Lupin's Mysterious Background

[alexpie at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 39571

In chapter 5of PoA, we are told that: "The name Professor R.J. Lupin was 
stamped across one corner (of his case) in peeling letters."  In chapter 18, 
Lupin says (of Dumbledore): "[H]e gave me a job, when I have been shunned all 
my adult life, unable to find paid work because of what I am."
  The question is, why, then were the letters peeling?  Was Lupin perhaps 
teaching abroad, and wanted to keep it quiet?  Or working as an unpaid 
professor?  Or is this merely Flint-y?
Ba, of Ravenclaw