Hermes (Greek stamp)

1542: 1919: 1526: 1891: 1590: 938: 1574: 1905: 1558: 1342: 1300: 1510: 1933: 238: 2742: 2730: 2692: 1258: 1286: 1743: 1272: 2704: 1328: 1314: 2222: 2210: 2198: 2410: 392: 356: 320: 380: 368: 344: 332: 745: 212: 198: 1729: 1665: 928: 1451: 1393: 1437: 1479: 2001: 1421: 1759: 1649: 2153: 264: 2718: 1407: 633: 1379: 226: 1697: 67: 1681: 1465: 250: 1106: 1713: 1119: 800: 1134: 2455:

In 1911, a new set, with various effigies of the God Hermes, was issued. The stamps are perforated in zigzag (13 X 13 & ¼). This new set is initially, in 1911, printed by using the line-engraving technic ("taille douce"), then reissued in 1919, still in line-engraving, and then again in 1919–1923

1179:

Not any single official document has been found so far allowing us to understand the exact purpose of these numbers. Several hypotheses are possible: limitation of falsification of the stamps or, easier control of the production of the stamps... This second hypothesis is considered by the specialists

1977:

At the same time as the printing of the values of the 25, lepta, 50 lepta and of the 1 drachme of the small Hermes head (see below), the Greek postal administration asked the "Atelier du timbre" of Malines in Belgium to print the postal stationaries of the values of 5 & 10 lepta in blue, red and

767:

The most famous stamp of the "large Hermes head" collection is a variety of this issue: this is the 40 lepta of the same shade as the "control numbers" of the typical stamp of this same value. A single sheet has been printed and only 13 individual stamps have survived, as far as we know today (Yvert

650:

Nevertheless, these stamps, printed with various methods ("hard printing", au blanchet, with mixed technics...) are, for those printed with the "hard printing" method, without any "foulage", have a strong character, due to the density of the used inks, and to their contrast. So, they are as popular

2018:

The stamps of the "small Hermes head" are non-perforated as well as perforated, with different perforations (13 & ½, 11 & ½ and 13 & ¼). It exists also stamps with perforation of 15, but unofficially, probably perforated with a sewing machine inside the premise of the Amfissa Branch of

646:

The Greek workers were far to have the level of experience of the French ones who were used to printing methods since several generations... Thus, the result was disappointing, the background of the medallion was not uniform anymore, the Hermes head was very often circled by a whitish halo and the

688:

In order to increase the contrast between the dark and the light parts of the printing, a blanket was inserted below the sheet to be printed and the typographic plate. This method allowed to get much better overall results without however reaching the quality of the first Athens fine printings or

706:

For a long period of time, one believed that it was due to the cleaning of the typographic plates as the named of these printings is referring to. In fact, it is not the case at all, as the typographic plates have been cleaned only in 1870. This pale/dull aspect is coming from the usage of a new

642:

The stocks of stamps received from Paris became empty very quickly, in particular in the main post offices (Athens, Piraeus, Syros or Patras...), though starting the month of November 1861, the Greek postal administration was obliged to start to use the typographic plates received from Paris, in

1499:

Some of these plate flaws are native and have appeared during the manufacturing process of the plates (see the first three illustrations below), and some others are appearing, coming either from wrong manipulations (see the last three illustrations, below), or from a dirtying of the plates (ink

754:

From the beginning of the 1870s years, the supply of the papers from France has been stopped due to the Franco-Prussian war. The Greek mint started to use papers from unknown provenance of relative good quality but with half-transparent and regular "clouds" visible by transparency on the light.

672:

The issue is usually called "Athens "provisoire" ("temporary") issue". Indeed, one can believe that these stamps, due to the poor quality of their printing for some of them, were plate-proofs done by the Greek printers to initiate themselves to these new technics... But the stamps demand was so

104:

The nine values of the stamps of the "large Hermes head" are printed during more than twenty years (from 1861 to 1882) from the same nine typographic plates and stayed in circulation for 25 years (from 1861 to 1886) before to be used again, overprinted, in 1900–1901. The first set was issued on

2419:

In 1902, the Greek postal administration issued a set of five stamps with the same effigy, perforated 13 & ½, for the payment in medal money (golden drachma) for the international parcels shipment with the mention AM for "Αξια Μεταλλιχη" for "Metal Value". These stamps have been printed in

1001:

Classification of Athens printings is not always easy and there are substantial differences between the various catalogues and specialized publications. Generally the following scheme is accepted, while most experts expand it further with more categories, especially for the period 1861–1862.

