Scott #315 Imperforate - Beware of Fakes!!

Scott 304 turned into an imperforate 315

I did a quick search this morning on Ebay of Scott #304 stamps.  In less than 5 minutes I had saved a couple of scans and then digitally cut them into the much more valuable imperforate #315's.  They look pretty decent, don't they?  The stamp on the right could pass off as a presentable #315.  I used a photo program, but could have just as easily used a razor blade or scissors. 

This shows the necessity of purchasing a #315 with a certificate or buying it in a multiple or block.  My reason for doing this was;  I was looking for a decent #315 to fill that blank space in my album, and there were way too many questionable looking stamps up for sale.  Many of them had bids on them for up to, and over $200.  I would hate to waste my money on a worthless and damaged #304.  I see these modified versions all of the time in stamp albums, that are for sale under the collections category.  Just know if you are bidding on a collection with this space filled, it is more than likely a fake, unless accompanied by a certificate.  

Before purchasing a #315 do your homework and be diligent. You do not want to spend good money on a worthless and damaged #304

Another issue I have with this unscrupulous and greedy behavior, is the destruction of a valuable jumbo and well centered stamp.  A #304 with large margins, should go into a collection, where it will be valued, not destroyed by cutting off the perforations.