Illegal stamps are postage stamp-like labels (with perforations and gums, etc) issued in the names of existing independent countries or territories, entities claiming to be independent, or completely fictitious regions. They are  simply philatelic fakes and forgeries.

 These labels may be used to defraud postal administrations, stamp collectors and the general public, but some are used to fulfill actual domestic postal needs of unrecognized entities, and a few are nothing more than propaganda labels. According to the UPU, the market is estimated to be at least $500 million per year. Illegal stamps are unfortunately flourishing still in the 21st century.

Illegal stamps are said to result in adverse consequences for several different parties. Countries lose revenue to illegal issues and stamp collectors may lose money by mistakenly buying illegal stamps that have little or no monetary value. In addition, inexperience or non-philatelists have been tricked into buying illegal stamps that are worthless memorabilia for their favorite hobby or interests.

There is no definitive method to identifying illegal stamp issues.

• Most illegal stamps are issued in the names of countries or territories from Africa or the former Soviet Union, or smaller island nations from around the world, some of these island which are even uninhabited. Older illegal issues (from the 1970’s) were most often in the names of Arab states. The reason for this was that it was highly improbable that the Governments will try and find the culprits as these Governments have bigger problems to worry about and not sufficient resources.
• Most illegal stamps are not listed in the major stamp catalogues, (Scotts, Stanley Gibbons, Yvert and Tellier, Michel, etc).
• The WADP website  (WNS), developed by the World Association for the Development of Philately and the UPU, catalogues stamps issued by UPU member nations since 2002. Not all UPU members participate as the cost for inclusion are high but it is still a good resource.
• Looking at the individual country website if you are in doubt or sending an email to the relevant postal administration 

Most of the illegal issues have top collecting themes featured on the stamps such as Elvis, Marylin Monroe, The Beatles and even Barack Obama has been featured. Animals and sports are also themes chosen for illegal stamps as non philatelist would be inclined to purchase these themes for their own collecting interest or passion.

However, not all illegal issues are made to look as modern commemorative issues. There has been the case of very rare stamps being produced illegally with the intention of selling them as genuine items. It’s important that rare stamps are sold with certificates of authenticity if the intention is to resell them in the future as an investment.  

 The fight against this proliferation of illegal issues is high on the agenda of World Association for the Development of Philately (WADP). WADP consists of UPU, International Philatelic Federation (FIP), International Federation of Stamp Dealers Associations (IFSDA), International Association of philatelic Journalists (AIJP), and Association of Philatelic Catalogue Publishers (ASCAT). WADP has held discussions in this regard with its partners. The International Bureau of the UPU hosts the WADP Secretariat.

This matter has been discussed at several philatelic forums worldwide with countries affected always participating at such events. The following countries have denouncements sent to UPU:

This is definitely not a complete list of illegal stamps available to collectors in the global market as many countries have not yet officially denounced the illegal issues in their name.

Kindly cooperate with WADP by informing fellow collectors, in particular those collecting popular themes, about illegal stamps. If you find one illegal on eBay please send the link to the WADP or UPU which will try their best to make sure no collector falls in the trap.

The vast majority of illegal stamps on the market are produced and wholesaled by a relatively small number of individuals. Major players include:
- Karolis Malinauskas, Algirdas Satas, Anton Vesselof. Operating as the Conquest network, from Lithuania.
- Clive Feigenbaum, operating as Stampdile Ltd. Also closely affiliated with William Mitchell of International Philatelic Licenses. Feigenbaum has been prosecuted on several occasions by British Authorities.

There are several more illegal dealers and they normally change their trading names quickly so make sure its a legal stamp before making a considerable purchase or simply buy from a reputable dealer or postal administration website. Legitimate stamp dealers and collectors may see their market and the reputation of philately eroded by the illegal issues market so its important we all unite against these fake items.

Please feel free to contact the WADP Secretariat directly if in doubt at the following address with any queries that you may have regarding stamps on the market and their authenticity: 

Maria Libera, Programme Manager, Marketing Development Responsible for Philately, Assistant Secretary of the WADP,  WADP Secretariat, International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union, Case postale, 3000 BERNE 15, Switzerland. Tel: +41 31 350 32 15 Fax : +41 31 350 31 10/351 02 66 [email protected]

At www.worldstampnews.comno illegal issue will ever be featured unless its important to make the collector aware that such an item exists.

To learn more about illegal issues, one simply needs to google ‘illegal stamps’ and check the websites and images of these… “United we will eradicate the illegal stamp trade”

Sources: wikipedia – the free encyclopedia, Allexperts.com

published June 8th, 2010