Calling on Stamp Collectors to Help Save their Hobby

It is thanks to philatelists and stamp collectors that the hobbies of philately and stamp collecting have become, for many years now, the greatest promoters of cultural heritage and the dialogue among civilizations, bringing together peoples from countries all over the world, from a multitude of professions, cultural backgrounds and ages. The Hobby of Stamp Collecting is «The King of hobbies and a Hobby for Kings ”! Indeed, the stamp collections of Queen Elizabeth II of England and of the King of Thailand, among other royal collections, have been included in numerous international philatelic events encouraging the development of the hobbies of philately and stamp collecting.

The majority of philatelists and stamp collectors dream of constituting a collection that will acquire a certain recognized value, not only from the financial point of view, but also for sentimental reasons. The greatest of care is put into the preparation of the collection any philatelist or stamp collector intends to enter into a national, regional or international stamp or philatelic exhibition in the hope of qualifying for a prize or recognition. The stamps and their related philatelic products need to be authentic ones and great care should c onsequently be exercised when choosing the right stamp for the collection.

It is, therefore, important to keep in mind that stamps and their related philatelic products are authentic only if they are issued by the official stamp issuing authorities and their postal services as recognized by the Constitution, Convention and Regulations of the Universal Postal Union, the United Nations Specialized Agency that oversees the management and development of the official postal services of the world. As the postage stamp represents the basic payment for postal services worldwide, because of its monetary attributes, the postage stamp has become an easy victim of counterfeit, forged and/or illegal productions. Although counterfeit and forged stamps have been around since the existence of the postage stamp in 1840, it is since the mid 1990s that the international stamp market began to be flooded progressively with savage productions by private companies and individuals of “illegal stamps” issued in the names of UPU Member States and their official dependencies, national provinces and territories, where applicable, and without their knowledge.

Still today many UPU Member States are not aware that they are victims of “illegal stamps”. The “illegal stamps” are not only greatly affecting the integrity and image of the countries concerned, but also the credibility and reputation of philately in general as well as of the value of stamp collections. The integrity and image is undermined still further when certain images that are reproduced on the “illegal stamps” are denigrating, unethical and alien to the culture of the countries concerned.

Although it is common knowledge that stamp collectors consider that they are free to collect and acquire whatever stamps they find that they wish to include in their topical / thematic collection, stamp collectors should be aware, nevertheless, that their collection becomes penalized and diminished in value when it includes “stamp” products that could be counterfeit, forged and/or illegal postage stamps, cancellations, colour proofs, first day covers, maximum cards, etc. Because the international stamp market continues to be flooded with such counterfeit, forged and/or illegal stamp products, the International Federation of Philately, the superior authority managing stamp and/ or philatelic exhibitions, has adopted strict rules and regulations to ensure that stamp collections submitted for exhibitions contain only authentic stamp materials and products..

In this regard, it is important to note that an increasingly large number of countries from around the world and /or their dependencies, national provinces and territories, where applicable, continue to be victims, or that become new victims of the continued worldwide production and distribution, in their names, of counterfeit, forged and/or illegal stamps and related philatelic products. However, it is gratifying to see that more and more of such countries are organizing, for the benefit of the philatelic and stamp collector communities, the publication of denouncements of illegal stamps. These denouncements are known as UPU Circulars (UPU = the Universal Postal Union) , and are normally available on the UPU's website. They serve as an official confirmation denouncing the existence, in the name of the country concerned and/ or its dependencies, of counterfeit, forged and/or illegal stamps and related philatelic products that are being freely distributed and sold on the international stamp market mostly through the Internet and at stamp exhibitions and fairs.

The listing below reproduces, per region, the countries that have had official UPU Circulars published since the late 1990s denouncing counterfeit, forged and/or illegal stamps and related philatelic products produced in their names. However, it is to be noted that the individual UPU Circulars published do not necessarily cover all illegal stamps produced in the name of the countries concerned. Because of new series of illegal stamps that keep on appearing, it is a lengthy process to get those illegal stamps identified and to put together new UPU circulars for publication.

