Who collects the fantasy stamps of self-declared States?

[norvic]

It's a fantastic place, in the literal meaning.

[Ubobo.R.O.]

A recent arrival to Maggie Mailbox.

[Panterra]

Northwest Beach, near Kakariki, Waikoa Island.

In 2019, Waikoa Island issued a set of 15 stamps, for fiscal use primarily. Each is printed by typography in two colours on glossy white paper, and perf 12.

Although primarily for tax purposes, they can also be used on mail, as high-value stamps are not printed on the island.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 7 tanos.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 42 tanos.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 4.25 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 6.25 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 7.25 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 12 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 17 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 56 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 100 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 200 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 300 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 500 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue: 2,000 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue: 15,000 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue: 1,000,000 reis.

The values all represent the various tax rates. The lowest stamp, seven tanos, is Email Tax, and this stamp must be affixed to every email that is printed out for whatever reason.

The Rs 7¼ stamp is for Marijuana Tax, and must be affixed to every half-ounce packet of cannabis that is sold.

The top value, one million reis, is bribery tax. One must be affixed to every agreement outlining the corruption, and signed by the person receiving the bribe. The bribe thereupon moves from the realm of "illegality" to "authorised" and exempt from prosecution.

[Panterra]

Mevu 2019 fiscal stamps, showing the Mevu crest with a penguin on iceberg.

Mevu has used a standing penguin on its crest since independence 50 years ago.

Visit their website.

There are 15 stamps in the fiscal set. Here is the full set:

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 7 tanos, turquoise & blue.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 42 tanos, magenta & blue.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 4¼ reis, lemon & green.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 6¼ reis, grey & green.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 7¼ reis, fluorescent orange & green.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 12 reis, blue & red.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 17 reis, light brown & blue.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 56 reis, silver & red.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 100 reis, brown & green.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 200 reis, fluorescent green & blue.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 300 reis, yellow & red.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 500 reis, gold & red.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 2,000 reis, green & red.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 15,000 reis, red & blue.

Mevu 2019 fiscal, 1,000,000 reis, purple & red.

The Mevu Ministry of Finance will issue a new series of fifteen revenue stamps to collect taxation,
announced the President, Her Excellency, Mrs Liese Keller, today.

The stamps feature the crest of the country, showing a penguin. They have been printed
in two colours by typography and perforated 12 gauge, by Chan Hui Shudian Printing SA,
Minaue, Waikoa Island. While not intended for postal use, they will be permitted for
mail, as very high value postage stamps are not printed in the Antarctic.

The same tax rates apply in our colony, Waikoa Island, so they will also have a similar set
of fifteen stamps, though in a different design and colour scheme.

Date of issue is 22nd October 2019. These are for the main taxation rates in the country:

7 tanos, Turquoise & blue . . . Email tax. (Must be affixed to every email that is printed out for whatever reason.)

42 tanos, Magenta & blue . . . Medical tax. (Must be affixed to every medical prescription to be filled.)

Rs 4.25, Lemon & green . . . Entertainment tax. (Must be affixed to every cinema and stadium ticket.)

Rs 6.25, Grey & green . . . Bicycle tax. (Must be affixed to every annual bicycle permit.)

Rs 7.25, Orange & green . . . Marijuana tax. (Must be affixed to every half-ounce bag of cannabis sold.)

Rs 12, Blue & red . . . Small boat tax. (Must be affixed to every boat annual licence, for boat 10m and smaller.)

Rs 17, Light brown & blue . . . Dog tax. (Must be affixed to every annual dog licence.)

Rs 56, Silver & red . . . Wedding tax. (Must be affixed to every marriage license.)

Rs 100, Brown & green . . . Departure tax. (Must be affixed to every travel ticket by person leaving the country.)

Rs 200, Green & blue . . . Large boat tax. (Must be affixed to every boat annual licence, for boat 11m and larger.)

Rs 300, Yellow & red . . . Land transfer tax. (Land half-hectare or smaller.)

Rs 500, Gold & red . . . Company registration tax.

Rs 2,000, Green & red . . . Land transfer tax. (Land greater than half-hectare up to 2 ha.)

Rs 15,000, Red & blue . . . Land transfer tax. (Land greater than 2.1 hectare.)

Rs 1,000,000, Purple & red . . . Bribery tax. (Must be affixed to every agreement to bribe.)

.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.
.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.

[Panterra]

This year, 2020, is the fiftieth birthday of Mevu, a small Antarctic republic first established in 1970, and which has been a steady stamp-issuer since then.

