THE VARIANT LEADERS OF THE WORLD MICHAEL JACKSON STAMP ISSUES
Information and Reference on the Production and Distribution of the Variant Saint Vincent 1985 Michael Jackson Stamp Issues
This webpage was pulled because of new evidence which is in process of analysis. Neutral words have replaced words like forgery or fake or reprint
with the word VARIANT until ALL the facts are in on the status of the stamps. We wish at this time to just let dealers and collectors know
that there is a very different set of the 1985 St. Vincent Michael Jackson stamp set that exists.
These articles were written and sent to various stamp dealers in 2009. We are presently updating images and discovered variations
of the stamps as more intense research is being applied to them. Please check this page regularly for future updates as to the status
of the stamps themselves. Some are calling them fakes. Some are calling them legally made reprints. This will be a historic event
in the Philatelic world once the truth is known. Until all evidence is put on the table, PLEASE do nothing harmful to the stamps
themselves. It is advised at this point (and only fair) in the sale of them to let buyers know that they ARE different from the originals.
ALL THE FOLLOWING IMAGES WERE SCANNED AT 600dpi AND RESIZED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY WITH NO COLOR ALTERATIONS.
How to Identify the VARIANT 1985 Michael Jackson (St Vincent) Stamps and Minisheets
This guide was written with the purpose of (i) helping buyers to identify the variant stamps which have been on the market for over 20 years now;
(ii) protecting the interests of genuine dealers everywhere who don't sell fakes or forgeries or reprints without defining them as such;
and (iii) protecting the integrity and interests of the St Vincent Philatelic Bureau.
The variant stamps first appeared in 1989, but as British dealers were wary of these stamps,
they were largely sold to American Stamp dealers, who bought up the stock in bulk (together with variant St. Vincent Elvis Presley stamps
and Minisheets). The distributor, had access to the original artwork transparencies and printing plates separations, so the variants are generally of a good quality,
which are more than capable of not being detected by some dealers, stamp collectors, and now, Michael Jackson memorabilia collectors. There are however, a number
of distinguishing features on the variants (that are illustrated below), which make them easy to identify from the original stamps.
By the way, the stamps illustrated above are ALL VARIANTS!
These are found as IMPERFORATE and in some cases as "errors" with misperfs etc;.
They should be valued at less than ORIGINALS. At this point it is unknown exactly how many were made but the quantity is high.
(1) SG940-1 or 941a / Scott 894 60c Se-Tenant Pair
When compared side-by-side with the original stamps (for confirmation that the pair on the left are genuine, see Scott Catalogue), the Variant stamps look very good
and use a richer set of colours allowing for more contrast in the photographs. Notice the many more studs on Michael's Jacket. However, don't let the colours fool you!
Rule Number One (and probably the only rule needed) when identifying the variants is to COUNT THE PERFORATIONS!
As most of these stamps are sold in se-tenant (joined) pairs, count the number of holes along the vertical join.
For the Original stamps, there are 24 Holes (i.e. 25 Perforations), whereas the variants have 27 Holes (i.e. 28 Perforations).
The holes in the variants are thus noticeably smaller, and there is a tendency for not all holes to be completely punched out.
In addition to the Perforations being different, the variant Stamps use a Narrower Pinkish Font (compared to the Original Thick Purple Font)
(see above); while all the original images in the variant stamps have been enlarged, resulting in a cropping of the image to fit the same-sized frame.
This is illustrated in the example images below for the 60c stamps.
(2) SG942-3 or 942a / Scott 895 $1 Se-Tenant Pair
The $1 Pair of Stamps are regarded as the best of the variants, but again Use RULE #1 (Count the Perforations) as above. Again, the variants
have 27 Holes compared to the Original Pair's 24 Holes.
Some other subtle differences to look out for are:
1.) Slightly Bolder / Darker Font for "St. Vincent" and "$1" in the variants;
2.) Michael's head is closer to the top of the frames in the variants;
3.) The "Michael Jackson" signature is clearer and bolder on the original stamps, while the "n" in the signature is not discernible
against Michael's hand in the variants.
(3) SG944-5 or 944a / Scott 896 $2 Se-Tenant Pair
Again, the variant stamps are instantly recognisable by the number of perforations (27 Holes instead of 24) and demonstrate a number of
similar variations as before, including a darker green font for the typeset; a big cropping of Michael Jackson's head in the left hand
stamp / and a cropping of his gold button in the right hand stamp; and a bigger contrast of colours in the variants, including an almost
White Background in the right hand stamp. These are illustrated in more detail below.
(4) SG946-7 or 946a / Scott 897 $5 Se-Tenant Pair
This sums up the demonstration on how to identify the variant 1985 Michael Jackson stamps. As you can see you do not have to be an expert philatelist
to be able to do this. You do not even have to be a collector at all! The differences between the original stamps and the variants are quite obvious.
Now on to the Souvenir Sheets!
CAN YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE!?! The Michael Jackson Story …
Of Variant St. Vincent Minisheets
ALL THE FOLLOWING IMAGES WERE SCANNED AT 600dpi AND RESIZED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY WITH NO COLOR ALTERATIONS.
