Need Definition/Difference Of Reprints, Fakes And Forgeries

Can someone please explain the difference between Reprints, Fakes and Forgeries.

I have suspect stamp and was wondering about the differences.

Is a reprint from the same die just done later or is it completely different?

Hello friend!

Regarding your question, what countries are you interested in know about the forgeries,the topic is veríy extensive!

Regards,
Rodó,fo

A good question, sharksfan11 - although, of course, there are no bad questions

A reprint is made with the original plate, and usually by the proper authorities. It may be valid for postage, or it may have been made purely for sale to collectors.

Here is an example from Jammu & Kashmir. The pair of ½ Anna stamps at left are originals; the single at right is a reprint:



How do I know it's a reprint? It's too well printed The originals were always messy, like the pair. When the Jammu & Kashmir post office decided to reprint these to sell to collectors around 1880, they took great care to see that the stamps were clearly printed, on better quality paper ...

And here is a forgery of the same stamp:



Don't worry about the difference in colour. The ½ Anna stamp was quite legitimately issued in red as well. This stamp was made in imitation of the real thing, and fooled collectors for some years. These forgeries were included in official supplies sent from Jammu & Kashmir - and the paper, ink and printing all look like the real thing. The design has subtle differences though. (Hint: compare the left-most curved stroke in the central circle).

It appears that some crooked staff of the post office decided to make some money by creating their own stamps, inserting their fakes into the official supplies, and removing and selling the genuine stamps. They got away with it for a long time, too

I Purchased a WWII TUNIS / Africa corps block of 4. I bought it because it was labeled "reprint". I can't afford an original right now so to fill the spot I purchsed this for the now. I was under the impression that a reprint is like you said...from the original plate. I got it for a reasonable price so I wasn't too worried about it. But it got me thinking waht is the difference between a reprint and a fake. It is a great copy either way. I am going to split the block for the individual stamp.

Here is a scan of the stamps in question.



Like I said I'm not too worried about this. It's just a space filler.

I just ended my membership elsewhere because making a stamp look like something it is not is quite acceptable.

My name is no longer in with that sort of on-line auction.
Very shocking that it was not an issue to that place at all.

Trust in the seller is a good way to try and not buy a forgery as the real thing but not fool proof.

What I do is admit to my knowledge limits and only sell Australian stamps. I know my KGVs but there is always the chance something could slip through but I would refund the cost as quick as! The biggest step in being a trustworthy seller is to have this attuide.

REPRINTS : Made from original Printing plate for official use or just for collector by the authority

FAKE: Something made that dont even exist..could be stamps or Cover

FORGERIES: Made something to look like the REAL one ( could be stamps or OVERPRINTS or Cover )

Guess you got your answer

Some reprints can fall into grey territory. These reprints of Barwani



were made from the original plates alright. However, they were made many years after the Barwani State Post Office closed, by a stamp dealer in India who had acquired the plates. How, I don't know. He might have legitimately bought them from the last ruler of Barwani, or they might have fallen off the back of a truck. In either case, I don't regard them as anything more than curiosities: I don't think they're 'proper' reprints.

Here are some definitions I use:
A FORGERY can be defined as a copy of an existing genuine item manufactured from materials different from those used in the original, with the intention of representing it as an original. This was made to deceive the amateur stamp collector, naive stamp dealer or even stamp expert. A forgery intended to defraud a government or postal system is termed a "COUNTERFEIT", whereas the more neutral term "FACSIMILE" is used to describe a stamp reproduction made without the intent to defraud, usually sold to collectors to fill gaps in their albums. A FAKE is "a genuine item which has been modified so that it can be represented as something other than it actually is, usually at an increased value". These could include, for instance, modified perforations, surcharges, or cancellations. A "SIMILITUDE" is considered a reproduction of a stamp used to illustrate a postal issue in a catalogue, album, letterhead, or other publication. Similitudes can be considered forgeries if they are removed from their original context. A REPRINT is a copy of an issued stamp made from the original die, usually printed at a later time, such as after the issue is no longer in circulation.
Hope that helps.