Robert George jailed for stamp forgeries

Robert George researched postmarks that would have been used during certain historic periods in mostly Commonwealth countries.

He would then change these postmarks, as well as forging overprints.

He also bought less expensive mint examples of stamps and altered them to enhance their resale value.

Prosecutor Tom Wright told Southampton Crown Court how 67-yearold George sold fraudulent stamps for £30,000 over an 18-month period to one unsuspecting collector.

He also sold the forged stamps on the Internet, making sure his forgeries were different to those known to the philatelic community in their extensive library of known fakes.

“The extent of the fraud can only be guessed at but plainly this was a cottage industry in enhancing the value of a very wide variety of stamps,” said Mr Wright.

“This activity debases the currency of trust and confidence that the stamp-collecting community can place upon their transactions.”

George, of Winchester Hill, Romsey, pleaded guilty to possessing items for fraudulent use, including printing dyes, copied and altered postage cancels, black polyester translucent graphics, printing proofs and ink pads.

Robert Bolton, mitigating, said: “He has always struggled financially. Even when he has been unemployed he has never claimed benefits.”

The court was told that George had eight previous offences involving stamps, recorded against him in 1988, for attempting to obtain property by deception.

Sentencing George to 21 months’ imprisonment Judge Derwen Hope said that while the prosecution was unable to calculate an exact figure for the fraud, it was likely to run into tens of thousands of pounds.