The name of the country is followed by the reference to the UPU Circular in brackets. For example, the most recent denouncement published has been for Trinidad and Tobago (UPU Circular No.149 . 2015). This circular is briefly summarized at the end of this article together with the images of the illegal stamp sheetlets that were produced a nd denounced.

 African and Arab countries: Angola ( UPU Circular No. 406.2000) , Benin (UPU Circulars Nos. 286.2006 & 030.2004) , Burundi ( UPU Circulars Nos. 08.2012 & 143.2002) , Cameroun ( UPU Circular No. 190.2009) , Centrafrique ( UPU Circular No. 156.2001) , Comoros (Union des) ( UPU Circulars Nos. 140.2007, 514.2001 & No. 201.2001) , Congo (Rep) ( UPU Circulars Nos. 144.2014 & 064.1997) , Congo (Dem Rep) ( UPU Circulars Nos. 371.2005 & 418.1997) , Côte d'Ivoire (Rep) ( UPU Circulars Nos. 369.2005, 063.2004 & 269.2003) , Djibouti ( UPU Circulars Nos. 410.2005 & 226.2004) , Equatorial Guinea ( UPU Circular No. 417.1997) , Eritrea ( UPU Circulars Nos. 180.2007 & 294.2003) , Gambia ( UPU Circular No. 308.2004) , Guinea ( UPU Circular No. 421.2003) , Iraq ( UPU Circulars Nos. 61.2013, 071.2004 ) , Lesotho ( UPU Circular No. 15.2015) , Madagascar ( UPU Circulars Nos. 193.2008 & 393.2001) , Malawi ( UPU Circulars Nos. 66.2015, 59.2009 & 130.2007) , Mali ( UPU Circulars Nos. 79.2015, 72.2014, 238.2001 & 165.2000) , Mauritania ( UPU Circular No. 161.2003) , Mauritius ( UPU Circular No. 146.2012) , Western Sahara of Morocco ( UPU Circulars Nos. 071.2008, 069.2004, . 414.2002, 129.2000 ), Mozambique ( UPU Circular No. 208.2008) , Namibia ( UPU Circulars Nos. 65.2015 & 188.2014) , Niger ( UPU Circulars Nos. 388.2005 & 194.2000) , Rwanda ( UPU Circulars Nos. 128.2012, 92.2010, 252.2009, 198.2007, 354.2003, 504.2001, 363.2001 & 39.2000) , Saudi Arabia ( UPU Circular No. 421.2001), Senegal ( UPU Circular No. 07.2001) , Somalia ( UPU Circular No. 328.2005), Sudan ( UPU Circular No. 095.2004) , Tanzania (& Zanzibar) ( UPU Circulars Nos. 62.2013 & 219.2011 ) , Tchad ( UPU Circular No. 08.2001) , Uganda ( UPU Circular No. 220.2011 ) , United Arab Emirates ( UPU Circulars Nos. 122.2009, 141.2007 & 168.2001), Zambia ( UPU Circular No. 137.2014 ).

Asia and Pacific Regions: Afghanistan ( UPU Circulars Nos. 197.2009, 177.2007, 02.2003, 345.2000 & 421.1998) , Cambodia ( UPU Circular No. 150.2015) , Japan ( UPU Circular No. 116.2012) , Laos (UPU Circulars No. 135.2001 & 419.1999), Myanmar ( UPU Circulars No. 343.2006 & 428.2000).

