Re-Perfing - Is It Really Worth It?

One of the most recent discussion had talk of re-perfing and certs. I had a question for the guru's. Is it now easier to detect manipulation of stamps because of better technology? Or is it just that the technology is more widely available? I'm one of those that inherited a pretty cool collection from his dad. I find the issue of re-perfing fascinating. Why do people re-perf? To fake a certain stamp? To better center a stamp? Does it really have a significant financial impact on a stamp? Does anyone have really good examples of before and after or bad examples?

Why do people re-perf? To fake a certain stamp? To better center a stamp? Yes to both. And just because most collectors don't like straight edges. And reperfing is an old crime, it has been done for over 100 years.

In addition, I think re perforating can be done to conceal a fault affecting one side of a stamp.

Short Answer: Start here in the Philatelic Hall of Shame:

https://www.hgitner.com/vPages.asp?...ted%20Stamps

https://www.hgitner.com/vPages.asp?...aked%20Coils

Also check the Philatelic Foundation web site:

http://www.philatelicfoundation.org...d-forgeries/

Great links. Enjoyed reading those, cfrphoto.

One reason for reperfing (or just perfing) a stamp is that a collector wants the stamp to look better. They may be thinking it will remain in their collection all their life without giving thought to how it may someday be sold and cause confusion. I've looked at stamps with straight edges and thought how easy it would be to add some perfs -- if I knew how to do it, and if I weren't the honest person I am.

The problem doesn't come from the natural instinct to "tidy up" a stamp which we all understand, I'm sure, but from the fact that some stamps are altered into what appear to be much more valuable stamps. Crossing that line can get very uncomfortable.

Sadly, most reperforated stamps are unnatural looking and ugly.

Many fake roulettes can be downright hideous.

Nice articles - the one they have on regumming is good too.