AUSTRALIA’S FIRST FORGED STAMP FOR SALE
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Posted May 4th, 2009 Article by: Michael Krape Michael Krape Consulting Tel: 0403 135 880 Stamp aficionados may seem like a benign bunch, but underneath the cashmere cardigans can beat a heart of rolled gold villainy. There have been many rare stamps forged, mostly to defraud unsuspecting dealers and collectors. In 2007, Christie’s devoted an entire auction to the forgeries of one of the most famous offenders, an Italian by the name of Jean Sperati. The first known forgery in Australia occurred in 1932 and was aimed squarely at the Commonwealth Government via the Australian Post Office (then known as the PMG). The perpetrators forged a 2d Red (Two Pence) King George V Head (Side Face) which had been around in various forms since 1913. The quality of the printing was suspect, but this wasn’t unusual for stamps printed during World War 1 which relied on Australian, rather than English inks and paper. The forgery was discovered by a collector in Outback South Australia and ultimately led to the arrest and incarceration of two men in Sydney. Authorities always believed more were involved, and some time later a police officer was also arrested. “This is one of only six envelopes believed to exist,” says Charles Leski. “It is the only known envelope with two single stamps affixed, making it very rare and valuable. The quality of the forgery has been compared to Sperati.” “If these stamps were the ‘real thing’, this envelope would only be worth a few dollars.” Lot 1177 will be offered for sale by Leski Auctions in Melbourne on Wednesday, May 20th at 5.30pm. It has a presale estimate of $12,000 - $15,000. |
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