Central and South America and the Caribbean: Argentina (UPU Circular No. 318.1997 ), Bolivia (UPU Circular No.92 . 2012), Haiti ( UPU Circular No. 367.2005), Mexico (UPU Circular No. 109.1996), Paraguay (UPU Circular No.135 . 2014), Trinidad and Tobago (UPU Circular No.149 . 2015)

The Russian Federation and its neighbouring countries (Community of Independent States (CIS): Azerbaijan (UPU Circulars Nos. 060.2009 , 192.2006, 073.2005, 263.2004 & 251.1999), Estonia (UPU Circulars Nos.189 .2012 & No. 200.2007 ), Georgia (UPU Circulars Nos.75 .2012, 127.2009, 50.2001, 106.1999 & 331.1997 ), Kyrgyzstan ( UPU Circulars No. 172.2003, 208.2002, 308.2001, 06.2001, 285.2000, 119.2000 & 432.1999), Lithuania (UPU Circular No.190 .2012), Mongolia ( UPU Circular No. 146.1999), Russian Federation ( UPU Circulars Nos. 42 . 2015, 66.2014, 287.2010, 15.2002, 214.2000 & 302.1998 ), Tadjikistan ( UPU Circular No. 229.2002), Turkmenistan (UPU Circular No. 184.2000), Ukraine ( UPU Circulars Nos. 03.2000, 253.1999, 458.1998 ), Uzbekistan ( UPU Circular No. 061.2009 & 070.2003).

Eastern and Western Europe : Bosnia (UPU Circulars Nos. 416.1998, 354.1998 ), Croatia (UPU Circulars Nos. 80.2009, 282.2006, 421.2005), Cyprus ( UPU Circulars Nos. 199.2007, 34.2000, 301.1998, 399.1997 & 482.1996), Greece (UPU Circulars No. 276.1998 ), Portugal (UPU Circular No.178 .2012), Slovenia (UPU Circular No. 81.2007).

It should be noted that, where applicable, several of the above-mentioned countries have also denounced illegal stamps produced in the name of their national dependencies, provinces and territories that do not have the authority to issue stamps in their own name. In any case, there is no doubt that “stamps” in the name of these entities are definitely illegal productions and should not be purchased. These are as follows:

- Nagorno-Karabakh or Republic of Mountainous Karabakh and Naxcivan: provinces of Azerbaidjan.

- Abruka Post, Aegna Post, Aksi Post, Hiiumaa Post, Kihnu Post, Manilaid Post, Muhu Post, Osmussaar Post, Prangli Post, Ruhnu Post , Saaremaa Post , Suur-Pakri Post , Väike-Pakri Post, Vorms Post: islands belonging to Estonia.

- Abhazia, Adjaria, Batum, South Ossetia: provinces of Georgia.

- Gagauzia, Pochta PMR, Transnistria: provinces of Moldova.

- Internal provinces and regions of the Russian Federation: Republic of Adygea, Altai Region, Amurskaya Province, Russian Antarctica, Republic of Bashkortostan, Republic of Buriatia, Republic of Chuvashia, Republic of Daghestan, Autonomous Region of Evenkia, Franz Josef Land, Ingushia, Republic of Ingushetia, Republic of Ichkeria, Jewish Autonomous Region, Jewish Republic, Republic of Kabardo-Balkaria, Republic of Kalmykia, Kamchatka Region, Karachevo-Cherkessia, Republic of Karelia, Karjala, Republic of Khakasia, Autonomous Region of Koriakia, Kolguev Island, Komi Republic, Kunashir Island, Kuril islands, Litke Islands, Mari-El Republic, Republic of Mordovia, New Land Island, Republic of North Ossetia, Novosibirsk Islands, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Sakhalin Region, Spitsbergen Island, Republic of Tatarstan, Republic of Tuva, Republic of Udmurtia

- Akhal Velayat & Balkan Velayat: provinces of Turkmenistan

- Provinces and regions of Ukraine: Ukrainian Antarctic Territories, Crimea, Odessa, Uman, Vinnitsa

IN SUMMARY of the above, denouncements of illegal stamps have been produced and distributed so far in the name of 63 (sixty-three) official stamp issuing authorities and their 69 (sixty-nine) dependencies.

