SOMALIA ILLEGAL STAMPS
1999

Information and Reference of Counterfeit Illegal Stamps in the name of Somalia Dating 1999

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 that 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



As is my standard, first I will show you the "official" stamp issues. These should still be considered to be abusive stamps even though they are considered official in the circular. Namely because there are a ton of them on the market and very few in Somalia as noted by visitors to the Somali post in recent times. I note that in this year 2020 Somali Post is still using them with verification that no new stamp issues have been made for Somalia since 1999.

In 1999 Somalia officially issued 13 stamp sets according to circular 328.

Somalia 1999 Orchids Michel 735-738
Issued May 28, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Arabian Horsemen Michel 739-741
Issued May 28, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Animals for Hunting Michel 742-744 BL 58
Issued May 28, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Parrots Michel 746-748 BL 59
Issued May 28, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Hot Air Balloons Michel 750-752 BL 60
Issued May 28, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Caterpillars Michel 754-756 BL 61
Issued May 28, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Vintage Cars Michel 758-761 BL 62
Issued May 28, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Tennis Michel 767-769
Issued November 26, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Explorers Vikings Phoenicians Arabs and Egyptians Michel 770-773
Issued November 26, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Love Stamps Michel 774-775
Issued November 26, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Signs of the Zodiac Michel 776-787 BL 63
Issued November 26, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Whales Michel 789-792 BL 64
Issued November 26, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 1999 Molluscs Michel 794-796 BL 65
Issued November 26, 1999 Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


This is where the conflict between circular 328 and the Michel and Yvert catalogs begins. Because the following issue and all I.P.Z.S. issues made through 2003 are not listed in circular 328 they are considered unauthorized printings. Because of the massive quantity placed on the market it is obvious what this company did. They continued to print stamps for a postal system that was not even functioning. This is and was abusive to collectors who they were obviously targeting and it places all of them as illegal productions. Prove that this company had a valid contract to produce them and proof of usage (which is obviously impossible) and we can change the status of them on this page and the subsequent 2000-2003 pages. I must note again that stamp catalog editors are not authorities by any means on what stamps are valid and official which has been proven time and time again. Namely that as stated by several,
"We cannot afford to do full research on postage stamps."
This means they take the word of agencies and dealers many times without verifying them with the country of origins postal administrations. Some of these agencies and dealers have been proven to be liars and are corrupt to the core with every intent to get unauthorized, unissued, counterfeit and forged stamps listed in the catalogs purely to legitimize and make profits from them. I have seen this and dealt with it several times to the point of getting newly listed forgeries delisted.

Somalia 1999 Airmail Michel 763-766
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


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.

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.

1999

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 1999 the producer created yet another flurry of counterfeit illegal stamps in the name of Somalia and its regions.

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.

Counterfeit Illegal Stamps Inscribed "SOMALI REPUBLIC"

1999 African Fauna Animals Illegal Stamp Set of 3



1999 Dogs Illegal Stamp Set of 6



1999 Dogs Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Fire Engines Illegal Stamp Set of 6



1999 Fire Engines Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Fire Engines Illegal Stamp Set of 6 and the Souvenir Sheet on Fake First Day Covers

I wonder who produced the page these are mounted on. A clue to the source of these counterfeits.



1999 Locomotives Illegal Stamp Set of 6



1999 Locomotives Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Paintings Illegal Stamp Set of 6



1999 Paintings Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Parrots Illegal Stamp Set of 6



1999 Parrots Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Prehistoric Animals Dinosaurs Illegal Stamp Set of 6



1999 Prehistoric Animals Dinosaurs Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Rabbits Chinese Lunar Year Illegal Stamp Set of 6



1999 Rabbits Chinese Lunar Year Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Scouts Illegal Stamp Set of 6



1999 Scouts Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Shells Illegal Stamp Set of 6



1999 Shells Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Wild Animals Illegal Stamp Set of 6



1999 Wild Animals Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1

Counterfeit Illegal Stamps Inscribed "SOMALIA"

As stated in the beginning of this page the British counterfeit producer began creating this new style of counterfeit illegal stamps in 1998. You will see in this and the following pages that the production of this type increases dramatically.

1999 British Painters Paintings Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



1999 Butterflies Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



1999 Cars Pantera Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



1999 Eugene Delacroix Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Fish Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



1999 Greenpeace Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4

Note the criminal usage of their trademark. These people were found guilty of stealing the Teletubbies and Star Wars logos. Did it stop them? No, they just got worse...



1999 High Speed Trains Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



1999 Japanese Cars and Motorcycles Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



1999 Japanese Crafts Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



1999 Millenium Christmas Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Minerals Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



1999 Paintings by Pablo Picasso Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



1999 Paintings by Pierre Auguste Renoir Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



1999 Queen Elizabeth Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



1999 Rabbits Year of the Rabbit Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



1999 Rugby World Cup Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



1999 Scout Badges and Awards Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 16



1999 Seals Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



1999 Soccer Football Champions Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 8



1999 Soccer Football Champions Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



The following counterfeit Space related souvenir sheets and covers were inspired and created for and by the Lollini company. These counterfeit producing clowns are connected. One printing for the other and the other selling for the one. Avoid!

1999 Space Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 7



1999 Space Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 6



1999 Space Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



As you can see these are designed to draw as much money out of collectors as possible. So, because you don't see the Lollini logo on the counterfeit souvenir sheets you do not think they are involved? Think again, these cons have been around for decades!

1999 Space Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets on Fake Canceled Covers signed by Lollini



1999 The Beatles and Queen Elizabeth Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



1999 Tiger Woods Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



In 2000 the British producer continues production of counterfeit illegal stamps in the name of Somalia. I.P.Z.S. continued to produce stamps without authorization as well.....

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Return to Somalia Illegal Stamps Introduction Page here

References taken from:
UPU Circular 328
Major Stamp Catalogs
Internet Research

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