Germany Expert Marks on Back of Stamps

[MikeC99]

I was looking through my used early 1920s era Germany stamps and found 20 stamps that have what appears to be expert marks on the back of the stamps. On those stamps, I found two different types of markings. The circular marking has ECHT  INFLA BERLIN and what appear to be a cross or a "T" in the center.  I used google translate and learned that  "ECHT" translates as "Real". INFLA BERLIN is an association of German Philatelists.  The other marking is square with rounded corners.  Inside the square is "ECHT im Block gegrun Infla Berlin". I again used google translate and the translation was came back as Real in block but gegrun is obviously not the correct spelling of the german word so can anyone help me with this word? 

My question is whether one can rely on the marking as indicating that the used stamp has been checked by reputable organization and that the cancellation has been deemed to be genuine.

I will post three examples of early German stamps containing the markings. The first stamp is Germany Scott # C17 issued 1923. It has a "T" in the center of the circular marking on the reverse of the stamp

[MikeC99]

Here is another  German stamp (Scott #B4) with  a similar marking but a cross in the center.

[MikeC99]

The third post is of a German stamp with the square marking on the back of the stamp.

[khj]

Expertizer marks on the back of stamps are no longer considered reliable because so many have been forged. You sort of have to be an expert on expertizer marks in order to determine authenticity -- in which case it is better to become an expert on that particular stamp rather than an expert on the mark!

In a universe far away, I had a pretty decent set of posts in reply to a similar Infla Berlin question. Alas, those pictures are long gone.

But, since you have some pics!

The "ECHT//im Block//gepruft//Infla Berlin" is an expertizer mark that indicates that this single was removed from a multiple that was previously expertized by Infla Berlin. The stamp itself was NOT again expertized, but relies on the authenticity of the original expertization of the multiple.

k

[khj]

Regarding the symbol at the center of the expertizer mark, it represents the Infla Berlin expertizer:

T is Tworek
+ is Peschl

The word you had as gegrun is actually geprüft. At this point, I would say that rounded square mark looks suspicious.

In case you were wondering if someone might have a mint stamp expertized and then put on a fake cancel, the positioning of the Infla Berlin mark will tell you the unused/used condition of the stamp when expertized.

[MikeC99]

khj,stated:

In case you were wondering if someone might have a mint stamp expertized and then put on a fake cancel, the positioning of the Infla Berlin mark will tell you the unused/used condition of the stamp when expertized.

Kim, could you further elaborate what you mean by the position of the mark will tell you whether the stamp was mint or used when expertized.
Mike

[khj]

I don't have the layout for the Infla Berlin marks, only for the later BPP marks (see below). Perhaps PostmasterGS can provide that information.

[SWH]

My information - from a German philatelic lexicon called 'Grosses Lexicon der Philatelie' - is that Infla-Berlin expertizes only used stamps. The position of the mark is not so relevant. They use the circular marks for single specimens, the quadrangular for specimens in two's or more. Each stamp in such a block would be marked. 

[MikeC99]

SWH, what are your thoughts on the markings I have displayed in the previous postings?
Mike

[SWH]

MikeC99

They would seem to be the proper Infla marks - circular for single specimens and quadrangular for specimens that are - or were - part of a block. Only as khj has pointed out these marks have been widely forged. I do not have the expertise to tell the real thing from a forgery........