So to celebrate this birthday in a philatelic way, Waikoa Island joined other lands to issue an attractive set of four stamps on 12th March 2020:

Waikoa Island 2020 50th anniversary of Mevu's Independence.

I see with all this discussion about Waikoa Island and its location and stamps, I somehow overlooked showing its miniature sheet celebrating the Mevu half-century. So here it is:

Waikoa Island 2020 50th anniversary of Mevu's Independence, minisheet.

The stamps are printed in these small minisheets to make it easy to fit the sheet on an album page, and on covers. Hard to do that with a sheet of 100!

.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.
.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.

[Panterra]

Waikoa Island 2020 Marijuana tax. 2019 fiscal stamp overprinted.

Waikoa Island issued this stamp in 2020 to gather tax on legal marijuana sales. The Rs 7.25 (= US $7.25) is the tax on a ½ ounce bag of cannabis sold (the most common commercial unit on the island.) The stamp is the Rs 7.25 of the 2019 fiscal issue with an appropriate overprint.

Cannabis was legalised for recreational use in Colorado, USA, in 2012, and in Waikoa Island in 2014. This year, in New Zealand, we have a referendum to vote on whether marijuana should be legalised. I urge everyone to vote in favour of this.

Most of us know friends or relatives who have been persecuted in the past, and often fined or jailed for the “crime” of having a natural herb in their pocket. Meanwhile, another person may have tobacco or sweets in their pocket, yet despite the enormous health risk from use of both sugar and tobacco, no crime is imputed to them! Queen Victoria is reported to have been a regular user of marijuana for medical issues (or maybe she just liked it to relax), so it was never banned in her day.

An elderly friend in Dunedin got six months in jail for this herb a few years back. Yet that same man devoted many years to safeguarding Kiwis by working in our navy. Ingratitude? I’m sure you know similar bizarre stories.

Why should our society continue to act like a dictatorship, in telling everyone what they can and can’t do with their own lives? In the past, people who spent their time telling others not to enjoy themselves were called “wowsers”. I doubt we need such bad advisers any more (if we ever did!) I suggest we all act firmly to get rid of this foolish ban on use of natural herbs now. Let’s legalise it, and let the police chase real criminals, rather than fake ones.

Cannabis should be a health issue, not a crime. One in twenty Kiwis use cannabis medicinally and need safe, legal and affordable access to natural cannabis as well as refined products.

.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.
.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.

[Panterra]

Upper Yafa 2000 Sultan's 50th Birthday, 250 baiza.

Upper Yafa issued this stamp in 1421 (a.k.a. 2000) as one of a set of four to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Sultan.

This year is his 70th birthday, so ideas are now being discussed for what philatelic celebration will be done.

Stand by for further developments on this.

.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.
.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.

[Panterra]

Northwest Beach, near Kakariki, Waikoa Island.

In 2019, Waikoa Island issued a set of 15 stamps, for fiscal use primarily. Each is printed by typography in two colours on glossy white paper, and perf 12.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 4.25 reis.

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 300 reis.

The controversial "yellow" fiscal stamps.
Note the lemon shade of the 300 reis stamp, and compare this with the scan of the same stamp shown above in my earlier post.

Code: Select all

A major scandal has erupted on Waikoa Island, 
surrounding the recently-issued fiscal stamps, 
with a suicide attempt.

There are two different shades of yellow used: 
a rather orangey yellow on the 4¼ reis, and 
a pale lemon yellow on the 300 reis.  It seems 
almost impossible to scan the lemon stamp, as 
the scanner just refuses to recognise the faint 
tones, so my photo here is taken with a mobile 
phone, which gives a somewhat more true representation.

Scandal at the Post Office over yellow stamps!

A row has erupted at the Minaue Post Office, which sells fiscal stamps for tax purposes as agent for the Department of Finance.

One of the main stamps purchased in big bulk is the 4¼ reis stamp for entertainment tax. These are affixed to all cinema and sporting event tickets, and now that cinemas have re-opened following the pandemic lockdown, large quantities are being used.

But the fiscal stamp series includes two yellow stamps: the aforementioned 4¼ reis, and also the 300 reis stamp, which is also yellow, though in a lemon shade. Far fewer of that stamp are sold, as it is mainly used for tax on land transfer.

Last week, a postal assistant got a request from a customer for two dozen "yellow stamps for cinema tickets", and accidently handed over twelve of the yellow Rs 300 stamp, and only charged the client 102 reis, assuming it was the 4¼ reis stamp.

When it was time to balance the books at the end of the day, it was noted that the discrepancy was Rs 7,098, and after much re-checking, the source of the error was identified.