823:

Unlike the seven first typographic plates realised in 1861 with the "direct striking in the coining press" method, these two new plates have been manufactured, under the supervision of Désiré-Albert Barre, with the "Galvanoplasty-type" method, by the company: Charles-Dierrey, 6 & 12, rue

92:

The postal stamps of the "large Hermes head" type are issued in application of the law of 1853 on the stamping of the mail by the sender and by this of May 24, 1860 on the postal rates. A decree, dated on the following June 10, announced the choice of Hermes, messenger of the Gods in the

728:

The German worker(s) who came in Athens to install this new machine have also done a new "mise en train" and have printed, using the hard method ("à sec"), sheets of the two most used values: (1 lepton for the newspapers and 20 lepta for the domestic letters, up to 15 grams).

1860:

For the realization of the die of the effigy of the stamp of the postal stationery, the Chief-Engraver took the same medallion-die used, in 1861, to create the large Hermes head stamps and engraved a new framework (see the illustrations of the pre-project and the mock-up, below).

1180:

of the "large Hermes head" stamp as the most probable. This is the reason why these figures are commonly called "control numbers". The unique writing comment existing, to this date, about these "control numbers" is the one that can be found in the post scriptum of a letter of

557:

The printing of the control numbers at the back of the stamps is becoming a constant, except for the two smallest values, the 1 lepton, brown, and the 2 lepta, bistre. All further printings took place in Athens and the stamps remained in use until the introduction of the

116:

sheets of 150 stamps.The individual stamps were separated at the counter using scissors, resulting in defects in a large proportion of them (cutting off part of the image). However unofficial perforations were produced locally. The most commonly found is the so-called

784:

Starting the end of 1871, the papers used are of less and less good quality. They are very thin, almost transparent and "fragile" (the front drawing is visible from the back) and in the light by transparency, they are showing a mesh/tram of regular holes.

1188:

The 10 lepta stamps, the last produced, carry on their back the printed value: 10 lepta in large sized numbers. I believed that it was necessary to apply this innovation to these stamps, this idea came to me late and which appears to offer some great

952:

Around the end of the 1870s or at the beginning of the 1880s, the plates are finally cleaned and are printing stamps with an outstanding finesse. The papers are the same as the previous issue but without any "control number" at the back of the stamp.

1780: 2015:. The design was by Henri Hendrickx (1817–1894) and it was engraved by Albert Doms, Atelier de Timbre, Belgium. The typographic plates counted 300 stamps, sub-divided in six panels of 50 stamps (5 × 10) mounted in two columns of three rows. 568:

As well, several different quality of papers have been used during the Athens period of printing (from 1861 to 1882). Hence, it exists a very large diversity of "large Hermes head" stamp printings. The most advanced studies on the subject:

174:

started by engraving the necessary dies for the manufacturing of the typographic plates. As an engraver and to validate his work, he printed four types of die-proofs, two types of progressive die-proofs and two types of final die-proofs.

2186:

In 1901, a fourth representation of Hermes is appearing on the post-stamps of the Kingdom of Greece. The utilised figure that time is a statue from the sculptor of the 16th century, Jean Boulogne, or Giovanni da Bologna or,

689:

obviously, the one of the Paris printings... This method was giving a strong "foulage" to the stamps, in particular at the shadow lines of the neck, with, very often, a relief ("foulage") visible on the back of the stamp.

140:

The drawing of the mock-up, the engraving of the dies as well as the manufacturing of the typographic plates of the first seven values have been realised between July 1860 and September 1861 by the Chief Engraver of the

654:

Some of them are perfectly printed and are as fine as the Paris printings when some others are really coarse, it's the reason why the catalogues are classifying them in two categories the fine and the coarse printings.

