Identifying Brazilian Look-Alikes
By James A. Dingler
The Brazilian look-alikes, Scott
types A72-A77, A79, A85, A89, A116, and A184-A192 have been the
downfall of many a Brazilian collector and probably discouraged
thousands of would-be Brazilian collectors from even trying to
assemble a representative collection. For example, the issues
between 1918 and 1940 have 10 different designs, 18 different
values, 13 different major colors and 12 different watermarks for a
total of 146 different stamps (excluding varieties). The 100R, Type
A75, appears in the same color with 9 different watermarks. This is
a formidable obstacle to collecting Brazil, not to mention going
crazy from breathing watermark fluid! BE NOT DISCOURAGED, there is a
way using the charts "reproduced" below.
The first column of the chart gives the Scott type number followed
by the values in the second column, colors in the third column, and
Scott watermark numbers in the fourth column. In order not to
confuse the issue more than it already is, only the major colors are
given. Variations will require reference to the catalogue.
In order to use the chart effectively, proceed as follows:
- Sort your stamps by type number.
- Sort each type by value.
- Locate the type number in the first column of the chart.
- Locate the value in the second column.
- Move to the third column and locate the color.
- Determine the watermark of the stamp.
- Go across the chart until you find the corresponding watermark number and presto, you have the Scott catalog number!
Chart III lists the major watermark varieties found on the
issues listed. There are several variations of these watermarks,
but they are excluded from this article as they are of a highly
specialized nature.
Now, go out there you general collectors and show your fellow
stamp collectors that you really can identify those crazy
Brazilian stamps!
