SOMALIA ILLEGAL STAMPS
2003
Information and Reference of Counterfeit Illegal Stamps in the name of Somalia Dating 2003
On October 17, 2005 the postal administration for Somalia by request to K.J.S. McKeown (Director of Markets Development for the U.P.U.) posted to the Universal Postal Union a
circular defining all official stamps recognized and issued between 1991 through 1999. The circular is number 328. Here is a .pdf file of the circular.
UPU Circular Number 328
The circular shows all issues that Somalia authorized during those years. There is a lot of confusion as to what stamps are genuine and what were not authorized
by the Somalia postal administration. Catalogs conflict on all levels. Dealers conflict on all levels as well. This is because of the complete breakdown of the government
and postal system in Somalia. See my introduction page for more information on the history.
The printing company that produced stamps for Somalia and was in complete control of it in the 1980's forward was I.P.Z.S. which stands for Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Italy.
We can see by the majority of stamps produced from 1994 forward that the topics in most cases had nothing to do with Somalia. We can also see that they were overproducing the stamps
way in excess of postal needs of the country. This is proven by the massive quantities of mint stamps being sold on the market to this day. Where are all the covers showing
postal usage? In the majority of searches there has been very little to no evidence of usage. This places this company in the same status as Impressor and Stamperija
stamp issues.
At a bare minimum they are considered abusive stamps.
We still have to consider the legal issues though. According to my sources with ties to the UPU the printer had contracts with Somali post. The problem is....who after 1991
considering the postal system was destroyed?
The circular shown above was introduced by the transitional government in an attempt to counter all the counterfeit illegal stamps that were being produced in the name
of Somalia, Somaliland, Puntland and another called Maakar State. Letting you know that all of them were being produced by the demon British counterfeit
stamp producer except for the I.P.Z.S. issues.
So, we are quite confused now on which way to go yes?
I specialize in research on the illegal stamp phenomena and cannot therefore make a determination on the I.P.Z.S. stamps made before 1997. The catalogs list the described
issues that are in the circular and they list many others not described in the circular for issues made between 1991 to 1996. In my view all of them are not
authorized unless they are listed in the circular.
It is in 1997 that the British counterfeit producer turned his greedy eyes toward Somalia. In cross referencing the I.P.Z.S. issues made between 1997 through 1999, I found
an exact match to all of them that are listed in the circular with the Michel and Yvert catalogs concurring and what is being sold on the market also concurring. No "outstanding"
issues exist other than what is listed in the circular for the years 1997 through 1999.
But we have another problem!
The circular ends the listing of stamps through 1999. But I.P.Z.S. continued to produce stamps on an even bigger scale through 2003! Those issues are listed in Michel and
Yvert. As I have stated many times , those two catalogs are very flawed because they have allowed agencies and dealers to influence their listings with complete disregard
to the rules of listing stamps, one of which is....stamps produced to sell only to collectors with no evidence of postal usage, proof of authorization and massively made in
excess of postal needs. Sadly, they are listed and thus create another conflict and more confusion.
The Scott and Stanley Gibbons catalogs basically ended all listings of Somalia stamps in 1992. They saw what was happening and rather than bow down to dealers
and corrupt agents they stopped listing them. It is only fair to all collectors of stamps to know what they really are. Because I have researched
this so deeply in the hunt for the counterfeit illegal stamps, I can see it, and now I will show you.
Let us begin!
All I.P.Z.S. Somalia stamps are inscribed in Somali script like this
On this page I will first show all the unauthorized I.P.Z.S. stamps. Some dealers, mainly who are heavily invested in these stamps will try to argue against this.
They have no grounds to argue with. Ask for proof other than a compromised stamp catalog. Show a contract authorizing the printings. Show postal usage. Show why a stamp
agent/printer would be authorized to print any stamps in the name of a country that had their postal system and government completely destroyed during those years.
In 2003 I.P.Z.S. produced 16 more unauthorized stamp sets. None are listed in the 2005 UPU circular. None are listed in Scott nor Stanley Gibbons catalogs.
Neither Colnect nor the the Stampworld online catalogs list any 2003 issues. Apparently Michel stopped listing their issues after 2002. Yvert catalogs did list them.
None have any proof of commercial postal usage. None can be found in the Somali Post today.
They are massively being sold for almost two decades now, so they are everywhere. They are right up to today, being sold in "large lot" sales on eBay, Delcampe
and other venues. Many of the sellers are known counterfeit illegal stamp dealers who sell these right along side with the counterfeits dating in this year. The
number of sales of these unauthorized stamps proves this company mass produced them and probably has reprinted them several times. We can see by the price variances
between the dealers of them that they have little to no value because of the above mentioned problems. When you can buy 10 to 20 mint souvenir sheets of each unauthorized issue
for 99 cents on eBay right now in 2020....well....you see my point yes?
