. A pattern used by many of the British Colonies over multiple reigns.
Whoops, just noticed that BermudaSailor already answered that question. Oh well ...
Roy
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I'm having a crash course in Bermuda philately! This week I read all the fine print in the Gibbons classic catalog, the minimalist Scott listings and all of the great posts here. Now I'm waiting for my first issues of the journal from the Bermuda Collector's Society - yup paid my dues! And I won a small collection at auction with a half dozen of the first key plate issues and a smattering of vickies and caravels to give me a better amount of material to examine.
The Key plate watermarks on my KGVs are tough to see - for me anyways. Those colored papers don't seem to have been heavily watermarked - they are very light. I'm using "clarity" watermark fluid. I'm also scratching my head trying to make out some of the color varieties, especially the 1p carmine vickies. The 'aniline' colors do seem to be more visible through the back as the catalog hinted, but some I'm not sure which is which. I think I need to see good examples of those to be able to make a more educated "guesstimate" of catalog number. I'm fairly certain that all of the cancels I have are revenue cancels, but I do have several nice cancels for the KGVI 2sh issue. I haven't looked to see if I have any of the plate varieties yet.
I spent some time today on the Bermuda post website and for some reason, they won't let me purchase directly. USA ISPs must be blocked to force us to use their agent, Interpost. I couldn't find a definition of their "zones" to understand their postal rates. Also learned about their imposition of postal codes for the island. Seems weird that such a tiny island needs post codes? Also learned that the primary sorting facility is in St. George's post office, conveniently near the airport and port. I wonder if I could send an envelope to the postmasters and ask them to cancel and send to me in order to get some new issues with a cancel that isn't a first day. Has anyone ever done that with a small country or island?
Thank you for the book recommendation. I'll add that to my ebay saved searches - or - if it is extremely expensive - I'll look into borrowing a copy from the APRL. I think they still have the lending program?
just found this tidbit in wiki
"In 1902, Edward VII was not honored with a depiction on new stamps; instead the issue depicted a Bermudian dry dock, and remained in use throughout his reign. These were the first stamps in the British Empire that did not depict the monarch's head.[2]"
I LOVE digging in and learning a new area! Fun fun fun!
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Links for Bermuda collectors;
Bermuda Post Office;
http://www.bpo.bm/philatelic.aspx
Bermuda Collectors Society
www.bermudacollectorssociety.com/
forgeries;
http://stampforgeries.com/forged-stamps-of-bermuda/
other sites;
http://www.bermudastamps.co.uk/
http://www.bermuda-online.org/stamps.htm
http://www.stampdomain.com/country/bermuda/
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Theresa,
I hope that you enjoy your membership in the Bermuda Collectors Society. I am a relatively new member of that organization myself. I find their quarterly publication to be very informative and educational. They’re hosting a Bermuda postal history lecture at The World Stamp show next week, which I plan on attending.
As for colors. They’re very tough. I highly recommend that you purchase a Stanley Gibbons Color Guide. You really cannot get too far into the QVs, KGV, and KGVI without it. I think I paid about $22 for mine. I use it all the time and find it indispensable. Check out this SRO thread
:https://stamporama.com/discboard/disc_main.php?action=20&id=10427
You can purchase directly from the Bermuda Post Office. I have had an account with them for over 30 years. The quality of their new issue service isn’t what it once was, but it keeps my collection current without too much effort on my part.
David
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Thanks, David. I'm really looking forward to reading the BCS journals - everyone speaks so highly of them!
I do have a Gibbons color key and a "wonder" color key, although I 'wonder' why I bought it? LOL There's nothing like seeing examples of the real deal and then comparing yours to them. That's how I learned to identify the inks and overprints for Ireland. I bought a collection that was assembled by a real expert in the field - one of the founding members of the EPA, and they serve as my identification 'key'. Once I saw genuine examples - it just popped out at me. Colors are the toughest because online pics usually aren't color accurate. There is a member of my local club who is a really knowledgeable dealer and I'll bet he has most of those in stock. Once I compare mine to his, hopefully I'll have a few of most of the common colors or I'll buy a few and then I'll have the beginnings of a reference key. I have a fairly good guess which colors I have, but it always helps to do your homework!
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HERE is the main part of my Bermuda collection. British colonies have always been one of my favorite areas but I've been saving it to concentrate on for my "old age", which seems to have already snuck up on me. My early issues are quite weak and I have yet to scan the more modern pages. Here are the first and second page and another latter one.
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Excellent! Thanks so much for posting those.
Now I'm curious - #5 has a HUGE left margin - is there a name for this type of margin or centering? Hmmm - I'll post that question on the main board - someone must know.
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I've seen them called "Wing Margins".
Josh
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A few items I'd like to ask the experts to look over;
first -- is this a forgery? _________________________ regular copy;
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The Colors on these key plates is quite noticeable to me, but Scott's has no indication for color varieties. Any information or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Look at the shade of blue on the first stamp, row 2. The middle stamp of row one has a much more intense purple center. I know these are printed from two plates - the center plate is called the "key plate" correct? And the outer parts were different for each country that issued stamps using the key plates. Is that part called the 'border'? Hmm I need to read a good book on Bermudan philately! Any suggestions?
