CSA 9a, 10¢ milky blue T-E-N, faint gum crease, slight stain, huge side margins, Very Fine, SCV $950. Ex Ralph Swap. $950.

CSA 9, SPERATI FORGERY, type B, gummed, unclear pencil marking on back that is likely Sperati signature, heavy hinge remnant, Extremely Fine. $400.

Jean de Sperati (1884-1957) is considered the Rubens of philatelic forgery. More than 100 countries are represented by the 566 forged stamps known to have been reproduced by Sperati. The legendary Italian stamp forger put together a “Livre d’Or,” his personal collection of 234 rare stamps, all certified as genuine by 17 leading experts of the day. It represented stamps from around the world, two of which were Confederate (CSA 5 and CSA 9). They are a collecting genre in their own right, often selling for more than the originals they represent. He was tried and convicted by a Parisian jury in 1948 (a long and interesting story that I encourage you to seek out).

CSA 9a, 10¢ milky blue T-E-N, unused JUMBO side margins with neat TULLAHOMA TEN MAY 21 1862 CDS, bit of trivial edge staining but a SPECTACULAR stamp, SCV $550. $1,000.

CSA 9, 10¢ blue SPERATI FORGERY, backstamped “Reproduction 109 (ms.),” applied by the British Philatelic Association when they acquired Sperati’s entire stock, Very Fine. $400.

Jean de Sperati (1884-1957) is considered the Rubens of philatelic forgery. More than 100 countries are represented by the 566 forged stamps known to have been reproduced by Sperati. The legendary Italian stamp forger put together a “Livre d’Or,” his personal collection of 234 rare stamps, all certified as genuine by 17 leading experts of the day. It represented stamps from around the world, two of which were Confederate (CSA 5 and CSA 9). They are a collecting genre in their own right, often selling for more than the originals they represent. He was tried and convicted by a Parisian jury in 1948 (a long and interesting story that I encourage you to seek out).