When researching the forgeries of Estonian stamps
between the years 1918-41, one name is jumping out very strongly; Jaan
Lubi from Viljandi. Of course he was not the only one on the
marketplace but he was anyway one of the most productive. The problem was well
known in Estonia. As early as March 1931, the Estonian Philatelic Society
published an article in European newspapers to warn dealers and collectors of
forgers (including the full names).
The total amount of Jaan Lubi’s mass production (and sale)
we can only guess but for sure it has been far, wide and in big quantities. Below we have a nice proof about this man’s
methods of marketing and doing business:
This envelope is sent on January 13, 1932 and luckily
the letter is also there! Mr. S.F. Welsh, Jr. has been a stamp dealer and he
has received an offer from Jaan Lubi of Viljandi. (The owner of this very
important item is Mr. Martti Räikkönen, Finland).
And letter inside the envelope…
Jaan Lubi says in the
above letter; “I am only a collector…”.
Well, this “collector” was also a very much hunted man
in Estonia but the law never got evidence against him. I have now seen some
similar envelopes by Jaan Lubi as above (but no letters inside!) and most evidently
some of those are letters of delivery of sold material. Jaan Lubi continued his
business through the years 1930-1940. As said before, the Estonian philatelists
were very interested in his activities. Then came the occupation and started
the II WW. For reasons not known (to me) Jaan Lubi wanted to go Soviet Union.
However, he was shot when passing the border (details of circumstances unknown).
His house in Viljandi was now empty and a person was
asked to enter the house and look for the false printing plates. And indeed,
the plates were found hidden under the roof. The plates then were sent to Sweden for examination and for the better safe.
Professor Erik Sjögren from Uppsala, Sweden, then got an access to this material. He has
studied all found plates. His excellent works are readable here:
Erik Sjögren: “Distinguishing
Features of Jaan Lubi Forgeries of Estonian Stamps”. Part I in no. 28/1982,
part II in no. 29/1983, and part III in no. 31/1987 of Eesti Filatelist
(Sweden).
Estonia: #13 Viking Ship 1919 - pack of 100 stamps, used.
The above mentioned item was in eBay-auction on July 2013. I got it and after opening the mail, in less than 2 hours there were 9 small piles of Viking 5 Mk forgeries in front of me. Well, I was happy because I expected the matter be so. Accordingly, the correct heading should read:
Estonia: Viking Ship 1919, pack of 100 forgeries, never used but stamped.
Now you can enjoy what I found out (research based only on the special marks on the black frames).
False no:I frame length 30,5 mm
False no: III frame lenght 30,5 mm
False no: III frame lenght 30,5 mm
False no: IV frame lenght 30,5mm
False no: V frame length 30,1 mm. Please, observe that no: V and no: IX are almost the same, only one difference.
False no: IX raamin pituus 30,1 mm
False no: VI raamin pituus 30,5 mm
False no: VII frame lenght 30,1 mm
False no: VIII raamin pituus 30,1 mm
False, INVERTED Viking
Same as above but now with cancellation PÄÄSKYLA 19 V 21. (These 2 were not in the pack of 100)!
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