Just found more info in an SG catalog forgotten on the back of my bookshelf - the outer part of the stamp is printed from plates called the "duty" plates - that has the country name and denomination - face value. These were used in Bermuda, Ceylon, Leeward Islands, Malaya - Straits Settlements, Malta and Nyasaland
I know some of these are a bit raggedy, but when I'm studying a new area, I like to have multiple copies to look over. It makes it easier to learn varieties - at least for me.
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Theresa,
The color varieties on your key plates are listed in Stanley Gibbons. Scott does a poor job with their Bermuda listings. I hardily recommend, therefore, that you invest in a Northern Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Stamp Catalogue. If you're getting serious about collecting Bermuda then you're going to need one. You don't need the new one (unless you want the latest catalog prices) an older one will do. SG assigns a different catalog number to each color variation. The stamps you are showing us are listed as SG116. Then each variety gets a little letter, i.e. 116(a), 116(b), etc.
In any case, you've got a nice set of 2/ there.
As for the forgery. Whatever it is, it doesn't look real. The engraving looks wrong, the perfs look wrong, and the paper looks wrong. What is the paper like - thick or thin?
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I must be having a senior moment - I forgot that I bought a used copy of SG Commonwealth - to 1970. Well DUH! Actually - part of the problem is that SG catalogs are taller than standard bookshelf sizes in the states, so I had it on the shelf spine DOWN so it was out of sight out of mind. I should inventory my philatelic reference material.
Absolutely awesome section on Bermuda. I'll scan and start scribbling notes. Thanks for the nudge!
Ok - the fakey looking stamp has thicker paper and in rough condition with a center crease.
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There is also an interesting paragraph in Gibbons about why there are so many variations in these issues. Apparantly the De La Rue printing facility was damaged in 1940 so some of their work was transferred to other printing companies. SG doesn't say if the damage was caused by bombing, but considering the time frame that might be likely. Fascinating stuff!
Just found this on http://www.nzstamps.org.uk/35pictorials/blitz/blitz.html - De La Rue was bombed in September and December during the Blitz
The catalog goes on to explain that you can tell the difference between the De La Rue and William & Lea co. printings by the perfs. The originals were 13.9 x 13.8 comb perforated while the William & Lea company used a 14.15 line perforating machine.
There are many plate varieties for this issue - a flyspecker's dream!
This info is on page 105 of my 2008 SG "Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps 1840-1970".
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The thicker paper on the QV makes me think that it originated on a postal card. Is it that thick?
Makes me think someone clipped it off the card and then began to fool around trying to perf it etc.
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No the paper is thinner than that and there doesn't appear to be any evidence on the back that it was peeled off.
Just found a site showing the forgery - yup definitely a forgery!
http://stampforgeries.com/forged-stamps-of-bermuda/
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Another Bermuda oddity -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bermuda-Proparganda-stamps-issued-by-Nazi-Germany-in-1945-This-page-from-a-p-/391462306537?hash=item5b24f8c2e9:g:EFsAAOSwT6pVsLHN
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Thanks for sharing those two sites. I've bookmarked them.
David
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A question for Bermuda collectors - how do you purchase your new issues? I tried to set up a new issue account, but I have not had any response from the messages sent to the Bermuda Post Office. The agent for the USA, Herrick, doesn't sell the new issues unless you subscribe to SEVEN countries. So - how in the heck do you get new Bermuda stamps?
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I opened an account with the Bermuda Post Office 30 years ago.
But, I have to say that in the past few years their service has slipped - a lot. So, your problem getting someone to respond to you is not surprising.
Unfortunately, I don't have a magic pill to fix this. If you really want to open an account, you need to be persistent.
David
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I had no problem writing the Bermuda post office for information, and they mailed me a brochure with stamps to order, and I ordered the year sets I wanted. This was a couple years ago, though.
Josh
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Check out this Bermuda Collection on Ebay - only $15,000!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-25450-Super-Collection-stamps-of-Bermuda-1865-1965-/231976071222?
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Nice collection. Thanks for jaring it with us, Theresa.
I'd be very surprised if this sells for $16,000, however. If I were in the market for this collection I'd want to see it in person and examine the key plates, overprints, and other higher valued material for varieties, defects, etc. This seller didn't even bother to scan the backs of these stamps. I guess that the buyer is supposed to take it on faith that are never hinged.
I'm going to "watch" this lot just for the fun of it.
David
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I think you're 100% right - those overprints should have certificates, too. I can't imagine spending that kind of money without precautions. Sometimes I think sellers list items like those to advertise the lot, not expecting to sell them then and there, but to generate interest from potential buyers who then contact them for the real negotiations.
You never know, there are some folks with so much money that they can afford to buy on a whim. I'm sure not in that group!
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Fantasy stamps from an ebay lot;
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I never understood the appeal of these.
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Well the EBay seller of the $16,000 Bermuda "mystery" lot didn't have any takers. He has relisted (or simply extended the end date) until August 10th, without any reduction in price or further details on what it is exactly that he is selling.
I'm "watching" it again and I'll keep you posted with any updates.
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Thanks for the update on this one and for the reminder to watch the relist. I wonder what it would be like to have enough money to be able to gamble on something like this?
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That Theresa, is something I'll never know - unless, of course I win the lottery.
David
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I have just begun to collect Bermuda. I have noticed a handful of lots on ebay that appear to be CTO's. Are CTO's common for Bermuda?
