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This is an overprint issued during the German occupation of Latvia. Scott mentions it but doesn't assign it a catalog number. It says "fake surcharges abound" I'm assuming it is a fake surcharge but I have nothing for comparison. Can someone tell me how to distinguish a fake from a real surcharge or point me in the direction of more information? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Dan 
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Experienced stamps need a home too. I'd rather have an example that is imperfect than no example. I collect for enjoyment, not investment. APS Member #223433 Postmark Collectors Club Member #6333 Meter Stamp Society Member #1409 |
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Your stamp is a forgery ,the overprint letting is thinner and the "6" top half should be bend over and not stand straight up like a "english number six " |
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floortrader, Thanks for the pointers! Comparing my copy with the expertized copies on GermanStamps.net that Perf12 provided, I can see the differences. Thanks Dan  |
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Experienced stamps need a home too. I'd rather have an example that is imperfect than no example. I collect for enjoyment, not investment. APS Member #223433 Postmark Collectors Club Member #6333 Meter Stamp Society Member #1409 |
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Pillar Of The Community
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Michel Spezial catalog shows two different shapes for the "6" on these overprints.
"Self expertizing" German stamps, in regard to overprints, plate varieties and colors is never a good idea, IMO.
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Edited by bookbndrbob - 10/10/2021 3:53 pm |
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Agree with BOOKBNDRBOB , you should not "self expertizing " it takes many years of experience and have your own library and even have your own material before you expertize . Looking at pictures on the internet or looking at pictures in a general catalog doesn't make it . Some issues like the Estonia Pernau issues are very well done the only way to call the fakes are by the light reflection off the overprint were one is dull and the other is shiny and that doesn't show up in a internet scan photo . |
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Be careful about how you interpret what is written. I NEVER claimed to "self-expertize" the stamp. I wrote that the stamp I have was compared to the expertized stamp on Germanstampt.net. (the certificate is on the website). It reflects the differences pointed out by floortrader. If floortrader is correct, then my stamp is a forgery although I only claimed that I saw the differences pointed out by floortrader. Dan  |
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Experienced stamps need a home too. I'd rather have an example that is imperfect than no example. I collect for enjoyment, not investment. APS Member #223433 Postmark Collectors Club Member #6333 Meter Stamp Society Member #1409 |
Edited by danstamps54 - 10/11/2021 12:08 pm |
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Terminology: Would it be more correct to indicate the stamp is genuine, but the overprint is a forgery? To say the "stamp is a forgery" seems loose with terminology and exactness. |
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My guess is that these overprints must be a favorite for forgers. The supply of stamps is plentiful, and the size and simplicity of the overprint appears to be quite simple to execute with some exactitude. A knowledge of the letterpress/overprint ink is not rocket science.
I have this stamp with expertization by Van Loo, but I personally did not have the stamp expertized, so I am skeptical of its authenticity. |
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Edited by bookbndrbob - 10/10/2021 5:43 pm |
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So looking up in Michel, there is apparently 4 of the 6 types.The OP's stamp 6 would be type 1II;the narrow type (2.4mm).I don't know if it also applies to MiNr 2... |
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Because the Scott catalog listed this stamp in Latvia, I never thought to check Michel. As Perf12 notes, there are apparently a number of plate flaws etc. It looks like this is a stamp that can't be correctly Identified without a BPP certification. I'm going to note it as a "likely forgery." Dan  |
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Experienced stamps need a home too. I'd rather have an example that is imperfect than no example. I collect for enjoyment, not investment. APS Member #223433 Postmark Collectors Club Member #6333 Meter Stamp Society Member #1409 |
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You got a problem here ,your talking about a $10.00 or $15.00 stamp , to get it expertized it is going to cost you about $40.00 .Where does that leave you ? |
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Edited by floortrader - 10/11/2021 1:31 pm |
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No problem at all! I didn't say I was going to have the stamp expertized. I said that a BPP cert would probably be necessary to properly identify the stamp. I said I am just going to note it as a "likely forgery" = no expertization. Sorry for the confusion. Dan  |
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Experienced stamps need a home too. I'd rather have an example that is imperfect than no example. I collect for enjoyment, not investment. APS Member #223433 Postmark Collectors Club Member #6333 Meter Stamp Society Member #1409 |
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For what it's worth, I always communicated with the expertizer/Bundespruefer before sending stamps.
Also,I would send 10-20 stamps on a stock card along with a graphic picture/printing showing what I believed each item was, and my correspondence in German and English...along with cash, if required. There was never a problem. |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 730 |
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