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Return To Catalogue - Jeffreys forgeries - Sarpy (stamp forger's trial)
Note: on my website many of the
pictures can not be seen! They are of course present in the catalogue;
contact me if you want to purchase it.
Alfred Benjamin and Julian Hippolite Sarpy (Benjamin and Sarpy) sold many of Jeffreys forgeries in their shop (according to 'Philatelic forgers, their lives and works' by Varro E. Tyler). Benjamin named his house 'Sydney View Villa', due to his succesful business in selling the first stamps of New South Wales.
Jeffreys forgeries with '49' cancel of Wagga-Wagga, that made
Benjamin call his house 'Sydney View Villa'.
(Jeffreys forgeries of the Sydney Views of New South Wales)
In 1892 Jefrreys was convicted to six months imprisonment with hard labour for 'conspiracy to defraud the public' for his stamp forging activities. For the trial of Jeffreys, Benjamin and Sarpy, click here for Jeffreys forgeries, click here.
In the Philatelic Record of 1891 (December 1891, page 298),
Benjamin complains of forgeries of Bermuda himself (just a few
weeks before he got arrested in December 1891?). Although
according to Tyler he did sell bogus Bermuda overprints to the
famous collector Ferrari:
BERMUDAS STAMPS—A DANGEROUS FORGERY. Sir,—Will you
allow me to warn philatelists and dealers against a most
dangerous forgery, which has been in the London market for some
years, and defies detection from the greatest experts? The stamp
in question is the Bermuda penny rose, watermark CC and crown,
surcharged threepence slanting across the stamp, issued in 1873.
Last year I wrote to a certain firm of large dealers, who
immediately sent me one on approval for 30s. On examining the
stamp I was surprised to see that the surcharge was printed on
the penny rose, but watermarked CA and crown, a stamp that was
not issued till 1884, this being conclusive proof that it is
impossible for it to be a genuine surcharge. I sent the stamp
back at once, and the explanation was that it was sent out in
mistake. May I advise all collectors and dealers to examine these
stamps, to see if they have the right watermark on? If not, they
may be sure that the surcharge is false. Should there be any
doubt on the subject, and the stamps are sent to me, I shall be
pleased to give my opinion. For years past I have made the stamps
of Bermuda my special study. Sydney View Villa, 46, Oval Road,
London, S.W. A. BENJAMIN.
