NIGER ILLEGAL STAMPS
1998

Information and Reference of illegal stamps for Niger Dating 1998 according to U.P.U. Circulars 194 and 388 and other resources

On June 5, 2000 the postal administration for Niger by request to E.M. Gharbi (Assistant Director-General) posted to the Universal Postal Union a circular warning of the discovery of a massive amount of illegal stamps created with their country name that are on the market. The circular is number 194. You can view it in French or English the linked files below:

UPU Circular Number 194 in English

UPU Circular Number 194 in French

It states the following.

Dear Sir/Madam
The postal administration of NIGER asks me to inform you of the following:
"I enclose a list of stamps issued without the authorization of Niger Post by the company France Philatélie 2000, run by an individual named J C Marino Montero.
"I wish to inform you that my administration brought an action about the fraudulent activities of this individual before the Regional Court of Niamey which, at a hearing on 19 October 1999, imposed a six-month suspended prison sentence and a fine on Mr Montero.
"Another action is being brought before the Paris courts, to be heard on 4 July 2000 in the 31st Chambre correctionnelle."
Yours faithfully,
E M GHARBI
Assistant Director-General

Annex 1

List of postage stamp issues purporting to be from the Republic of Niger and offered on the philatelic market by "France Philatélie Ltd" or "France Philatélie 2000" – Mr Juan Carlo Montero.
These issues are neither authorized nor approved by the postal administration of the Republic of Niger, and as such are not valid for postage.

1 Great painters, with "PHILEXFRANCE" Logo
1 Eugène Delacroix miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 425 F
1 Eugène Delacroix block with 1 stamp at 2000 F
1 Toulouse Lautrec miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 250 F
1 Paul Gauguin miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 300 F
1 Renoir miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 375 F
1 Van Gogh miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 500 F
1 Van Gogh block with 2 stamps at 2000 F
1 Matisse miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 400 F
1 French Actors and Actresses miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 675 F

II. PAPAL VISIT TO AFRICA

1 miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 500 F
1 block with 2 stamps at 1500 F

III. EVENTS OF THE 20th CENTURY

1 miniature sheet (1900-1909) with 9 stamps at 225 F
1 miniature sheet (1910-1919) with 9 stamps at 225 F
1 miniature sheet (1920-1929) with 9 stamps at 225 F

IV. PRINCESS DIANA WITH NEW OVERPRINTS: FAMOUS PEOPLE RED CROSS -AIDS, ETC

1 miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 180 F
1 miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 180 F
1 block with 1 stamp at 2000 F
1 block with 1 stamp at 1500 F + 250 F (surcharge)
1 block with 1 stamp at 4000 F
1 block with 1 stamp at 4000 F

V. CHESS

1 block with 1 stamp at 725 F

VI. FRANK SINATRA

1 block with 1 stamp at 2000 F

VII. MARRIAGE OF PRINCE EDWARD TO SOPHIE RHYS-JONES

1 block with 1 stamp at 2000 F

VIII. SPACE HISTORY

1 Halley's Comet block with 1 stamp at 2000 F
1 John Glenn block with 1 stamp at 3000 F

IX. J.F. KENNEDY

1 miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 500 F

X. STAR WARS

1 miniature sheet with 9 stamps at 375 F
1 block with 1 stamp at 2000 F

Annex 2

'I have learned that during November 1999, issues of postage stamps purporting to be from the Republic of Niger were circulated on the international philatelic market by the companies France Philatélie Ltd and France Philatélie 2000, run by Mr Marino Montero.
I would advise readers that these issues were not approved by the postal administration of Niger and their sale could involve distributors' civil and criminal liability.'
These issues are as follows:

Events of the 20th century (1930 to 1939) 9 values at 375 F
Events of the 20th century (1940 to 1949) 9 values at 375 F
Events of the 20th century (1950 to 1959) 9 values at 375 F
Various cats 9 values: 10-20-30-40-50-100-200-300-500 F
Prehistoric animals 9 values: 10-20-30-40-50-100-200-300-500 F
Pandas 9 values: 10-20-30-40-50-100-200-300-500 F
Butterflies 6 values-10-30-50-100-300-500 F
Kennedy Space Center 9 values: 10-20-30-40-50-100-200-300-500 F Boats with NATO logo 4 values at 425 F
Boats with UPU logo 4 values at 875 F
Marilyn Monroe 9 values at 275 F
Marilyn Monroe on a bicycle 1 value at 2000 F
Cartoons 6 values: 10-30-50-100-300-500 F
Various dogs with scout movement logo 9 values at 100 F

