Fake Kudat Postmark on ebay: AU 15 1899

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20 January 2010



A full set of stamps bearing the fake Kudat postmark of "KUDAT AU 15 1899 " in ebay, click here. Some of the postmarks are not very clear, but many of the high value stamps show the characteristic postmark, typically strucked right in the centre. The seller is, I believe, a reputable seller (100% feedback). I'm sure he wasn't aware of the fake postmark on the stamps, which highlights one of the biggest problems collectors may face - faked and forged stamps. The seller offers the set for US $199.99. Big price for such a collection! [Seller: roemer_1 ; ebay item no: 160395113675]

4 January 2010


This is an example of the 'famous' fake Kudat postmark: KUDAT AU 15 1899 that I found on ebay while browsing the site. This particular stamp has an 8.5mm length between the two surcharges and is therefore supposed to be SG 126 and Scott 102 which values about US $24 and US $18 respectively. Unfortunately the seller offers it for US $ 44.99 which is 150% more than the Scotts catalogue value and 87% more than the Stanley Gibbons price! Imagine buying this price for the much rarer and high values stamp with 4.5 mm length between the surcharges. In Stanley Gibbons catalogue (2010), this particular postmark is considered to be fake and can be found in virtually all 1899 stamps (i.e. SG 112-126). In E. Proud's book, this is supposed to be the D3 postmark of Kudat even though there is no mention of this particular date as being fake. Nevertheless, it is always useful to be careful and watchful for this kind of trick. [Seller: filateliamk ; ebay item no: 360140667892]

 
"One sees what one knows"