Frankenstamps! 50 Commonly Faked Washington/Franklin Stamps

This new database helps hobbyists identify the most commonly faked and altered Washington/Franklin stamps. Note: if any of the W/F experts would like to help with this Community database project by enhancing or expanding this content, please let me know.

http://www.stampsmarter.com/1847usa/WFFakes.html

Don

Thank you - I think this is really interesting and helpful for many collectors.

"Often" does not begin to cover it. "Mostly" is much better.

This is great!

Did I miss them or did you omit the stamps on bluish paper?

Terrific contribution to the hobby, thanks Don!

Hi Bill,
No, you did not miss them; they will be added. This is the of the great things about using a SQL database and a real advantage over traditional book/article publishing; adding or changing the content is simple and can be done in real-time. I have a secure data entry webpage, any person with permissions can add new stamps or edit existing stamp information. The SQL foundation also ensures the content will stay relevant for decades since it is independent from web technologies.

Hi Chris,
Thanks and thank you very much for the magazine you forwarded; as a hobby we have a lot technology 'catching up' to do. I should be publishing an article in the next few days titles "Introduction into SEO for Philatelic Website Owners" that might provide some insight for others.
Don

Don,

The list is a bit awkward for vetting sitting in front of the computer. I have a number of amendments and corrections to the list but I would need an Excel spreadsheet to make corrections.

Some high points: Unused perforated coils were most likely faked from imperforate coils with matching watermarks. Imperforate sheet stamps were also used, especially if V or H variety coils did not exist. Most faked used perf 12 or perf 10 coils were altered by trimming perforations. Perf 8½ coils could only be faked by adding perforations. No perf 8½ sheet stamps were issued. Fake imperf stamps, especially 315 and 534B are numerous, trimmed from perforated stamps. Rotary press and flat plate design alterations exist, but are uncommon. Rotary coils with top/bottom or side perforations added are most common to fake Fourth Bureau 578 and 579 coil waste stamps, or Third Bureau 3¢ type II Scott 541. Almost all stamps offered as 461 or 519 are imperf stamps with perforations added. Fakes of stamps like 459, 544 545, 546, 594 and 595 are never convincing. It is possible to fake 596 from a booklet pane single with large enough margins. Third Bureau 5 and 10 cent unwatermarked perf 10 and Fourth Bureau perf 10 fakes made from coils should never be convincing but they are occasionally found in collections. Unconvincing fakes of almost all of the other Twentieth Century imperf stamps can be found in low level collections. Finally, Perf 8½ coils were mass produced from imperf single line watermark coils. Some perf 12 single line watermark fakes from horizontal Auto Wound coils or A plate imperf sheets are not convincing because the spacing between stamps is wrong.

In addition to be more specific, it would be helpful to classify fakes into two columns, one for dimensionally convincing margins or design size and not (or never) convincing. Finally time importance of color and paper grain should be mentioned. Some genuine coils exist in only a few shades. Finally, it is not uncommon for fakers to add perforations or overprints to the wrong type, wrong watermark, wrong paste up plate number, wrong printing method or to booklet pane singles. Also, don't forget trimming sheet stamps to make fake C10a or AEF booklet panes.

I believe fairly complete Washington/Franklin charts exist in the Expert's Book by Paul Schmid.