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| Scott Number | 1 2 |
|---|---|
| Date | June 20, 1848 |
| From City | Philadelphia |
| From State | PA |
| To City | Amsterdam |
| To State | Holland |
| Addressee | Wilhelm |
| Cert Author | PF |
| Cert # | 2160 |
| Fake | NG |
| Quantity 1 | 1 |
| Quantity 2 | 1 |
| Bisect | |
| Others |
Notes
Chronicle 169
Fake 5c + 10c 1847 cover with "15 cts" cds of Philadelphia, June 20 [1848], attributed to Zareski (from Ashbrook's Special Service. (This and subsequent photos by Datillo)
Chronicle 90
The 10c stamp, which had been added, was a cleaned copy typical of such an alteration. Ashbrook's opinion, based on rate analysis, was later confirmed when records revealed the cover had been part of the Senator Ackerman collection as a 5c cover to Holland. The Ackerman collection was dispersed in 1928.
Alexander listed as 6/20/48
Parke-Bernet sale 282 May 10 1941 (Knapp) lot 2284 realized 325
From Ashbrook Special Services, 1951:
THE FRAUDULENT 184 COVER WITH A 10 ADDED KNOWN AS THE "KNAPP COVER"
(From the Knapp First Sale, May 10, 1941 -Lot #2284 - Sale Price 325.00) Photograph No. 10. This well-known fake shows a 5¢ 1847 tied to a cover (folded letter) by a blue Philadelphia postmark. Some faker added a 10¢ 1847 stamp and tied it to the 5¢ with a fake blue grid, The cover was from Philadelphia, Pa" postmarked "JUN 20" (1848) and addressed to Amsterdam, Holland (see Photo #10). The blue postmark originally read, "PHlLADA. PA - JUN 20 5 CTS." The faker printed a slanting "1" before the "5 CTS" and made it read, "15 CTS." In the lower left corner is the manuscript routing, "Per Steam Ship Acadia - from New York, June 21st,"
In my opinion this fake was made by a notorious philatelic faker who has for years operated in Paris, France, and has made a specialty of faking covers with U.S. stamps, and disposing of his crooked material thru agents in London and New York..
There is no question but what this cover fooled the late Edward S. Knapp and I am sure that he never doubted it was genuine, It also fooled the Expert Committee of The Philatelic Foundation. It was submitted to the Committee in the Spring of 1950 by Mr. Gordon Harmer of Harmer, Rooke & Co, at my suggestion and it was in the hands of that Committee until June of 1950 at which time they issued their certificate, stating it was genuine. That certificate was numbered, "No. 2160," and dated "June 12, 1950," It read as follows: quote:
We have examined the enclosed United States 1847 - 5¢ #1 “ 10c #2 on cover" submitted by Harmer, Rooke & Co. Inc. - of which a photograph is attached on the reverse, and are of the opinion that it is genuine in all respects. (signed) Theodore E. Steinway For The Expert Committee
Chairman"
In any expert examination of this cover the first point that should have been considered was WHY A PAYMENT OF 15 CENTS ON THIS FOLDED LETTER? If anyone connected with the Committee had any knowledge of the actual meaning of the markings on this fake cover, surely the above certificate would never have been issued. It is a very glaring example of amateur experts attempting to pass "expert" opinions on items of which they have little if any knowledge.
This fake cover did not weigh over 1 ounce, and all the U. S. postage required on the letter was the U. S. rate (a single of 5¢) from Philadelphia to New York City. . . .(etc.)
PF 2160 - genuine but adds "doubtful, see C. C. Hart's letter of 8/12/70 on file)
Fake 5c + 10c 1847 cover with "15 cts" cds of Philadelphia, June 20 [1848], attributed to Zareski (from Ashbrook's Special Service. (This and subsequent photos by Datillo)
Chronicle 90
The 10c stamp, which had been added, was a cleaned copy typical of such an alteration. Ashbrook's opinion, based on rate analysis, was later confirmed when records revealed the cover had been part of the Senator Ackerman collection as a 5c cover to Holland. The Ackerman collection was dispersed in 1928.
Alexander listed as 6/20/48
Parke-Bernet sale 282 May 10 1941 (Knapp) lot 2284 realized 325
From Ashbrook Special Services, 1951:
THE FRAUDULENT 184 COVER WITH A 10 ADDED KNOWN AS THE "KNAPP COVER"
(From the Knapp First Sale, May 10, 1941 -Lot #2284 - Sale Price 325.00) Photograph No. 10. This well-known fake shows a 5¢ 1847 tied to a cover (folded letter) by a blue Philadelphia postmark. Some faker added a 10¢ 1847 stamp and tied it to the 5¢ with a fake blue grid, The cover was from Philadelphia, Pa" postmarked "JUN 20" (1848) and addressed to Amsterdam, Holland (see Photo #10). The blue postmark originally read, "PHlLADA. PA - JUN 20 5 CTS." The faker printed a slanting "1" before the "5 CTS" and made it read, "15 CTS." In the lower left corner is the manuscript routing, "Per Steam Ship Acadia - from New York, June 21st,"
In my opinion this fake was made by a notorious philatelic faker who has for years operated in Paris, France, and has made a specialty of faking covers with U.S. stamps, and disposing of his crooked material thru agents in London and New York..
There is no question but what this cover fooled the late Edward S. Knapp and I am sure that he never doubted it was genuine, It also fooled the Expert Committee of The Philatelic Foundation. It was submitted to the Committee in the Spring of 1950 by Mr. Gordon Harmer of Harmer, Rooke & Co, at my suggestion and it was in the hands of that Committee until June of 1950 at which time they issued their certificate, stating it was genuine. That certificate was numbered, "No. 2160," and dated "June 12, 1950," It read as follows: quote:
We have examined the enclosed United States 1847 - 5¢ #1 “ 10c #2 on cover" submitted by Harmer, Rooke & Co. Inc. - of which a photograph is attached on the reverse, and are of the opinion that it is genuine in all respects. (signed) Theodore E. Steinway For The Expert Committee
Chairman"
In any expert examination of this cover the first point that should have been considered was WHY A PAYMENT OF 15 CENTS ON THIS FOLDED LETTER? If anyone connected with the Committee had any knowledge of the actual meaning of the markings on this fake cover, surely the above certificate would never have been issued. It is a very glaring example of amateur experts attempting to pass "expert" opinions on items of which they have little if any knowledge.
This fake cover did not weigh over 1 ounce, and all the U. S. postage required on the letter was the U. S. rate (a single of 5¢) from Philadelphia to New York City. . . .(etc.)
PF 2160 - genuine but adds "doubtful, see C. C. Hart's letter of 8/12/70 on file)