For information:

New pirated postage stamps purporting to be from the Republic of Niger:

PINOCCHIO 9 values at 200 F
AMERICAN ACTORS 9 values at 400 F
EAGLES 9 values: 100-150-250-350-400-450-200-300-500 F
BUTTERFLIES 9 values: 100-150-250-350-400-450-200-300-500 F
MUSHROOMS 9 values: 100-150-250-350-400-450-200-300-500 F
TORTOISES 8 values overprinted CHINA 99 World Philatelic Exhibition
EVENTS OF THE 20th CENTURY (1960-1969) 9 values at 500 F
EVENTS OF THE 20th CENTURY (1970-1979) 9 values at 500 F
EVENTS OF THE 20th CENTURY (1980-1989) 9 values at 500 F

On November 28, 2005 the postal administration for Niger by request to K.J.S. MCKEOWN (Director of Markets) posted to the Universal Postal Union a circular warning of the discovery of more illegal stamps created with their country name that are on the market. The circular is number 388. You can view it in the linked file below:

UPU Circular Number 388 in English

UPU Circular Number 388 in French

The circular describes another number of the illegal stamps discovered , but it is a bit confusing. The annexed section is written in a French/English intermixed way so a lot of the names are misspelled and kind of jumbled together. It is odd that the director never proof read it before posting it.

The circulars describe numerous sets that were found to be on the market in 2000 and 2005. The issues described are all dated in between 1997 and 1999. Many more have and are being produced since that time. Most of the illegal stamps described in these circulars are still on the market today. They are available through private stamp dealers and their websites. They are available on eBay and Delcampe. They are everywhere! These illegal issues are fabrication of stamps that have never had any postal validity in Niger and have been denounced as fraudulent. They were and are created by certain greedy, unethical and immoral stamp dealers. Any stamp seller out there that offers these "stamps" either does not know they are illegal stamps or is deceitful and they should be avoided at all costs. The deceitful ones, like the ones I mentioned on the 1997 page, prey upon unknowing collectors new and old. They prey upon topical collectors mostly because the majority do not have the knowledge that they are worthless in the stamp market. Some are quite obvious because they have hundreds of lots available on eBay and other public auction venues.

For years now there has been arguments as to whether these issues should be imaged for public viewing. The against argument being that collectors that see images of them will want them for their collections. We can see by the availability on the market and the sales generated that this argument has not worked. By only relying on descriptions of the illegal stamps through the UPU circulars the majority of collectors don't even know what they are.

I am a firm advocate against illegal stamps and the creators of them and the sellers of them. Perspective buyers of them need more than UPU circulars to be alerted to the problem. They need to see them and be able to recognize them when they are searching for stamps to buy on the internet or at stamp shows or buying from local dealers.

Because I am independent and run a site that is very public for collectors, I have decided that it is time for someone to display images of these illegal issues that have and are being reported to the UPU. The countries that are being victimized by these fraudulent printers need help and the UPU is not enough. It is up to you and me to get the word out and to let everyone know and understand about them since auction venues, stamp societies and catalogs seem to want to ignore the problem. Some who sell these fakes are large volume stamp dealers with supposed impeccable reputations. Some are in high positions in the stamp societies and in the auction venues. They in turn are avoiding the very problem by allowing these kind of sellers to peddle this junk because they also sell legitimate stamps on a large scale. The only way to stop the flow is to hit them where it hurts.

If they are selling this junk then avoid them!
Even if they have legitimate stamps for sale. Buy from sellers that do not have these in their offerings. If you are buying legitimate stamps from them you are still supporting the illegal stamp trade because they are supporting it. Tell them that you do not want to buy from them because they sell illegal stamps. There is no excuse to make them available to anyone.

The following images are of illegal stamps produced for Niger. 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.

To find out what stamps are real and legitimate for Niger visit the UPU WNS website and look at the Niger section. Sadly because the system was not online until 2002, it does not help in identifying the early era illegal stamps. It does show from 2002 through 2010 what the official stamp issues were in accordance to what the postal authority said in the circular. One should not buy any other issues unless only paying pennies for them. Again, sadly, the country has gone "rouge" against all UPU guidelines for philatelic best practices in regards to stamp production and issuing. I for one would kick them out of the UPU if they continue on this path. The stamps produced to this day are not anything but made to profit from collectors and are 99% excessive of postal needs.

