Undesirable Stamps

Hi all,

I found "Stamps We Should Better Avoid" and "Stamps We Should Resist" lists of Philatelic Webmaster Organization (PWO) http://www.pwmo.org/articles/resist...d-stamps.htm

Anybody have most recent list ? The one on PWO is from 2001 :(

Another question to topical collector.
Do you resist any stamp which are fit to your thematic or buy everything: Cinderella, commercial, private issued, illegal stamp ?

These stamps used to be referred to as "Blacklisted" stamps. Some of the catalogue publisher and magazines would list some of the countries they felt, from readers complaints etc, were issuing too many stamps and making horrifically high face value ones just for selling to collectors.

Not sure if mags do that any more or not?

Chimo

Bujutsu

Collectors should simply collect what they like and reject what they don't like.

I personally find Mr. Bengt Bengtsson's list RIDICULOUS. I mean seriously, avoiding all Bhutan stamps after 1964???!! While I have very few Bhutan stamps, Bhutan has definitely been at the forefront of innovative stamps issues over the years. And that's not the only one that I find surprising. There are far worst "culprits" that didn't make the list.

I think it is silly for a stamp magazine to waste any space printing out lists of stamp issuing entities/countries/topics to avoid. Giving background/problems is useful. But publishing a blanket black-list...???

I don't have any problems with collectors discussing why they like/reject certain stamps. That's what forum discussions are for. But in the end, collect/reject what you want, the way you want, and enjoy it -- because it is YOUR stamp collection!

No need to delete your original posts. I am not the forum police and I saw nothing wrong with your post. As I stated, the forum is for expressing opinions. It was clear why you did not like that stamp. I also thought your quip at the end was funny.

My post was regarding the publishing of blanket "black-lists" with little or no information regarding the background/reasoning for the wholesale black-listing of a country or stamp-issuing entity.

It is better to list out what that country does, and then let the collector decide whether or not they want to collect those stamps.

My opinion.

Hi khj,

for sure every collector is completely free to decide what to collect and what to reject.
However I find it useful, especially for junior or new collectors, to know a market situation and be aware which stamp might be rejected on exhibition.

BTW, anybody knows any other "Black List" ?
Are any limitation of stamp people allowed to use on philatelic exhibitions ?

If a judge is using that kind of criteria, without regard to the topic of the stamp exhibit, I would say the judge is extremely biased and doing a great disservice for beginning collectors. It is also a great disservice to those willing to spend the time researching those "black-listed" areas.

The judge is basically saying, don't even bother with any sort of exhibit regarding postal history during times of confusion/conflict in these countries/regions. Don't bother with any sort of exhibit regarding using stamps by countries/groups to establish legitimacy or raising funds. Don't bother with any exhibits regarding the use of topicals to attract collectors. Don't bother with any exhibits regarding the deliberate production of EFOs and their distribution networks... I wouldn't be surprised if this judge would have junked the Witt Collection.

When I look at exhibits, I readily admit that I'm one of those who likes to look at the ones the usually don't come close to winning. When I see an exhibit simply showing off high-priced stamps -- well, I pretty much see these things at various dealer tables over the years; the only thing special is seeing them all together at one time on a board.

But then I see some really interesting exhibits showing stamps/topics that are NOT readily seen nor read in the literature. These exhibits clearly show a labor of love in both stamp examples and information. I always find it disappointing to hear of a judge openly discouraging exhibits in certain areas of philately or setting up boundaries between "worthy" and "not worthy". I remember one display on Christmas stamps, with the stamps arranged like a Christmas tree. Obviously not an award winner, but it was both a fun and interesting display, and the collector clearly enjoyed making it.

I think you brought up a very very good topic. I say forget what the professional judge wants you to exhibit. Let the collectors chime in regarding what they think they would like or not like. Make the exhibit that interests you -- actually winning the competition probably isn't as important as the opportunity to exhibit and talk about the stamps that you like.

My opinion. Interesting topic. I'll shut up now before I get on the judge's black-list.

k

Most stamps issued today by the worlds postal services are for collectors and yet I see no mention of these.
In the UK, just about every issue is for collectors and will never be found in a post Office.

The issues talked about on the website linked to in the initial post are bogus and have been around for years, nothing new. I agree with khj, collect what you like.
Recently, Internet auction site Delcampe have cracked down on these type of issues and have warned sellers to list them in a new section for these 'types' or be banned.

I had a quick look around the PWO website and at random I clicked on Chad. What a laugh that was !
I found a letter from the Chadian Authorities to the UPU complaining about illegal issues and there was a part-list of the items they were concerned about. That is fine.
But on the other hand, Chad is/was notorious for excessive issuing policies purely to raise finds from collectors. Is that OK ?

Finally, and I know I have said before on SCF many times, SG SoTW catalogues list an 'Appendix' after some nations listings and state:
"The following stamps have either been issued in excess of postal needs or have not been available to the public in reasonable quantities at face value".

A sadly hypocritcal statement in this day and age when most stamps are issued for collectors and are most definitely not readily available !

Londonbus1

Hi Londonbus1,

I don't know about situation on UK, but in Germany it's different. Every new stamp in on sale at post offices. Most of them have regular face value. Each new stamp is presented on special event.

Moreover, I think there a some difference between stamps used to commemorate some person, event or date somehow related to a country and stamps issued without any relation to it.

At my eyes most of stamps issued by countries like Guinea, Benin, Congo, Togo, Comoros, Guyana .... are more labels than stamps. Most of them have very high face values and never used for post purpose. I also doubt if they sale inside of the countries at all. They use most popular motives and issue stamp in huge quantities.

Hi all, just joined this group and slowly going through the topics. Just had to state that the stamps issued by Guyana are made available at various Post Offices in the country (but not all. The main reasons for not finding many used are:-
1) the tendency to be high face value means the will only be used on parcels or international mail(last time I was there it was $100 for a letter to the UK and $20 internally).
2) the small population although a quite large country it only has about 600,000 people.
I have a few envelopes that have been genuinely posted bearing stamps such as the disney issues, and when I have been there I have sent many letters and postcards using these stamps so that I could get them postaly used.

regards
Martyn

Hi Martyn,

in case you have some letter from Guyana with stamps of dinosaurs or any other prehistoric animals, went through register post, please shre it with us either here: http://goscf.com/t/14431 or there: http://goscf.com/t/20964

regards,
Michael.

"Quote:

Most stamps issued today by the worlds postal services are for collectors and yet I see no mention of these.
In the UK, just about every issue is for collectors and will never be found in a post Office."


Not sure where Londonbus1 lives in the UK but here in Bournemouth on the south coast EVERY Post Office has a supply of the new stamps on the day of issue. Yes they are aimed at collectors and they have too many high values but they are available.

Regards
Martyn