This Cork Has To Be Fake!

I was browsing US classics today and seen an auction for 150.00 for what appears to be a fake cork cancel. The ink is waaaay wrong and waaaay to much fine detail to be done solely by hand. What ate your thoughts? Also he touts being an APS dealer??

Here is an image of what I'm explaining.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scott-156-F...em53f7b42fa7

It looks to me to be a Glen Allen Star, a early precancel from Glen Allen, Virginia. You can do searches on ebay and other auction sites to see more of these guys.

It would be a fake if it was a cork, but it's a printed cancel.
As Oregonian says, Glen Allen, VA.
Here are 70 other examples with certificates:
http://pfsearch.org/pfsearch/pf_grd...lledfrom=lkp

Looks perfectly good. Do you have a problem with his touting his APS membership?
C.

Has the auction title or description changed recently? It says Glen Allen Star Precancel, but I don't see anything where the listing says "cork".

chipg - I wouldn't presume to speak for anyone else, but I would guess that ILS was questioning what he perceived to be a grossly inaccurate listing by an APS member.

In any event, thanks for posting this ILS, because I've now learned about these star precancels! I love stars, and that cancel is beautiful!

FYI:
There are a number of the complete envelopes available on ebay now: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...61&_from=R40
The cancellation, datestamp, and the corner advertisement, were all printed at the same time. I know of at least one copy of a stamp with part of the envelope type printed on it, in addition to the star cancellation.
C.

I called it a cork because that's what I'm accustomed to seeing on these issues. I never heard of the guy and never seen one before. It looked to sharp and crisp to be from the time period. I don't like them, I don't want one and yes I did think it was a bit excessive for what I thought to be an obvious fake. Shows what I know huh? OK my bad.

I thought I'd edit in one more thing quick... Despite my rather frumpy attitude lol I did take something away from this rather embarrassing thread..There is always something to learn! I'm making it a point today to research this cancel and this Glen Allen printed cancel and see if maybe I can at least appreciate it because looks alone is not working! haha thanks for the education I suppose?

I like 'em, but they're a little (okay, way entirely too) expensive for me. I guess I have good taste? :P

Chip, I see in your link that these Covers do not come at bargain pricing. I am assuming that these are somewhat scarce ?
Are the prices in line with what someone would pay to obtain one ?

Stallzer:
That seems to be about the going rate:
http://www.siegelauctions.com/lot_g...lledfrom=lkp

Also, if you put "Glen Allen" into the search box here:
http://db.kelleherauctions.com/php/...ale=0&lang=1
You'll get a bunch of copies that didn't sell at auction and one cover that did for a comparable price.

They are interesting as one of the earliest precancels. (There is also a "Paid" precancel that can be found on the 1c 1857 issue in both "Paid" and "paid" varieties). Search Siegel or the PF for examples