Newly discovered or newly printed 1972 Clemente Venezuelan

[hcv123]

Originally listed here :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CLEMENTE-VEN...p2047675.l2557

I asked the original seller -
"please tell me more about this item. I have collected Clemente for many years and never seen it. What year is it from? Is this a newly produced item or vintage? It has a number - 251 on it - what set is it part of? How/where did you acquire it? Thanks."

-Howard

He responded:

"Friend I am told some collectors it is a test of the 70's acquired through a barter"





currently listed here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-VENEZUE...item1c548ed4f2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-VENEZUE...:X:RTQ:US:1123




Anyone know the seller? Legit? Shady? While I always allow for the possibility that there are things out there I have not ever seen, after collecting Clemente for over 25 years AND collecting Venezuelan issues for about 20, the things I see annually that make that list is small to none. I know that the 1972 Venezuelan stamps have been reprinted/counterfeited as discussed on this board. My guess is the listed "sticker" is newly created. I sent a message to the current seller:

"Hello sir,

I have collected Clemente for over 25 years. I am writing to let you know I am HIGHLY suspicious that the Clemente is a newly created sticker. There is a source that has been counterfeiting the 1972 stickers out of Venezuela. There is discussion about it on the net 54 discussion boards. I saw this Clemente for the first time about a week or two ago. I never saw it before. The color and font are different than any other 1972 sticker I have seen. I do not believe it to be legitimate.

Howard"

His first response:

"ok ?"

His next response:

"so you're not buying it ??"

Thoughts and input appreciated - especially yours Josh. Anyone happen to know who sticker #251 in the 1972 set is supposed to be?