SOMALIA ILLEGAL STAMPS
2002

Information and Reference of Counterfeit Illegal Stamps in the name of Somalia Dating 2002

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 2002 I.P.Z.S. produced 16 unauthorized stamp sets. None are listed in the 2005 UPU circular. None are listed in Scott nor Stanley Gibbons catalogs. They are only listed in Michel and Yvert catalogs. 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?

Somalia 2002 World Football Cup Michel 927-930 BL 86 and 87
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 World Football Cup Michel BL 86 and 87 on First Day Covers
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Playing Cards Michel 933-936 BL 88
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Guglielmo Marconi Michel 938-940 BL 89
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Monkeys Michel 942-944 BL 90
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Prehistoric Drawings Michel 946-948 BL 91
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Space Stations Michel 950-953 BL 92
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Frogs Michel 955-957 BL 93
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Artistic Gymnastics Michel 959-961
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Mushrooms Michel 962-965 BL 94
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Parigi Dakar Rally Michel 967-970 BL 95
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Praying Mantis Michel 972-974 BL 96
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Ancient Lighthouses Michel 976-978
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Old Ships Michel 979-981 BL 97
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Flowers Orchids Michel 983-990
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Spiders Michel 991-993 BL 98
NOT ISSUED Printer was Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato


Somalia 2002 Sail Flying Michel 995-997
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.

2002

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 2002 the producer increased production of counterfeit illegal stamps in the name of Somalia and its regions. Literally doubling if not tripling the number of counterfeits compared to the previous year. In this year creating numerous large series in both "types". Recently in the research I came across a Stampboards thread on the subject of Somalia stamps. In that thread I read many different views and opinions by the members. Certain members obviously know nothing about the illegal stamps and wanted to claim that Stamperija made them or that they were made in Cuba of all things! Neither member was correct. They were made in the UK by a counterfeit producer bent on making as much profit as possible from unknowing victims and that family to this day continues this problem with many other countries.

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"

2002 Birds Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 6



2002 Birds Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Butterflies Orchids Mushrooms and Fauna Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



Here we have two different series called "Cats of the World" with Baden Powell and Scout logos added. Most appear to be only available on the Avion website (ex Stampdile) thus the terrible images. Again I continue to repeat, all are worthless because they are counterfeit illegal stamps!

2002 Cats of the World Series 1 Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 4



2002 Cats of the World Series 2 Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1

Found one for sale in an auction venue that has a good image to prove year date.



In 2002 the British producer created three groups of different dinosaur related counterfeits using these types of inscriptions.

2002 Dinosaurs with Rotary International logos Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 6





2002 Dinosaurs with Rotary International logos Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1





2002 Dinosaurs with Scouts logos and Baden Powell Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Dinosaurs with Scouts logos and Baden Powell Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Dinosaurs Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



2002 Elvis Presley Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 2



2002 Fire Engines Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 9



2002 Fire Engines Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



2002 Golf Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 4



2002 Golf Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



2002 Horses of the World Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 4



2002 Horses of the World Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



This Icons of the 20th Century series is massive. The counterfeit producer started them in 2001. The Elvis Presley, Princess Diana and Walt Disney sets found on this page belong to this series as well.

2002 Icons of the 20th Century Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 9



2002 Icons of the 20th Century Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



In 2002 the British counterfeit producer created a mass of paintings related counterfeit illegal stamps.

2002 Paintings Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Paintings by Alfred Sisley Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Paintings by Berthe Morisot Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Paintings by Berthe Morisot Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Paintings by Berthe Morisot Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Paintings by Cezanne Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Paintings by Cezanne Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Paintings by Eugene Boudin Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Paintings by Eugene Boudin Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Paintings by Marc Chagall Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Paintings by Monet Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Paintings by Monet Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Paintings by Pablo Picasso Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Paintings by Renoir Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Paintings by Salvador Dali Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Paintings by Van Gogh Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Paintings by Van Gogh Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Portraits of Locomotives Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 6



2002 Portraits of Locomotives Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



2002 Princess Diana Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 2



In 2002 the British counterfeit producer created a "Rock Legends" series.