768:

n° 22Ba, Karamitsos n° 36a). These include 11 single stamps, one stamp on a fragment with an arrival postmark "Constantinople - Turkey" and one on an entire letter to Larnaca, Cyprus. All are cancelled with either a

684:

Starting May 1862, the Greek printers stopped totally the usage of the hard printing method ("tirage à sec"), and used another one, (named the soft printing method or "au blanchet") much more easier to put in place.

4512:

Exhibition: La « grosse tête d'Hermès » - Sélection de plis (1861-1901) - CIRP in Boulogne sur mer/France & Marcophilex XXXVI in Epernay/France - Association Philatélique Sparnacienne - APS (2012, In

2446:

This set was issued for the international mailing, in particular for the parcels and the postal orders ("mandats"), but will be also used for the common usage. The complete sheet was counting one hundred stamps.

2010:

The second type of the Greek posts is also with the Hermes effigy. It is called the "small Hermes head" and has been issued from 1886 to 1899. They depict Hermes in profile, but with a smaller head and a rounder

961:

In 1882, the change de colours of the stamps for the domestic rate (20 lepta) and the international rate (30 lepta) is becoming mandatory in order to comply to the U.P.U. (Union Postale Universelle) new rules.

662:

For the first Athens printings, the "control numbers" are used for the first time, so they are perfectly clear and well printed with the downstrokes and the upstrokes really distinct and very finely printed.

1228:

The number of the different types of errors, without of their combination, is very important and exists for all the printings. New "control numbers" errors are still regularly discovered by philatelists.

658:

As for all the Athens printings, these various issues identification is only possible, for sure, by using the "control numbers" at the back of the stamps that are mandatory for a correct classification.

993:

The same plates remained in use up to 1882, resulting in a number of varieties due to plates becoming worn and then cleaned, changes in the exact method of printing and using several different kinds of

735:

For the 20 lepta, the spandrels are whiten and the head is quite often circled by a whitish halo. The "control numbers" are milky-blue or deep-blue and always clear by are becoming even more thicker...

178:

Then he manufactured also the seven typographic plates of the first seven values of the "large Hermes head", using the method developed in 1858–1859: the "direct striking in the coining press" method.

50:

The "large Hermes head" stamps, have been reissued, overprinted, in 1900 and 1901 in order to mitigate the delay of shipment of the stamps of the third type, the "flying Hermes" by the British printer

4350:

Article: Définition des termes « épreuve » et « essai » et leur application à la « grosse tête d'Hermès » - Association Philatélique Sparnacienne - APS (2007, in French).

1525: 732:

The result was once more, very disappointing: the impression was fine but, the shadow lines of the cheek are very short, in particular for the 1 lepton which is named "the shaved" by the collectors.

4429:

Exhibition : "La fabrication et l’utilisation postale des tirages de Paris de la grosse tête d’Hermès de Grèce" - Fédération Française des Associations Philatéliques - FFAP (2016, In French).

4454:

Video of the conference: The fabrication of the "large Hermes head" (dies, plates, die-proofs & plate-proofs) - Hellenic Philotelic Society of Athens - HPS (2019) - Philatélie Hellènique site

1541: 1299: 2162:

In 1896, Greece issued its first commemorative stamps set for the first summer Olympic games of 1896 of the modern era. The stamps of this issue have been designed in Paris. The French engraver

1589: 791:

As these papers were absorbing the ink more than the previous ones, many shades variations are existing, and some of them are quite surprising and are more numerous than on the previous issues.

758:

The usage of the "blanchet" was substituted to the hard printing method of the previous issue and will continue to be used for all the following issues up to the end of the printings, in 1882.

