FEPA Seminar: Assisting Expert Committees through the use of Forensic Philately
Paul Leonard gives a talk at EuroPhilEx on behalf of FEPA.
Friday 9th May 2025 in meeting room 3:
Genuine or fraudulently manipulated?
If an item is likely to have a high value, what reassurance can be given?
The formation of an Expertising Committee in 1894 by instruction of the Philatelic Society of London Council (later the RPSL) aimed to provide such reassurance. Fundamentally, the committee members and helpers have access to reference material and extensive knowledge of the subject matter such as rates and routes that may often involve comparison with previously submitted items. Fraudulent manipulation such as the removal or addition of postmarks & overprints is a common challenge. Overpainting, re-gumming, repairing and fabrication of postal history are some of the topics on which submitters wish to ascertain a consensus. This may involve external consultants before the item is debated and a certificate issued as ‘Genuine’, ‘Genuine with caveats’ or ‘Bad’.
Helping the Expertising Committee there is a range of equipment which may help with analysis of spectra and measurement. Winner of the 2024 London Medal for forensic philately at the Royal Philatelic Society London, Paul Leonard BSc. (Hons)., CSci., FRPSL will explore aspects of the history of expertising and his research work.
Demonstrating the use of the VSC comparing the shape & colour of the Maltese Cross on the stamp and cover.
Test your skill: Are these items ‘Genuine’ or ‘Bad’? Discussion & Results on Friday 9th May 2025 at 11am.
