Bell's Dispatch Montreal 2c S Allan Taylor Bogus Local Black Green Cinderella

A wonderful example of one of S. Allan Taylor's earliest and most recognized bogus productions - the Bell's Dispatch Montreal 2 Cents, printed in black on green paper, imperforate as produced. This item has no connection to any genuine postal service; Bell's Dispatch never existed. It was a complete fantasy invention of Taylor, produced in Montreal in the 1860s and sold directly into the Victorian collector trade.

The design is a masterpiece of period deception - Taylor incorporated the actual Montreal city coat of arms, complete with the genuine civic motto "Concordia Salus" (Harmony is Salvation), flanked by elaborate scrollwork and the bold "BELL'S DISPATCH / MONTREAL" inscription. To a collector of the 1860s with no catalog images to consult, this looked entirely plausible as a genuine local post stamp.

S. Allan Taylor - Born in Montreal's Stamp Trade

Samuel Allan Taylor (1838-1913) began his philatelic career not in Boston but in Montreal, where he moved in 1861 to escape the American Civil War draft. It was here that he launched the first philatelic newspaper in North America, The Stamp Collector's Record, in 1864 - and it was here that his career in bogus stamp production began. Bell's Dispatch and Ker's City Post were among his earliest fantasy locals, produced at the very dawn of organized stamp collecting on this continent, when there were no catalog illustrations to expose them. Taylor sold these openly to collectors and dealers who were, in his own famous words, "easily hoodwinked." He reportedly quipped that "my stamps are better than the originals" - which, for a stamp that never had an original, was technically true.

The Bell's Dispatch bogus issue is known in at least five types and multiple colors including blue, red, lilac, black, and the green shown here. It is documented in Canadian cinderella references and in the broader literature on Taylor's prolific productions.

Condition

Imperforate on all sides. No gum present; large old hinge remnant visible on reverse, consistent with period album housing. A thin is present at the lower right corner, visible from the back - buyers should examine the reverse scan carefully. Front presents with strong color and sharp impression despite the fault. No tears visible.

Sold as what it is: a period S. Allan Taylor bogus local with the fault noted above, one of his earliest and most historically interesting productions, created in Montreal at the very birth of North American philately.


We try to name any major flaws in the description that may not be obvious from the images but there could be unobserved or minor flaws that go unnamed. Please look closely at scans to verify condition!

Any catalog prices specified in the title of this listing are from the current Scott catalog.

The item(s) shown in the photo is an unmodified image of the exact item the buyer will receive unless otherwise noted.

For international shipments similar size/weight items ship free if you pay postage for this one.

Please use scans to verify any suggested Scott # as sometimes mistakes are made. If you notice an error please let us know so it can be corrected.

Item will be shipped with plastic wrapping and cardboard to help guard against shipping damage or water damage. No hassle returns available.


Offered by Vegas Stamps and Hobbies, Inc. Of Saint Petersburg, FL. Please let us know if there are any problems with your order and/or if you are not fully satisfied for any reason. If there is a problem we appreciate the chance to make it right for you so you can provide us +++ feedback which we will also do for you! Thank you for your consideration!




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