The Universal Postal Union WNS website

I have found the Colnect online catalog to be very helpful to verify legal stamp issues.

The Colnect Online Catalog for Niger

Check out their Illegal Stamp section as well. It is upgraded as of 2023 and shows counterfeits that may be missing here.

The Colnect Online Catalog Illegal Stamp Section for Niger

I have found the Stampworld.com Catalog to be very helpful as well.

The Stampworld Online Catalog for Niger

Here we go!

Many of the following illegal stamps can be found as imperforates and as color proof sets as well. Many exist on fake First Day Covers too.
Most times now (2020) the souvenir sheet sets and sheetlet sets are sold individually. Many times the stamps have been removed from the sheetlets and souvenir sheets. All of these "tactics" are used to avoid detection by UPU circular descriptions.

Sellers that call these "private", "locals", "Cinderella's", "unauthorized" are deceiving you. They are 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.

I will note the illegal stamps that are described in the circulars and/or noted in the Scott Catalog.

1998

In 1998 Impressor S.A. continues to produce stamps for Niger. Niger can be seen to want change as some issues in 1998 were printed by Cartor.

In 1998 the company Mayfair International and France Philatélie 2000 ramped up production of counterfeit illegal stamps to an extreme level. A major portion of the stamps produced by this company are described and denounced in the circulars. To this day associates to that company are still massively selling the illegal stamps on various venues, their websites and numerous other outlets. This must be ended. There is no denial that this company is behind it because they put their company logo on many of the following imaged counterfeit illegal stamps. To understand more about this company please visit the Niger Illegal Stamps Introduction Page.

1998 African Fashion Model Naomie Campbell History of Africa Souvenir Sheet of 4

This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 388.



1998 African Music History of Africa Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 388.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Cats Strip of 5

This strip is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
It is found in strips like this, broken into single stamps and as a souvenir sheet.


1998 Cats Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.

How many collectors and dealers were ripped off at the Israel '98 World Stamp Exhibition? How many others over the past 30 years to this day have and are still being ripped off?



1998 Cats Souvenir Sheet of 1 on Fake First Day Cover



1998 Chinese Horoscope Macao Return to China Souvenir Sheet of 9



1998 Chinese Horoscope Macao Return to China Souvenir Sheet of 1



1998 Chinese Horoscope Macao Return to China Souvenir Sheet of 1 on Fake First Day Cover

Why is a WWF cancel placed on this cover? The stamps have nothing to do with the WWF.



1998 Dogs with Scouts Logo Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194 and circular 388.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Elephants Souvenir Sheet of 5

Events of the 20th Century

In 1998 Mayfair International created this next huge set of counterfeit illegal stamps celebrating events. You can see on circular 194 that sheets of 9 are all described. One of the 2000F souvenir sheets (Frank Sinatra) is also described. In the Scott catalog it is slightly made more accurate. The Scott catalog note states:

Events of the 20th Century, 3 sheets of nine 225fr stamps, 2 sheets of nine 375fr stamps, 3 sheets of nine 500fr stamps, fourteen 225fr souvenir sheets, three 2000fr souvenir sheets.

Here we see Scott catalog missed one of the 375fr sheets of nine. They do note 14 of the souvenir sheets of one and note all three of the 2000fr souvenir sheets where the circular does not. Both missed that there are four sheets of nine of the 500fr value.

Yvert catalog is listing some of these despite the clear definition that they are illegal stamps. Why? This causes conflict and confusion.

What is most interesting about this set is the souvenir sheets of 1. This exact style with the Eiffel Tower background was used for illegal stamp sets made in the name of Guinea in 1998 and Chad in 1999. All denounced as illegal stamps. They are being sold individually and most of them are being sold by the same criminal stamp dealers. Prices range from $1.00 to $10.00 each! They are not worth 1c-10c. Tons were literally produced and all are counterfeit illegal stamps! Avoid!

1998 Events of the 20th Century 225F Souvenir Sheets of 9

These souvenir sheets are noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
These souvenir sheets are noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.
These souvenir sheets are inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.

1900-1909

1910-1919

1920-1929


I show just how big this production was. I do not have images of all of the souvenir sheets of 1, but do have images of most of them. Easy to tell by the background image on the sheets. If it is on it....it is illegal. The last image of the 225fr souvenir sheets shows a fake First Day Cover as well. They are not in any particular order.