4093:, Philotelia no 714 of January/February, 2019, pages 6–17, no 715 of March/April, 2019, pages 112–120, no 716 of May/June, 2019, pages 173-180 & no 717 of July/August, 2019, pages 248–254. 3057:, Philotelia no 714 of January/February, 2019, pages 6-17, no 715 of March/April, 2019, pages 112-120, no 716 of May/June, 2019, pages 173-180 & no 717 of July/August, 2019, pages 248-254. 1803:

It exists the same type of "small problems" on some French classical stamps build in the middle of the 19th century, in the same French Mint, under the responsibility of the Chief Engravers:

937: 2041:. The first three denominations (25 lepta, 50 lepta and 1 drachma) were issued on April 1. The remaining denominations (1 lepton, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 40 lepta) were issued on February 1, 1888. 1573: 405:

The shading lines of the cheek and the nape are thin and discontinued. In particular, the wavy lines and the points in the spandrels are clearly visible and printed with an extreme finesse.

4355:

Study: Tirages de Paris de la « grosse tête d'Hermès » de Grèce, Quantités exactes commandées et livrées à Athènes - Association Philatélique Sparnacienne - APS (2007, in French).

2169:

The issue is counting twelve values representing allegories of the antic Olympic games. One of these twelve values, the two drachms in large format, represents a Hermes statue inspired by

1800:

Indeed, these breaks are not appearing on the progressive and final proofs (to the exception of the only numeral proof known today and which have been realised at the end of the process).

2029:

method, using printing plates of 300 stamps in 6 groups of 50 stamps. Initially the sheets were imperforate. Perforated versions, initially 13½ and later 11½, became available in 1891.

974:

If the final printing is dated in 1882, the stamps of the "large Hermes head" stayed in circulation up to 1886 and were then replaced by the new type of stamp: the "small Hermes head".

408:

Finally, only the 10 lepta carry "control numbers" on its back. These numbers are 8 mm high, when all the following ones, printed in Athens on any value, will be 6.5 mm high.

1932: 764:

The "control numbers" of this issue are clear, well printed and darker than the previous issues, but they are also heavier due to the usage of the same printing plate since ten years.

3845:, Philotelia n° 659 of November/December 2009, n° 662 of May/June 2010, n° 682 of September/October 2014 & n° 685 of March/April 2014, pp. 325–330, 184–186, 269-270 & 68. 1868:, 6 & 12, rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs in Paris, on the manufacturing of the postal stationery typographic plate, composed of 24 pure copper "clichés", by using a galvanic method. 1557: 1341: 717:

The "control numbers" errors are very frequent in particular, the "1" inverted for the 10 lepta or the "2" inverted for the 20 lepta as well as the "0" inverted for the two values.

4528:

Presentation summary on pieces: Deux lettres « taxées » remarquables avec des « grosses têtes d’Hermès » de Grèce à l'Académie de Philatélie (2018, In French).

1890: 4553:

Conference summary: Le plus grand affranchissement connu à ce jour, avec des grosses têtes d'Hermès de Grèce "La lettre de Ranghavis" - Académie de Philatélie (2023, In French).

4449:

Video of the conference: Comment démarrer une collection de la "grosse tête d'Hermès" de Grèce - Hellenic Philotelic Society of Athens - HPS (2019) - Philatélie Hellènique site

4365:

Presentation summary on pièces: Erreurs d'impression des « chiffres de contrôle » de la « grosse tête d'Hermès » - Académie de Philatélie (2009, In French).

1918: 1827:

fakes, which have been realised with a photo-lythography method, and which are then a picture of an original stamp, are presenting these two same breaks at the same places...

47:

The first type, the "large Hermes head", was issued in October 1861, and stayed in circulation up to 1886, it was then replaced by the second type, the "small Hermes head".

1186:

written to the Greek administration for the second shipment of the stamps and plates to Athens on September 11, 1861. In that letter the French Chief Engraver is writing: "

2191:: the "flying Hermes". This fourteen values issue, perforated in three different types (a, b et c) has been realised by the English printer J. P. Segg & Co in London. 1509: 4460:

Philatelic forum for Greek classical period and all Greek stamps issues, including postal history. Greek and foreign countries philatelic bibliography as well (In Greek).

833:

Like in 1861, after a first printing of the two values, done in Paris, all the following ones have been done in Athens with the same typographic plates sent from Paris.

1904: 2022:

Like the "large Hermes head" stamps, the "small Hermes head" stamps have been also overprinted in 1900 with the two overprinted issues (Metal value and common usage).

