Focus On Forgeries By Varro Tyler - Summary

Not too long ago, a thread mentioned Focus on Forgeries, by Varro Tyler. k mentioned that it had been revised and expanded, so I went in search of one.

It arrived the other day, and I've had a chance to peruse it front to back. (It maybe doesn't lend itself to a straight-through read, but then again, maybe it does...most stamp collectors like to store away trivia like a squirrel preparing for winter.) Here is what I found.

Each page deals with a separate stamp, 321 in total. A picture of the forgery and a picture of the genuine stamp are placed side by side (black and white if it matters...it doesn't to me). Detail enlargements are shown in balloons with arrows to show the telltale differences to look for, and it works pretty well in each instance.

Here is why this book was worth a comment, in my mind. There are many, many common stamps that I would never have thought to have been forged. (This book is not focused on philatelic rarities.)

Forged British Commonwealth Queen Victorias? Sure, I thought, from Heligoland (which this book doesn't even attempt to tackle) or Labuan. But Lagos? Or St. Lucia, Bermuda, Bahamas and Nevis keyplates? Nova Scotia numbers 8-10? I didn't realize they were commonly forged.

The Statue of Freedom U.S. newspaper stamp? Forged, with the word falsch engraved at the base of the statue. Okay, the printer gave you a hint, but would you necessarily think to look there?

The Serbia death mask issue. The first four South Africa airmails. Lebanese airmails from the fifties. Early PEI, New South Wales, and several New Brunswicks. Ireland's 1982 Cahir castle. Lundy, of all places.

I found many useful entries that weren't exactly surprising. A few China treaty ports and one Morocco local post are included, as are Sedang and Batum, and a boatload of other Russia and Russia-area issues, including a few Memel. The first two Ethiopia issues. Early Colombia. Occupation of Burma.

Not surprising at all, Azerbaijan and North Ingermanland and some of the other usual suspects are well represented.

Basically, I'm surprised at the amount of stuff that was forged for the packet trade over the years.

This is an interesting book for the worldwide collector, well worth the investment. Dedicated U.S. collectors might find it short of information, as it has at most a handful of U.S. entries.

I knew that I owned some dicey issues, and some outright forgeries, but I fully expect to find myself running across some unexpected forgeries in my accumulation. If you are the kind of person who would rather not know, then maybe this book isn't for you. Otherwise, I recommend it. The price is all over the board at online sources, but it is on ebay right now for not much money.

Collin

Expect the prices to drop. Linn's dropped the cover price significantly, as well as their retail price. I don't have the mailed advertisement with me, but I believe Amos Advantage now sells the book for something like $7.99 plus shipping.

I agree, it is a very good book. I had relied on the serialized version that appeared in Linn's over a decade ago. Finally got around to getting the book. Thanks for the tip, Collin!

k

Well, at 7.99 it is a no-brainer, in my mind. I see on the Amos website that it is 20.00 retail, 7.99 Amos Advantage price.

My first stop when I went looking for it was abebooks, where it was $60. Three weeks ago, I couldn't find it at Amos.

Thank you for the heads up on that book. Are there other books on forgeries by other forgers? Dean stampaddict

One of the interesting aspects of the book is that, where known or suspected, Mr. Tyler identifies the probable forgers. Lots and lots of unfamiliar names, as well as the usual suspects. I suppose the focus on common stamps, and some relatively recent issues, contributes to the newer names. Fournier is in here, though, here and there.

In one case (the unissued Latvia set for the Western Army occupation), he suggests that the stamps are probably still being produced on very worn plates. (Varro Tyler is the author.)

Mr. Tyler also has a book about some of the more famous forgers. I'm not at home, but it should also be listed at Amos Advantage.

There are numerous books on forgeries, the great majority of them high specialized. Some by area (Kansas-Nebraska overprints), some by forger (Fournier). However, most of them are quite expensive, typically running from $50-$200+.

Mr. Tyler's book gives a very good general overview.

There are also quite a few online sites that provide good specialty coverage of counterfeits/reproductions/forgeries, including general (e.g., Klaseboer, Claghorn), specialty area (e.g., Heligoland, Romania, Confederate States...), by forger (e.g., Fournier, Winter...)...

Just do some Googling. It's not like in the past, when only the students of philately or the bookworms would know.

I've loved studying forgeries over the years. I'm very excited that so much is now available online and that more of the printed resources are getting more affordable!

k

Must get a copy.

Searchin'

Another excellent work on forgeries is "The Serrane Guide". Written in the early part of the 20th century. It has been republished by the APS. It's not cheap probably, $75-95 for a new copy, but in my opinion well worth the money. I own both it and Mr Tyler's book.

John

Hi Cjd

I have noticed that the Italian, States, Papal States and German States are 'notorius' for fakes. Does this book you mention have any reference on them?

Cheers

Bujutsu

I'm happy to look tonight and give you a specific rundown, but I would say it is going to be rather minimal. I recall a few, but the earliest years of Italy and Germany are definitely not the author's focus.

More to come, unless someone else summarizes it for you first.

Collin

Okay, it looks like early Italy is limited to three early Sardinias and a San Marino. No Papal States; I didn't notice any other Italian states. The earliest Germany issues appear to be from the beginning of the 20th century.

Hope this helps.

Collin