Looking Back #70 - "Hawaii" Overprints. New Counterfeit

"Hawaii" Overprints. New Counterfeit

A new counterfeit, far more dangerous
than those which first appeared about
two years ago, has just been shown to
me by Adam K. Bert, of Pittsburgh.

A forged overprint, which is extremely
difficult to distinguish from the
original, so cleverly is it executed.

Mr. Bert has submitted a vertical strip
of five of the 5=A2 value (Scott's No. 648),
and the tricksters have attempted to
create not only the ordinary overprinted
stamps but rare varieties (unknown in the
originals) as well, for the center stamp
in this strip is without the overprint,
and since it seems the intention to over-
look very little with a possible sale value,
we may subsequently expect to see double
surcharges, and probably inverts.

The setting, arrangement and spacing of
the words "HAWAII 1778-1928" is about
perfect, and the most careful comparison
with stamps known to be originals is
necessary in order to distinguish it.

Some features of the originals, however,
have been overlooked, and at the present
I do not care to publish these omissions,
since those who are manufacturing this
fake may read these notes and remedy the
deficiency.

I have seen only the 5=A2 value, but beyond
a doubt the 2=A2 was also forged, and
attention may also have been given to the
Molly Pitcher, Kansas and Nebraska
overprints. The earlier fakes of about
two years ago were set up in blocks of
four, fairly easy to distinguish because
of carelessness in spacing the type, but
here is a strip of five stamps which may
well indicate that a setting has been
prepared large enough to overprint 25, 50
or 100 units at once. Efforts are now
being made to trace the stamps to their
source and it would seem to be a matter of
interest to the U. S. Secret Service.
=20

- George B. Sloane=20
Sloane's Column=20
Stamps=20
January 19, 1935

"Blair (TC)" wrote in message
roups.com...
"Hawaii" Overprints. New Counterfeit

A new counterfeit, far more dangerous
than those which first appeared about
two years ago, has just been shown to
me by Adam K. Bert, of Pittsburgh.

A forged overprint, which is extremely
difficult to distinguish from the
original, so cleverly is it executed.

snip

Efforts are now
being made to trace the stamps to their
source and it would seem to be a matter of
interest to the U. S. Secret Service.


- George B. Sloane
Sloane's Column
Stamps
January 19, 1935

Has anyone any information on whether those who produced these counterfeits
were ever charged and whether the counterfeits have showed up in
auctions/for sale since 1935?

mike