Bernhardt Assmus Explained

Bernhardt Burghardt Assmus
Criminal Charge:	Forgery

Bernhardt Burghardt Assmus (–unknown)^[1] was a German stamp forger operating in London. He was originally from Hamburg.

He was unmasked after Morris Giwelb bought forged Penny Black VR official stamps from him in August 1890.^{[2] [3]} Giwelb accompanied the police on a visit to Assmus' premises at 12 Church Street, Islington, and assisted them at Vine Street Police Station in sorting the seized material.^[2]

He was found guilty of fraud in 1892.^[4]

Further reading

• Herst, H. (ed.) (1986) Forensic Philately (An Account of the Famous English Stamp Fraud Trials involving Messrs. Bluett, Benjamin, Sarpy, Jeffryes and Dr. Assmus Originally Published in "The Stamp News", 1890-1892). Lake Oswego, Oregon: Herman Herst Jr.

Notes and References

1. "Police." The Times (London, England), Thursday, Jan 07, 1892; pg. 14; Issue 33528.
2. "Morris Giwelb" by Cyril Permutt in Philatelic Paraphernalia, No. 23/24, April/July 1990, pp. 333-334.
3. Birch, Brian. (2012) Biographies of Philatelists and Dealers . 12th edition. Standish, Wigan: Brian Birch, p. 880.
4. London, England, Proceedings of the Old Bailey and Ordinary's Accounts Index, 1674-1913