Chapter 1 - An Overview - Forgeries, Counterfeits, and Alterations; A Primer,
by Hans Stolz. As the title of this article implies, this is
primarily a primer, although it does go into the specifics of
a few altered items. Covered are: forged overprints, forged
cancellations, counterfeits, alterations and the detection of
forgeries.
|
| Chapter 2 - The United States of America
A Fraudulent Provisional Cover - A New York Postmaster's
Provisional Cover, Postmarked 15 July (1845), by Philip T.
Wall (certificate 104 139). Highlights include "ACM"
initials on cover, which were not known prior to July 28, 1945
and a fraudulent "PAID" marking, tying the stamp to
cover. Two examples of genuine Provisional covers, with
"PAID" markings tying the stamps are illustrated.
|
| Spotting A Doctored Cross-Border Cover - The 1847 5¢
Issue On Cover, by William T. Crowe (certificate 37 557).
The cover in question was "rated 10", which meant
ten cents postage due. Since the two five cent stamps on the
cover would have covered this ten cents due, the only
explanation was that the stamps were added to the cover after
the fact. Close inspection of the cover and stamps verified
this. |
| A Misleading But Genuine Way of Marking - The 5¢ 1847
Issue On Cover From San Francisco, by William T. Crowe
(certificate 65 025). Although one might think that Opinions
would cover only items which proved to be fraudulent, along
with the
methodology and logic used to prove this, many examples of
items which were deemed genuine are covered in this book. Of
course, proving an item genuine is an impossibility and
only an opinion can be given. For this cover many markings
were examined, including a "Blood's Despatch" and a
"WAY 5" marking that seemed out of place. Equally
puzzling was a "Due 5" marking. The author presents
a convincing explanation as to how these markings may have
come about. The cover was given a positive opinion. |
| A "Fancy" That Passed The Tests - An 1847
Huntsville Cover, by William T. Crowe (certificate 88
619). The Huntsville negative 5 inside a large star with
negative stars in the points of the star is
examined. The cover was deemed to have not come from a known
"tampered correspondence", paid the correct postage,
did not have a removed cancellation, and in the opinion of the
examiners had a genuine Huntsville marking. The certificate
was granted with the following: "WAS A GENUINE
USAGE". |
| A Rare and Genuine Usage - The 10¢ 1847 Issue on Cover,
by William T. Crowe (certificate 101 532). A San Francisco 1
JAN postmark, a "40" rating handstamp in red orange
ink, and a "per Carolina" manuscript marking. The
cover has four of the 1847 ten cent, a remarkable cover that
is described in Brookman as "one of the finest 10 '47
covers" and "a beautiful and unique item".
Still, the authenticity of the cover was in question. Thorough
examination by the experts could find nothing that was out of
place. The "per Carolina" marking referred to the
mail being carried by the Steamship Carolina, which did
indeed make the passage from San Francisco to New York during
the period in which the letter was sent. |
| A Most Unusual Cover - The One Cent 1851 Issue, by
Mortimer L. Neinken (certificate 87 647). An exceptional
cover with six stamps from plate 1 early. It is marked
"OCT 15" and although the year is not indicated it
is assumed it is from 1851 since the stamps are from the 1851
plate. Neinken calls this cover "one of the gems of 19th
century philately". The rate usage and all markings
were deemed "undoubtedly genuine". |
| The Tests For A Genuine Cover - The 12¢ 1851 Bisect, by
Victor B. Krievens (certificate 89 026). This
"bisect" cover was determined genuine for the
following reasons: the stamp was of the hard white wove paper
and the proper color and the usage and time frame were
correct. |
| Plating Expertise Explains An Unusual Block - The 1857 1¢
Blue, by
Mortimer L. Neinken (certificate 86 536). The importance of
plating is clearly illustrated in this article. |
| Genuine Stamp, Genuine Cover - Fake Use, The 10¢ 1857-61
Issue on Cover, by Robert G. Kaufmann (certificate 109 085).
In nearly all cases, items submitted to the Philatelic
Foundation for Expertizing are given rigorous scrutiny, not
simply an opinion as to whether the item is genuine. In this
case it is shown that a genuine stamp was added to a genuine
cover to make a fake use. The stamp, Type V, was not issued
until 1859, while the usage was 1857. |
| Detecting a Forged Territorial Cover - Auraria, Jefferson
Territory, by David L. Jarrett (certificate 57 144). The
date of the manuscript cancel did not match the period in
which the post office was in operation. Further the ink used
was determined to be of modern origin. |
| The Rise and Fall of Scott 60a - The 1861-67 24¢ Grayish
Lilac, by Leon Hyzen (certificate 38 947). Mr. Hyzen
discusses the merits of an expertizing committee that can form
educated opinions with regard to difficult material, particularly
in regard to color. |
| Creases and Wrinkles as an Expertizing Aid - A 90¢ 1861
Cover to Hawaii, by Richard B. Graham (certificate 82
709). Often a cover may appear to be genuine in all respects,
yet defy explanations of usage. The analyst is reluctant to an
express an opinion unless he can work out an explanation that
agrees with the Postal Laws and Regulations of the period.
