I haven't written much about modern GB forgeries since January when the self-adhesive country definitives (!) and other totally implausible stamps appeared.
[Are they forgeries if they never existed in the format or colour used, or are they just fakes or bogus.]
I believe that these have all been bought through that famous online auction site, where they are being offered to other sellers for use. Indeed one order was delivered using a forged 1st class stamp and a pair of 2nd class ''washed' reused stamps. Needless to say it escape scrutiny by Royal Mail's revenue protection teams.
The first is a passable - indeed a very good - example of a 1st red M19L MTIL.
On the other hand the poor MA12 MAIL example appears to be in the wrong colour and the printing of ROYAL MAIL appears to be in pink rather than reversed out of a transparent ink. I don't think I have ever seen a booklet with all the printing on the backing paper totally horizontal at the fold.
I can't explain the less obvious distinguishing features because I don't have the stamps. I do hope thre MBPC will have all these available on their website soon. I'm told that there have been 20 different forgeries discovered in the first 9 months of the year!
[Are they forgeries if they never existed in the format or colour used, or are they just fakes or bogus.]
I believe that these have all been bought through that famous online auction site, where they are being offered to other sellers for use. Indeed one order was delivered using a forged 1st class stamp and a pair of 2nd class ''washed' reused stamps. Needless to say it escape scrutiny by Royal Mail's revenue protection teams.
The first is a passable - indeed a very good - example of a 1st red M19L MTIL.
On the other hand the poor MA12 MAIL example appears to be in the wrong colour and the printing of ROYAL MAIL appears to be in pink rather than reversed out of a transparent ink. I don't think I have ever seen a booklet with all the printing on the backing paper totally horizontal at the fold.
A couple of examples of Large stamps - the 2nd class is MAIL MAIL, ie using the 2009 lettering for counter sheets (note, there is no printing on the backing paper). The 1st class Large is reasonable except for the security printing, which is not only dark and a separate printing, but it reads ROYAL MIAL!
This is the sheet, as shown on the auction site, and oh, look at the backing paper printing! So, not only is the stamp a giveaway, so is the backing!
The ongoing production line of forgeries always makes me ponder wryly the effectiveness of the multiplicity of 'new security measures' used on definitive stamps....
ReplyDeleteThe booklet of 121st class also show the cut and shunt security backing by the first stamps on the left also just above the ‘1st’ on the backing paper. Same producer, as the business sheet I wonder?
ReplyDeleteSince the introduction of ‘security’ feature, we do seem to have more these days. Are they just more noticeable now or are there generally more now?
Thank you, you're right, I hadn't noticed as I don't actually have the booklet. Probably the same producer as you suggest.
DeleteI think there are generally more forgeries now as the face value is higher, and the cost of production has probably gone down! It's almost as if the forgers regard successive changes as a challenge!
I recently (in the last week) bought two of the MA12/MAIL books from the unamed auction site (eehhbahgum) and when they arrived, it was immediately obvious they were forgeries but the seller told me it was OK because he had tested them going through the mail and had no problems. He has sold some 200+ booklets according to his figures but when I asked his source he said it was
ReplyDeleteQuote:
"I’ve been told they are genuine if you want a refund no problem il send a refund I’m a genuine honest person mate if they was not genuine i would not be selling them the company I’ve bought off are no longer trading so i can’t even get in contact with them."
Unquote.
He was very quick to refund me without asking for their return when I told him I had been in touch with Royal Mail.
The sale item has since been cancelled but he has just opened up another exactly the same with another (at least 50 books).
The ironic thing is he is even selling them at more than the price you could obtain a book from the post office.
I have told him exactly why I know they are forgerys but he obviously, despite his protestations of being "honest" does not care.