Schermack Type I Forgery?

Again I am asking for more opinions on a stamp on ebay:





The perforations look far too irregular, both is size and alignmnet (EG:the perfs between the stamps are lower than the ones on the edges.). I am also not aware of an 8 hole variety.

Opinions?

Joe

Link to the auction?

Interesting that the seller says with certificate, but doesn't specify what the certificate says or who issued it.

Rather than speculate here, why not pick up the phone and ask Gary, if it's that important, or email him directly, outside of ebay. His business phone is listed in his home page. He's an APS member dealer so you ought to get a straight story.

http://www.southweststamps.com/index.php

Schermack Type I comes in 6, 7, and 8 hole varities. Also, many of these appear ragged and poorly punched, as shown in the example above.

I compiled a listing for all the varieties of Vending and Affixing Coils from Belasco's book. These are the catalog numbers with known Schermack Type I (largest known multiple in parentheses):

SCHERMACK I (6 HOLES)
314 (PAIR)
320 (PAIR)
320A (PAIR)
368 (PAIR)

SCHERMACK I (7 HOLES)
314 (PAIR)
320 (PAIR)
320A (PAIR)
368 (PAIR)

SCHERMACK I (8 HOLES)
314 (BLOCK OF 16)
315 (PAIR)
320 (BLOCK OF 16)
320A (BLOCK OF 6)
343 (BLOCK OF 4)
344 (BLOCK OF 4)
345 (BLOCK OF 4)
346 (BLOCK OF 4)
347 (BLOCK OF 4)
368 (BLOCK OF 16)

The Mekeel handstamp is most likely what he is referring to as certified. Mekeel purchsed stamps directly from the V&A companies and applied his handstamp as a guarantee that the stamps were genuine.

Type I with raggy holes were considered normal. Later issues made for collectors had sharper holes.

FYI, I've made several purchases from Gary over the years, and have found him to be an honest dealer, and he lists some really nice items that can be had for very reasonable prices.

Will never hesitate to purchase from Gary.....thanks, Ray

I concur, I am unsure why there has been a recent flurry of threads on this seller. He is a good seller and stands behind his listings. If anyone has any questions they should ask him, he is very responsive and conscientious.
Don