Ninety cents, among other rates, paid the fee for a letter or
package weghing between 4-4.5 ounces. This would mean that the
envelope should show signs of such large content, which indeed
the creases and wrinkles did. The cover was given a favorable
opinion. |
| Fancy Cancels: Fact or Fantasy? - Two Fancy Cancels on
No. 65, by Victor B. Krievins (certificate 90 265).
Sometimes a cancellation is submitted for which no comparable
example is known. The lack of another known example does not
necessarily mean the Foundation will issue an unfavorable
opinion. The article discusses the use of ultraviolet and
other techniques to rule our the option of alteration. |
| An In-Depth Look at Fancy Cancels - The Detroit Six-Bar
Shield, by Scott R. Trepel (certificate 91 030). Philately
is not an exact science, the expert offers an opinion based on
the most logical interpretation. This article examines the
scientific methods used in the determination, as well as the
examiners themselves. It continues with a discussion of the
manufacture and usage of fancy cancellations on 19th century
stamps and closes with an examination of the Detroit Six-Bar
Shield cancel. |
| A Puzzle of the Hattie Coan Correspondence - The 1869 2¢
and 6¢ on Cover, by Elliott H. Coulter (certificate 107
967). In this case the Foundation was unable to determine if
the cover originated in San Francisco or Japan. The cover was
deemed genuine, but of indeterminate origin. |
| A Marking That Almost Defied Explanation - An 1869 10¢
and 24¢ Usage to Hong Kong, by Michael Laurence (certificate
68 858). A cover that had been floating in philatelic circles
for nearly a decade was submitted to the Foundation for
expertizing. After careful examination it was determined that
the stamps were indeed ties to the cover and that the usage
was genuine. |
| In Our Opinion, We Can't Be Sure - A Combination
U.S.A.-France 1870 Cover, by John E. Lievsay (certificate
88 735). An interesting article detailing the fact that the
Foundation will make every effort to isolate and report on
every aspect of a submitted item, even if the summary judgment
is no opinion. |
| Skirting The Little Big Horn - A Dakota Territory Cover,
by Jeanette Knoll Adams (certificate 89 484). A cover with
more than philatelic importance is discussed. |
| First Day Cover? - The 10¢ Yellow Washington Head,
by Lewis Kaufman. A cover with a, hopefully, early usage of
Scott 381 was submitted for examination. Of necessity, and at
the request of the owner, the stamp was lifted from the cover,
examined for watermark and replaced. A discussion of earliest
usages is included. |
| The Unofficial Rouletting of Kansas City - The 1¢
Green 1912 Issue, by Peter A. Robertson (certificate 91
668). The manufacture of the "Kansas City" Roulettes
of Scott 408 is discussed. Of particular note is the fact that
the roulettes, being hand-made, are especially difficult to
authenticate. The provenance of the example discussed was impeccable,
a well-known dealer had purchased the block while the
perforation was then current and it had remained in the family
since. However, the perforations did not line up perfectly
with known examples and the block had not been signed or
initialed at the time for authentication purposes. The
Foundation therefore declined to render an opinion. This case
highlights the difficulty in certifying Kansas City Roulettes
that were not authenticated (signed) at the time of
purchase. |
| Less Than A Millimeter, Thousands of Dollars - The 1924
1¢ Green, Perf 11, by Brian La Vane (certificate 90
063). A thorough analysis of the one cent coil waste stamp of
the 1922 design, Scott 594, is presented. The article clearly
explains the difference between Scott 552, Scott 598, Scott
632 and the rare 594. The Foundation estimates that fully two
thirds of all stamps submitted as Scott 594 are in reality
Scott 552. |
| When All Else Fails ... First Day of E1?, by Peter A.
Robertson (certificate 104 290). The article discusses an
unusual cover, without a clear year date, submitted by the
Special Delivery expert Henry Gobie as a First Day usage.