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Sean,
I have been a serious Bermuda collector for over 25 years. I have never seen a Bermuda CTO sold as such by the Bermuda Post Office. I am sure that if a person walked into the post office and asked to ahve stamps affixed to an envelope hand canceled at the counter, the clerk would be accomodating. I would be interested if you could direct me to the specific eBay lot(s). I would be very interested in looking them over.
David
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Hi David,
Here are 3 lots, all from same seller.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BERMUDA-1970-DECIMAL-CURRENCY-DEFINITIVES-SET-17-USED-/201731155815?hash=item2ef81d2767:g:78YAAOSwiDFYOz5
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BERMUDA-1970-79-DEFINITIVE-SET-OF-24-USED-/222328084433?hash=item33c3c957d1:g:yEkAAOSw5cNYO0AZ
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BERMUDA-1978-83-DEFINITIVE-SET-OF-17-USED-/201731157176?hash=item2ef81d2cb8:g:hEYAAOSwHMJYO0BX
There are others from this seller and a couple from other sellers that look similar.
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Looking at that first link, they do look CTO to me. Or they have been soaked from one or more FDC's.
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I have read through this post and all the links provided. Other than the Queen Vics, are there any other issues where fakes or other shenanigans are prevalent? What should I watch out for?
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Sean,
thanks for the eBay links. I have looked at all of them carefully.
These have a variety of cancelation dates (the ones I can read), and therefore are not first day stamps soaked from their covers. For example the Architecture series of 1970 was issued on Feb 6, 1970. The 2 cent has a "Y" in the cancelation date, and the $1.20's date ends in "N". The other two issues you cited have similar date differences.
I suspect that whoever assembled these collections carefully culled them from a larger grouping of used stamps. All three are very nice,
David
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Yes, looking more closely at those dates (and the 60c, which also seems to have an 'N' in the date), they aren't from FDC's.
Those postmarks are very crisp and neatly applied. Is this fairly representative of the quality of postmarks applied in Bermuda?
I'm just not used to seeing clean steel markings like this; I have to contend with postmarks that mostly look like they were applied with a bicycle tyre.
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I agree with Ningpo, I find it very odd to find a whole set, multiple sets, with perfect clean strikes, most of them neatly on the corners.
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Sean,
I agree that it is a bit odd, however, I would think that if they were CTO then the likelihood would be that they'd all be canceled on the same day. These were canceled over a period of many months, if not years.
David
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The only Bermuda catalog I have for now is the classic and it only goes up to a certain point. The 1953 set shows the QE2 and map has 2 different stamps and scott numbers according to online catalog and my album. 3d purple is 138 & 136, and 1'3d blue 145 & 157. Can someone tell me what the difference is? Thanks in advance.
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The first 3d purple and 1/3 blue have Sandy's with an apostrophe (Scott 148 and 149). The second 3d and 1/3 have Sandys without an apostrophe (Scott156 and 157).
Jacques (jlav)
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Thank you Jacques! I looked at those for a half hour and could not see the difference.
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Sean,
The following website has some information regarding fakes from Bermuda. They are mostly limited to the QVs and the postmaster provisionals. There is a list of other articles at the bottom of the website that cite other possible fakes and forgeries.
http://stampforgeries.com/forged-stamps-of-bermuda/
David
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Regarding the Bermuda corner cancels, have just looked through some of the ones I have soaked from the late 80's and quite a few have good clear side/corner cancel. A lot though have smudgy "normal" and heavy cancels.
I guess if you have access to a large number of copies you could put together a nice clear cancelled set.
Mind you back in the mid 60's I had an Aunt who worked at a post office and if I needed a good clear cancel I would get her to do them, so maybe someone has a pal in the post office who hand stamps them.
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I went ahead and bought a nice Bermuda album. It has spaces for a ton of varieties, even various color varieties that are not listed in Scott's. When I got to the 1970 Floral series, it shows that several of the stamps have watermark varieties (sideways, diagonal). I spent 20 minutes and could not see any watermarks, mint or used. Do I need to use something other than the typical Ronsonol?
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Just joined, and delighted to find so many avid collectors of Bermuda here, as that country is my main collecting interest.
I've collected Bermuda stamps for many years, having lived and worked there most of my adult life. In recent years, I started a collection of WW tall ships and lighthouses, of which Bermuda has a good number, and tall ships covers with ship's stamps.
I also use the Battle Green Bermuda albums, with separate collections of mint and used. Still working on how I'll house my tall ships and lighthouses collections though. I'm open to any suggestions anyone has to offer.
An enjoyable sideline to my tallships covers collecting is making up the cachets and visiting the ships when they visit to get the covers stamped on board before posting them.
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Welcome Bill,
I am looking forward to learning more about Bermuda philately from you in the coming months. I am a bit jealous that you got to live in Bermuda. When I was in my 30s I tried to find a way to move there, but I couldn’t get any kind of meaningful employment. So, I have had to settle for bi-annual visits and living vicariously through my stamps.
Given my interest in ships, I have been focused on pacquet boat covers, and key plates that have been used to pay exit fees, over the past year or so.
Are you familiar with the Bermuda Collector’s Society? For the $30 a year it costs in dues, I have found it to be worthwhile.
David
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Another collector of Bermuda 
-- welcome!
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06:27:09pm
I have been collecting Bermuda since about 1980, and it is an interesting area.