4548:

Exhibit : "GREECE: Fabrication & Postal Usage of the Large Hermes Heads (1861-1901)" - Museum of Philately by David Feldman International Auctioneers (2021).

971:

The nine values of the "large Hermes head" have been printed from the same nine typographic plates (one per value) during more than twenty years (from 1861 to 1882).

669:

The famous 20 lepta without "control figures", with the "quadrillé" or solid background (Yvert/Vlastos n° 9 & Karamitsos n° 8), are belonging to these printings.

4543:

Exhibit: "GREECE: Fabrication & Postal Usage of the Large Hermes Heads Paris printings" - Museum of Philately by David Feldman International Auctioneers (2021).

4464:

Exhibit: "GREECE: Fabrication & Postal Usage of the Large Hermes Heads Paris printings" - Museum of Philately by David Feldman International Auctioneers (2021).

306:

The first type of the Greek stamp is named "large Hermes head" in order to differentiate it from the following one, issued in 1886, and named "small Hermes head".

4400:

Conference summary: « Chiffres de contrôle » des timbres de la « grosse tête d'Hermès » de Grèce - Académie de Philatélie (2013, In French).

4469:

Exhibit: "GREECE: Fabrication & Postal Usage of the Large Hermes Heads (1861-1901)" - Museum of Philately by David Feldman International Auctioneers (2021).

1742: 237: 2456:

but that time in lithography, and finally, still in lithography in 1926 (Vienna emission) . All these issues have been overprinted in many cases up to 1920:

1604:

The plate flaws exist for all the values of all the printings and their number is very important. Here again, a specific collection is totally justifiable.

2860:

Louis Fanchini, Philotelia n° 652/653 & 654 of September/October, November/December 2008 & January/February 2009, pp. 260–270, 364–374 & 7–-16.

904:

After fifteen years of usage, the "control numbers" plates is giving very thick figures without any distinction between the downstrokes and the upstrokes.

4375:

Exposition : "Epreuves et essais de la grosse tête d´Hermès de Grèce" - Fédération Française des Associations Philatéliques - FFAP (2009, In French).

4222:

Many articles from various authors, published from 1924 up to now on Philotelia, the bulletin of the Hellenic Philotelic Society (HPS) of Athens, Greece (

3777: 1989:

Starting 1890, the Greek postal administration printed in Athens the postal stationeries of the values of 5 & 10 lepta in blue, black and red colors.

4563:

Conference : La grosse tête d’Hermès de Grèce (1861/1901) à l'Académie de Philatélie (2023, In French) - Site Hellenic Philatelic Federation - ΕΦΟ .

4489:

Conference : La grosse tête d’Hermès de Grèce (1861/1901) à l'Académie de Philatélie (2023, In French) - Site Hellenic Philatelic Federation - ΕΦΟ .

303:

adopted by the majority of the European countries in 1582, to the exception of the orthodox ones. Greece finally adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1923.

1664: 898:

The last printings done from 1875 to 1882 are remarkable by their paper of cream colour, very easily recognisable by looking at the back of the stamp.

666:

As well, the "control number" "5" of the 5 lepta value is different from the one which will be used for all the following Athens printings up to 1880.

4304: 1773:

All the printings of the plate-proofs and the stamps of "large Hermes head" have the first wavy line broken at their base in the north-west spandrel.

1496:

Starting with the Paris printing, in 1861, plate flaws are found, coming from small imperfections of some of the "clichés" of the typographic plates.

4562: 4488: 4444:

Conference: Comment démarrer une collection de la « grosse tête d'Hermès » de Grèce - Académie de Philatélie (2018, In French) - CPCT site.

4370:

Presentation summary on pièces: Le poinçon original du médaillon de la « grosse tête d'Hermès » - Académie de Philatélie (2009, In French).

1149:

All these overprint issues have been removed from the selling on June 30, 1901, when the "flying Hermes" issue has been finally shipped from London.

4380:

Presentation summary on pièces: Galvano du 30 lepta (1875-1876) de la « grosse tête d'Hermès » - Académie de Philatélie (2010, In French).