I have been using Michel catalog numbers on these unauthorized issues through 2002. I will use Yvert catalog numbers for this year. This is
the last year that I.P.Z.S. produced "stamps" in the name of Somalia. Noting Domphil numbers are irrelevant.
I note that according to the Wikipedia In 2002,
"IPZS became a public limited company (società per azioni or SpA) with the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance
(Ministero dell'Economia e delle Finanze) as sole shareholder."
This is why the new "SpA" inscription has been added on all the 2003 stamps.
Somalia 2003 Leonardo da Vinci Yvert 863-865 BF 96
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Dogs Greyhound Yvert 866-869 BF 97
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Termites Yvert 870-872
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Toucans Yvert 873-875 BF 98
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Shells Yvert 876-879 BF 99
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Sharks Yvert 880-882 BF 100
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Scouts Yvert 883-886 BF 101
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Gandhi Yvert 887-889
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Noting the cancels used on these covers. The cancel device was acquired by the British counterfeit stamp producer in this year. This then brings
into question, did I.P.Z.S. create these covers or was it the counterfeit producer who did it to legitimize the issue?
Either way, these covers were never "issued" and definitely were never mailed to the name on the address!
Somalia 2003 Gandhi Yvert 887-889 on First Day Covers
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Horsemen Yvert 890-892 BF 102
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Ancient Arabic Medicine Yvert 893-895
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Insects Dragon Flies Yvert 896-899 BF 103
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Astronomic Observatories Yvert 900-902
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Armadillos Yvert 903-906 BF 105
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Snails Yvert 907-909 BF 106
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Somalia 2003 Year of the Goat Yvert 910-912 BF 107
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
This set appears not to be listed at all even in Yvert. Do the sellers of these even care? Not at all. They are in it for the money and have
no regard to validation of stamp issues.
Somalia 2003 Motorcycling Yvert ?
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato
Who are the dealers pushing these issues? I found the main push appears to be on Delcampe. The same users keep coming up over and over for just about every
one of these unauthorized stamps. They have been at it for years. They are:
phildom_domfil located in Spain
outletstamps located in Spain (same guy)
snaporaz947 located in Italy (the source)
Online research shows that the first counterfeit illegal stamps in the name of Somalia were produced in 1997. Although Somalia is a
member of the Universal Postal Union, up to this time (March 2020) they have never formally posted a UPU circular denouncing any of them. We are working
toward having this done soon.
The following images are of counterfeit illegal stamps produced in the name of Somalia. Please remember that the producers of these illegal stamps are not only greedy,
they are crude and sometimes disgusting which is the nature of these people.
I have found the Colnect online catalog to be helpful in defining genuine stamps. Sadly, they list the unauthorized I.P.Z.S. stamps from 2000 through 2003.
Simply because they are going by compromised catalogs rather than what is real.
The Colnect Online Catalog for Somalia Stamps
Check out their Illegal Stamp section as well. It is upgraded as of 2024 and shows counterfeits that may be missing here.
The Colnect Online Catalog for Somalia Counterfeit Illegal Stamps
I have found the Stampworld online catalog to be helpful in defining genuine stamps as well. Sadly, they list the unauthorized I.P.Z.S. stamps from 2000 through 2002. Again,
simply because they are going by compromised catalogs rather than what is real. Nothing is listed after 2002.
The Stampworld Online Catalog for Somalia Stamps
You will find the styles and designs of the following illegal stamps the same as other illegal stamps produced in the name of other countries.
Here we go!
All of the following illegal stamps can be found as imperforates. Many are found as color proofs and many fake First Day Covers have been produced as well.
Many times now (2020) the souvenir sheet sets are separated and are sold individually. Many times the stamps have been removed from the
souvenir sheets. All of these "tactics" are used to avoid detection by UPU circular descriptions and/or experts like myself.
Sellers that call these "private", "locals", "Cinderella's", "unauthorized" are deceiving you. They are counterfeit illegal stamps produced by a stamp dealer
that is bent on ripping you off! Some sellers state "we offer them because they are on the market". Well how about you use a different dealer
because that seller is "on the market"? If the stamp societies, auction sites and all other venues kicked these sellers off of their sites
then they would have to comply or lose their ability to sell anything.
The following images are free for the use of all to use to alert the public to them. If anyone wants to make a public list of users on eBay, Delcampe
and elsewhere who are selling these issues....fine by me since the UPU, PWMO and others appear to have given up or have not been updated in years.
