Privately Perforated Wash-Frank On Ebay

Ran across this stamp on ebay. Seller is labeling it a Farwell, although it doesn't look like any Farwell I've seen. It actually looks to me like a Schermack III perfs with more standard BEP perfs down the sides. Is this real? Is this an experimental stamp where Schermack added there hyphen-hole perfs to a coil/sheet stamp already perforated, or is someone just messing around with exacto-blades in their basement? (or perhaps it started life as a routine Schermack III and someone was adding perforations to it?)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/30210685098...RK:MEBIDX:IT



Regardless of what it is, those edges are rough and almost appear more torn than cut.

Oh, and with 36 hours to go in the auction, the bidding is up to $23...which in ebay language means someone thinks it is a real and worth pursuing.

It is hard to tell from the photo, but it does not appear that the perforations are parallel. Further, the top perf on the left side is not in line with the ones underneath it.

Not A Farwell !

This stamp is called a combination perf. Check out Melvin Getlan's article in the August 2013 issue of The United States Specialist.

You could also check them out in Belasco's book, starting page 52.

They are quite scarce and usually command a pretty good price, if noticed by knowledgeable bidders.

Sold for $105.83.