Just Received My Copy Of "The United States Specialist" And Couldn't Help But Notice This Article...

So, I am looking through my new issue of TUSS, and I notice this article and begin to ponder what dealer could have sold this unknowing collector all of these rare WF varieties for a song? Hmmmm....makes you wonder.....

It is apparent that the author bought the lot without having anyone inspect it much less personally inspect the lot. And from the text, I get the idea of a lowball bid in an attempt to "steal" the lot. That's 2 lessons for collectors I see here.

Also, do collectors at the level of USPCS members have to be lectured again and again to have some caution buying Washington-Franklins? I would think not (how naive), but apparently yes, since this was published. Unfortunately there are no detection details given except for standard references and two very obvious examples of forgeries. That might potentially redeem the article.

This is the journal of the USSS, not USPCS. USSS has new members sign up every month, and they are not necessarily experts.

I apologize for that and to USSS. But it doesn't take an expert to spot perfs showing on a supposed coil straight edge. And the blue paper? Well, if new members are at such an unsophisticated level, why not show them the genuine and give them the tools to recognize a faked blue paper as well? Members try to do that here at SCF.

The TUSS can only publish the material that is submitted, and no one wrote the article that you want, yet. You should go for it. They don't have staff writers.

I'm pretty sure the author bought the lot for the express purpose of writing an article exposing the risks of buying WF coils from online auction sites. That and it's following article, by Nylander, were warnings intended to alert collectors about the pitfalls, without all the inflammatory rhetoric of the forum.

Both authors are very knowledgeable WF collectors and weren't duped.

Being a member of USSS does not mean they are an expert. This is why I had suggested that when people criticize ebay lot descriptions that they point out exactly why they believe the stamp is altered. This way some people may learn. It is best to actually handle the stamps to see the nuances that do not show up in posted images.

Just as an FYI, Kevin Lowther isn't a novice and has authored many articles in multiple publications about W/Fs and other issues. Gerald Nylander is the head of the W/F committee for the USSS and is knowledgeable on the W/F issues. Both articles state that these examples came from lots purchased; Gerald states in his article: "part of a large lot purchased a long time ago" and Kevin states in his: those examples he posted came from an "auction lot". Kevin goes on the article to give his reason for the purchase. I don't know about everyone, but I know that over time I've purchased collections and lots, some in-hand, some not, and found examples not to be what they were purported to be. Clearly, any W/F purchase should be carefully examined, and knowledge of the issue is a must. I think these articles were meant to call attention to that fact. Perhaps these articles were aimed at newer, less experienced USSS members?

That is the exact point I was trying to make. Thank You Al !

Your welcome kcaramat. I usually do not get into these kinds of "discussions" but thought I might clarify who the authors were. I would also add there have been and surely will continue to be articles in the USSS journal regarding legitimate W/F examples and the "how to" for properly identifying the issues.

There was an excellent in depth study of #356 just three months ago.