At the time I was living in downstate Illinois with no access to stamp shops, so I posted an ad in Linns Stamp News offering to buy Bermuda sets. I got no offers, but George King sent me a response inviting me to join Bermuda High which was the predecessor of the Bermuda Collector's Society.
At that time, a number of collectors were collaborating on how to identify the various printings of the King George VI and earlier keyplate issues. The information was published in a quarterly publication edited by Bob Dickgiesser. Every issue included information about printings, flaws, and other topics - like how the perforation equipment was damaged resulting in the Line Perf issues.
Bob ultimately published two books on identifying the King George VI keyplates. The first one is red and the second one is green. If you are interested in identifying these stamps you might look for one of his books on ebay. They have been out of print for a long time.
The Group members would meet at various stamp shows about twice a year. I remember meeting them at CAPEX in Toronto one summer. We had a reception where we discussed and compared stamps. The next morning we descended on the show looking for Bermuda keyplates. It was like a pack of wolves. They would pick the dealers clean and compare their bounty. Attending their meeting was like getting an advanced degree in collecting Bermuda which I sorely needed.
I later organized the meeting for the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. There were about 20 dealers and collectors who came to the dinner and met during the show.
Bob Dickgiesser died a few years later and the club evolved into the Bermuda Collector's Society. Unfortunately most of the original members are now deceased, and all of their collections have been auctioned or sold off. You will see much of the material they used to own appearing in various auctions from time to time.
I have some web pages that will help you identify some of the Bermuda printings linked from my home page shown below. Look for the web page listing link. The index page contains links to over 150 web pages that will help identify stamps from Bermuda and other British Colony countries. All sites are collaborative, so feel free to submit new information if you have anything to add to the site.
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Santa is sending me a little early gift. FINALLY found a nicely centered, no hinge £1Silver Wedding for my Bermuda collection. I’ve been wanting to replace the ho-hum blah space filler since, ummm, forever. Not a great rarity, but a super welcome addition.
Funny how one stamp can make you so happy!
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09:40:40am
If you are having trouble trying to figure out the various descriptions in the catalogs for the Bermuda Keyplates, remember that they are describing various printings which have different traits like color, paper and gum characteristics. I have now posted my Bermuda collection which includes 38 pages onto my website. It covers the time period from 1902 until 1952. (King Edward VII to King George VI). I have sorted the stamps by printing and have some notes from the various publications as the guide. Here is a link you can use if you are interested in it.
http://www.kgvistamps.com/PageScans/Bermuda/Bermuda.htm
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Just wanted to start a thread to talk about the stamps of Bermuda. I noticed last week that I'm not the only one who really enjoys collecting this tiny island nation.
So why don't we share stories about what attracted us the collecting Bermuda?
I'll start;
When I was at the Columbian expo in Chicago in 1992, I visited the booth of a Commonwealth specialist from the UK. He had the most fantastic selection of the high-value King's Head definitives. They really caught my eye - a lush engraved design, brilliant colors, colored papers no less, interesting variety because of perfs and watermarks - they had it all.
To top it off, Bermuda has a very conservative issuing policy and it is actually possible to purchase kiloware unlike many other small islands. And - who doesn't like ships on stamps? Bermuda has those in spades! Finding postcards from all of the tourists is also one of my favorites especially if they are franked with commemoratives. As I have begun to sell off many of my collections to reduce my collection to a manageable size, I've decided that I MUST keep Bermuda. My collection has a long way to go, but it is a fun process finding them.
Does anyone know - do those definitives have a different name?
Why do YOU collect the stamps of Bermuda?
pics of stamps from my dream list . . .
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re: Bermuda collectors "Fan page"
Bermuda is one of those countries that I kept saying "someday"...
It has always been a dream of mine to tour that tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic (my parents went there only to live through a hurricane )
(BTW, DON'T go on vacation with the Stewarts as my wife and I have had to evacuate from TWO hurricanes -- from Hilton Head Island and the Outer Banks of NC)
Finally, as I was converting my inventory list to Excel, I realized I did not have ANY country that was in Scott Volume 1.
Since I collect other British commonwealth areas, it is a really good fit for my collection.
Nice older material, varieties, plus beautiful Topicals, what else can you ask for??
BOB
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07:48:48pm
re: Bermuda collectors "Fan page"
Not sure exactly why I started to collect Bermuda other than for some reason I had a fascination with this island.I collect all British Commonwealth countries but for most (4-5 exceptions) I collect only the stamps from the reign of King George VI--Bermuda is one of the exceptions.One of the things that makes it appealing for me is that the stamp issues are related to their history,culture,flora, fauna etc.I only collect to the end of Year2000 and at this point only need about 20 stamps for completion---there will always be a few that will remain on a "dream list"
Three years ago my wife and I took a cruise from Baltimore to Bermuda where the ship docked for 3 days and you could tour/explore the island and use the ship as your hotel--it was amazing how I could connect much of what we saw to various stamp issues.
Harold
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My wife and I visited Bermuda for the first time in 1989. While there we visited the main post office in Hamilton. They've got a fairly active philatelic sales counter and I picked up a few souvenirs. I couldn't help but notice that the quality of their stamps was somewhat better than that of the U.S. stamps then in production.
