Epic FAIL from eBay seller Michael Hudson - sydneystampcentre

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 18 Jan 2010 08:12

.
As has been documented before on Stampboards, this seller Michael Hudson owner of sydneystampcentre has a habit of buying plain (no cachet) FDCs, printing a suitable picture on them, and then listing them on ebay.

While such a practice is apparently acceptable in the USA, it is 100% frowned upon, to say the least, in Australia.

Especially if you "accidentally" forget to declare the modern addition.

Unfortunately, there has been a slight outbreak of fail on this cover:

https://cgi.ebay.com.au/1955-Australia-Nurse-Medical-Cover_W0QQitemZ350303634860

As he has chosen to illustrate Australia's nursing tradition with a picture of the actresses Hattie Jacques and Joan Hickson, taken from the British comedy film "Carry on Nurse", which came out in 1959, 4 years after the stamp was issued.

The original picture he has used is here:

https://www.britishpictures.com/photos/photo024.htm

He has 2 other 1955 Nurse covers for sale at the minute. Both with recent additions, no doubt images from the web.
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mrboggler · Post by **mrboggler** » 18 Jan 2010 08:17

He forgot the daffodil.

Ormond · Post by **Ormond** » 18 Jan 2010 08:25

Oh dear.

Carrion eBay.

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 18 Jan 2010 08:50

More fail.

https://cgi.ebay.com.au/1954-Australia-Red-Cross-Medical-Cover_W0QQitemZ350303771392

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WrjHbqitDi8/SgWi6sAm_aI/AAAAAAAAAO ... sNurse.jpg

Allanswood · Post by **Allanswood** » 18 Jan 2010 09:37

I smell a rat!
Then again all you have to do is smell the cover!

The ink will still have a tinge of just printed yesterday aroma!

He should have used Benny Hill instead of the Carry on bunch!

Nurse!!!

Global Administrator · Post by **Global Administrator** » 18 Jan 2010 10:20

This is FRAUD - pure and simple.

And knowing fraud.

Michael Hudson and Co have been flogging this created for collector this junk on ebay for years now. Selling worthless cr*p like this by the 1000s of pieces I feel sure.

He is a member of APTA and last time I heard, their answer as to why he had not yet been expelled, that answer was "The collectors sadly do not complain to us, and hence we can't take action"

There are other threads here on his fakery along similar lines, with photos.

Over to the collectors. Add some ebay lot numbers here and maybe at last some action may occur.

Complain to ebay on that portal they have where fakes and forgeries need to be marked as such.

All done on his home ink jet printer it seems.

Last year we highlighted him placing central CTO mini sheets of Chad or somewhere (wholesale 10c a ton type items) on covers he created with a train design or whatever, and called them FDC, and got $10 each or so for them.

All of this breaches about three of the APTA 'Code Of Ethics' they regularly tell collectors all members allegedly adhere to.

Do a search here on his user name and you'll be amazed.
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worldstamps · Post by **worldstamps** » 18 Jan 2010 12:06

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This is from a thread from years back - seems his attitude to blatantly ripping off collectors has not changed one iota.

https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3864

ozstamps wrote:
stamps4collectors wrote:
What is the Board's view on these 'confections'? (They can be yours for just US$6 each!)
Interesting .. I see there common CTO sheets - wholesale a few cents each, are being licked on to envelopes laser printed in a design consistent to those offered elsewhere by sydneystampcentre and flogged to the bunnies in sets of 5 for $US30 a set to Churchill collectors.

Deliberate FRAUD is what I'd call it if the laser ink is not yet dry on the envelopes.

I still believe all the above would likely breach many points of the member Code Of Ethics, that this seller is a member of.

A few emails to APTA should see the matter stopped DEAD in its tracks one would hope.

====================

https://www.apta.com.au/default.aspx?Group=7

I will promote, develop and maintain a high standard of ethics in all my business dealings.

I will, by deed and example, endeavour to promote mutual and friendship between members and the public.

I will refrain from dealing in stolen philatelic and counterfeit material, and give buyers of repaired, regummed, re-perforated, reprinted or otherwise altered philatelic material a complete written statement showing in detail the nature of the changes and alterations in such material.

