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Philatelic Website

Fake Errors

Canada / Seaway. Center inverted. (Scott No. 387a)

Normal

Invert

Inverts are occasionally faked, but never successfully. Faking involves cutting out the vignette on a normal stamp and replacing it in an inverted position. The fakery is always evident under magnification and often with the naked eye. It is usually evident on the back of the stamp, where the cut is readily visible.

Almost always. A clever and dangerous fake of the Seaway Invert was created several years ago by a faker who had the patience and dexterity to cut the vignette without piercing the back of the stamp. This left the gum intact and never hinged. Instinctively, most experienced handlers of inverts flip an invert to check the back, since the faking cut is always so evident. The auctioneer, to whom this fake was offered, flipped it, observed that the gum was intact and accepted it without further question. Only later, under magnification during viewing, did the deception become evident. Fortunately, no money was lost.

The faker went to incredible lengths to create his masterpiece. It involved a feather-light touch to make the incision, using tape to peel the incised layer and reposition it, sanding the vignette to make it lie flat and even with the frame once positioned and glued in place.

The deception almost worked. Fortunately, faked inverts are detected under magnification. So, take nothing for granted. Examine, examine, examine.