Upon my return home, and this is the karmic part, I happened to visit my local stamp dealer one day and somehow I got to telling him about my visit to Bermuda and about the few stamps I had picked up in Hamilton.
For the next hour or so he proceeded to tell me all about Bermuda philately. Turns out he was one of the country's premier Bermuda dealers, with mail order customers (pre Internet) from all over the United States and Canada. He had even published his own album: The Stamps of Bermuda. This, of course, was Bill Fletcher of Battle Green Stamp Company in Lexington, Mass.
Needless to say, I purchased his album (which you can still purchase today from Bermuda Stamp Company) along with a bunch of stamps then and there. Over the years, I purchased a good deal more from Bill, who was always more than helpful.
Bill sold his business and retired in the 1990s and he died in 2004. He was a boon to Bermuda collecting.
Over the intervening years I have continued to focus on Bermuda and as my interest has grown so has my collection.
Theresa, are the definatives you're referring to the ones on your illustrated dream list? If so, they are more properly known as Key Plates. They were valid for both postage and revenue, and given their high values primarily were used for revenue. Legitimate postal uses are rare. The Key Plates were printed during both King George V and King George VI eras. They come in a number of varieties, as there were dozens of printings using different paper, ink, and perfs. There are also lots of errors around that demand high prices.
The flaws and the various printings are described in great detail in a reference work by Robert Dickgiesser and Eric Yendall, entitled "King George VI Large Key Type Stamps". It's out of print but you can find copies from time to time on EBay.
I am currently working on the early years of Bermuda by slowly collecting the Queen Victoria heads. Slow going!
For those of you who may be interested, the is the Bermuda Collectors Society, of which I am a member, focuses on all things Bermuda Philatelic They publish a very nice and informative quarterly magazine. http://www.bermudacollectorssociety.com/
David
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02:30:38pm
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The daughter of a close friend lives in Bermuda.Whenever my friend visits she tells me interesting stories about the island, but alas never goes to the PO to get me the stamps.....So I am collecting them in another way and recalling a bit of the island beauty...and her adventures.
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Did everybody see the nice article on Bermuda in the latest issue of the "American Philatelist?"
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09:57:39pm
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No but would love to read it.
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I just got mine, Dakota, you beat me to it--looks good! BOB
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BuckaCover.com - 80,000 covers priced 60c to $1.50 - Easy browsing 500 categories
26 May 2016
09:18:22pm
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"Does anyone know - do those definitives have a different name? "
The bi-color stamps are known as the "Key Plate" stamps. The Key Plate being the central figure and the "Duty Plate" being the surrounding country and denomination information etc. A pattern used by many of the British Colonies over multiple reigns.
Whoops, just noticed that BermudaSailor already answered that question. Oh well ...
Roy
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I'm having a crash course in Bermuda philately! This week I read all the fine print in the Gibbons classic catalog, the minimalist Scott listings and all of the great posts here. Now I'm waiting for my first issues of the journal from the Bermuda Collector's Society - yup paid my dues! And I won a small collection at auction with a half dozen of the first key plate issues and a smattering of vickies and caravels to give me a better amount of material to examine.
The Key plate watermarks on my KGVs are tough to see - for me anyways. Those colored papers don't seem to have been heavily watermarked - they are very light. I'm using "clarity" watermark fluid. I'm also scratching my head trying to make out some of the color varieties, especially the 1p carmine vickies. The 'aniline' colors do seem to be more visible through the back as the catalog hinted, but some I'm not sure which is which. I think I need to see good examples of those to be able to make a more educated "guesstimate" of catalog number. I'm fairly certain that all of the cancels I have are revenue cancels, but I do have several nice cancels for the KGVI 2sh issue. I haven't looked to see if I have any of the plate varieties yet.
I spent some time today on the Bermuda post website and for some reason, they won't let me purchase directly. USA ISPs must be blocked to force us to use their agent, Interpost. I couldn't find a definition of their "zones" to understand their postal rates. Also learned about their imposition of postal codes for the island. Seems weird that such a tiny island needs post codes? Also learned that the primary sorting facility is in St. George's post office, conveniently near the airport and port. I wonder if I could send an envelope to the postmasters and ask them to cancel and send to me in order to get some new issues with a cancel that isn't a first day. Has anyone ever done that with a small country or island?
Thank you for the book recommendation. I'll add that to my ebay saved searches - or - if it is extremely expensive - I'll look into borrowing a copy from the APRL. I think they still have the lending program?
just found this tidbit in wiki
"In 1902, Edward VII was not honored with a depiction on new stamps; instead the issue depicted a Bermudian dry dock, and remained in use throughout his reign. These were the first stamps in the British Empire that did not depict the monarch's head.[2]"
I LOVE digging in and learning a new area! Fun fun fun!
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Links for Bermuda collectors;
Bermuda Post Office;
http://www.bpo.bm/philatelic.aspx
Bermuda Collectors Society
www.bermudacollectorssociety.com/
forgeries;
http://stampforgeries.com/forged-stamps-of-bermuda/
other sites;
http://www.bermudastamps.co.uk/
http://www.bermuda-online.org/stamps.htm
http://www.stampdomain.com/country/bermuda/
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Theresa,
I hope that you enjoy your membership in the Bermuda Collectors Society. I am a relatively new member of that organization myself. I find their quarterly publication to be very informative and educational. They’re hosting a Bermuda postal history lecture at The World Stamp show next week, which I plan on attending.