The assistant was ordered to reimburse the Post Office the shortfall, but distraught, she went home and took an overdose of drugs in a suicide attempt. Fortunately she was able to be revived in hospital, and the Post Office has agreed to write off the amount.

However, it highlights the problem of the stamp colours being so similar. To solve the problem, the Rs 300 lemon stamps have all been withdrawn, and the printers instructed to print a new supply of Rs 300 stamps in red. Most of the withdrawn Rs 300 stamp have now been overprinted "Official" for government office use.

A spokesman for Chan Hui Shudian Printers, Mr Jiang Malingshu, said that the original instructions for printing the fiscal stamps were that each stamp should be a distinctive different colour, and that black must not be used. He thought that the orange and lemon stamps were sufficiently different to comply with that directive, and pointed out that each had the value inscription in a different colour so they looked nothing like each other. And the suggested stamp colours were all signed off by the Governor.

.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.
.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.

[Panterra]

Two tee or not two tee. That is the question.

If you think the Maggie Mailbox stamp is complicated, it has nothing on other Waikoan issues:

Waikoa Island 2019 postal-fiscal issue, 300 reis.

The controversial "yellow" fiscal stamps.
Note the lemon shade of the 300 reis stamp, and compare this with the scan of the same stamp shown above in my earlier post.

Scandal at the Post Office over yellow stamps!

A row has erupted at the Minaue Post Office, which sells fiscal stamps for tax purposes as agent for the Department of Finance.

One of the main stamps purchased in big bulk is the 4¼ reis stamp for entertainment tax. These are affixed to all cinema and sporting event tickets, and now that cinemas have re-opened following the pandemic lockdown, large quantities are being used.

But the fiscal stamp series includes two yellow stamps: the aforementioned 4¼ reis, and also the 300 reis stamp, which is also yellow, though in a lemon shade. Far fewer of that stamp are sold, as it is mainly used for tax on land transfer.

Last week, a postal assistant got a request from a customer for two dozen "yellow stamps for cinema tickets", and accidently handed over twelve of the yellow Rs 300 stamp, and only charged the client 102 reis, assuming it was the 4¼ reis stamp.

When it was time to balance the books at the end of the day, it was noted that the discrepancy was Rs 7,098, and after much re-checking, the source of the error was identified.

The assistant was ordered to reimburse the Post Office the shortfall, but distraught, she went home and took an overdose of drugs in a suicide attempt. Fortunately she was able to be revived in hospital, and the Post Office has agreed to write off the amount.

However, it highlights the problem of the stamp colours being so similar. To solve the problem, the Rs 300 lemon stamps have all been withdrawn, and the printers instructed to print a new supply of Rs 300 stamps in red. Most of the withdrawn Rs 300 stamp have now been overprinted "Official" for government office use.

A spokesman for Chan Hui Shudian Printers, Mr Jiang Malingshu, said that the original instructions for printing the fiscal stamps were that each stamp should be a distinctive different colour, and that black must not be used. He thought that the orange and lemon stamps were sufficiently different to comply with that directive, and pointed out that each had the value inscription in a different colour so they looked nothing like each other. And the suggested stamp colours were all signed off by the Governor.

Yesterday the new Rs 300 stamp in red shade was released, and my fisherwoman pal on the island kindly organised a few FDCs. Luckily the fish have been biting lately, so she had a glut of cash to fork out the huge cost (= US$300!) per FDC:

.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.
.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.

[galig8]

I collect all of the self-declareds. Though they might not be mainstream collectibles, their scarcity, at times, makes them collectible, and therefore, imbues them an inherent value (imo). And if true value is what you can get for them, just try and buy them online.

[norvic]

Price is affected by supply and demand, and a monopoly position.

[Panterra]

Just heard from an acquaintance in UK that a letter sent to him from Mevu during the lockdown, reached him on 25th June. Posted at Mevu on 20th May, so a little over one month journey.

Mevu cover to UK, 20th May 2020. Received at Bury St Edmunds on 25th June 2020.

Perhaps the 2,100 reis (= US$2,100) "private aircraft charter fee" (paid with fiscal stamps) helped to speed it on the journey. But I suspect the pilot detoured to Rio or Havana, possibly to indulge in some gambling, rather than a direct flight.

[Panterra]

Waikoa Island 2020 42 tanos Official stamp. 2019 fiscal stamp overprinted.

Seven values of the long fiscal set were overprinted for exclusive Admin usage, but not the One Million Reis stamp (as government officials don't pay bribes, they only accept them.)

