Fakes Forgeries Experts, No. 8
By Knud Mohr, Editor

Published May, 2005, by Postilijonen A/S, København K, Denmark. 190 pages, softbound, full color.
Available from the publisher at Købmagergade 61, DK 1150 København, Denmark for 50 Euros, which includes postage if prepaid.
E-mail: salesdep@ffejournal.com

This year’s edition of this wonderful book has much to offer aero and astrophilatelists. There are four articles that should be of great interest, the first being a well-researched article by Artur Knoth entitled “Condor Do Brasil Zeppelin Covers on the 1st Pan Am Zeppelin Flight of 1930-The Rate Samba.” This is a study of the rate structure for covers flown from Brasil on this flight, and gives an understanding of how these rates can help determine whether a cover has been enhanced or forged.

The second article of interest is by Wolfgang Maassen. It is titled “Mystery of the Brazilian Parahyba Provisional.” In this article the author takes to task the MICHEL Zeppelin and Airmail Special Catalog for declaring, without solid evidence, that the provisionals probably never existed, i.e., they are forgeries. This is based on comments from a single Zeppelin Expert, Dieter Leder. Mr. Maassen contradicts Mr. Leder’s statements and makes a good case for reinstating these stamps.

Next, Indian aerophilatelist Pradip Jain writes about the “Allahabad-Naini Flight 1911 Forged Post Mark of World’s First Official Airmail.” Pradip does an excellent job of exposing a very dangerous forgery of both the magenta special postmark as well as the Allahabad backstamp. The differences are very subtle and could easily pass as genuine to the naked eye.

Lastly, for astrophilatelists, we have “Space Mail-Cover or Letter?” by Russian expert Igor Rodin. Mr. Rodin explains the difference between a (souvenir) flown cover and a letter, which is real personal or official correspondence with a cosmonaut. He shows how covers have been forged to look like real letters, which are much more sought after by collectors.

The balance of the book is also of much interest. I plan to spend a number of evenings reading the important articles.