I will avoid misrepresentation and misleading advertising.

I will conduct myself so as not to bring discredit to the Association or to diminish the prestige of the membership therein.

I will immediately refund on any item sold by me where the description was either inaccurate or misleading, within a reasonable period of time after the transaction.
.

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Justin · Post by **Justin** » 20 Apr 2011 13:39

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Listed here: https://cgi.ebay.com.au/1970-Australia-Captain-Cook-Mini-Sheet-Cover-B52-/120666126939

One of several Cook covers from this seller described only as 'nice item'. With no description other then the picture any buyer might think they are getting a FDC or something genuine from 1970.

Problem is, the image on the cover is from a Cook Islands series of Captain Cook coins issued in 2009, nor is the minisheet tied to the cover by the 1970 cancel.

See all the coin images here https://colnect.com/en/coins/list/country/1152-Cook_Islands/series/54535-Captain_James_Cook

fromdownunder · Post by **fromdownunder** » 20 Apr 2011 14:52

Justin wrote:
Listed here: https://cgi.ebay.com.au/1970-Australia-Captain-Cook-Mini-Sheet-Cover-B52-/120666126939

Is that even the Minature Sheet? From the scan, I can't see where the Mini sheet ends and the "cover starts. Usually you can actually see lines where the edge of the sheet would be.

It looks like a photocopy/doctored item which has simply been reproduced onto another medium.

Note that he does not even say that the Cooks are real stamps.

The header is:

1970 Australia Captain Cook Mini Sheet Cover B52

and the description is

Nice item

What in hell is B52 supoposed to mean?

Norm

Global Administrator · Post by **Global Administrator** » 20 Apr 2011 15:00

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This sydneystampcentre is a long time con.

The First Day Of Issue of this sheet was April 26 -- this seems to be a CTO April 27 sheet .. otherwise worth $5, they have licked onto a recently printed "First Day Cover" to con some Bunny into paying $15 for it

I suggest concerned cover collectors report him to APTA . . it is the only language he will ever understand.

Their file on him must be a foot thick over the years for similar incidents.

"I will avoid misrepresentation and misleading advertising."
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stampchris · Post by **stampchris** » 20 Apr 2011 15:49

The Pom wrote:More fail.

Another giveaway is the use of the Courier typeface for 'First Day Cover' below the image. This font was designed by IBM in 1955, a year after the issue date.

aethelwulf · Post by **aethelwulf** » 20 Apr 2011 16:04

fromdownunder wrote:Is that even the Minature Sheet? From the scan, I can't see where the Mini sheet ends and the "cover starts. Usually you can actually see lines where the edge of the sheet would be.

It looks like a photocopy/doctored item which has simply been reproduced onto another medium.

Note that he does not even say that the Cooks are real stamps.

The header is:

1970 Australia Captain Cook Mini Sheet Cover B52
and the description is

Nice item
What in hell is B52 supoposed to mean?

I think I can see a difference in whiteness between the M/S area and the rest of the envelope...or maybe my eyes just want to see something there. A scan should show the edge of the sheet even if its white on white.

I hate eBay sellers who give a description that's basically a non-description like "nice item". Why bother typing anything then, just leave the box blank and let the scan speak for itself. (Of course on the other hand is the sellers who bog down the description box with endless endless 'fine print' drivel about everything under the sun, but that's another matter).

B52 is probably some sort of inventory code of the seller. I see a lot of eBay sellers put little stock codes in the headline of their items. I often have trouble saying everything I want to say in that headline box, and they have leftover space

ebayer · Post by **ebayer** » 20 Apr 2011 23:26

.

https://cgi.ebay.com.au/1898-New-Zealand-Mount-Cook-Stamp-/120713210131 - $US190

https://cgi.ebay.com.au/1898-New-Zealand-Mount-Cook-Stamp-/120713210110 - $US160

https://cgi.ebay.com.au/1902-Great-Britain-KGV-ll-Stamp-111-/400128022158 - $US275

Buyable from any real dealer globally, in this 3rd rate condition for 10% of that.

