Poodle_Mum

I thought you guys might enjoy the following. It's a bit long but it goes to show that the current practice we've complained about in the Internet era of stamp swindling is an age-old practice.

This comes from the American Journal of Philately, published January 20th, 1876.

Another Swindle Exposed

"I want to sell this stamp what will you give for it?"
"What do you want,"
"I dont (sic) know, what will you give."
"Where did you get it?"
"A boy gave it to me to sell,"
"What is his name?"
"I don't know,"
"Do you mean to tell me that a stranger gave you a label which if genuine would be worth from $10 to $25 to sell for him? That is not at all likely. Tell him to come for his letter if he wants it."

The above conversation took place in the store of J.W. Scott & Co., in the early part of last week; the occasion of it was a boy trying to sell what purported to be a hitherto unheard of local, on the original letter. The plan to swindle our publishers was well laid, but the scoundrel reckoned without his host, and made a fatal mistake in sending a boy to transact business which required great confidence, persons who make a living by obtaining money under false pretences, are usually men of good address in fact this branch of stealing requires more skill than any other.

That our readers may see the skill and ingenuity with which this swindle was concocted we give the letter entire.
J.G. Dudley & Co.


Gents,
We will see that 100 bales more E.E. Batts are shipped to you upon the ground that you name, we supposed the quantity was all that you are entitled to. It may be three weeks before you get them as our old contract has been completed.
Yours Truly
J.M. Beebe & Co.
Boston Aug. 31-47.


This was written on one side of a double sheet of paper and folded to cover the writing in the usual way. The other side was addressed Messrs J.G. Dudley & Co, New York.

In the upper right corner was a figure 5, in red ink and about the centre of the left end a circular handstamp U.S. EXPRESS MAIL BOSTON, MASS. AUGUST. 31, which was in red. It was creased when it had been enclosed and folded away by the receivers. So far all was correct for the letter is undoubtedly authentic. In fact no one in his senses would attempt to forge a letter when he could get a genuine one to answer his purpose equally well, so instead of forging a letter, to make a counterfeit stamp look genuine he tried the clever expedient of devising a bogus stamp to fit a genuine letter a description of the stamp is unnecessary as we have had it engraved, as a monument of the rascality of its inventor, unfortunately we have been unable to find out his name to hand down to posterity along with it.


The stamp is printed on red-glazed paper and was stuck on the lower left corner of the envelope it was artfully broken in halt where the folding in the letter in filing away would be likely to damage it, but here as in every other detail of the fraud little things were overlooked, the broken edge being quite fresh. the label was cancelled with the word PAID, and also with a pen and ink cross. We should exceed our present limits if we were to give all the points which conclusively prove to an expert its fraudulent character.

Shortly after the boy had left the store he returned with a well dressed man of about twentyfive years of age. He was at once recognized by the clerk as a person who had visited the store several times within the last few months. He demanded the letter on which he had fraudulently endeavored to obtain money but was told that he could not have it at that time as it would be required to use in evidence against him. He then left the store, and succeeded in eluding the clerk who was sent to find out his residence. We are in hopes that he will be caught before our readers see this in which case they will hear more about him.

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So here we are, 138 years later and what has changed within the philatelic world?

Kelly

 
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