If you have purchased any of these stamps from a dealer or if that dealer offers them, you should avoid that dealer! You will
only be supporting illegal stamp makers who are only ripping you off.
2003
The first sets produced in the name of Somalia were created by the British counterfeit producer I reference on many pages for many countries. This producer was
heavily into producing counterfeits in the name of many countries starting in the early 1990"s. This counterfeit producer was in control of all Somalia illegal stamps until 2008.
In 2003 the producer reduced levels of production of the counterfeits. Probably because of the massive production done in 2002.
Before getting started here, I want to get into the subject of canceling devices. The canceling device used by I.P.Z.S. on all of their FDC's is the same device
showing the coat of arms and inscribed "SERVICE FILATELIQUE".
This device was used consistently through the years and never changed.
Here are examples of the bogus cancels used by the counterfeit producer.
All of a sudden in 2003 these start appearing.
And these covers.
Given that two of the covers has what appears to be a "newer" revised edition cancel with spacing below the date and coat of arms and using full
date rather than dashes. In theory the "newer" cancel was never used because I.P.Z.S. ended printing of Somalia stamps in 2003. The cancel device was
probably designed and made and being held in store for future year printings of Somalia stamps.
The dead giveaway that criminal activity and collaborating between the British counterfeit producer and someone within the I.P.Z.S. printing company occurred,
is the second cover shown. Now that is the official cancel used for years by I.P.Z.S. being used on a fake FDC! This shows us that the British counterfeit
producer gained access to the canceling device. My theory being that the employee within I.P.Z.S. sent the cancels to the British producer after I.P.Z.S.
determined they no longer would be producing stamps in the name of Somalia. This theory of course based on logic, the evidence shown and the simple fact of
how these criminals operated in the past as they do to this day.
Why are there not more covers with this cancel on them you may ask. Again, in theory, the producer started to use it on what was quite a popular topic
at the time and probably one or several people started putting two and two together. The producer had already been charged years before with using a "false
instrument" which he barely got out of, and rather than continue the risk....stopped using them. It is one thing to use made up bogus cancels. It is
another to use an official cancel which can incorporate a number of criminal charges resulting in jail time and heavy fines.
Let's move on to the illegal stamps dating 2003.
In 1998 the British counterfeit producer made a major change. He began producing two different "types" of Somalia counterfeit illegal stamps. The "original"
type inscribed "SOMALI REPUBLIC" and the new "type" inscribed simply "SOMALIA". I list them in separate categories as some of them use the same topics.
In 2002 the producer introduces a third type inscribed "REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA" creating yet more confusion. I list this type with the "Somali Republic" type.
Counterfeit Illegal Stamps Inscribed "SOMALI REPUBLIC" or "REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA"
2003 Cats Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 6
2003 Dinosaurs Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9
2003 Dinosaurs Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 6
2003 Dinosaurs Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1
2003 Dinosaurs Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets Fake Color Proof Sets
These and many more of the following illegal stamps exist like this. Mostly exclusively sold on the Avion (ex Stampdile) website.
They are worthless because they are proofs of counterfeit illegal stamps.
2003 Dogs Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 9
2003 Dogs Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1
2003 Eagles Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 6
2003 Elvis Presley Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1
Here is a huge set of Ferrari counterfeit illegal stamps. Another set in the name of Benin exactly the same (with different pictures) was made
by the producer in the same year. Featuring Michael Schumacher except for three featuring Rubens Barrichello who was his teammate. In the Benin set
only one features Rubens Barrichello. Again, none are worth the paper they are printed on!
2003 Ferrari Michael Schumacher Illegal Stamps
Then the British producer put overprints on the counterfeit stamps.
2003 Ferrari Michael Schumacher Overprinted "World Champion for the 6th time 2003" Illegal Stamps
2003 Horses and Butterflies Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9
2003 Horses and Butterflies Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1
2003 Lighthouses in Japan Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Marilyn Monroe Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1
Here we have the 75th Birthday of Mickey Mouse glut of souvenir sheets. How many of these have been sold and are still being sold to unknowing
Disney and Mickey Mouse memorabilia collectors?
2003 Mickey Mouse 75th Birthday Chess with Walt Disney Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1
2003 Mickey Mouse 75th Birthday Chess with Walt Disney Illegal Stamp Deluxe Souvenir Sheets of 1
Note the one with the misplaced perforations. Does not matter because they are all fake errors made for fake stamps.
2003 Mickey Mouse 75th Birthday Chess with Walt Disney Illegal Stamps on Fake First Day Cover
This is a cheaply made FDC with fake cancels. Bogus in all regards....
