The forgeries of 1st class Machin definitives are often shown to be 'impossible', whether by the perforations, the iridescent security print, or the phosphor bands. If it's only the phosphor one has to see the actual stamp to positively say that it is wrong.
But in the case of other 'errors' many collectors and dealers can tell from even a poor scan or photo that it is wrong. One such is this:
Now collectors of Machin definitives with security prints know that the 1st class red was introduced in 2012 with code M12L on counter sheets - indicated by the MAIL at the top right. So why was this produced as MA12.
Royal Mail's mock-ups of mixed-content retail booklets also have this impossible coding, as shown here from the Music Giants V booklet:
Of course that doesn't explain the many other give-away errors in the forgeries, but it does explain the major oddity.
Addition: As Gwen notes, in the comments, some of these forgeries are collectable - given that there are so many collecting them mint is easier than postally used. We have some of each for sale here.
UPDATE 14 MAY:
The image for the ebay listing in today's comment:
 |
| Forged 1st class Large stamps with 9 diagonal (not wavy) lines of text on the stamp and text on the backing paper rotated through 90º - and straight-sided elliptical perforations! |
I don't have any of those in my collection. Some of those forgeries are do good that they may be considered collectables for that reason.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me, Gwen, that I should have put a link to our shop where you can buy some mint or used.
DeleteWell I never noticed the source of that MA12 forgery.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s in my top four forgery hall of shame, along with the 2nd class business sheet with the misplaced FSC box, the 1st Large ‘Royal Mial’ stamp and the booklet of 12 with the gap in the backing print under the stamps
DP
I started collecting forgeries earlier this year thinking that they would be a nice addition to my collection. All the purchases made that had these MA12 forgeries were all process correctly with machine cancels, whereas the letters using genuine stamps were not cancelled.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it’s time for Royal Mail to stop surcharging genuine stamps used as postage and concentrate on the forgeries.
GPG
As a post about Post and Go changes approaches its second birthday, could this post become home to news about Forged stamps?
ReplyDeleteI see there is a new version of the 1st Large on ebay, well same stamp different backing paper
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393275590667?hash=item5b910d480b:g:nd0AAOSwQfdgiTvV
Nick
This is the vertically printed backing paper similar to the 1st class booklet we showed in December
Deletehttps://blog.norphil.co.uk/2020/12/spot-difference-how-many-things-wrong.html
I make that five ‘different’ printings of the 1st Large, not including the ‘ROYAL MIAL’ gem and the booklet of 4.
DeleteI wonder how many forging houses there are?
The backing on the December booklets is different to this one, which has also been used for booklets some of which have gap with the print going in the opposite direction.
DeleteDP
TThe backing papers on the booklets are not as straight forward as it seems.
ReplyDeleteThe block ‘ROYALMAIL’ as you mention in the December post, exist with the text convex, concave, upward straight diagonal(ie left to right) or downward straight diagonal (ie right to left). The backing text on the 1st large as illustrated in today’s comment and your inclusion of the image when used in booklets, exists with the text going upwards or downwards. Booklets also exist with a white gap separating both versions of the backing print and occurs in seven positions.
The forged stamps are just as confusing as the genuine ones
If you want images, I can resend them if you want
DP
Quite honestly D, I don't think I can do justice to the forgeries any more. I will leave it to the MBPC.
DeleteI was going to compile a list based on their reports and those to me, but there are not enough hours in the day for that, unfortunately.
And now the 2nd class sheet printings have emerged
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384185990697?hash=item597344fe29:g:Ff0AAOSwyiJgrquq
The pre-security features booklets have resurfaced
ReplyDeleteSingle - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255003935507?hash=item3b5f6b4313:g:WkAAAOSw6J5gl7H0
Or
tens - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255002555501?hash=item3b5f56346d:g:Lp4AAOSwonVgt22x
The more observant will have noticed in the photo for ten books a print shift on the covers of some
The 2nd Large with the 9 Line Royal Mail overprint is now on that well know website
ReplyDeletePreviously the 2nd Large had the undulating overprint as 2009 counter sheet examples and the forgeries from 'business sheets'
DP