Comoros - Illegal Issues of Postage Stamps

UNIVERSAL

POSTAL UNION

Berne, 17 December 2001

International Bureau Circular

 514 

Dear Sir/Madam

The administration of the COMOROS asks me to inform you that the MWEZINET Association, which is its representative for the promotion and sale of Comoros stamps, has discovered stamps bearing the inscription "Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros" on an Internet website.

The themes identified feature:

- The film “Titanic”

- Babe Ruth

- Muhammad Ali

The Comorian administration confirms that it has not issued or authorized these series of stamps and miniature sheets, which it regards as illegal products.

Faced with this worrying situation, and since the National PTT Company (SNPT) of Comoros, is unable to identify the printer that produced these products, it is appealing for UPU member countries’ invaluable cooperation to effectively combat the illegal stamp issues with which its administration is often confronted.

A complete description of these stamps is given in the annex.

Yours faithfully,
K J S McKEOWN
Director of Communications and Markets

Annex

Description of the illegal stamps bearing the inscription "Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros" denounced and declared null and void by the National PTT Company (SNPT) of Comoros

- One sheetlet of 9 stamps featuring the American baseball player Babe Ruth, with a face value of 375 CF, issued in 1998.

- One sheetlet of 9 stamps featuring a scene from the film "Titanic", with a face value of 375 CF, issued in 1998.

- One miniature sheet of 9 stamps featuring characters from the film "Titanic”, with a face value of 1175 CF, issued in 1998.

- One sheetlet of 9 stamps featuring the boxer Muhammad Ali, with a face value of 300 CF, issued in 1998.

- One sheetlet of 9 stamps featuring the American baseball player Babe Ruth, with a face value of 375 CF, issued in 1998.

- One sheetlet of 9 stamps featuring a scene from the film "Titanic", with a face value of 375 CF, issued in 1998.

- One miniature sheet of 9 stamps featuring characters from the film "Titanic”, with a face value of 1175 CF, issued in 1998.

- One sheetlet of 9 stamps featuring the boxer Muhammad Ali, with a face value of 300 CF, issued in 1998.

More information about the illegal issues can be obtained directly from the UPU, Mrs. Maria Libera.

Published: 01/02/2001. Revised: 12/07/02.
Copyright © 2002 by PWO and
by Victor Manta, Switzerland.
All rights reserved worldwide.