This clown does not deserve to belong to ANY stamp dealer body.

Partly cleaned fiscals with amateur fake rubber cancels offered at these crazy prices -- high for genuine POSTAL used even.
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Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » 21 Apr 2011 04:33

Love the price on stamp number three.Now if his dealer mark up is around industry average I may just have some junk to sell him

peterh · Post by **peterh** » 21 Apr 2011 05:12

At least his description of number three above is more descriptive: "Nice Item, 5 Shilling Carmine, Slightly Toned, See Scans"

Slightly toned?

Looks to me like it was found stuck to the sole of someone's shoe!

ebayer · Post by **ebayer** » 21 Apr 2011 08:35

peterh wrote:
At least his description of number three above is more descriptive: "Nice Item, 5 Shilling Carmine, Slightly Toned, See Scans"

Slightly toned?

Looks to me like it was found stuck to the sole of someone's shoe!

"Nice item" - this idiot sydneystampcentre does not mention the VERY obvious vertical crease, on 10 times standard retail "nice item".

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stamps4collectors · Post by **stamps4collectors** » 21 Apr 2011 14:03

Actually, it could be worth a real fortune as it depicts, according to the subject
line, King George the 7th... maybe one of the Royals we never knew about?

ebayer wrote:
peterh wrote:
At least his description of number three above is more descriptive: "Nice Item, 5 Shilling Carmine, Slightly Toned, See Scans"

Slightly toned?

Looks to me like it was found stuck to the sole of someone's shoe!

"Nice item" - this idiot sydneystampcentre does not mention the VERY obvious vertical crease, on 10 times standard retail "nice item".

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » 21 Apr 2011 19:48

Well spotted Brian. I was just about to snap it up but thought etiquette should allow you too as you found it first.

Post by **gavin-h** » 21 Apr 2011 23:34

Global Administrator wrote:He is a member of APTA and last time I heard their answer as to why he had not yet been expelled, that answer was "The collectors sadly do not complain to us, and hence we can't take action"

Get them on here!

They need to be more proactive and get off their ar5es and chase these frauds down.

THIS thread provides enough evidence to get Sydneystampcentre expelled from any respectable trade body, so they should stop procrastinating and take action before THEIR reputation is harmed.

erich · Post by **erich** » 22 Apr 2011 04:00

That Edward VII is one fugly stamp between the crease and the toning. And only $50 over Scott CV.

doug · Post by **doug** » 22 Apr 2011 11:57

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https://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120712098782

This looks suss; no red lines.

Auction ended - no bids.

Global Administrator · Post by **Global Administrator** » 22 Apr 2011 12:19

Doug remember to always add a PRICE .. that lot will scroll off in a week or so and no-one will have a clue of what it was.

My feeling is THAT is 100% kosher, and with 2 tiny offices, and many backstamps, is probably well worth the $15 asked!

svscnz · Post by **svscnz** » 24 Apr 2011 13:15

This 'sydneystampcentre' guy often puts up NZ 'health covers' on eBay.

None of the designs are listed in the 'Jones' Health FDC catalogue.

It's obvious the covers are fakes.

I was warned about him some years ago by a well-known NZ FDC collector.

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 22 Aug 2011 04:18

More naughtiness.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/120766095418

The source of the photo he's printed on the cover: (5th picture down on the page).

https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/htm/imgal/7.htm

Their copyright page:

https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/htm/support/1.htm

Copyright and Disclaimer

Unless otherwise stated, the material published within the Kingston Historical Website is City of Kingston Information and Library Service copyright (c). No part may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without permission of the City of Kingston Information and Library Service.

All material submitted to the Kingston Historical Website, remains - to the extent the law allows - the property of the submitter who, by submitting it, agrees that it may be freely copied but never sold or used in a commercial venture without the knowledge and permission of its rightful owner.

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » 22 Aug 2011 11:05

Well done Pom !

Thank you for pointing these out, and finding the original photos as proof, amazing !

This really cheeses me off.

I collect kangaroo covers for the stamps, illustrations and cachets.

Part of the appeal is watching the changes in graphic styles over the years and how the kangaroo is portrayed.

