Rs390 St Louis Provisional On Ebay

Too many questions IMO. Also, look at the seller's other listings and completed items. Grab-bag lots, horribly overpriced common German inflation-era stamps... yet we're supposed to believe this person has a genuine rare provisional revenue stamp *and* somehow knew what it was?

I don't buy it... nor would I.

looks like a couple of bidders are willing to take the risk,

I do not know the individual but have been in email contact. True, not well versed in stamps, claims he has fallen on hard times during the pandemic. Supposedly from his late father's lifetime collection. Easily faked story, but I would not be surprised that the item in question is genuine. Should have gotten a cert first and then could probably get full catalog value.

Well, lots of bids and went to $665.88 level, but did not meet the reserve so it has been relisted.

Needs a cert to go higher.

A certain well-known revenue dealer bid on the item.

That might indicate that the item is, in fact, genuine.

Jim

I wouldn't make that assumption for such a low bid. He might have worked out the right to get a cert. Or he might know it's a fake but scarce enough to make it worthwhile.

We cannot be sure of its authenticity without examining the item in the flesh(?). In fact I have suggested to the person that it be submitted to the PF or APS for an opinion. The only skeptical remark in this thread that has any traction with me personally is if the cancel is applied separately, something we cannot know without actual examination of the item. The different setting, the missing punctuation, etc. are characteristic of what happens in print shops when a printing plate is set up for a sheet with many positions. We see it with cancellation plates, for example, on the MDC cancels on the first two dates used on RE32. Personally, I think there is a high probability that it is genuine.

I really don't like the look of the cancel, which is why I brought it up before.

Only made it to $610.00 this round and did not hit the reserve.

Third time was the charm. Sold for $800.00.

Now we know it's a fake. That is far too low for a genuine example.

You are mistaken because it is a genuine stamp. Not in the best of shape, but none of the Van Dykes have survived in wonderful condition.

I would have to see it in person before I would believe it genuine at this point.

I disagree with this as a general statement. The amount something sells for is not a litmus test as to whether something is genuine or not. It could depend on any or all of the following:

1. The venue
2. The images and description
3. The return/extension policy
4. The reputation of the seller
5. The nature of the bidders and their level of expertise
6. The timing
7. The particular risk tolerances of the players in question

Sure, the amount garnered can certainly *imply* whether an item is genuine or not, but it is hardly definitive. I've bought enough items both in ebay auctions that run to completion and through major auction houses at bargain prices well below market value to know that it all depends who's bidding or not bidding at that particular moment in time.