(Some examples of forged German Colonies stamps, reduced sizes)
Note: on my website many of the
pictures can not be seen! They are of course present in the cd's;
contact me if you want to purchase them: evert@klaseboer.com.
Some recent forgeries of many countries have originated from the town of Hialeah (Florida, United States). They are commonly known as Hialeah forgeries. A certain Mr. Canoura seems to be behind these forgeries.
The seller 'atdinvest' (previously selling under the name 'futete', 'cclan', 'unlimitedstamps' and possibly other names) is selling many of these forgeries on E-bay (2003), he says on one of these auctions:
"THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT ATDINVEST CAN DO FOR THE
PHILATELIC COMMUNITY. ALWAYS GREAT VALUES FOR THE AVID COLLECTOR
. THE GREATEST FORGERIES THAT HAVE EVER BEEN OFFERED.
Extraordinary forgery sheet to be used as reference material.
THE FINAL SOURCE FOR TRUE FORGERIES.ALWAYS A MASTERPIECE
ART-FORGERY FOR THE KNOWLEDGEABLE COLLECTOR.PRINTED IN EUROPEAN
A4 PAPER.
THESE ARE PHILATELIC FORGERIES WITH NO POSTAL OR MONETARY
VALUE."
and later (August 2003):
"THE FINEST AUTHENTIC REPRODUCTIONS OF GENUINE STAMPS IN PHILATELIC HISTORY. A NEW EXPRESSION OF ART AND BEAUTY. THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT ATDINVEST CAN DO FOR THE PHILATELIC COMMUNITY. ALWAYS GREAT VALUES FOR THE AVID COLLECTOR . THE GREATEST ARTISTIC REPRODUCTIONS THAT HAVE EVER BEEN OFFERED"
He also seems to have said:
"collecting classics and expensive stamps is not a privilege anymore for a few",everyone have the right to fill that space in their albums at little cost."
The same kind of reasons that the forger Fournier gave in the early 20th century, when he massively sold forgeries.
In October 2003 this forger tried to sell his whole 'business' on E-bay, a section from this item:
"STAMP REPRODUCTION BUSINESS FOR SALE Artikelnummer:
2956392943
Starting price: US $69.900,00
Successful business specializing in worldwide reproductions of
authentic classic stamps. Established for over five (5) years
with over 6000 regular customers plus mail orders. Business
includes vast inventory of over 20,000 sheets (all different)
reproductions with a solid amount on retail value; thousands of
blocks and singles; hand stamps by hundreds (worldwide),hand
stamps cancellations of the german colonies and offices
overseas,complete;french colonies,offices and expeditionary
forces hand stamps cancellations complete, also overprints and
surcharges worldwide,such an historical treasure to be on a
museum ;perforation equipment and tools,and the most valuable, 85
CD's with data of proofs and documents. Information that is used
for preparation of plates (paper or metal) for printing. Web-site
included with domain. Three months training with full knowledge
of advanced technology upon completetion of sale. This will put
the buyer in full charge of a gold mine with great potential.
There is no competition in this business because this company is
the leader in worldwide reproductions of classic stamps. Will
supply additional information and pictures only to serious
prospects, the technology and secrets of the trade will be given
only in training. The description doesn't begin to describe the
full potential of the business. Owner is selling due to health
problems. "
He did not manage to sell his forgery business (there were no bids). I wonder if the 'health problems' are the real reason for him to sell. A more likely reason is that the rules for selling such forgeries have become stricter on E-bay. Anyway, this gives a nice insight in how he conducted his forgery sales.
The forger is selling whole sheets of rarities. I've written to the seller atdinvest to get more information (how many stamps he has forged etc.) but I got a nice reply in which he told me he is too buzy to make a list of all his forgeries. As far as I have seen, (before August 2003), these forgeries were never perforated, nicely gummed but badly printed (on a colour laser or inkjet printer?) and the size is also not always correct. The list of stamps that he forged is really very long, and comprises almost any rare stamp upto about 1945.
Recently, in August 2003, this seller also starts offering cancelled stamps and perforated stamps as well.
(Some examples of forged German Colonies stamps, reduced sizes)
(Forged stamps of Alsace, reduced sizes)\
(Forgery of Orange Free State)
There also seem to exist forged overprints of this forger, see: germacol.htm or http://laplaza.taos.nm.us/~1covers/Hialeah/Hialeah.htm for more examples.
(Hialeah forged overprint 'G.R.I. 4d.' on Samoa stamp, reduced
size)
(Left: genuine stamp and right: Hialeah forgery of a Samoa
overprint)
Around June 2003 this seller also starts selling cancelled stamps, even on envelope. For example a number of envelopes with forged French 19th century stamps (and with added forged cancels) was offered in August 2003. The envelopes are probably genuine (some still contain some genuine stamps). The perforation is always very badly done.
(Hialeah forgery, genuine envelope, 3 forged 80 c French Colonies
stamps, reduced size)
The above example is such a genuine envelope, with 3 forged 80 c French Colonies eagle stamps and a forged 5129 numeral cancel, a forged 'Corr des armees' and a forged 'REGIMENT DE TIR' cancel on the backside of the envelope.
(Forged stamp of France together with forged cancels and genuine
stamps, reduced size)
Another example is the above forged 1 F Napoleon III stamp with forged '5129' numeral cancel, together with two genuine stamps (which were probably present on the genuine envelope). The Lyon cancel is genuine (I presume).
(Forged 'Tonkin Corps Expedit' envelope with two 40 c French
colonies Ceres stamps)
On the above envelope all the stamps and cancels are forged.
(Two forged 5 F commerce stamps with forged cancels)
The above envelope has two 5 F commerce stamps added, together with a forged '3122' numeral cancel and two forged mute cancels. .
http://www.stamps.org/CAC/artg004.htm (by Peter Elias)