I've been trying to come up with a list
of characteristics to help distinguish a genuine 6c from a forgery.
But there hasn't been, at least to my knowledge, a problem with
forgeries for this issue. The modern day photographic forgeries
on thin paper are about the only ones that might fool someone,
and only because they are replicas of genuine stamps.
The one detail that seems to be lacking in all the forgeries
I've seen is this:
The background mesh is comprised of horizontal and
vertical crossed lines. There is a thin white gutter between
the central area of corssed lines and the outer frame. Some of
these crossed lines that form the background mesh extend beyond
the confines of the central area into the thin white gutter (detail).
There are some extended lines that are consistant on each and
every position in the plate, such as the 2 lines just under the
numeral 6 in the top inscription (detail) and others are unique to particular
positions. Some are not as distinct as others, but every 6c will
have some. The modern forgeries also show some of these lines,
but they are not as distinct.
There is also a small "knob" of black color
in the upper left corner of the central design area, that protrudes
into the thin white gutter (detail). It seems to be missing on most forgeries,
with the exception of the photographically produced replicas
of modern times. |
This forgery, or for a better word replica, is printed
on thin white paper. It is taken from a photograph of a genuine
stamp and contains many, if not all, of the identifying characteristics
of a genuine stamp. For some reason though, the forger decided
green would be a nice color to make this usually black stamp
and compared to the genuine at left, the background lines are
dark and heavy, running together in alot of places, which together
with the thin paper and wrong color, are the easiest ways to
distinguish it. It is stamped "REPLIK"(detail) on the back and is thought to be the
product of Peter Winter.(read more about Peter Winters forgeries
HERE)
***BEWARE***
Although this copy has impossibly large margins, watch out for
trimmed down copies. Also, be aware that these have been offered
on ebay as "proofs". Proofs in green DO NOT EXIST.
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