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Add-On Cachets, Their Description & Ethical Practices(FDCUSA)

1. Planned Add-Ons
   Many cachetmakers who produce hand-drawn and/or hand colored/painted artwork do not apply their artwork until the cancellations have been applied, so to remove the risk of damage to items they have already spent time and labor creating. These type of "add-on" cachets are accepted by collectors as ORIGINAL, as long as the cachetmaker planned to produce a specific design to the items before they were cancelled (or serviced) by or for the cachetmaker. Many will add the date for each item and the actual number produced so there will be no questions about it later.
   A "reasonable" time frame after servicing would be about one month.
   
   
2. Non-Planned Add-Ons, or Enhanced
   The conception of the idea occurred AFTER the event. It may be be added to a blank envelope, or as an enhancement to a pre-existing cachet which may include added graphics and/or more information for the subject matter.
   Add-On Cachetmakers are encouranged to keep a record of their production for the hobbyists of the future. Tracking of the Scott #, log number for each add-on for the same Scott #, description of the add-on with a thumbnail (or better yet, a readable image), date add-on was applied (multiple dates or time-frame), and finally if more may be made or not. This information may be advertised or available on request.  Full disclosure dismisses the chance of questions and adds credibility to our hobby and your efforts!
   For the record, an ORIGINAL cachet is planned and put in production BEFORE the event occurs. These may be finished before servicing, or soon afterwards.

In the late 1970's, the USPS stumped on a Counterfeit FDC scheme by Jerry P. Mather. First published in Linn's Stamp News.  Mather printed his cachets on envelopes, and then applied counterfeit FIRST DAY OF ISSUE cancellations to the envelopes.  It is possible that some of the later issued covers may be legitimate, but cannot be accurately determined. To the dismay of this FDC enthusiast, his works are now worth more than legitimate FDCs of the same issues.  Our hobby is loosing its integrity...

1. Computer generated - The simplicity of adding pictures or phrases via the computer printer allows virtually anyone to create a professional looking cachet.   To the naked eye, some printers can print photo-quality graphics. Most printers used by the average person will still show the pixelated (or dot pattern) print process.   You may see smearing of printer ink on the cover, especially around the edges of the cover.
2. The artwork is printed/drawn over a Return or To address.
3. The artwork borders closely around the extremities or inner boundaries of the cancellation, Return/To address, or stamp(s).
4. The artwork includes text or images referring to events that occured AFTER the stamp was issued.
5. If they are not shown or listed in cachet catalogs, it may be an add-on.  Most 'legitimate' cachets (and some add-ons) from the 1920's to the 1960's are visually documented in cachet catalogs.
6. Similarities of style stretch a wide timespan, and is not readily identified in cachet catalogs.
7. For multiple covers in question, the return and/or sender addresses are the same person or same location.
8. An individual is noticed to be trading a number of similar items that are not identified or labeled "unknown artist", and the items are not signed on front or back.