Brazil : 02b Early issues - transition to the republic

The last set of stamps before Brazil became a republic, were emitted between 1884 and 1888.

The emperor isn't shown in this set anyomore.
In the previous post, I showed the stamps with a number in a circle.
There are also other designs in this small set.
On one stamp, the Southern Cross ( Lat : Crux ) is shown.
It is the smallest of all 88 constellations. But of course that's not the reason why it's printed on this brazilian set of stamps. This constellation is visible in the Southern Hemisphere and it's visible for Brazilians.
Next to the Southern Cross, also the emperial crown and the Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro are depicted in this series. There are also 2 stamps where a number is printed in a square.

100 reis

The 100 reis stamp is a stamp with the number 100 in a square. There are two versions, quite easily to recognise.
The first stamp was emitted in 1885, and shows a white number on a dark field.
Under the square, you can see horizontal and vertical lines

Scott Br 0092

detail BR Scott 0092

The second version appeared in 1888 and has a coloured number on a white field.
Here the field under the sqare is filled with dots in stead of lines.

Scott BR 0096

detail Scott BR 0096

500 reis

On the 500 reis (1887) the emperial crown is depiced.
Dom Pedro II remained head of state till the a small military group took over power in 1889.
This emperial crown is the last 'emperial' stamp in this set.
The catalogues only mention one type, but I found those 2 colour variations.
It might have been the result of exposure to the sun or a chemical reaction, but for your pleasure, I'm posting both images.

Scott BR 0095 - olive

Scott BR 0095 - yellowish olive

1000 reis

One of the most famous landmarks of Rio de Janeiro is the Sugarloaf Mountain.
It is in the design of the 1000 reis stamp, and the key value of this set.
The picture of the Sugarloaf Mountain is only a small part of the stamp.

Scott BR 0098

300 reis

I have kept the 300 reis stamp as the last one to post, because there are more similar stamps issued later.
(see future posts).
As I mentionned earlier, here the constellation of the Southern Cross is depicted. This design was slightly modified for the first set of stamps issued in newly formed republic, in 1890.

For this issue of 1887, large stars are shown in a circle.
The background is filled with horizontal lines, and the stamp is printed in dark ultramarin blue.

Scott BR 0094

Brazil : 02a Early issues - transition to the republic

Emperor Don Pedro II ruled over Brasil until 1889, when the army took over power.
In the last years of his reign, a set of stamps were issued without the image of the emperor.

There are several designs in this set.
The first design is quite simple, a number in a circle.
But there's more to discover than you would expect.

20 Reis

The 20 reis stamp came in two versions.
The first issued stamp (1884) is in dark green, also called 'russian green'.
Although it's not an expensive stamp, I only have a damaged copy.

Scott BR 0087

A similar stamp was emitted in 1887 in olive to yellowish-olive. This stamp is a bit cheaper, but there's something about the stamp that makes it a valuable variation.

Under the 20, the "R"  of reis is shown.
In the 1887 version, there is a "dot" in the "R". Although also an 'undotted' version exists.
The catalogues warn us, as only genuine stamps with a certificate (and without a dot of course) are to be trusted.

I discovered a both a dotted as an undotted R in my collection, but since there's no according certificate, I can't tell for sure if it's a variation or a forged reprint. Above that, the cancel on the stamp makes it less easy to get a closer look on the stamp.
Luckily, a scanner and a computer made it easier for me...

Scott BR 0087a var?

Scott BR 0087a with a dot

Right is the 'normal' one, with the dot.
Let's have a closer look :

without dot?

with dot

comparing positions

The 1884 (bluish green) has no dot. With chemicals it is possible to turn it into an undotted olive green version. The 'undotted' 1887 version has a value up to 8 times the value of a stamp with dot.
The stamp I have might be a fake one, but therefore I need to let it examined by an expert.

50 Reis

Similar to the 20 reis stamp,  a 50 reis stamp was emitted in 1887.
This stamp is ultramarin blue. The number 50 and the "R", are coloured on a white field.

Scott BR 0093

700 Reis

For the 700 reis the circle around the number is more like a flower.
Together with the 1000 reis, this is a key value for the whole set.  (for the mint stamps, the 1000 reis and the 'dotted' 20 reis are the key values).

Unfortunatly, my copy of the 700 reis is damaged as well. Nevertheless I'm posting it, so you can all have a look at this nice violet stamp that was emitted in October 1888.

Scott BR 0097 - damaged