Fakes and Forgeries – Beware!

Real or fake? At top is the unique genuine British Guiana Penny Magenta, and on the bottom is a very similar stamp described by experts as a forgery.

As with any object of value, stamps attract the attention of some dishonest individuals. Just like in the world of currency and of fine art, one has to be on the lookout for forgeries and fakes. In fact, only twenty years after the issuing of the first stamp in 1840 did the first forgery appear. It is probably every collector’s greatest nightmare to discover that a well-loved and valuable stamp is actually a fake.

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Pioneer of Stamp Approvals Dies at 92

F. Maynard SundmanMr. F. Maynard Sundman, innovator of the stamp approval business died October 31st 2007, in Littleton, New Hampshire at the age of 92. Mr. Sundman, a well-respected and admired figure in the philatelic world has even been called «a giant in the hobby» by Mike Laurence, former editor-publisher of Linn’s Stamp News. Mr. Maynard patriarch of the Littleton-Mystic companies was in the business for over 70 years, and we all owe a lot to his passion for stamp collecting.

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What are revenue Stamps?

Canada-revenue-Law-stampRevenue stamps, unlike postage stamps, are used to collect taxes or fees on various items and to show that these taxes have been paid. Revenue stamps have been used for years by federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as various other organizations. They have been used in virtually every country of the world and are still being used in some. 

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