1851 1c Franklin Fake?

This stamp came to me by way of a dealer at my club, the Oregon Stamp Society. He asked my opinion on it, and at first glance, it looks like the largest-margined 1c Franklin I have ever seen. Upon closer examination, I could see a lack of detail almost everywhere. This stamp was way off!

My conclusion was that it was a fake. He agreed, but was still curious. So I volunteered to scan it and post it here for the 1851 enthusiasts to comment on.

Does anyone recognize this as a know reprint or forgery? What do I have here?

Brian

What you have is a #24 from the tenth vertical column, left pane. I would say left and top margins are added. Some of the design at top, left, and right has been painted in.

Thank you for the input! It certainly looks like a Type V Franklin with (poorly) drawn-in design.

I can tell you without question that the paper doesn't feel right - it's way too soft - so I wonder if it was rebacked and therefore all 4 margins were added?

Like I said, at first glance, this looked like an amazing stamp. If a collector didn't know that margins this size were impossible, they might be tempted to buy it. I'm glad that the dealer who owns this is honest!

Brian

The left hand margin add is plainly obvious even in your picture. A quick soak would answer the rest of your questions; any chance the dealer would be up for this?
don

I called my friend and he gave me the stamp to do with as I please. When I get home next week, I will soak it and see what happens.

It is a foregone conclusion that this "jumbo" stamp has been created by adding margins and some design to a #24. I think you should leave it as it is for study or reference. It does no good to simply destroy it. Personally, I marvel at ones ability to make something like this and have the work go unnoticed by at least two people with the stamp in hand. I will buy the stamp from you if you don't want it.

To avoid any appearance of impropriety, I will be happy to give this stamp to you free of charge. The dealer, Grant Williams, picked it up in a much larger lot he purchased at auction. It will be my pleasure to inform him that this stamp ended up in the hands of an 1851 expert & enthusiast for study purposes.

Brian

Brian,

Like is said in my email, that is very generous. I don't think there would be anything wrong with selling the stamp. In my mind, everything has value of one kind or another.

The stamp arrived today and I was pretty much correct. The #24 stamp was sanded down and glued to a larger piece of paper creating the large top and left margins. Parts of the design at left, top, and right have been skillfully painted-in. Overall, it is a remarkable piece of work and I am glad to have it.

I am glad to have found a home for it! Enjoy!

Brian

Great gesture Brian and couldn't be in better hands. I am sure it will help educate others down the road. Amazing what was done to stamps even way back for whatever reason. I read even the Jenny centers were surgically removed inverted and re applied with incredible precision to create fakes.