Same would apply to other topics like "scouting" or "Capt Cook" if I were to collect those.

I would never have known these cachets/illustrations are modern add-ons.

I will very much keep my eyes open from now on

stampchris · Post by **stampchris** » 22 Aug 2011 22:56

Don't forget that the cover is postmarked in NSW but the photo is of a Victorian scouting group (not that that is obvious from the photograph), but all contributes to the 'falseness' of the cover.

Also the font used for 'First Day Cover' appears to be Verdana which Microsoft released in 1996. Bill Gates was only six at the time!

jjarmstrong47 · Post by **jjarmstrong47** » 23 Aug 2011 13:56

Hanging's too good for them, I say.

Lakatoi 4 · Post by **Lakatoi 4** » 23 Aug 2011 15:38

I've just sent an email to Michael Eastick (Acting President of APTA) outlining the issues raised in this topic and providing a link to this discussion.

I'm sure he will act on the concerns raised here.

jjarmstrong47 · Post by **jjarmstrong47** » 23 Aug 2011 15:50

It is precisely the good dealers like Michael Eastick who have the most to lose from cretins like this.

If too many people get the impression that dishonesty is the rule rather than the exception amongst ebay (and other) dealers, how can there be any hope of attracting new people to the hobby?

Stamp Culture · Post by **Stamp Culture** » 23 Aug 2011 17:26

Sounds like that APTA become a joke, when you read this.

Already 3 codes of the APTA are broken:

I will refrain from dealing in stolen philatelic and counterfeit material, and give buyers of repaired, regummed, reperforated, reprinted or otherwise altered philatelic material a complete written statement showing in detail the nature of the changes and alterations in such material.

I will avoid misrepresentation and misleading advertising.

I will conduct myself so as not to bring discredit to the Association or to diminish the prestige of the membership therein.

No action taken to expel someone as collectors did not complain. How 19th century thinking.

One advice to the current APTA president:

Take action to members who are breaching the rules of your trade body before customers become victims!

In the time of internet, information about cons and other misleading dealings can be found on Forums including most times with proof.

Change the rules regarding to:

In the event of any dispute arising between a customer and myself or with any other member of the Association, I agree to abide by any ruling in connection with such dispute as shall be given by the National Committee for the time being of the Association.

Add a complain, pointing out form or something like that so that you can take action before harm is done. We don't talk about a mistake, but people who deliberate do things!

This should not be to difficult to chance if people realy want it.

As now APTA sounds like a big joke with negativity all around bringing honost dealers in doubt by the public. Breaching rules should not wait to been taken action to when a customer found out (s)he got conned!

Respect for the honost dealers of APTA.

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 27 Aug 2011 22:27

Today's fail.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2011-Australia-Flying-Boat-Aircra ... 0741372177

If I was printing up a cover to illustrate a service designed to carry mails, passengers and a little light freight, I might use a picture of something like a Short S23 C Class Empire Flying Boat.

Mr Hudson, in his wisdom, has decided to use an image of a Royal Air Force Short Sunderland instead.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Short_Sunderland_ExCC.jpg

The Short Sunderland was a rather heavily armed beast from WWII, which sported so many machine guns that the German U Boat crews nicknamed it the "Porcupine".

https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=319

jrg · Post by **jrg** » 28 Aug 2011 00:51

Not only that, the background is neither Rose Bay nor the northern side of the Harbour opposite RB.

That's a bit naughty when the cover is clearly labelled "Rose Bay Flying Boat".

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 28 Aug 2011 01:37

He's got a whole load of these "Rose Bay Flying Boat" covers listed at the minute.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2011-Australia-Flying-Boat-Aircra ... 0623062143

This one shows Sunderland T9048 evacuating RAF personnel from Kalamata, Greece in late April 1941.

lauriesienna · Post by **lauriesienna** » 11 Sep 2011 13:52

Any response from APTA yet?

Similar to an Ebay response ?

CHzug1291 · Post by **CHzug1291** » 11 Sep 2011 14:39

lauriesienna wrote:

Any response from APTA yet?

This was shown on the board before...

Peter

The Viking · Post by **The Viking** » 13 Sep 2011 18:52

Arriving late to this thread...

