HOW TO TELL A REAL BK237 FROM A FAKE

Is your BK237 Real? Use this guide to learn the differences between a folded 3048a and a real BK237

In 1996 the USPS released the 20c Blue Jay stamp with Scott number 3048 in self-adhesive format.  The stamp had also been issued a year earlier (1995) as a gummed booklet stamp (Scott 2483).   The tagged 20c stamp paid the postcard rate from January 1995 to July 2001. 

The new self-adhesive stamp was available in both convertible panes of 10 (3048a) and folded vending booklets of 10 (BK237).   Both were common formats so little attention was paid to any differences between the open pane and the vending booklet.  Both convertible and vending booklets were printed using plates S1111 and S2222.  Both convertible and vending have backing paper with and without the wording "SELF ADHESIVE DO NOT WET" 

Years after the Blue Jays had been withdrawn from sale, the values for both types remained the same at around $4 for the 10 stamps.  Eventually after supplies had dried up, it was discovered that there was a main difference between them. The stamps themselves are exactly the same, but their position on the pane is different.

When opened, the rouletting line through the middle is 2 mm lower on the vending booklet when compared to the convertible (flat) booklet of 10.   Prices for BK237 soared and have stabilized at over $50 per booklet.  With a 10 X price difference, uninformed and unscrupulous people began trying to pass the common pane 3048 off as the scarce booklet by simply folding it in half. This is 3048a convertible pane.

In most cases it is easy to distinguish real BK237 books from 3048a fakes made by folding -once the differences are revealed.

The main difference is that vending booklets are glued together and convertible booklets are not.  A dishonest person could glue a convertible booklet together to look like the scarce type but the position of the stamps and the position of the design on the cover would give it away.  Typically the glue is strong and will remain attached.  If the booklet is pulled hard enough, the selvage strip from the other side will pull from the backing liner. 

We recommend that you leave these booklets sealed and unexploded to retain their value.  You can gently peek through the side to determine plate number and position of stamps.  Keep reading to see what to look for!

Notice that sometimes the glue can actually be seen oozing out at the bottom in the image below.

The following picture shows the covers of a real BK237 and a fake.  The word "FAKE" is used to denote a real 3048a that has been folded to look like a BK237.  Notice that the design is several mm higher on the fake booklet.  The $2.oo text on true BK237 nearly touches the bottom edge 

Vending books from plate S2222 always have gauge 8½ rouletting slits.  The rouletting on a folded 3048a from plate V2222 is always gauge 12½ so this difference will allow detection of a fake.  Vending books from plate S1111 can have either 8½ or 12½ rouletting so it will be harder to tell.  For books with plate S1111 a fake could be attempted by moving the stamps around, sealing the cover and possibly trimming the cover.  It would very difficult to create a convincing fake but not impossible perhaps.

The image below shows the removed center strip of the opened vending booklet.  The roulette has been enhanced because it did not show up in the image.  Notice that the rouletting line on the real BK237 is close to the bottom stamps.  The rouletting line on a fake and folded 3048a is through the center. Now you know the main differences!

We have even seen the water-activated BK172 offered as BK237.  Notice that the cover is different and it does not state "Self-adhesive".  This is not BK237.

In the past, sellers that have misidentified BK237 on eBay have responded positively to a polite message to fix their listing.  If for some reason the seller insists on selling the wrong item, there is a "Report Item" link on every page to easily notify eBay. 

• ***Tip:  This report link is on every listing and can be used to report any item that you find to be intentionally misleading, fraudulent or a violation of eBay policy.

Hope this guide helps to inform and protect the community.  Please vote if you find it helpful.  Please feel free to contact us with suggestions or changes that need to be made.

TBR STAMPS