I'm currently working through a large accumulation of German stamps from the first 1/2 of the 20th century. Catalogue values for postally-used copies are typically much higher than for the same stamps in mint - which of course means that there is every incentive for people to fake cancels. I have read in the past that used material, especially from the inflation period, needs to be expertized. So, a couple of questions.
Are there any available references (or tricks of the trade) that will help me weed out at least some of the faked cancels?
Was faking cancels limited to the inflation period, or is it also common with other German issues from the period? (e.g. Germania issue)
re: Germany 1900 to 1950 - how to identify legitimate cancels
I send all my used and variations or types to be expertised or bid on high end auctions. I think about 95% of my used infla are aproved.
Some stamps from above,
It makes no sense to me to collect German inflation stamps and not have them approved or expertised. In Germany used inflation stamps have a catalog value (Michel) only if they are aprroved or experised. Further the expert must be a member of infla Berlin.
Here is an example of my collection. 1920 Germania in new colors.
1923,
Print from Plate,Missing a couple but I`m of high hopes.
Here is a good rule, Every cancelation of the German inflation period is fake unless proven otherwise.
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