From: mpcgram-owner@mail.papermoneyworld.net on behalf of MPCgram [mpcgram@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2007 1:56 PM To: mpcgram@papermoneyworld.net Subject: MPCGram 1522 =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Series 8, no 1522 Sunday, January 21, 2007 News and Commentary by Joe Boling More fakes from the Balkans  Earlier I talked about modern fakes of WWII Montenegro overstamps, using an ink jet printer to apply the stamps.  The same dealer also had some Albanian notes with the post-war overprint applied by ink jet. See SB101-114 under Allied Albania. These are the Italian occupation Albania notes converted to provisional issues of the State Bank of Albania by a rectangular overprint (not stamp) of an eagle and the words "Banka e Shtetit Shqiptar." Of the ones he had, all were applied by ink jet. The diagnostics for this fake are more subtle than those for the VERIFICATO stamps. Because a lot more ink was applied, the off-color pixels are harder to isolate But the letterpress diagnostics are missing - the ink "halos" at the edges of the stamp (ink pushed out to the edges of the design) are not present. Fortunately, I already had a genuine of the 20 franka ari note (because I already had a different fake of that note, produced by non-computer technology), and I was able to find an example of the 20 franga note with genuine overprint in the stock of a different dealer at the show. So, if you are buying one of these overprinted Albanian notes, watch for fakes.  A reader of the previous column wrote that he had a hard time determining the status of his VERIFICATO stamps, lacking a 20x loupe. I used two different 8x loupes to look at a couple of them - it is possible to see the colored pixels, particularly if you have seen them already at high power so you know just what to look for. But I agree that it's hard at 8x to be sure what you are seeing. It's also hard to find one of these 20x glasses to buy - but I saw an ad for one very recently. If you have to move to a microscope, that means you won't be able to examine your notes closely until you get home. More fakes from the Balkans  Earlier I talked about modern fakes of WWII Montenegro overstamps, using an ink jet printer to apply the stamps.  The same dealer also had some Albanian notes with the post-war overprint applied by ink jet. See SB101-114 under Allied Albania. These are the Italian occupation Albania notes converted to provisional issues of the State Bank of Albania by a rectangular overprint (not stamp) of an eagle and the words "Banka e Shtetit Shqiptar." Of the ones he had, all were applied by ink jet. The diagnostics for this fake are more subtle than those for the VERIFICATO stamps. Because a lot more ink was applied, the off-color pixels are harder to isolate But the letterpress diagnostics are missing - the ink "halos" at the edges of the stamp (ink pushed out to the edges of the design) are not present. Fortunately, I already had a genuine of the 20 franka ari note (because I already had a different fake of that note, produced by non-computer technology), and I was able to find an example of the 20 franga note with genuine overprint in the stock of a different dealer at the show. So, if you are buying one of these overprinted Albanian notes, watch for fakes.  A reader of the previous column wrote that he had a hard time determining the status of his VERIFICATO stamps, lacking a 20x loupe. I used two different 8x loupes to look at a couple of them - it is possible to see the colored pixels, particularly if you have seen them already at high power so you know just what to look for. But I agree that it's hard at 8x to be sure what you are seeing. It's also hard to find one of these 20x glasses to buy - but I saw an ad for one very recently. If you have to move to a microscope, that means you won't be able to examine your notes closely until you get home.  In the Harmer's auction of ABN archive materials on 31 Jan - 2 Feb, lot 1778 is color separation proofs of NATO forces in Italy gas coupons.  Lots 1795-1800 are unnumbered specimen Turnkey commissary receipts. In a recent gram Aubrey Haddock mentioned these as having been referenced in the latest BNR. There are six denominations (5c, 10c, 25c, $1, $5, $10), each rubber stamped Oct 21, 1966 with additional stamped text related to ABN's filing. Estimates are $200-400 to $300-600. The catalog mentions that there were two copies of each in the archive, but only one of each is being offered. Although not numbered, there is a block letter in the plate for each - blocks A-F, indicating that there was no 50c denomination intended.  This month's University of Washington alumni magazine ("Columns") had an article titled "100 Top Books by 100 UW Authors." World War II Remembered, of course, is way under their radar, but I thought you might be interested in two books that did make the list. Baa Baa Black Sheep, by Gregory "Pappy" Boyington - who was a graduate of UW in 1934. According to Columns, the book has never been out of print since it was published in 1958. Also Tyranny on Trial: The Evidence at Nuremberg, by Whitney Harris, class of 1933. This book was published in 1954. Harris is one of two surviving Nuremberg prosecutors (now 94).  