Although the facts support the hypothesis that this is an 1885
cover, it can not be stated with certainty that the cover is
from 1885 and not 1887. The Foundation declined to express an
opinion. |
| Tracing an Imperf Back to Its Perforations - The $200
U.S. Internal Revenue Stamp, by Peter A. Robertson (certificate
89 419). An unusually close cropping on the stamp is one of
the major reasons for a negative opinion. |
Chapter 3 The Confederate States of America
An Adhesive Variety Comes to Light - The Austin, Texas,
Postmaster's Provisionals, by Brian M. Green. The dearth
of adhesive stamps in the Confederacy is discussed. |
| Can The Experts Be Wrong? - The Confederate "Red
Jack" on Cover, by Brian M. Green (certificate 91
033). Although accompanied by a positive certificate from
another expertizing service, the Foundation issued a negative
opinion when it was discovered the stamps had been
fraudulently tied to the cover. |
| A Rare Find Proves to be Authentic - A
"CHICAMAUGA" Field Cancellation Cover, by Brian
M. Green (certificate 91 899). Since the configuration and
details of the cancellations matched those of reference
samples that were made available to the committee, the
Foundation issued a positive opinion for this rare cover. |
| An Only Known Cover Gets A Certificate - A Bisected Usage
From Florence, South Carolina Prison,, by Brian M. Green (certificate
91 394). A thorough analysis of one of the rarest Civil War
covers. The Foundation issued a positive opinion. |
| What's This? - A Byhalia Fancy Cancellation, by Henry
W. Houser (certificate 86 752). An unknown cancellation
presents many possibilities. Is it a turtle? Porcupine?
Armadillo? Anteater? Beaver? Since the cancellation was
hitherto unknown, the Foundation declined to render an
opinion. |
Chapter 4 United States Possessions, Foreign Offices, Overseas
Usages
|
| U.S. Stamps for Twice the Price? Why? - The
"Shanghai China" Overprint, by Henry Stollnitz (certificate
87 671). The article explains how these overprinted stamps
came to be. |
| First Days: The Emphasis is on USAGE - The
Shanghai Overprint First Day Cover, by Henry Stollnitz (certificate
95 347). One of the very few "Shanghai" stamps to
have been used on the first day the overprints were issued in
Shanghai. An oval registry mark ties the stamp to cover,
twelve cents (twenty-four cents) is the correct usage for 1919
- ten cents for the registry fee and two cents for the letter,
and the date, July 1, 1919 is clearly marked on the back
cover. |
| A Mixed Franking Passes The Tests - Combination Usage of
Hawaiian and U.S. Stamps, by Victor B. Krievins (certificate
109 340). A mixed franking of a Hawaii Scott 8 and a U.S.
Scott 17 developed as a result of problems which arose when
mail traveled between Hawaii and San Francisco. |
| The Enigma of The Hawaiian Numerals, by Hans Stoltz (certificate
87 710). The inherent difficulty in plating the Hawaiian
Numerals is discussed. |
| How To Earn A Negative Opinion - A Philippines and United
States Combination Cover to Spain, by Peter A. Robertson (certificate
74 236). A somewhat scarce double-bisect early Spanish stamp
on cover is lessened by the addition of a U.S. three cent
1857. |
| The Criteria For "R F" Covers - Two "R
F" Overprints on Cover, by Henry Stollnitz (certificates
87 213 and 92 690). The creation and use of the
"R F" overprint is discussed. |
| South Sea Kingdom and U.S. Stamps Correctly Used on One
Cover - Samoa 14a, U.S. 234 on Cover to England, by Henry
Stollnitz (certificate 101 170). |
Chapter 5 British Commonwealth and General Foreign
A Shade of a Difference Makes a Major Difference - The
Canada 1859 10-Cent Black Brown, by Timothy A. Holmes (certificate
90 881). The date of usage, along with the paper type and
strong crisp impression help to determine the rare shade of
this stamp. |
| Bisected to Order? - The Canada 1870-1879 2¢ Green
Bisected, by Timothy A. Holmes (certificate 92 230). Although
contrary to regulations, the Canadian Post Offices sometimes
"bisected" stamps at a collector's request. Notable
bisects of probable philatelic origin are noted. |
| Applications of Plating to the Expertizing Process - The
Fiji Times Express, by
Timothy A. Holmes (certificates 84 950 and 89 838). A Fiji
Times Express penny and 6 pence stamps are examined. |
| A Common Stamp Uncommonly Used - A Nova Scotia Usage to
Puerto Rico, by Timothy A. Holmes (certificate 88 653).
A cover is determined to be genuine because since the rate is
proper and the stamp is well tied to the cover. |
| The Reference Collection in Action - The First Air Mail
Stamp of Colombia, by Alex Rendon (certificate 74 636). |
| Chronological Analysis in Expertizing - Marine
Schiffspost Number 8 and the Cormoran, by Diane and Jessie
Boehret (certificate 82 800). Dates of known events were
studied in the examination of this cover. |
| Reaping the Benefits of Scholarly Effort - The Zurich
"Numerals", by Ernest A. Kehr (certificate 91
931). |
| Unanswered Questions - The Tree-Cent 1954 United Nations
Day Issue, by Richard E. Beresford (certificate 91 000).
The question "Why would anyone want to counterfeit a
common stamp?" remains unanswered. |
| Postscript, by John F. Dunn |