Mystery Cover Circa 1860

Here's an interesting (maybe) cover, and possibly one of my worst purchases. I was taken while at the stamp shop in Barrie Ont. this past weekend, by what appeared to be a hand stamp I'd never seen before.



Probably because it's not a hand stamp but a pencil rendering of a hand stamp. Sadly the cover has no actual post mark to determine it's date or place of origin. I figure its dated from 1859 to 1868 (surface rate). But the lack of postmark negates any definitive answer. The dealer had it marked as 1857, but I don't know how he arrived at that.

Lesson learned. Really look before you buy!

You could always take it back to the dealer.

Actually, the pencil rendering is pretty well executed. I especially like the frame line; the "artist" has captured the look of typeset lines most effectively.

Type face as per era, but not very good..Hey jamesw, that dealer probably took the information fom the person he acquired it from..

I would try to bring it back if it was costly, if cheap, you got a good forgery on your hands.

Robert

Jamesw, if it is not authentic and is penciled, your dealer should give you a refund. Most dealers are members or associated with one philatelic group or another and should stand behind what they sell. That is part of the costs you pay when buying from them. Go back and discuss your findings with them

Mike.

I agree with wert.

Yeah, like Anthony's; they proudly display their ASDA shingle on every listing.... sorry, I couldn't resist.

Oh, I agree with all of you. And I'll probably call the dealer and let him know. Unfortunately it's about a 2 hour round trip, so I'm not going to be able to get up there any time soon.
I know the dealer, and he's reputable. I'm not worried about that. The cover came out of a collection his own father (who was also a dealer, and passed away last year) acquired some time ago.I still think it's an interesting 'era' piece.
And I agree with bookbndrbob, the 'artist' really caught the look of a hand stamp, even down to the slipped letter 's' in cents.

For the record, it's an imitation or forgery of the Boscawen postmasters provisional:
http://www.sheaff-ephemera.com/list/boscawen/

Thanks hy-brasil. The authentic item makes the forger's work seem a little bit more creative, but also a little stranger.

Ah! Thanks hy-brasil. That's the sort of info I was hoping for.
I have contacted the seller, and will probably return it, but this does make it more intriguing.

Very educational hy-brasil. Thank you for that.

Just to follow up on this one. I'm reconsidering returning this cover, now that I have an idea what it's about (thanks again hy-brasil). I think it makes an interesting addition to a forger/fantasy collection. I may still run up to the dealers store to look at other covers he has addressed to Mr Templeton, to get an idea on the rough date of the envelope.
I've also contacted Mr. Sheaff, who owns the ephemera website, and sent him picture of the cover. He's added this to his virtual collection, so it now appears on the site.

Great follow-up jamesw! I probably would have kept it also.