Recall the doctored MPC that were being auctioned in the Netherlands (described in detail in an earlier column). When the consigner saw the descriptions applied by the auctioneer (washed, pressed, trimmed, and discolored), s/he withdrew the lots. So, those four pieces ere NOT sold raw, and may yet appear in slabs the next time they are offered. Watch for fuzzy planchettes - the only negative doctoring result likely to be visible through a slab. ***************************************************** Championship Question Corner Question: Question 175, difficulty 1. Who was the secretary of the Treasury when US war and defense bonds were introduced? Questions 174, difficulty 3. Where was UNRA Team 569 located (at least during the time that it issued notes)? Answers and comments: Bill Myers correctly answered that UNRA Team 569 was in Scheinfeld, Germany, ========================================== Editorial ========================================== Wow, another gap of weeks between Grams. While most of it is my fault, some of it is the result of techie problems. While Wiz has been arguing with AOL about distribution of Grams to AOL subscribers, his computer died causing more delays. In the meantime, Joe Boling has come up with a possible solution where he will rebroadcast Grams to AOL Gram subscribers from his AOL address. He went through this with AOL a few years ago and has been blessed to send out newsletter to groups. We may try that in the next week or so. I have not updated the 2007 Fest list with payments etc. That will be in the next Gram (or the one after that). Please get motivated to send in material for the Gram so that I will stay motivated to send them out! ========================================= Mail Call (send mail to MPCGram@yahoo.com) =========================================== Dear Gram, Happy New Year! Hope all's well in MPC Gram Land and hope you had the chance to enjoy the holidays...Just had to tell you that I got an e-mail today from Bill, and his time in Mosul has allowed him to finish reading his S&B WW II Remembered cover to cover! Too bad he won't make it to the Fest to compete. Better get back to those Champion Questions, so his brain won't lose all his new knowledge...Kathy Myers So fix the dates for Memphis in the calendar! Joe Dear Editor: Every now and then a movie or book comes out that mentions or features military numismatics. There is a new movie out that Gramsters may be interested in. It is called "The Good German", from a book of the same title by Joseph Kanon. I read the book and it was very good. A reporter returns to Berlin right after WWII. The devastation of the city and the plight of it's citizens is dramatically portrayed. An Army Lieutenant is killed and his body is found with a suspiciously large amount of AM Marks on it. Finding the killer is the theme of the book. A further subplot involves the Russian soldiers with large amounts of AM Marks with witch they are buying watches (easy to carry back to Russia) and fueling inflation. If you like mysteries, this is a good read. Warner =========================================== Calendar =========================================== 2006 The London Paper Money Fair has moved to: Victory Services Club, 63 Seymour Street, off Edgware Road, Marble Arch London and the dates are: Nov 26. see: www.britishnotes.co.uk or www.londonpapermoneyfair.co.uk Nov 11, Boling house warming party and mini Fest (1600-2000). Nov 16-19, 2007 Pcda St Louis. IBNS meeting with program by Jim Downey subject "notes with military themes." It is Saturday at 1:00, mini-Fest to follow. 2007 MPCFest: March 23-25 2007 details TBA. ANA Summer semnar Session I: June 24-29, 2007* Session II: June 30-July 6, 2007 Memphis 6-8 July ANA Convention, Milwaukee. ========================================== for dealer Hot Contact list, ANA MPC museum holdings and other static information please click this link: http://www.papermoneyworld.net/Gramattichments.htm ========================================= POST / BASE EXCHANGE(PX/BX/NEX) Dump your dupes! Your classified advertisement for items for sale, purchase or trade will be run here for free. Send your ads to the gram. This service is for everyone, most humble dealer or most advanced collector. The point is to make the gram more interesting. In all cases confirm your order via email first. WANTED SECTION: Collectors may submit lists of items wanted for their collections for listing here. WANTED - JAPANESE INVASION MONEY (JIM). Collector/researcher of these notes by zone, type, and block letter, or number will buy or trade.  Checklist available, Anythinfg unusual is of particular interest. Mike Payton, 6609 Craig, Merriam, KS. USA 66202, papermoneymike@yahoo.com Dealers and collectors who have these items, are then encouraged to list them for sale in the above section as a reply. Wanted listings will run for a period of 1 month. ======================================= MPCGram Staff: Publisher, editor: Fred Schwan fred@papermoneyworld.net; Subscription Manager:Doug Bell- doug@papermoneyworld.net Tuesday Columnist : JoeBoling- JoeBoling@aol.com Friday Columnist: Warner Talso: wtalso@aol.com Fest Auctioneer: Larry "Ski"Smulczenski - skitex@cox.net, Critic:Harold Kroll - HARBONS@aol.com Scholarship Coordinator: Marcus Turner- marucs@papermoneyworld.net; Webmaster and Technical Advisors:Doug Bell "Wiz" - doug@papermoneyworld.net Russ Walsh -russ.walsh@gte.net Fact Checker: Warner Talso -Calendar Coordinator: John and Nancy Wilson -The Boss: Judy Schwan MPC Gram is published by BNR Press and papermoneyworld.com as a free service to the community of military money collectors. Your suggestions, criticisms, complaints, editorial contributions, letters, and even praise are very welcome. The entire contents including linked illustrations are copyright protected by the publishers. In the case of contributors, the copyright is protected on behalf of the creators. Please send all correspondence regarding the gram to MPCgram@yahoo.com. Thank you very much for your participation. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't pick lemons. See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html