Additionally, “stamps” have been produced and distributed in the name of the following entities that are not recognized, neither by any official authority nor by any official document; it is easily concluded that such entities are fictitious, and any “stamps” produced in the name of these entities are definitely illegal productions and serve only the interests of the private companies or individuals that have produced them. So far, seven such fictitious entities have been identified that are Ferr Islands, Island of Freedom, Island of Offences, Lapland, Maniland, Naavland and PR Tongo .

A number of countries who subscribe to the WNS (the WADP Numbering System of the Universal Postal Union) have made it known that “stamps” in their name that are circulating on the stamp market other than their authentic and legal stamps that they have had registered in the WNS System, should be considered illegal.

Additionally, the following countries from various regions have also witnessed the appearance of illegal stamps in their names and/or their dependencies, and are in the process of organizing the relevant denouncements to be published as UPU Circulars. These are as follows:

African and Arab Regions: Algeria, Cabinda to be denounced by Angola, Bahrain, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde , Ethiopia , Gabon , Guinea-Bissau , Iraq (for Kurdistan), Kuwait, Palestinian Authority , Liberia , Ste. Marie to be denounced by Madagascar , Morocco, Sao Tomé-et-Principe, Seychelles , Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Zanzibar to be denounced by Tanzania, Togo and Zimbabwe

Asia-Pacific Region: Brunei, China (& Hong Kong & Macao), DPR Korea, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste and Vietnam.

Pacific Islands: Aitutaki, Cook Island, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Norfolk Island, Penhryn (Cook Island), Solomon Islands , Tuvalu.

Caribbean Island Nations and Dependencies & South Atlantic: Antigua , Anguilla, Aruba, Ascension Island , Bahamas , Barbados , Barbuda, Belize, Cates of Belize, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, Cayman Isl, Curacao, Dominica, Falkland Isl (& Dependencies (ex. Bleaker Island, West Point Island, West Swan Island), Grenada, Grenada Grenadines , Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat , Nevis , Pitcairn Isl. , Redonda, South Georgia, St. Christopher, St. Helena (also identified as St. Elena) , St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, Trinidad Tobago, Turks & Caicos, Virgin Islands

Europe (Central, Eastern & Western) : Flandres (of Belgium); Corsica (of France); Sicilia & Sardegna (of Italy); Kosova, Macedonia; Montenegro; Serbia ; Balearic Isl., Catalunya & Pais Vasco (of Spain); Bardsey Island, Eynhallow, Galf of Man, Hebrides, Islay, Isle of Jethou, Isles of Scilly, Lundy, Orkney, St. Kilda, Shetland Isl. (islands belonging to Scotland and England).

Latin & South America: Costa Rica, Cuba, Nicaragua

IN CONCLUSION, the stamp collector is faced with the huge problem that illegal stamps have been produced and distributed so far in the name of probably more than one hundred thirty (130) official stamp issuing authorities and their dependencies, as well as at least seven additional entities that are fictitious.

 In closing, because of the large quantities of illegal stamps circulating and the large number of countries having become victims of illegal stamps, stamp collectors are finding it increasingly difficult to determine the authenticity of stamps for their collections. In this regard, a Worldwide Philatelic Observatory (WPO) has been created to help both the philatelic and stamp collecting communities as well as the official stamp issuing nations and their dependencies to come to grips with the proliferation of illegal stamps. Consequently, the WPO will organize responses for stamp collectors that can send it their queries regarding the authenticity of the stamps they wish to purchase and that they are questioning. The WPO's e-mail address and contact details are as follows.

Mrs. Maria Zofia Libera, Manager
Worldwide Philatelic Observatory
Progress Market Research Office
Suite 51, Immeuble Ibn Zoubair, Residence STAR
2017 KHAZNADAR, Tunisia
e-mail: phil.obs@progress-marketing.tn ; m.zofia.libera@gmail.com

Article published in the April 2016 issue of the Italian philatelic magazine “Arte di Francobollo”. Published by permission.