As for colors. They’re very tough. I highly recommend that you purchase a Stanley Gibbons Color Guide. You really cannot get too far into the QVs, KGV, and KGVI without it. I think I paid about $22 for mine. I use it all the time and find it indispensable. Check out this SRO thread
:https://stamporama.com/discboard/disc_main.php?action=20&id=10427
You can purchase directly from the Bermuda Post Office. I have had an account with them for over 30 years. The quality of their new issue service isn’t what it once was, but it keeps my collection current without too much effort on my part.
David
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Thanks, David. I'm really looking forward to reading the BCS journals - everyone speaks so highly of them!
I do have a Gibbons color key and a "wonder" color key, although I 'wonder' why I bought it? LOL There's nothing like seeing examples of the real deal and then comparing yours to them. That's how I learned to identify the inks and overprints for Ireland. I bought a collection that was assembled by a real expert in the field - one of the founding members of the EPA, and they serve as my identification 'key'. Once I saw genuine examples - it just popped out at me. Colors are the toughest because online pics usually aren't color accurate. There is a member of my local club who is a really knowledgeable dealer and I'll bet he has most of those in stock. Once I compare mine to his, hopefully I'll have a few of most of the common colors or I'll buy a few and then I'll have the beginnings of a reference key. I have a fairly good guess which colors I have, but it always helps to do your homework!
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HERE is the main part of my Bermuda collection. British colonies have always been one of my favorite areas but I've been saving it to concentrate on for my "old age", which seems to have already snuck up on me. My early issues are quite weak and I have yet to scan the more modern pages. Here are the first and second page and another latter one.
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Excellent! Thanks so much for posting those.
Now I'm curious - #5 has a HUGE left margin - is there a name for this type of margin or centering? Hmmm - I'll post that question on the main board - someone must know.
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I've seen them called "Wing Margins".
Josh
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A few items I'd like to ask the experts to look over;
first -- is this a forgery? _________________________ regular copy;
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The Colors on these key plates is quite noticeable to me, but Scott's has no indication for color varieties. Any information or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Look at the shade of blue on the first stamp, row 2. The middle stamp of row one has a much more intense purple center. I know these are printed from two plates - the center plate is called the "key plate" correct? And the outer parts were different for each country that issued stamps using the key plates. Is that part called the 'border'? Hmm I need to read a good book on Bermudan philately! Any suggestions?
Just found more info in an SG catalog forgotten on the back of my bookshelf - the outer part of the stamp is printed from plates called the "duty" plates - that has the country name and denomination - face value. These were used in Bermuda, Ceylon, Leeward Islands, Malaya - Straits Settlements, Malta and Nyasaland
I know some of these are a bit raggedy, but when I'm studying a new area, I like to have multiple copies to look over. It makes it easier to learn varieties - at least for me.
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Theresa,
The color varieties on your key plates are listed in Stanley Gibbons. Scott does a poor job with their Bermuda listings. I hardily recommend, therefore, that you invest in a Northern Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Stamp Catalogue. If you're getting serious about collecting Bermuda then you're going to need one. You don't need the new one (unless you want the latest catalog prices) an older one will do. SG assigns a different catalog number to each color variation. The stamps you are showing us are listed as SG116. Then each variety gets a little letter, i.e. 116(a), 116(b), etc.
In any case, you've got a nice set of 2/ there.
As for the forgery. Whatever it is, it doesn't look real. The engraving looks wrong, the perfs look wrong, and the paper looks wrong. What is the paper like - thick or thin?
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I must be having a senior moment - I forgot that I bought a used copy of SG Commonwealth - to 1970. Well DUH! Actually - part of the problem is that SG catalogs are taller than standard bookshelf sizes in the states, so I had it on the shelf spine DOWN so it was out of sight out of mind. I should inventory my philatelic reference material.
Absolutely awesome section on Bermuda. I'll scan and start scribbling notes. Thanks for the nudge!
Ok - the fakey looking stamp has thicker paper and in rough condition with a center crease.
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There is also an interesting paragraph in Gibbons about why there are so many variations in these issues. Apparantly the De La Rue printing facility was damaged in 1940 so some of their work was transferred to other printing companies. SG doesn't say if the damage was caused by bombing, but considering the time frame that might be likely. Fascinating stuff!
Just found this on http://www.nzstamps.org.uk/35pictorials/blitz/blitz.html - De La Rue was bombed in September and December during the Blitz
The catalog goes on to explain that you can tell the difference between the De La Rue and William & Lea co. printings by the perfs. The originals were 13.9 x 13.8 comb perforated while the William & Lea company used a 14.15 line perforating machine.
There are many plate varieties for this issue - a flyspecker's dream!
This info is on page 105 of my 2008 SG "Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps 1840-1970".
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The thicker paper on the QV makes me think that it originated on a postal card. Is it that thick?
Makes me think someone clipped it off the card and then began to fool around trying to perf it etc.
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No the paper is thinner than that and there doesn't appear to be any evidence on the back that it was peeled off.
Just found a site showing the forgery - yup definitely a forgery!
http://stampforgeries.com/forged-stamps-of-bermuda/
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Another Bermuda oddity -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bermuda-Proparganda-stamps-issued-by-Nazi-Germany-in-1945-This-page-from-a-p-/391462306537?hash=item5b24f8c2e9:g:EFsAAOSwT6pVsLHN
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Thanks for sharing those two sites. I've bookmarked them.