1998 Events of the 20th Century 225F Souvenir Sheets of 1

These souvenir sheets are noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
These souvenir sheets are inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.
There were 27 different illegal stamp souvenir sheets produced.





1998 Events of the 20th Century 375F Souvenir Sheets of 9

Two of these souvenir sheets are noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
These souvenir sheets are noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.
These souvenir sheets are inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.

1930-1939

1940-1949

1950-1959


1998 Events of the 20th Century 375F Souvenir Sheets of 1 Examples

These souvenir sheets are inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.
There were 27 different illegal stamp souvenir sheets produced.



1998 Events of the 20th Century 500F Souvenir Sheets of 9

These souvenir sheets are noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
These souvenir sheets are noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.
These souvenir sheets are inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.

1960-1969

1970-1979

1980-1989

1990-2000


1998 Events of the 20th Century 500F Souvenir Sheets of 1 Examples

These souvenir sheets are inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.
There were 36 different illegal stamp souvenir sheets produced.



1998 Events of the 20th Century Akura Kurosawa 2000F Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Events of the 20th Century Frank Sinatra Princess Grace 2000F Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194 and circular 388.



1998 Events of the 20th Century Ferdinand von Zeppelin 2000F Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.



A huge series yes? A total of 93 souvenir sheets to complete the set. Even at $1.00 for every one you are looking at over $100.00 to obtain all of them. I guarantee it will cost you much more than that. A series being extensively sold by the main counterfeit dealers. Again, the advise is to avoid it and them at all costs!

1998 Ferrari Souvenir Sheet of 4

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
Noting this is part of the "Events of the 20th Century" series therefore proving the 1998 Ferrari stamps to be printed by Mayfair International.



1998 Ferrari Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.



1998 Ferrari Souvenir Sheet of 4 on Fake First Day Cover



1998 French and Italian Performers Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194 and circular 388.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



A problem happened with the 1998 World Wildlife Fund Gazella issue as well.

Niger 1998 Gazella World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Scott Catalog No. 986a
Issued October 21 1998 Printer is Unknown


First I must say it is odd that after all of these years, no catalog has posted the actual day of issue for this set. There are first day covers all over the place showing it! This shows irresponsibility by the editors for never "back checking" on stamps they list that have questions like this. They certainly are back checking all the classic issues constantly.

I could find no information on who the printer of this issue was. The design is a clue as well as the designer. Vasarhelyl which is imprinted at the bottom of each stamp was a designer for the British security printers like the Format Printers and the House of Questa. I have never seen this designer used on Impressor issues. We can see that the production of this issue was massive. Tons of perforated, CTO, Imperforate varieties exist, along with color proofs and a variety of sheet forms. This all points to the printer being The House of Questa.

The problem is the souvenir sheet was placed on the market without the WWF logo inscribed. It was not an error. It was purposely made. The WWF logo was inscribed on the black color proof sheet and would therefore have to be purposely removed from it to create the stamp without the logo. The same with the blue logo in all four corners of the souvenir sheet. Impossible without full removal from the blue color sheet. All stamps without the logo are from a souvenir sheet with added 1000F under the Republic du Niger at the bottom of the sheet. The last semi-postal Niger ever issued was in 1978. It is therefore a never issued nor authorized printing that should not exist. Again, being sold by main counterfeit illegal stamp dealers. Sorry, it is illegal.

1998 Gazella Souvenir Sheet of 4 Without WWF Logo

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.



Here is an image of a genuine color proof set. It shows you the printing process used to make the stamps.

Niger 1998 Gazella World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Genuine Color Proof Set



I found other suspicious doings with this issue as well. The first day covers. Here is a genuine FDC.

Niger 1998 Gazella World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on First Day Cover



Here is a FDC with that common stationary all the counterfeit illegal stamps are on.

Niger 1998 Gazella World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on Questionable First Day Cover



The reason it is questionable is the stationary for one and the cancel for the other. Look at the cancel comparison below then look at the covers again. Do you see what I see? The typeset is completely different on the questionable cancel. Look at the "O". There is no way you can make the "O" narrower on all the words by the way it was canceled nor by the difference in image taking. Also the cancel is much bolder. If I were spending my money on a choice, I would 100% buy the official FDC's over the now shown to be shady FDC's. Wouldn't you? Remember these freaks have been relentless in creating fake stamps, first day covers and anything else they can rip you off with. The "questionable" cancel is obviously a cheap imitation of the genuine cancel.
Again, don't take my word for it. do your own comparisons with what is offered. Oh, and look at who is offering what while your at it. These "questionable" FDC's were first offered by none other than isabeldelatour1949 on Delcampe. Sadly, the evidence is gone on Delcampe now. But I have retained it.