2003 Mickey Mouse 75th Birthday Toys with Walt Disney Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1
2003 Mickey Mouse 75th Birthday with Winnie the Pooh Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1
2003 Mickey Mouse 75th Birthday with Minnie Mouse and Disney Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1
2003 Mickey Mouse 75th Birthday with Aladdin and Elvis Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1
2003 Orchids Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 6
2003 Owls Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9
2003 Paintings by Julie Bell Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9
2003 Paintings by Vincent van Gogh Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 9
Pop Art
In 2003 the counterfeit producer made a number of souvenir sheets with what is considered Pop Art. Many of the paintings and drawings depict
nudity and are provocative in nature therefore offensive to some people. Some of the sheets are in very bad taste. Therefore rather than show them I am "listing"
them by the artist and size. For the Somali Republic types I only found one....so far.
Dorian Cleavenger Souvenir Sheet of 9
2003 Pop Stars Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 6
2003 Prehistoric Animals Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 6
2003 Space Shuttle Astronauts Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1
2003 Spiderman Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 6
2003 Trains Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Whales Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9
Counterfeit Illegal Stamps Inscribed "SOMALIA"
As stated in the beginning of this page the British counterfeit producer began creating this style of counterfeit illegal stamps in 1998. You will see in this
page that the production of this type decreased quite a bit from the 2002 numbers.
2003 Antique Dolls Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Ashanti Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Columbia Space Shuttle Tragedy Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Concorde Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Kennedy Family Illegal Stamps
These were probably removed from a souvenir sheet.
2003 Lord of the Rings Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
The dealer selling this calls this an "error" as in the left side is cut off. How about the dealer is making an "error" selling it at all!
2003 Motorcycles Super Bikes Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9
2003 Mushrooms Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9
2003 Mushrooms Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Oscar Winners Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Owls Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by Albrecht Durer Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by Balthus Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by Candido Portinari Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by Francisco de Goya Lucientes Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by Guillaume Seignac Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by Gustave Courbet Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by Henri Matisse Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by J. D. Fergusson Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by Jacques Louis David Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by James McNeill Whistler Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1
2003 Paintings by Hajime Sorayama Marilyn Monroe Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
There is a matching souvenir sheet of other paintings by this artist of Marilyn Monroe that are too provocative to put here. I list it in the "Pop Art" section.
2003 Paintings by Pierre Puvis de Chayannes Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by Sir William Russell Flint Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Paintings by Tiziano Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9
2003 Paintings Nudes Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9
2003 Pandas Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
Pop Art
In 2003 the counterfeit producer made a number of souvenir sheets with what is considered Pop Art. Many of the paintings and drawings depict
nudity and are provocative in nature therefore offensive to some people. Some of the sheets are in very bad taste. Therefore rather than show them I am "listing"
them by the artist and size. For the Somalia type I found numerous ones.
Armando Huerta Souvenir Sheet of 4
Carlos Diez souvenir sheet of 4
Clyde Caldwell souvenir sheet of 4
Dorian Cleavenger souvenir sheet of 4
Drew Posada souvenir sheet of 4
Fastner and Larsen souvenir sheet of 4
Hajime Sorayama 4 souvenir sheets of 4 including one sheet matching Marilyn Monroe shown in the paintings section above
Jack Henslee souvenir sheet of 4
Joseph Linsner souvenir sheet of 4
Luis Royo souvenir sheet of 4
Marcus Gray souvenir sheet of 4
Paolo Serieri souvenir sheet of 4
Simon Bisley souvenir sheet of 4
Somalia Boris Vallejo souvenir sheet of 4
plus
Pin-ups souvenir sheet of 4
2003 Prince William Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Queen Elizabeth II Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Robbie Williams Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 Scouts Scout Jamboree Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
Of course Lollini has to put in more counterfeit space topical stamps!
2003 Space Lollini Produced Powered Flight Anniversary Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 4
2003 The Beatles Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 The BeeGees Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
2003 The Twin Towers 9-11 Terrorist Attack Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4
Reminding you about the counterfeit covers shown at the beginning of this page with these illegal stamps on them.
2003 Winnie the Pooh Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9
2003 Year of the Ram Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9
In 2004 the British producer continues to produce counterfeit illegal stamps in the name of Somalia at about the same pace. I.P.Z.S. is no more.
From the beginning of 2004 to present time no new stamps have been issued by Somalia. This means any "stamp" using the name of Somalia
in any form dating to present time (2020) is a COUNTERFEIT ILLEGAL STAMP!
View Next Page here!
Return to Somalia Illegal Stamps Introduction Page here
References taken from:
UPU Circular 328
Major Stamp Catalogs
Internet Research
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