RARE STAMPS FORGED.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1922, Page 10

RARE STAMPS FORGED.

SWINDLER APPREHENDED. A most ingenious swindle, taking the form of a forgery of valuable postage stamps, ’has been aiscovered 'by the Paris police. Alfred Baguet, who was arrested, is a young engraver of considerable talent. Realising the danger of the speedy detection of forged bank notes, he decided to employ his exceptional ability in imitating rare postage stamps, for which collectors pay very high prices. Having obtained paper exactly corresponding- to that used in the various issues chosen for reproduction, he built a special pres® and engraved plates, which are said to he real masterpieces. He next obtained lists of various countries of Europe and America, and entered into communication with them, pretending that he himself was a collector of stamps and wished to exchange or sell certain rare examples. On various oceaeions- some expert purchasers suddenly discovered that the stamps delivered were forgeries. but the clever criminal in this ease unhesitatingly agreed that he himself had been deceived, and returned the money-, thus avoiding arrest. hne our aged by success, however, he seemingly overstepped the mark, for a series of complaints to the Paris police led to investigation and Baguet’® arrest. The stamp on which the foroei actually tripped was an English stamp engraved in 1840 by Rowland HiH. * According to the police report, the forger’s profits amounted to over three million francs, while forged stamps worth a further two or three million were found the printing press.