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Stamp Collectors Against Dodgy Sellers
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dmlengyel1@aol.com has resisted numerous requests to correct the descriptions of or cancel ads that describe a common stamp as a higher-value design variety.
dmlengyel1@aol.com recently sold a US #35 with the perforations trimmed off for $104.75 because he advertised it as a #13. This altered stamp is shown at left beside a PFC-certified #13. #35s only exist perforated, and are easily identified by their lack of detail along the sides, most notably missing the three pearls at lower right. All other 1851-61 10-cent design types show complete details on the sides.
In May 2002, dmlengyel1@aol.com sold an 1857-61 10-cent #35 (type 5, plate 2, CV $65) with trimmed perforations as an 1851-57 10-cent #14 (type 2, CV $225). The designs can be distinguished by (among other characteristics) the three pearls, which are present in the #14 but not on the #35.
dmlengyel1@aol.com advertised this #24 (type 5, CV: $40) as a #23 (type 4, CV: $700) earlier this year. The "scratches" (odd-looking vertical lines) along the right side, indicated by the red arrows, are a dead giveaway, as they only appear on #24.
The stamp also is missing design elements along the left side, indicated by the white arrow, that appear on #18 through #23, but not #24.
Another interesting observation about this stamp is that it has been reperforated along the left side. The compressed version of the image at bottom makes this clearer, as the paper was obviously cut with a straight edge. In contrast, the right side of the stamp looks appropriately jagged in the compressed image, as a stamp of this period would if it was torn from the sheet.