Then we have the Greenpeace issue. They were produced by this Mayfair International. First off the Scott catalog does not list the souvenir sheet of 8.

1998 Greenpeace Turtles Souvenir Sheet of 8



Scott catalog does list the souvenir sheet of 4.

Niger 1998 Greenpeace Turtles
Scott Catalog No. 976a
Issued 1998 Printer is Mayfair International Ltd.


I guess the souvenir sheet of 8 did not sell well so an overprint saying "CHINA 99 World Philatelic Exhibition" was placed on it without authorization and thus the creation of another illegal stamp souvenir sheet meant to rip off collectors at the exhibition along with future collectors to this day!

1998 Greenpeace Turtles Souvenir Sheet of 8 with CHINA 99 Overprints

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.



1998 History of Boats in the 20th Century and the Ancient Navigators Eric Tabarly Souvenir Sheet of 2

This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 History of Boats in the 20th Century and the Ancient Navigators Eric Tabarly Souvenir Sheet of 2 on Fake First Day Cover



1998 Horses Souvenir Sheet of 5



1998 Martin Luther King Abolition of Slavery Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
Look at how many topics are placed on this one souvenir sheet. Created to rip off as many topical collectors as possible.



1998 Martin Luther King Abolition of Slavery Souvenir Sheet of 1 on Fake First Day Cover



1998 Owls Souvenir Sheet of 1

PAINTINGS

Both the Scott catalog notes and the circular 194 are close in agreement on the following illegal stamps on the topic of paintings.
Yvert catalog is listing some of these despite the clear definition that they are illegal stamps. Why? This causes conflict and confusion.
We can see that to this day these illegal stamps are still being massively sold, again, namely by these same counterfeit illegal stamp dealers. To show you just how massively produced they are (and are probably still being reproduced), here is another shocking image.

1998 Paintings by Eugene Delacroix Souvenir Sheet of 9 Bulk Sale of 1000 Copies

This was sold on eBay on April 10, 2020 for $22.00. This means the buyer got them for 2c each! The cto copies have and are being sold for $1.00 to $5.00 each. The mint from $1.00 to $20.00! This image alone shows you their true value. Because they are illegal stamps, they are worthless. They are counterfeit stamps mass produced by a counterfeit illegal stamp producer bent on ripping you off! Avoid all of them and the dealers who sell them.



1998 Paintings by Eugene Delacroix Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Paintings by Eugene Delacroix Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.

Noting that the Scott catalog notes state this is a 200fr souvenir sheet in error.



1998 Paintings by Gauguin Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Paintings by Vincent Van Gogh Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Paintings by Vincent Van Gogh Souvenir Sheet of 2

This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.
Noting this souvenir sheet was not noted in Scott catalog.



1998 Paintings by Henri Matisse Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Paintings by Henri Matisse Souvenir Sheet of 3

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Paintings by Pierre Auguste Renoir Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Parrots Souvenir Sheet of 9



1998 Pinocchio Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194 and 388.



1998 Pope John Paul II Visit to Africa Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 388.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Pope John Paul II Visit to Africa Souvenir Sheet of 2

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 388.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Pope John Paul II Visit to Africa Souvenir Sheet of 2 on Fake First Day Cover



1998 Pope John Paul II Visit to Africa Souvenir Sheets of 1

These souvenir sheets are inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.
Noting these are not noted in Scott catalog.



These next four souvenir sheets are a bit confusing for some collectors. Namely because one souvenir sheet was authorized that is a 750fr value in 1999 that came from this "series". The series called "History of Boats in the 20th Century and the Ancient Navigators". You already saw one illegal stamp souvenir sheet that has been denounced above. The Eric Tabarly Souvenir Sheet of 2. Here is the supposed genuine souvenir sheet that was issued in 1999, even though the year inscribed is 1998. All of them were printed by Mayfair International.

It appears like every stamp this company made in the name of Niger has a problem yes? Here is an image of the listed souvenir sheet.

Niger 1999 History of Boats in the 20th Century and the Ancient Navigators Sailing
Scott Catalog No. 1012
Issued 1999 Printer is Mayfair International Ltd.