Did no-one else spot that the two Rose Bay Flying Boat covers are "Fist Day"?

--Andy

robertlyon777 · Post by **robertlyon777** » 13 Sep 2011 19:49

The Viking wrote:Did no-one else spot that the two Rose Bay Flying Boat covers are "Fist Day"?

That made me laugh out loud - what a poor mistake to make

I'm guessing 'Fist Day' could come from disgruntled purchasers

donovink · Post by **donovink** » 07 Oct 2011 00:17

Just noticed this one when going through the South African listings!

Advertised as

1876 South Africa Australia Scarce USA Stamp 146

Ebay Listing

GUTTERS · Post by **GUTTERS** » 08 Oct 2011 10:59

Another one from the Sydneystampcentre

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1982-Australia-Sydney-Harbour-Bri ... 708wt_1059

Park Hyatt Sydney (building in the bottom left of picture) which is doing a full refurbish at the moment , the first in it 21 year history.

First day cover 29 years old
Building 21 years old

TIME MACHINE

doc · Post by **doc** » 24 Feb 2012 14:12

Looks like this seller "sydneystampcentre" is accused at ongoing forgery - this time Australia Post cancels? -

http://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=34922

APTA appear disinterested in one of their members offering deliberate forgeries for years .. has anyone contacted ebay and reported the listing as fakes?

svscnz · Post by **svscnz** » 24 Feb 2012 14:24

He had the two used 'cleaned fiscals' of the NZ 1898 5/- Mt Cook Pictorials back on eBay a while ago.

I asked if they were genuine used stamps.

Needless to say, I didn't get a reply!

Michael Eastick · Post by **Michael Eastick** » 28 Feb 2012 12:48

Dear Stampboards Users,

While it is not APTA's policy to use this forum to announce everything that it does or actions, it was felt that with recent discussions and comments that have appeared here, that the release of this policy detail would assist users on this board to understand APTA's position on this matter.

APTA Cover Creation Policy.

The APTA Executive Committee would like to announce the following policy decision for any members wishing to be involved in the creation of Commemorative or First Day Covers or similar.

While we applaud the initiative of any member in the creation of philatelic product to fit a market, there are certain very simple guidelines that need to be followed so as not to cause damage to this particular market for all involved.

Due to the time frame in getting covers serviced by Australia Post and other issuing bodies it is a requirement that

1) any covers that have additional cachets or markings applied 6 months after the servicing must have an additional marking, logo or other such indicator applied.

2) that this additional marking or logo have a suitable description placed on any advertising medium used to sell these items, indicated that this has occurred.

Lakatoi 4 · Post by **Lakatoi 4** » 28 Feb 2012 13:39

Good idea Michael.

This will reduce the "creative" covers being produced that appear to be either much older than they are or have the look of an officially sanctioned product.

Global Administrator · Post by **Global Administrator** » 28 Feb 2012 14:11

Michael - great to see some guidelines in place - well done, and it will certainly tidy up some of the less desirable practices that have occurred from some members.

It may even be worth adding a note that members must of course be mindful of Copyright laws re any added graphics, as they are often flagrantly breached as things stand now.

If the wording has not yet been set in stone, it might be worth adding words to the effect of marking them on the FACE, as otherwise if sold on ebay etc the reverses are never shown.

Also printers these days can print as low at 3 point font, that is barely discernible to the naked eye, and some dealers might use that as a way to circumvent the intent of this new rule.

And time dating it seems fair and reasonable to both sides, and allowing a fair 'grace period' might be a blessing if these covers appear on listings in a year hence as "sorry, my staff auto listed it in error" etc.

i.e. - suggestions in red

APTA Cover Creation Policy.

The APTA Executive Committee would like to announce the following policy decision for any members wishing to be involved in the creation of Commemorative or First Day Covers or similar, and covers any additional overprints or cachets or images you may apply to existing covers.

While we applaud the initiative of any member in the creation of philatelic product to fit a market, there are certain very simple guidelines that need to be followed, so as not to cause damage to this particular market for all involved.