2002 Rock Legends Aerosmith Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Rock Legends Aerosmith Steven Tyler Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Rock Legends David Bowie Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Rock Legends Elton John Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Rock Legends Elton John Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Rock Legends Jimi Hendrix Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Rock Legends Lenny Kravitz Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Rock Legends Madonna Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Rock Legends Madonna Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Rock Legends Michael Jackson Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Rock Legends Prince Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Rock Legends The Beatles Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Rock Legends The Rolling Stones Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Rock Legends The Rolling Stones Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Roses Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 6



2002 Roses Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



Then he produced this massive train related set!

2002 Trains of China Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 4



2002 Trains of China Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



2002 Trains of France Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 4



2002 Trains of France Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



2002 Trains of Great Britain Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 4



2002 Trains of Great Britain Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



2002 Trains of India Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 4



2002 Trains of India Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



2002 Trains of Russia Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Trains of Russia Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Trains of South America Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Trains of South America Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Trains of Switzerland Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Trains of Switzerland Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Vintage Diesel Locomotives Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 9



2002 Walt Disney Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 2



2002 Wild Animals Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Wild Animals Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



2002 Wild Cats Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Wild Cats Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



2002 World Cup Soccer Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 3

Noting that fake color proof sets exist for these. Also noting the weird single issue with color proof set at the bottom of the second image. Exclusive to the Avion website.
Of course......




You can see the producer dramatically increased production of these types in 2002.

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 increases dramatically.

2002 Andy Warhol Paintings Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Andy Warhol Paintings Marilyn Monroe Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1

Keep note on this souvenir sheet as a very interesting development involving this sheet happens in 2003.



2002 Bonsai Trees Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Brigitte Bardot Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Cactus Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Cars Cadillac Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Cats Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Christmas Fairy Tales Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 9




2002 Christmas Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Christmas Pinocchio and Snow White Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Christmas Teddy Bears Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Classic Trains Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Dinosaurs Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Dogs Terrier Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Dutch Royal Wedding Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Elvis Presley Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Ferrari Michael Schumacher Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Formula I Japan Takuma Sato Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Halle Berry in James Bond Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 High Speed Trains Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1



2002 Horses Year of the Horse Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 International Year of Mountains Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Jayne Mansfield Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Jennifer Lopez Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 9




2002 Kylie Minogue Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Legacy of Chiune Sugihara Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Marilyn Monroe Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 9



2002 Minerals Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Minerals and Space Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Monkeys Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Orchids Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 9




2002 Owls Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Owls Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1





2002 Paintings by Amedeo Modigliani Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Paintings by Edouard Manet Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Paintings by Marc Chagall Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Paintings by Paul Cezanne Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Paintings by Picasso Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Paintings by Renoir Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Paintings by Tamara Lempicka Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Paintings by Vincent Van Gogh Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Penguins Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Pope John Paul II in Toronto Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Princess Diana Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Princess Diana Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1






2002 Scouting Leonardo di Caprio and Robert de Niro Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Scouts Norman Rockwell Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Shania Twain Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



Here we go with the Lollini Space junk again. Look how many topics these people try to put in one souvenir sheet. Fully geared to rake in as many victims as they can fool into buying these counterfeit goods.

2002 Space Lollini Produced Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 4



2002 Space Lollini Produced Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 1




2002 The Beatles Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 1



2002 Top Models Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 4



2002 Trains Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



2002 Twin Towers New York City Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheets of 9



Then finally we have this glut of counterfeits on the topic of wild animals being sold pretty much exclusively by our favorite counterfeit illegal stamp dealer in the UK.

2002 Wild Animals Illegal Stamps



Along with this illegal souvenir sheet.

2002 Wildlife Illegal Stamp Souvenir Sheet of 9



What a huge amount of counterfeit illegal stamps yes?

In 2003 the British producer reduces the number of counterfeit illegal stamps in the name of Somalia but tries some other dirty deeds. I.P.Z.S. continued to produce stamps without authorization as well but 2003 is the last year they do this.

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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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