David
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A question for Bermuda collectors - how do you purchase your new issues? I tried to set up a new issue account, but I have not had any response from the messages sent to the Bermuda Post Office. The agent for the USA, Herrick, doesn't sell the new issues unless you subscribe to SEVEN countries. So - how in the heck do you get new Bermuda stamps?
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I opened an account with the Bermuda Post Office 30 years ago.
But, I have to say that in the past few years their service has slipped - a lot. So, your problem getting someone to respond to you is not surprising.
Unfortunately, I don't have a magic pill to fix this. If you really want to open an account, you need to be persistent.
David
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I had no problem writing the Bermuda post office for information, and they mailed me a brochure with stamps to order, and I ordered the year sets I wanted. This was a couple years ago, though.
Josh
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Check out this Bermuda Collection on Ebay - only $15,000!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-25450-Super-Collection-stamps-of-Bermuda-1865-1965-/231976071222?
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Nice collection. Thanks for jaring it with us, Theresa.
I'd be very surprised if this sells for $16,000, however. If I were in the market for this collection I'd want to see it in person and examine the key plates, overprints, and other higher valued material for varieties, defects, etc. This seller didn't even bother to scan the backs of these stamps. I guess that the buyer is supposed to take it on faith that are never hinged.
I'm going to "watch" this lot just for the fun of it.
David
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I think you're 100% right - those overprints should have certificates, too. I can't imagine spending that kind of money without precautions. Sometimes I think sellers list items like those to advertise the lot, not expecting to sell them then and there, but to generate interest from potential buyers who then contact them for the real negotiations.
You never know, there are some folks with so much money that they can afford to buy on a whim. I'm sure not in that group!
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Fantasy stamps from an ebay lot;
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I never understood the appeal of these.
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Well the EBay seller of the $16,000 Bermuda "mystery" lot didn't have any takers. He has relisted (or simply extended the end date) until August 10th, without any reduction in price or further details on what it is exactly that he is selling.
I'm "watching" it again and I'll keep you posted with any updates.
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Thanks for the update on this one and for the reminder to watch the relist. I wonder what it would be like to have enough money to be able to gamble on something like this?
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That Theresa, is something I'll never know - unless, of course I win the lottery.
David
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I have just begun to collect Bermuda. I have noticed a handful of lots on ebay that appear to be CTO's. Are CTO's common for Bermuda?
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Sean,
I have been a serious Bermuda collector for over 25 years. I have never seen a Bermuda CTO sold as such by the Bermuda Post Office. I am sure that if a person walked into the post office and asked to ahve stamps affixed to an envelope hand canceled at the counter, the clerk would be accomodating. I would be interested if you could direct me to the specific eBay lot(s). I would be very interested in looking them over.
David
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Hi David,
Here are 3 lots, all from same seller.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BERMUDA-1970-DECIMAL-CURRENCY-DEFINITIVES-SET-17-USED-/201731155815?hash=item2ef81d2767:g:78YAAOSwiDFYOz5
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BERMUDA-1970-79-DEFINITIVE-SET-OF-24-USED-/222328084433?hash=item33c3c957d1:g:yEkAAOSw5cNYO0AZ
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BERMUDA-1978-83-DEFINITIVE-SET-OF-17-USED-/201731157176?hash=item2ef81d2cb8:g:hEYAAOSwHMJYO0BX
There are others from this seller and a couple from other sellers that look similar.
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Looking at that first link, they do look CTO to me. Or they have been soaked from one or more FDC's.
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I have read through this post and all the links provided. Other than the Queen Vics, are there any other issues where fakes or other shenanigans are prevalent? What should I watch out for?
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Sean,
thanks for the eBay links. I have looked at all of them carefully.
These have a variety of cancelation dates (the ones I can read), and therefore are not first day stamps soaked from their covers. For example the Architecture series of 1970 was issued on Feb 6, 1970. The 2 cent has a "Y" in the cancelation date, and the $1.20's date ends in "N". The other two issues you cited have similar date differences.
I suspect that whoever assembled these collections carefully culled them from a larger grouping of used stamps. All three are very nice,
David
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Yes, looking more closely at those dates (and the 60c, which also seems to have an 'N' in the date), they aren't from FDC's.
Those postmarks are very crisp and neatly applied. Is this fairly representative of the quality of postmarks applied in Bermuda?
I'm just not used to seeing clean steel markings like this; I have to contend with postmarks that mostly look like they were applied with a bicycle tyre.
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I agree with Ningpo, I find it very odd to find a whole set, multiple sets, with perfect clean strikes, most of them neatly on the corners.
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Sean,
I agree that it is a bit odd, however, I would think that if they were CTO then the likelihood would be that they'd all be canceled on the same day. These were canceled over a period of many months, if not years.
David
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The only Bermuda catalog I have for now is the classic and it only goes up to a certain point. The 1953 set shows the QE2 and map has 2 different stamps and scott numbers according to online catalog and my album. 3d purple is 138 & 136, and 1'3d blue 145 & 157. Can someone tell me what the difference is? Thanks in advance.
