Real or Fake?

[Leon]

It might be good but I am a bit skeptical. The lithography looks kind of washed out compared with others I have seen. I would require a guarantee on something like that before I bought it. regards

[Jaybird]

I would think that this was returned by the previous bidder. So, that makes me even more nervous. If it was returned once and then relisted, why did that person send it back?

It could also be that the person never paid but it makes me wonder.

[GoldenAge50s]

Colors too washed out to suit me---nothing vivid or stand-outish like I would expect. Hans likeness very undefined.

[bobbvc]

Better Scans...

[docpatlv]

Bob,

I am almost 100% certain that these are well made fakes. The key is, as others have stated, the embossed areas should show through to the other side (reverse). I fairly recently had some discussions with Rob Lifson about these and pretty much came up with the conclusion that they are well made fakes.

Mike

Edited to add image: From the front it appears to be embossed, but the reverse should show the results of embossing similar to the cigar label pictured below

[Jaybird]

Also, the one in REA had vertical lines in the gold area looking like corduroy. The "reprint" one does not have that level of detail.

[bobbvc]

Front looks but doesn't feel embossed. I have a friend who owns a printing shop that can get some pretty detailed scans and color/ink separations. I'm going to take it to him next week. I'm not convinced it's real, but could go either way at this point. If it's fake, well done. Reminds me of some of those Helmar Brewing repros/art projects on Ebay. Seems like the seller has a liberal return policy at least. He said he found two in a page of an old book. I got the second chance offer. Thought it worth the risk.

[docpatlv]

Bob,

Like I stated earlier, the embossing does not show through to the back. If it were legitimately embossed, you would see evidence on the reverse.

Mike