I could find no usage of this souvenir sheet,no first day covers of the "issued" stamps, not even a CTO copy! Again the catalog only says issued in 1999. Again we have something odd going on even with the supposed issued souvenir sheet. Now here are the illegal stamps.

1998 History of Boats in the 20th Century and the Ancient Navigators 300fr Famous Sailing Ships Souvenir Sheet of 4

This 300fr souvenir sheet is not noted in Scott catalog nor in the circulars.

Although this 300fr souvenir sheet is not listed nor its existence even acknowledged in Scott and Stanley Gibbons catalogs, it is listed in both Michel (1464-1467) and Yvert (1158-1161). Why? This causes confusion and conflict.



1998 History of Boats in the 20th Century and the Ancient Navigators 425fr Cruise Ship and Power Boats Souvenir Sheet of 4

This 425fr souvenir sheet is not noted in Scott catalog nor in the circulars.
Circular 194 does list this "value" in error when describing the "Boats with NATO Logo" souvenir sheet.

Although this 425fr souvenir sheet is not listed nor its existence even acknowledged in Scott and Stanley Gibbons catalogs, it is listed in both Michel (1468-1471) and Yvert (1162-1165). Why? This causes confusion and conflict.



1998 History of Boats in the 20th Century and the Ancient Navigators 525fr Naval Ships with NATO Logo Souvenir Sheet of 4

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.

This is the souvenir sheet circular 194 lists the wrong value for.



1998 History of Boats in the 20th Century and the Ancient Navigators 875fr Sailing Ships with UPU Logo Souvenir Sheet of 4

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.



The problem with this 1999 dating is there are fake first day covers dating these illegal stamps to July 23, 1998. Why?
The Scott catalog editors and all editors need to take another look at this....

1998 History of Boats in the 20th Century and the Ancient Navigators Illegal Stamps on Fake First Day Covers

The 300fr souvenir sheet and 975fr stamps on these fake first day covers are the illegal stamps shown above. I could find no FDC's with the "issued" stamps. See the Trains and Locomotives series below for more understanding of this problem.



Next we have Space topical illegal stamps. These first two are admitted to being designed by none other than Lollini. Their logo boldly placed on both. Lollini being a notorious Space topic counterfeit illegal stamp dealer that is still running to this day.

1998 Space Events in the 20th Century Halley's Comet 2000fr Futuristic Spacecraft Lollini Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.



1998 Space Events in the 20th Century John Glenn 3000fr Dinosaur Lollini Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.

Noting the Scott catalog states both souvenir sheets are 2000fr in error.



1998 Space Events in the 20th Century Star Wars The Phantom Menace Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.

Note the Space Events topic series is inscribed on this set as well but without the Lollini logo.



1998 Space Events in the 20th Century Star Wars The Phantom Menace Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 194.



1998 Space Events in the 20th Century Star Wars The Phantom Menace Deluxe Souvenir Sheets of 1

These deluxe souvenir sheets are not noted in Scott catalog nor the circulars.



Then we have the Titanic topic. Here again we have Mayfair International printing a whole set of souvenir sheets that are noted in Scott catalog as unauthorized. This first souvenir sheet also belonging to the History of Boats series.
Four of the five single stamp souvenir sheets are simply "blow-ups" of the single stamps on this first souvenir sheet. Noting the Portugal '98 Stamp Expo logo is placed on all of the single stamp souvenir sheets. I wonder how many collectors got ripped off at that expo. Noting over and over again the same counterfeit illegal stamp dealers are still selling them to this day. An endless supply must exist for them to do this for over 30 years now. Oh yes, that is right, counterfeit producer and distributors.....all still here in 2020. They need to be removed permanently.

1998 History of Boats in the 20th Century and the Ancient Navigators 650fr Titanic Souvenir Sheet of 4

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 History of Boats in the 20th Century and the Ancient Navigators 2500fr Titanic Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Titanic Souvenir Sheets of 1 with PORTUGAL '98 Logo

These souvenir sheets are noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
These souvenir sheets are inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.
These souvenir sheets are cheaply made "blow-ups" from the above souvenir sheet of four.

Yvert catalog is listing these as 1092-1095 despite the clear definition that they are illegal stamps. Why? This causes conflict and confusion.