4405:

Conference summary: Les poinçons, épreuves et essais de la « grosse tête d'Hermès » de Grèce - Académie de Philatélie (2013, In French).

1257: 1251:

These are all the referenced "control numbers" errors of the 10 lepta of the Paris printing, as well as their position on the sheet of 150 stamps:

907:

A very large number of "control numbers" errors is existing in this issue. The "control numbers" are disappearing in 1880 for the last two issues.

1500:

spots), during the life of the plates. In this last case they could also disappear after the cleaning of the plates (see the two 1 lepton below).

4360:

Conference summary: Le tirage de Paris de la « grosse tête d'Hermès » (1er/13 octobre 1861) - Académie de Philatélie (2009, In French).

3821:, Philotelia n° 652/653 & 654 of September/October, November/December 2008 & January/February 2009, pp. 260–270, 364–374 & 7–16. 1878:

5.000, or 8.000, sheets of 24 postal stationaries (cartes-correspondence) with 15 lepta value have been printed. The documents exchanged between

1818:

The existence or the absence of these two breaks are warrantying if the "large Hermes head" stamp is genuine or not in almost all the cases....

1285: 647:

four spandrels were also often "unclear". The shadow lines of the cheek and the nape are now continued and thicker than on the Paris printings.

4474:

Exhibit: "GREECE: The Fakes & Forgeries of the Large Hermes Heads" - Museum of Philately by David Feldman International Auctioneers (2021).

1992:

The same plates than the ones of the first Athens printings were used. The printings are even coarser than the first Athens printing of 1878.

263: 3603:

The imprint "Typographie Ernest Meyer, Rue de Verneuil 22, à Paris" on the sheets of the large Hermes heads of Greece printed in Paris (1861)

673:

strong that the Greek postal administration decided to use them for regular postal service anyway... for the joy of the future philatelists.

4414:’s imprints on the "large Hermes heads" of Greece and on the "Cérès" of France - Hellenic Philatelic Society of the Netherlands site (2013). 197: 1963:

After the stock depletion of the Paris printing, a second emission, of the 15 lepta value and in blue, has been printed in Athens in 1878.

402:

The Paris issues are easily recognisable by the extreme finesse of their printing on satin papers, lightly tinted, of a very good quality.

1105: 692:

At the beginning of these printings (1862–1863), the shadow lines of the cheek are continued and straight before becoming ticker after...

4502:

Conference summary: Un peu d'histoire postale la « grosse tête d'Hermès » de Grèce - Académie de Philatélie (2011, In French).

2741: 1648: 1146:

It exists a very large number of variety of these surcharges, such as those of the: "narrow 0", "large 0", "small space", "large space".

910:

Due to the fouling of the typographic plates, stamps, printed at the late 1870s/beginning 1880s, can be found with very coarse printing.

295:

The first type of the Greek stamps with the Hermes effigy, the head profile turned to the right is issued on October 1, according to the

761:

The shadow lines of the cheek and the nape of the neck of the Hermes head are long and uniform but thicker than on the previous issues.

554:

Printing after printing, the technical improvement of the Greek printers, as well as the fouling of the typographic plates can be seen.

532:

1876 - 30 and 60 lepta (Scott 49–50). Issued to harmonize international postal rates with those of the Union Genérale des Postes (later

4434:

Video of the conference: The "large Hermes head" dies, plates, die-proofs and plate-proofs - The Collectors Club, New York, USA (2016).

2729: 2691: 1728: 1271: 63:

Starting early 1920s, the subjects used to illustrate the Greek postal stamps are becoming diversified and let down the Hermes effigy.

3118:

Archives of the musée de La Poste in Paris (in particular in the diaries of Désiré-Albert Barre) and archives of the Monnaie de Paris.

3066:

A table with numbers' equivalences for the major catalogues (Yvert, Michel, Stanley-Gibbons and Scott) are given in Vlastos catalogue

1090:, the Greek postal administration decided to reuse the old stocks on the anterior issues, including those of the "large Hermes head" 4424:

Conference: La fabrication de la « grosse tête d’Hermès » de Grèce - Académie de Philatélie (2015, In French) - CPCT site.

