Clarifications & Corrections to Philatelic Literature

“Focus on Forgeries” (2000) by Varro E. Tyler. An EXCELLENT and inexpensive book -- well worth the purchase price for any collector of worldwide stamps from 1840-1940. Only about 10% of the forgeries listed are for stamps issued after 1940. He is a widely recognized expert on worldwide forgeries.

Increased research and knowledge means some of changes to the status of some stamps. Some formerly genuine stamps get converted to forgery status, and even vice-versa.

So here is one clarification.

In the Scott Batum #4-6 (page 28) listing, the genuine stamps are described as “The letters ‘KA’ of the first word in the upper inscription touch at the base.” Tyler has a similar statement for Scott Batum #1-3 (page 27). On page 28, in describing the forgery, he states “There are two types of forgery, but the less common type II can be eliminated immediately because the letters ‘KA’ in the first word of the upper inscription do not touch at the based as they do in genuine copies,”.

While this can be used as fairly good general rule, it is better to use the other tests (paper, dots…). In fact, neither Barefoot nor Ceresa mention the ‘KA’ at all.

There is a known uncommon genuine plate flaw in which the ‘KA’ are separated. Furthermore and very interestingly, the ‘KA’ test cannot be used at all for issues overprinted “BRITISH OCCUPATION”. Examination of the transfer blocks show 50%-66% of the subjects with joined ‘KA’. So do not apply the ‘KA’ test to the overprinted stamps.

Rather than post a bunch of pilfered pictures, I refer you to Jim’s blog entry on this set of Batum stamps and overprints.  He is the one who originally corrected my original confusion/misunderstanding.

Batum aloe tree forgeries

I do not know if Tyler’s Batum listing has included any clarifications in the revised edition.

What a great thread!

I'm afraid that unfortunately he passed away a few years ago.  (I would've guessed about 5-6 years ago, but I just looked it up, and it was in 2001.  ... Time does fly.)   I'm not sure who has assumed any responsibility for updating his work (or if it is being updated at all).

Despite his masterful accomplishments in philately, he was better known in the real world as a professor of pharmacology. 

He even rated an obituary in the New York Times:

www.nytimes.com/2001/08/26/us/varro-tyler-herbal-medicine-expert-74-dies.html