1) Any covers that have additional cachets or markings applied 6 months after the servicing or date of issue must have an additional marking, logo or other such indicator applied, on the face of such covers, in a minimum of 14 point font. Members are reminded that Copyright image sources must always be attributed - where applicable.

2) That this additional marking or logo have a suitable description placed on any advertising medium used to sell these items, indicating that this has occurred, on the face of such covers, in a minimum of 14 point font. Members are reminded that Copyright image sources must always be attributed - where applicable.

The Committee recognises that existing stock may be on hand that does not meet these new Rules. Members are advised a 3 month "grace period" is in place from March 1, 2012 allowing for orderly disposal of all such material from inventory and sales lists etc. After which point, July 1, 2012, there are no exceptions for any member offering such material.

===================

The rules above thankfully seem to now prohibit that a decades after the date photo cachet being added, such as this type of thing below, from one of your members who often does this kind of thing to blank covers - turning a bland 10c item into a $10 one on ebay etc.

The Pom wrote:As has been documented before on Stampboards, this seller has a habit of buying plain (no cachet) FDCs, printing a suitable picture on them, and then listing them on ebay.

While such a practice is apparently acceptable in the USA, it is 100% frowned upon, to say the least, in Australia. Especially if you accidentally forget to declare the modern addition.

Unfortunately, there has been a slight outbreak of fail on this cover:

https://cgi.ebay.com.au/1955-Australia-Nurse-Medical-Cover_W0QQitemZ350303634860

As he has chosen to illustrate Australia's nursing tradition with a picture of the actresses Hattie Jacques and Joan Hickson, taken from the British comedy film "Carry on Nurse", which came out in 1959, 4 years after the stamp was issued.

The original picture he has used is here:

https://www.britishpictures.com/photos/photo024.htm

He has 2 other 1955 Nurse covers for sale at the minute. Both with recent additions, no doubt images from the web.

Global Administrator · Post by **Global Administrator** » 28 Feb 2012 14:44

.
Good to see APTA have now addressed this issue of fake cachets being laser printed onto plain envelopes many decades later, and that action never being disclosed to buyers. See above for more details.

Please add any relevant comments you may have here. The more comments there, and examples of what is in the market (some of these above for starters!) the happier APTA will feel that they have acted I'd guess.

jrg · Post by **jrg** » 28 Feb 2012 14:55

Michael, the bush lawyer in me says that your wording needs refinement to say "...markings applied 6 months or more after the servicing ..., otherwise the smarties can say "ten years later is not exactly 6 months, so I'm OK."

The Pom · Post by **The Pom** » 28 Feb 2012 22:01

A positive step.

It would be nice to hope that APTA will take the opportunity to try to repair its damaged reputation by demonstrating a degree of proactivity, rather than reactivity, with respect to the enforcement of this & other Rules.

Machaggis52 · Post by **Machaggis52** » 29 Feb 2012 02:25

And the point of this is?

One would not expect members of any recognised and reputable Association to indulge in such practices anyway; I would suggest that such actions merit immediate expulsion from the Association.

The Ebay bandits are not likely to be members in the first place, and will continue to act as they always have done.

Carolina · Post by **Carolina** » 29 Feb 2012 02:29

Machaggis52 wrote:
One would not expect members of any recognised and reputable Association to indulge in such practices anyway

Some sadly have been it seems, hence the need for a written new rule and policy -

http://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=16707

OzPictorMarks · Post by **OzPictorMarks** » 29 Feb 2012 10:54

APTA President Michael Eastick's announcement is most welcome. He and his Committee are to be applauded.

While I agree there are some areas in which this doesn't go far enough, it's a great first step and an outstanding move in stamping out the practices I have been moaning about for some years now.

Some people who produce special cachets and do it simply as a hobby without trying to con the innocent would have their excellent work ruined if the requirement to put details of changes in 14pt font on the front of the cover were enforced.

Perhaps 9pt would suffice. After all, the majority shouldn't be made to suffer because of a dishonest few.

All that has to be done now is for Australia Post and APTA to take a similar stance on postmarks. While this practice isn't as obvious or widespread as it used to be, it would still be useful for this area of philately cleaned up.