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08:51:34pm
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The first 3d purple and 1/3 blue have Sandy's with an apostrophe (Scott 148 and 149). The second 3d and 1/3 have Sandys without an apostrophe (Scott156 and 157).
Jacques (jlav)
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Thank you Jacques! I looked at those for a half hour and could not see the difference.
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Sean,
The following website has some information regarding fakes from Bermuda. They are mostly limited to the QVs and the postmaster provisionals. There is a list of other articles at the bottom of the website that cite other possible fakes and forgeries.
http://stampforgeries.com/forged-stamps-of-bermuda/
David
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Regarding the Bermuda corner cancels, have just looked through some of the ones I have soaked from the late 80's and quite a few have good clear side/corner cancel. A lot though have smudgy "normal" and heavy cancels.
I guess if you have access to a large number of copies you could put together a nice clear cancelled set.
Mind you back in the mid 60's I had an Aunt who worked at a post office and if I needed a good clear cancel I would get her to do them, so maybe someone has a pal in the post office who hand stamps them.
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I went ahead and bought a nice Bermuda album. It has spaces for a ton of varieties, even various color varieties that are not listed in Scott's. When I got to the 1970 Floral series, it shows that several of the stamps have watermark varieties (sideways, diagonal). I spent 20 minutes and could not see any watermarks, mint or used. Do I need to use something other than the typical Ronsonol?
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08:55:39pm
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Just joined, and delighted to find so many avid collectors of Bermuda here, as that country is my main collecting interest.
I've collected Bermuda stamps for many years, having lived and worked there most of my adult life. In recent years, I started a collection of WW tall ships and lighthouses, of which Bermuda has a good number, and tall ships covers with ship's stamps.
I also use the Battle Green Bermuda albums, with separate collections of mint and used. Still working on how I'll house my tall ships and lighthouses collections though. I'm open to any suggestions anyone has to offer.
An enjoyable sideline to my tallships covers collecting is making up the cachets and visiting the ships when they visit to get the covers stamped on board before posting them.
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Welcome Bill,
I am looking forward to learning more about Bermuda philately from you in the coming months. I am a bit jealous that you got to live in Bermuda. When I was in my 30s I tried to find a way to move there, but I couldn’t get any kind of meaningful employment. So, I have had to settle for bi-annual visits and living vicariously through my stamps.
Given my interest in ships, I have been focused on pacquet boat covers, and key plates that have been used to pay exit fees, over the past year or so.
Are you familiar with the Bermuda Collector’s Society? For the $30 a year it costs in dues, I have found it to be worthwhile.
David
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Another collector of Bermuda -- welcome!
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Collecting King George VI from all countries, and King Edward VII and King George V from the West Indies.
29 Jun 2018
06:27:09pm
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I have been collecting Bermuda since about 1980, and it is an interesting area.
At the time I was living in downstate Illinois with no access to stamp shops, so I posted an ad in Linns Stamp News offering to buy Bermuda sets. I got no offers, but George King sent me a response inviting me to join Bermuda High which was the predecessor of the Bermuda Collector's Society.
At that time, a number of collectors were collaborating on how to identify the various printings of the King George VI and earlier keyplate issues. The information was published in a quarterly publication edited by Bob Dickgiesser. Every issue included information about printings, flaws, and other topics - like how the perforation equipment was damaged resulting in the Line Perf issues.
Bob ultimately published two books on identifying the King George VI keyplates. The first one is red and the second one is green. If you are interested in identifying these stamps you might look for one of his books on ebay. They have been out of print for a long time.
The Group members would meet at various stamp shows about twice a year. I remember meeting them at CAPEX in Toronto one summer. We had a reception where we discussed and compared stamps. The next morning we descended on the show looking for Bermuda keyplates. It was like a pack of wolves. They would pick the dealers clean and compare their bounty. Attending their meeting was like getting an advanced degree in collecting Bermuda which I sorely needed.
I later organized the meeting for the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. There were about 20 dealers and collectors who came to the dinner and met during the show.
Bob Dickgiesser died a few years later and the club evolved into the Bermuda Collector's Society. Unfortunately most of the original members are now deceased, and all of their collections have been auctioned or sold off. You will see much of the material they used to own appearing in various auctions from time to time.
I have some web pages that will help you identify some of the Bermuda printings linked from my home page shown below. Look for the web page listing link. The index page contains links to over 150 web pages that will help identify stamps from Bermuda and other British Colony countries. All sites are collaborative, so feel free to submit new information if you have anything to add to the site.
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Santa is sending me a little early gift. FINALLY found a nicely centered, no hinge £1Silver Wedding for my Bermuda collection. I’ve been wanting to replace the ho-hum blah space filler since, ummm, forever. Not a great rarity, but a super welcome addition.
Funny how one stamp can make you so happy!
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Collecting King George VI from all countries, and King Edward VII and King George V from the West Indies.
20 Dec 2019
09:40:40am
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If you are having trouble trying to figure out the various descriptions in the catalogs for the Bermuda Keyplates, remember that they are describing various printings which have different traits like color, paper and gum characteristics. I have now posted my Bermuda collection which includes 38 pages onto my website. It covers the time period from 1902 until 1952. (King Edward VII to King George VI). I have sorted the stamps by printing and have some notes from the various publications as the guide. Here is a link you can use if you are interested in it.
http://www.kgvistamps.com/PageScans/Bermuda/Bermuda.htm
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