2221: 2209: 2197: 772:"2" or a type II postmark "Piraeus", on 12, 13 and 14 July 1871. They were nicknamed "Solferino" in reference to the famous bloody 4172: 1175:

The 5, 10, 20, 40 & 80 lepta of all the Athens printings, to the exception of the last two ones (numbers of 6.5 mm high).

4453: 4448: 4419:

Conference summary: La fabrication de la « grosse tête d’Hermès » de Grèce - Académie de Philatélie (2015, In French).

1420: 830:

As the Paris printings of 1861, this printing is very fine. These two new values do not have any "control number" on their back.

4390:

Conference: La « grosse tête d'Hermès » à l'Association Philatélique Sparnacienne - APS (2011, In French) - CPCT site.

1779: 4340: 3980: 3730: 3716: 3688: 3028: 1680: 4101:

Définition des termes « EPREUVE » et « ESSAI » et leur application à la « grosse tête d’Hermès »

1099:

The usage of these stamps was reserved to the postal parcels and to postal orders ("mandats") and were paid in "gold drachm".

545:

Then, and as soon as in November 1861, the printings have been done in Athens from the same seven typographic plates sent, by

4385:

Conference summary: Le timbre de la « grosse tête d'Hermès » de Grèce - Académie de Philatélie (2010, In French).

1327: 1313: 927: 211: 4439:

Conference: The "large Hermes Head" dies, plates, die-proofs and plate-proofs - The Collectors Club, New York, USA (2016).

4395:

Study: The Dies and Proofs of the “Large Hermes Head” of Greece - Hellenic Philatelic Society of the Netherlands (2011).

1884:

and the Greek government, are indeed contradictories regarding the exact quantity ordered: 5.000 or 8.000 sheets (?)...

1789:

These breaks are coming from a problem that happened to the final die or to a service die during either the process of:

1118: 60:

Finally, in 1912, a fifth type showing various Hermes representations was issued and stayed in circulation up to 1926.

225: 4577: 2908:

Louis Fanchini, "Definition of the terms "PROOF" and "ESSAY" and their application to the large Hermes head stamps",

1758: 1478: 1133: 17: 4523:

Conference summary: Les affranchissements partiels et la Grèce 1861-1875 - Académie de Philatélie (2015, In French).

4479:

Article: "The Synergy of France and Greece" - Museum of Philately by David Feldman International Auctioneers (2022).

3883:

Large Hermes Head - Characteristic marks of all positions in the plate of the values of 5, 10, 20, 40 & 80 lepta

3233:

Large Hermes Head - Characteristic marks of all positions in the plate of the values of 5, 10, 20, 40 & 80 lepta

2703: 1450: 1392: 1871:

And like for the 30 & 60 lepta stamps, the sheets were printed in typography on Bristol paper, by the company:

112:

The "large Hermes head" stamps are non perforated, with the exception of the two overprinted sets of 1900–1901, in

1966:

As for the stamps of 1861 and 1876, the printings done in Athens are coarser than the ones of the Paris printing.

1981:

Due to the extensive use of the 10 lepta value, double postal stationeries of this value have been also printed.

4558:

Résumé d'une conférence : La grosse tête d'Hermès (1861-1901) à l'Académie de Philatélie (2023, In French).

4517: 4484:

Résumé d'une conférence : La grosse tête d'Hermès (1861-1901) à l'Académie de Philatélie (2023, In French).

1115:

In October 1900, another issue was launched but that time for common usage, the values are in lepta and drachm.

4533:

Presentation summary on piece: Quatre bateaux pour trois bajocchi à l'Académie de Philatélie (2019, In French).

3287: 1857:

to realize the necessary equipment to print the first postal stationery (carte-correspondence) of the Kingdom.

1436: 820:

has created the plates for the 30 lepta (brown) and the 60 lepta (green) necessary for the international mail.

249: 4183:

How to take the Italian & French routes for the same journey - Letter from Tunis to Athens (May/June 1872)

1625:

It exists a large number of fakes done during the 19th century and during the first part of the 20th century.