Sheet 1


Sheet 2


Sheet 3


Sheet 4


Here we have this International Collector Society again, making complete false claims on their certificates of authenticity. This company was involved in so many promotions of illegal stamps for so many of the victimized countries that there is no way the management of that company was not directly connected with the counterfeit stamp producer. All of these people remain silent because if their associations were proven in public, they would all be taken down for defrauding thousands and thousands of collectors and dealers worldwide for many years. All of these people should never be trusted by anyone in any field of collecting like coins, stamps, memorabilia and so forth because they have proven themselves to be liars, cons and deceitful dealers in all ways.

1998 Titanic Souvenir Sheet of 1 with PORTUGAL '98 Logo with Bogus Certificate of Authenticity

These are being offered to this day in 2020 as authentic stamps. There is no "limit" to this stamp and it has never been recognized by any postal authority as an official legal tender postage stamp ever! Avoid!



Next we have the Trains problem. Again this Mayfair International produces unauthorized and illegal stamps.

Just like the History of Boats series, this series has the same problem. Supposedly some were authorized and issued in 1999. The way things are looking as you can see I am wondering if this Mayfair International even had a "real" contract with Niger at all! That should be investigated fully by the UPU.

Here are the souvenir sheets that are listed in the Scott catalog as issued.
Noting all are inscribed with the year date 1998.

Niger 1999 Trains and Locomotives of the World
Scott Catalog No. 1013-1017
Issued 1999 Printer is Mayfair International Ltd.


We have a serious problem with the issue dating. Scott Catalog states issued in 1999. Yet we have FDC's dating July 23, 1998. I have found other catalogs dating them in 1998. Unlike where I could find no FDC's with the "issued" souvenir sheet of the History of Boats series, Here are some FDC's with the "issued" souvenir sheets from the Trains and Locomotives series. I note they are on cheaply made stationary and use the same cancel device as on the fake FDC's.

1998 Trains and Locomotives of the World Listed Stamps on First Day Covers



What is of more interest is that I could find none of the denounced as illegal souvenir sheets or stamps from the Trains and Locomotives series on FDC's. So this is the exact opposite of what is found with the History of Boats series.

Now here are the souvenir sheets that are denounced as illegal stamps.

1998 Trains Souvenir Sheet of 9

This souvenir sheet is noted and denounced as illegal in circular 388.



1998 Trains and Locomotives of the World 650fr Souvenir Sheet of 4

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.

Yvert catalog is listing these as 1239-1242 despite the clear definition that they are illegal stamps. Why? This causes conflict and confusion.



1998 Trains and Locomotives of the World 2500fr Souvenir Sheet of 1

This souvenir sheet is noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
This souvenir sheet is inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



1998 Trains and Locomotives of the World 3000fr Souvenir Sheets of 1

These souvenir sheets are noted as unauthorized in the Scott Catalog.
These souvenir sheets are inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



Finally we have the Year of the Tiger issue. Another large series with three souvenir sheets of 9 and five souvenir sheets of 1. The problem is there is no 500fr souvenir sheets listed in Scott Catalog. Yet the three souvenir sheets were produced and placed on to the market. Each souvenir sheet is a "blow-up" of the single Tiger stamp from each of the souvenir sheets of 9. No catalog lists them. As shown with the Titanic issue above, the same thing went on with this set.

1998 Year of the Tiger 500fr Souvenir Sheets of 1

These souvenir sheets are inscribed with the Mayfair International Logo.



Then the producer modified one of them for the SINGPEX '98 Stamp Exhibition. Also not listed meaning not authorized meaning
ILLEGAL STAMP

1998 Year of the Tiger 500fr Inscribed SINGPEX '98 Souvenir Sheet of 1



Along with a fake First Day Cover. Again, I wonder how many were ripped off at that exhibition. Being sold to this day by yes, you guessed it, the same counterfeit illegal stamp dealers.

1998 Year of the Tiger 500fr Inscribed SINGPEX '98 Souvenir Sheet of 1 on Fake First Day Cover



The production of counterfeit illegal stamps in the name of Niger reduces in 1998. The majority of them that are described in the circulars and Scott catalog still carry the inscribed Mayfair International Ltd. logo.

View Next Page here!

Return to Niger Illegal Stamps Introduction Page here

References taken from:
U.P.U. Circular No. 194 and 388
Major Stamp Catalogs
Internet Research

All Content Copyright © 2020 Golowe's Collector Stamps, All Rights Reserved

Visit Illegal Stamps Introduction