(1) SG MS948 / Scott 898 45c Block of 4 as two Se-Tenant Pairs on Souvenir Sheet
Top Sheet (Original): 144mm x 109mm (as per Stanley Gibbons)
Bottom Sheet (Variant): 142mm x 103mm (as per CopyShop 'R Us)
Differences: 1.) Variant has cropped top (Jacko has lost his fingers; Blue Light is cut) 2.) Variant has cropped left hand side (more of the blue and red lights are cut) 3.) Variant has slightly cropped bottom. 4.) Variant uses a Pinker font on the St Vincent text, denomination, and parallel bars. 5.) Variant denomination value (45c) floats higher towards the perforations. 6.) Variant "ST. VINCENT" and framing parallel bars are in the wrong position (too high) 7.) Variant framing parallel bars around St Vincent are much narrower. 8.) Variant has a darker shade of "Leaders of the World" in the white stamp background.
(2) SG MS948 / Scott 899 90c Block of 4 as two Se-Tenant Pairs on Souvenir Sheet
Top Sheet (Original): 144mm x 109mm (as per Stanley Gibbons)
Bottom Sheet (Variant): 146mm x 104mm (as per CopyShop 'R Us)
Differences: 1.) Variant has cropped right hand side (less yellow banner after the "N") 2.) Variant uses a much darker shade for the "LEADERS OF THE WORLD" text. 3.) Variant white text box for Leaders of the World is 50mm (only 46mm on Originals) 4.) Variant stamps intersect the "R" in Leaders (before the "R" on Originals) 5.) Variant has 3 instances of "Leaders of the World" above the stamps (4 on Originals) 6.) Variant stamps have 26 occurrences of "LEADERS OF THE WORLD" (27 on Originals) 7.) Variant has a narrower / less bold typeface for "ST. VINCENT" 8.) Variant uses a Pinker font on the St Vincent text, denomination, and parallel bars. 9.) Variant denomination value (90c) floats higher towards the perforations. 10.) Variant "ST. VINCENT" and framing parallel bars are in the wrong position (too high) 11.) Variant framing parallel bars around St Vincent are much narrower. 12.) Variant has a darker shade of "Leaders of the World" in the white stamp background.
(3) SG MS948 / Scott 900 $1.50 Block of 4 as two Se-Tenant Pairs on Souvenir Sheet
Top Sheet (Original): 144mm x 109mm (as per Stanley Gibbons)
Bottom Sheet (Variant): 145mm x 104mm (as per CopyShop 'R Us)
Differences: 1.) Variant has cropped left hand side (metal microphone stand is cut out) 2.) Variant has cropped top and bottom 3.) Variant uses a much darker shade for the "LEADERS OF THE WORLD" text 4.) Variant white text box for Leaders of the World is 51mm (only 47mm on Originals) 5.) Variant has 2 instances of "Leaders of the World" and 2 partial above the stamps (4 on Originals)
UPDATE: Variance to this is because of poor cutting of the sheets the top instance IS full.
Usually on these the bottom instance is completely covered by the stamp block. In other words,
you must SEE at least 3 FULL instances and MOST of the 4th instance ABOVE the stamp block to be Original.
6.) Variant stamps have 25½ occurrences of "LEADERS OF THE WORLD" (27 on Originals) 7.) Variant has a narrower / less bold typeface for "ST. VINCENT" 8.) Variant uses a lighter green font on the St Vincent text, denomination, and parallel bars. 9.) Variant denomination value ($1.50) floats higher into the perforations.
UPDATE: Variance to this is the denomination value ($1.50) also floats low.
10.) Variant "ST. VINCENT" and framing parallel bars are in the wrong position (too high) 11.) Variant framing parallel bars around St Vincent are much narrower - almost invisible. 12.) Variant has a darker shade of "Leaders of the World" in the white stamp background.
(4) SG MS948 / Scott 901 $4.00 Block of 4 as two Se-Tenant Pairs on Souvenir Sheet
Top Sheet (Original): 144mm x 109mm (as per Stanley Gibbons)
Bottom Sheet (Variant): 142mm x 109mm (as per CopyShop 'R Us)
Differences: 1.) Variant has cropped bottom (no space under the Michael Jackson red banner) 2.) Variant has cropped left hand side 3.) Variant has cropped right hand side 4.) Variant has cropped top (intersect the red and blue lights). 5.) Variant stamps are 6mm below the red and blue lights (should intersect as per genuine) 6.) Variant stamps often exhibit bad perforations 7.) Variant has a narrower / less bold typeface for "ST. VINCENT" 8.) Variant uses a lighter brown font on the St Vincent text, denomination, and parallel bars. 9.) Variant "ST. VINCENT" and framing parallel bars are slightly higher. 10.) Variant framing parallel bars around St Vincent are almost invisible. 11.) Variant has a darker shade of "Leaders of the World" in the white stamp background. 12.) Variant "Micha" part of signature can't be read, due to brightness of his white jacket.
This sums up the demonstration on how to identify the Variant 1985 Michael Jackson souvenir sheets. Again we must stress the point that you do not have to be an expert philatelist
to be able to do this. You do not even have to be a collector at all! The differences between the original souvenir sheets and the Variants are quite obvious again.
We hope that this reference page on the Saint Vincent 1985 Michael Jackson Variant stamps will assist all collectors, dealers and memorabilia
collectors in defining and chosing which sets they have or are buying.
Your friend and fellow collector and researcher,
JLowe
RETURN TO TOP
RETURN TO TOP
Click here to return to last page viewed