4557: 4552: 4522: 4506: 4501: 4483: 4438: 4418: 4404: 4399: 4384: 4359: 3106: 2926: 2828: 2794: 1623:

As all the classical stamps, the "large Hermes head" have been counterfeited and that as early as the 1860s.

1086:

In September 1900, due to the shipment delay of the new issue of the "flying Hermes" by the English printer

769: 391: 379: 367: 355: 319: 4582: 2854: 2486:

Value, colour and type of the sixteen stamps of common usage set, printed in "taille douce" in 1911 :

313:, on sheets of 150 stamps (10 X 15). These seven values are the 1 lepton, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 & 80 lepta: 106: 1851:

In 1875, at the same time of the 30 & 60 lepta stamps order, the Greek postal administration asked to

343: 331: 3014:

Stephano A. Calliga, The stamps of the large Hermes head - Early Athenian period 1861-1863, Athens, 2011.

2958:

Louis Fanchini, "Large Hermes heads Paris printing: The exact quantities ordered and shipped to Athens",

1712: 1696: 4428: 4061:

The recurrent broken "0" Control Numbers error on the 10 lepta of the large Hermes heads, Paris printing

1464: 1406: 4537: 4532: 4527: 4478: 4379: 4374: 4369: 4364: 4081:

Large Hermes Heads of Greece - Observations on Identifying and Classifying - The Easier to Follow Value

3759:, "Definition of the terms "PROOF" and "ESSAY" and their application to the large Hermes head stamps", 3167: 3155:

The recurrent broken "0" Control Number error on the 10 lepta of the Large Hermes Heads, Paris printing

3041: 2832: 739: 3499:

The controls of the 20 lepta and their bearing on the classification of Greek stamps of the first type

1096:

They are overprinted "AM", in black, for "Αξια Μεταλλικη" ("Metal Value") and with values in drachms.

4511: 2717: 1378: 901:

The typographic plates have not been cleaned for several years, the printing is more and more heavy.

703:

In 1868, the printings are becoming pale and dull, and without contrast, but the impression is fine.

3865:, Timbres Magazine n° 114 & 115 of July/August & September 2010, pp. 67–73 & 39–41. 1168:

The majority of the "large Hermes head" has also the facial value printed on the back of the stamp:

1880: 1853: 1815:, who has also realised the dies and the typographic plates of the "large Hermes head" of Greece. 1811: 1182: 817: 547: 183: 170: 156: 147: 1372:

This is just a sample of some "control numbers" errors that can be found in the Athens printings:

827:

These two values have been printed the printer J. Claye & Cie, 7, rue Saint Benoît, in Paris.

3613:

Les Barre, graveurs généraux des Monnaies, créateurs des premiers timbres-poste français et grecs

565:

The printings were done "on demand", and the colour shades evolved within a very broad spectrum.

4538:

Presentation summary on piece: Lettre d’Athènes pour Lyon du 2e semestre 1875 (2020, In French).

2882:

Louis Fanchini, "The essays "Cérès 1858": Why are they an integral part of the Greek philately?"

2163: 947: 181:

To determine the choice of the inks and the papers and as well to calibrate the printing press,

4173:

https://philateliehellenique.wordpress.com/2023/10/22/en-new-color-chart-for-large-hermes-head/

1503:

This is just a sample of some plate flaws that can be found on the "large Hermes head" stamps:

1235: 810: 714:

The "control numbers" are becoming thicker and are not as fine as on the previous printings...

637:

20 lepta of the first Athens printing with "quadrillé" background and without "control numbers"

533: 4409: 4349: 4323: 4104: 3702: 2913: 2896: 2409: 1776:

It's also the case for the tenth wavy line of the same spandrel (see the illustration below).

1194: 809:

In 1875, following Greece entrance to the Union Générale des Postes (U.G.P.), ancestor of the

4394: 4354: 3244:

Indeed, one can already find these plate flaws on the plate-proofs of the "large Hermes head"

3129:

The control numbers & the classification of the stamps of the large Hermes head of Greece

2963: 2848: 1969:

Here also, it exists two types with the same characteristics of those of the Paris printing.

893: 124: 3981: