WERT
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What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Aug 10, 2021 13:38:45 GMT
Their are plenty of Fakes/forgeries out there that are recognized and reported to stamp collectors. BUT, there are forgeries that some people try to create that can fool collectors. These people do it mostly for gaining a monetary value....Not good.
A big time collector i know who i am in contact with { won't post his name here } sent me a Canada stamp King George Scott 139 - cent over print. He asked if the double 2cent over print was legit or a forgery.
I used some of my software to prove it a fake. See close up of the 139 below using my software to evaluate the possible forgery.
Now take a look at the stamp picture with arrows to high light the possible forgery. 1 - RED arrow showing the legal Feb.26 cancel over top of the cent over print...."2" of Feb.26 over top of cent Normal.
2 - BLUE arrow pointing to the 2cent over print over top of legit 2cent behind. 3 - GREEN arrow showing the "C' of the front 2cent is over top of the Feb.26 cancel...Done after letter received. 4 - Definite FAKE.
Software can add to the stamp collecting experience. I use many FREE software programs when looking at stamps/forgeries. If anyone is interested in software, i can add links for you Windows/Mac users.
Below is another software adjusted stamp to see what software can do..see below.
 
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stainlessb
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What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Aug 10, 2021 13:58:40 GMT
WERT: Yes, please add links and tell us what exactly you are doing with each software! Cheers Stan
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WERT
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Aug 10, 2021 14:24:03 GMT
Hi Stan Software i use in Linux software...There are links for you windows /mac users...I added a few PDF's i created a couple of years ago. Links below..There are much more software that can be adapted to stamp collecting.
Robert Sorry..This web site will not allow me to place my write ups { PDF' } But try it out.
Link for shotwell
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chrischross
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What I collect: France, French Africa, FSAT, French Polynesia
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Post by chrischross on Aug 12, 2021 8:23:13 GMT
That one image is almost like having a scanning electron microscope. Very impressive, and definitely worth a download of gwyddion to try out.
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WERT
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Post by WERT on Aug 12, 2021 13:10:04 GMT
Hi chrischross GWYDDION is a nice software..But extremely complicated for most..But can be used for stamp collecting. Here is one of my examples of looking at stamps differently to so details more easily. Robert 
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WERT
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Post by WERT on Aug 12, 2021 14:14:21 GMT
Here is another example of a tool within the software called GIMP that i had a link in another post. Here is an example of stamp collecting that concerns some { most } collectors and that is measuring stamps for varieties/forgeries.
We all have wanted to measure stamp width/height...Most of us got out their medal/plastic measuring device to do measurements. One thing that is a problem,...you/me/other collectors try to read say the width of 2 scanned stamps....say the TRUE measurement is exactly 25mm Ever person with their eyes might measure 25.2mm or 24.8mm and if measured again might come up with different measurements.
I use GIMP { free to download } and get a very, very, accurate measurement every time..Sorry i can not attach a PDF i created {website did not let me }, but below you will get the idea i am trying to out across.
Robert Any questions, feel free to ask.
Also GIMP can improve a stamp image..Cleaning it up..

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stainlessb
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Post by stainlessb on Aug 13, 2021 0:34:27 GMT
@wert I installed Mac Ports... but how this allows me to start gwyddion is beyond me./... I have searched thru all the files within MacPorts and I don't see any apps... lots of .txt. files and some other extensions I don't recognioze
am I missing something?
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WERT
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Post by WERT on Aug 13, 2021 1:08:56 GMT
Hi Stan..I only use Linux..Maybe instruction below will help...I hope. Robert

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WERT
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Post by WERT on Aug 13, 2021 2:29:59 GMT
Shotwell software for Linux also has a WINDOWS/Mac version...FREE You can clean up a stamp removing the cancel to see what is underneath.
Robert Look at second beaver stamp that cleans up to see the "rock on waterfalls" variety.

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WERT
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Post by WERT on Aug 13, 2021 2:36:43 GMT
Or the opposite of shotwell...Is GIMP,...FREE It hides the stamp so you can see the cancel for details.
Robert

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WERT
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Post by WERT on Aug 13, 2021 13:49:56 GMT
Sorry guys TSF will not allow me to add images to my posts anymore..Not understanding why. Sorry that some posts are lacking pictures.
I am going to back off posting...Thank you all your replies and likes. Stay safe everyone.
Robert
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renden
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What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Aug 13, 2021 14:00:14 GMT
Sorry guys TSF will not allow me to add images to my posts anymore..Not understanding why. Sorry that some posts are lacking pictures. I am going to back off posting...Thank you all your replies and likes. Stay safe everyone. Robert Keep posting, Robert - Admin should give you an explanation on this "image" problem !! René
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WERT
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What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Aug 13, 2021 14:13:16 GMT
Hi Rene
It is frustrating, because when i look at my post, i am not even sure if i posted the right images. I took a picture of my post and no images added....Maybe i can not even show you what i see.. But here goes. Robert

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vikingeck
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What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Aug 13, 2021 14:14:34 GMT
Sorry guys TSF will not allow me to add images to my posts anymore..Not understanding why. Sorry that some posts are lacking pictures. I am going to back off posting...Thank you all your replies and likes. Stay safe everyone. Robert Admin mentions there is an issue with images 24 hours ago in the “Shouting” thread!
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WERT
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What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Aug 13, 2021 16:29:54 GMT
WOW Thanks moderator for bringing my images back. Great job. Robert
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Admin
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Post by Admin on Aug 13, 2021 18:21:14 GMT
For awareness, TSF has no control over the imgbb image host. They periodically experience problems and, as previously stated, they appear to have been experiencing problems periodically over the last few days. If you attempted to use the "add image to post" add-on during one of those outage periods, it is reasonable to assume that you would not have been successful.
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WERT
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Aug 16, 2021 1:49:28 GMT
I am not only a flyspecker extreme but, i use software to enhance my collecting experience. I have many, many programs..Here is one that i use to identify whether or not 2 of the same cancels are indeed the exact same.
Below is what a cancel looks like when the BKcric.png is placed over a cancel. I use many software programs while doing stamp collecting.
GIMP software is built for LINUX {My kernel/computer i use } below is a Window/Mac FREE download..Once you bring the cancel up using GIMP, just drag and drop the BKcric.png over the cancel and move it around to suit yourself.
Link for GIMP
Here is the BKcric.png ..just click on it and then down load it to your desk top.
Robert
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WERT
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Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Aug 16, 2021 2:03:52 GMT
Here is a software gauge that can be used on your computer to measure perforations. If you have GIMP...Down load the stamp of your choice and drag and drop the gauge over the stamp and use your mouse to center the gauge. IMPORTANT - Stamps MUST be scanned at 600 DPI only RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE THE ITEM/GAUGE.
Robert

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stainlessb
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What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Aug 16, 2021 13:25:38 GMT
@wert is there supposed to be a link to the perf gauge?
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chrischross
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Posts: 206
What I collect: France, French Africa, FSAT, French Polynesia
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Post by chrischross on Aug 16, 2021 17:50:13 GMT
@wert is there supposed to be a link to the perf gauge? Hi stainlessb - does ibb.co/T8DCPDM not work for you when clicking on the image?
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stainlessb
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What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Aug 16, 2021 17:59:19 GMT
Chris
it brings up the image in a separate window, but saving it it gives me the image on a white background and trying to drag it over another image (or visa versa) doesn't seem to be much help
I am (however) at work on a MS system instead of at home on Mac... don't know it that matters
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WERT
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Post by WERT on Aug 17, 2021 1:23:01 GMT
stainlessb
Should work if you right mouse click and save say to your desktop,
Robert
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WERT
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Post by WERT on Aug 17, 2021 1:37:47 GMT
The reason i use a lot of software when it comes to stamp collecting...It helps.
Here is an example of how human eyes can be fooled when looking at say stamps with colour shades on one stamp.
Take a look at the picture below..to show you how human eyes can be fooled. look at the center bar and tell yourself if the left and right side of the bar are 2 different shades.
If you see 2 different shades..You are wrong...They are both the EXACT same shades. Below is a colour picker i use, but you can download some for your Window or Mac computers.
See what i mean..Have fun. Robert
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WERT
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Post by WERT on Aug 17, 2021 2:12:38 GMT
Here is one more trick to magnify portions of a stamp and skip the hassle of bringing out your scanner and scanning a stamp. I use a program called CHEESE..Surprise it to is FREE to download. { Linux software }
I only have a link for Windows...Sorry Mac users. Link below....
Below is what you see.... Robert
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stainlessb
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Post by stainlessb on Aug 17, 2021 2:19:44 GMT
Home on Mac....I can save the perf gauge to desktop, but now it is on a black background and no idea how to place a stamp image on to it? stamp image just opens up as a separate image
do I need another app?
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WERT
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Post by WERT on Aug 17, 2021 2:29:34 GMT
Hi stainlessb If you have downloaded FREE GIMP....You open your stamp with GIMP...{ Scanned at 600 DPI } Then you just drag the gauge over top of your stamp and then click on any portion of the blue lines and do a perf. gauge reading. Sorry buddy..Can't download a PDF to the website on this.... Robert Here are a few pics taken from my...

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WERT
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Post by WERT on Aug 17, 2021 15:47:04 GMT
Here is a colour identifier program..Called GIMP. I found 3 links for Window users to download GIMP. Robert
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WERT
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What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Aug 17, 2021 15:56:42 GMT
Here is a device i use once and a while to help other collectors identify possible errors-marks-varieties-etc. "The Thirkell -Position Finder" can be found on possibly Ebay or other stamp sites.
If say i found a mark that i want other collectors to find, i would say as the gauge is over top of a stamp,
It is in say position C9..etc....One more item to help stamp collectors.
Robert

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