Charles Nissen
Encyclopedia
Charles Nissen was a philatelist, and stamp dealer
who discovered the famous stock exchange forgery and wrote, with Bertram McGowan
, the definitive book on the plating of the Penny Black
.
and often acted as auction agent for King George V of the United Kingdom by whom he was awarded a Royal Warrant
.
records which were then acquired by The Royal Philatelic Society London.
in 1898 when examining used stamps from telegraph forms. The stamps were found to be forged due to the absence of a watermark
and because they had impossible corner lettering. It is believed that a clerk in the Stock Exchange
Post Office, London, had been supplemented his income by taking the one shilling telegram fees and using forged stamps instead.
, and was appointed to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists
in 1923.
for philatelic literature from The Royal Philatelic Society London.
His firm, Chas. Nissen & Co. Limited continued after his death and enjoyed a Royal Warrant
from Queen Elizabeth II as stamp dealers. Nissen also worked with McGowan on the plating of the Queen Victoria Penny Red
and his work was eventually completed by J.B.M. Stanton and published after Nissen's death by his own firm.
Stamp dealer
A stamp dealer is a company or an individual who deals in postage stamps and philatelic products. It also includes individuals who sell postage stamps for day to day use or official stamps for use on court documents.-Stamps on Approval Basis:...
who discovered the famous stock exchange forgery and wrote, with Bertram McGowan
Bertram McGowan
Bertram McGowan was a Scottish solicitor and philatelist who specialised in Chile and the Postage stamps and postal history of Great Britain, especially Great Britain used abroad....
, the definitive book on the plating of the Penny Black
Penny Black
The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was issued in Britain on 1 May 1840, for official use from 6 May of that year....
.
The Royal Philatelic Collection
He was instrumental in building the Royal Philatelic CollectionRoyal Philatelic Collection
The Royal Philatelic Collection is the postage stamp collection of the British Royal Family. It is the most comprehensive collection of items related to the philately of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth, with many unique pieces.- Early history :...
and often acted as auction agent for King George V of the United Kingdom by whom he was awarded a Royal Warrant
Royal Warrant
Royal warrants of appointment have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, so lending prestige to the supplier...
.
The Perkins Bacon records
With Harry Nissen and Thomas Allen, Nissen purchased the Perkins BaconPerkins Bacon
Messrs. Perkins, Bacon & Co was a printer of books, bank notes and postage stamps, most notable for printing the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamps, in 1840.- Origins :...
records which were then acquired by The Royal Philatelic Society London.
The Stock Exchange forgery
Nissen discovered the Sock Exchange Forgery of 1872-73Stock Exchange Forgery 1872-73
The Stock Exchange Forgery was a fraud perpetrated at the London Stock Exchange during the years 1872 to 1873.-Description of the fraud:In 1870 the telegraph systems of the United Kingdom were nationalised and run by the Post Office. The development of the telegraph systems had been of great...
in 1898 when examining used stamps from telegraph forms. The stamps were found to be forged due to the absence of a watermark
Watermark
A watermark is a recognizable image or pattern in paper that appears as various shades of lightness/darkness when viewed by transmitted light , caused by thickness or density variations in the paper...
and because they had impossible corner lettering. It is believed that a clerk in the Stock Exchange
Stock exchange
A stock exchange is an entity that provides services for stock brokers and traders to trade stocks, bonds, and other securities. Stock exchanges also provide facilities for issue and redemption of securities and other financial instruments, and capital events including the payment of income and...
Post Office, London, had been supplemented his income by taking the one shilling telegram fees and using forged stamps instead.
Organised philately
Nissen was an early member of the Fiscal Philatelic SocietyFiscal Philatelic Society
The Fiscal Philatelic Society was an early twentieth century philatelic society that is seen as a predecessor to today's Cinderella Stamp Club and The Revenue Society...
, and was appointed to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists
Roll of Distinguished Philatelists
The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists is a philatelic award of international scale, created by the Philatelic Congress of Great Britain in 1921...
in 1923.
Writings
In 1922 Nissen wrote, with Bertram McGowan, his masterwork The Plating of the Penny Black Postage Stamp of Great Britain, 1840 for which he received The Crawford MedalCrawford Medal
The Crawford Medal is a vermeil medal awarded by the Royal Philatelic Society London for the most valuable and original contribution to the study and knowledge of philately published in book form during the relevant period....
for philatelic literature from The Royal Philatelic Society London.
His firm, Chas. Nissen & Co. Limited continued after his death and enjoyed a Royal Warrant
Royal Warrant
Royal warrants of appointment have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, so lending prestige to the supplier...
from Queen Elizabeth II as stamp dealers. Nissen also worked with McGowan on the plating of the Queen Victoria Penny Red
Penny Red
The Penny Red was a British postage stamp, issued in 1841. It succeeded the Penny Black and continued as the main type of postage stamp in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until 1879, with only minor changes to the design during that time...
and his work was eventually completed by J.B.M. Stanton and published after Nissen's death by his own firm.
Publications
- The Plating of the Penny Black Postage Stamp of Great Britain, 1840, London 1922. (With Bertram McGowanBertram McGowanBertram McGowan was a Scottish solicitor and philatelist who specialised in Chile and the Postage stamps and postal history of Great Britain, especially Great Britain used abroad....
) - Official Stamps of Great Britain, London 1906. (With I.J. Bernstein)