Waikoa Island 2020 6¼ reis Official stamp. 2019 fiscal stamp overprinted.

Waikoa Island 2020 twelve reis Official stamp. 2019 fiscal stamp overprinted.

Waikoa Island 2020 fifty-six reis Official stamp. 2019 fiscal stamp overprinted.

Waikoa Island 2020 three hundred reis Official stamp. 2019 fiscal stamp overprinted.

Waikoa Island 2020 two thousand reis Official stamp. 2019 fiscal stamp overprinted.

Waikoa Island 2020 fifteen thousand reis Official stamp. 2019 fiscal stamp overprinted.

Note that the Rs 300 stamp is the obsolete colour, recently withdrawn from regular sale due to ambiguity. Most of the withdrawn stamps were given the overprint, as an alternative to destruction.

.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.
.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.

[Panterra]

Upper Yafa celebrates the 70th birthday of its much-loved ruler, Sultan Bogdo the second, on 19th July 2020 (or 28th Dhul Qadah, 1441, in Hijri calendar.)

As the birthday itself is a public holiday, the stamps were issued somewhat ahead of the date, namely on 8th July 2020.

The stamps show His Majesty the Sultan, and a Piper Warrior aircraft, a small plane that His Majesty learned to fly back in 1978 (= 1398 A.H.)

The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri, Lunar, or Arabic calendar, is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to determine the proper days of Islamic holidays & rituals, such as the annual period of fasting & the proper time for the Hajj.

Dhu al-Qa'dah is the 11th month in this calendar. It is one of the four sacred months in Islam during which warfare is prohibited, hence the name "Master of Truces". The most correct transliteration of the month according to the thirteenth century Syrian jurist al-Nawawi is Dhu'l Qa'dah.

The Piper PA-28 Cherokee is a family of two-seat or four-seat light aircraft built by Piper Aircraft and designed for flight training, air taxi and personal use. The PA-28 family of aircraft comprises all-metal, unpressurized, single-engined, piston-powered airplanes with low-mounted wings and tricycle landing gear. They have a single door on the right side, which is entered by stepping on the wing.

The first PA-28 received its type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in 1960 and the series remains in production to this day. Current models are the Warrior, Arrow, and Archer TX and LX, and the Pilot 100 and i100.

The PA-28-161 Warrior II is a 4-place, fixed landing gear landplane, Lycoming O-320-D3G engine of 160 hp (119 kW), gross weight 1,055 kg. First certified on 2 November 1976. Changes from the PA-28-160 include a tapered wing. Certified in 1982 for gross weight of 1,107 kg.

.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.
.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.

[Panterra]

It is great news to hear that the Waikoa Island Post Office is planning a new issue to promote philately. They just announced this new issue last Friday:

Stamp Collecting Month to be honoured

Waikoa Island will issue a special set of two commemorative stamps to celebrate the month of October as Stamp Collecting Month, announced the Postmaster, Mr Whetu Ngatai, today.

"The two stamps, valued at 35 tanos and 1.70 reis, each show a view of a stamp stockbook page with a magnifier and some stamps thereon. Date of issue will be Tuesday 1st September 2020, and the stamps are being issued in small minisheets comprising five of each value, at Rs 10.25," he added.

Millions of philatelists

The president of the Waikoa Stamp Club, Mr Rasjid Grvanch, explained: "Stamp collecting is an important aspect of the modern world, and philatelists worldwide number in the millions. In fact, were it not for philately, many small islands such as Waikoa, Pitcairn, Tuvalu, and St Kitts, would hardly be known at all in the wider world. Despite much communication being done by email, philately still has a vital role to play in the modern world, and philatelists remain valued humans in every land."

The sheets of stamps carry messages on the side-selvedges urging folks to join their local stamp clubs, and mentioning that Waikoa Island's first stamps appeared over half a century ago, back in 1965. Most stamps have widely-accepted valuations, and exhibitions are held around the globe. Exchanging duplicate stamps by mail with friends from other lands is a great way to build up an interesting collection, and meet fellow collectors.

The new stamps were designed by Miss Millicent Smergley of Takavau, and printed by Chan Hui Shudian Printers in Minaue. They are printed in full-colour on 100 gram security paper, and perf 12.

Spice of philately

Asked about the recent stamps celebrating Letter-Writing Week (some of which had a spelling error), Mr Grvanch said that errors are the spice of philately. "Collectors enjoy finding stamps with errors on, and the fact that the Post Office continues to sell both the stamps with and without the error makes life more interesting for us," he concluded.

Waikoa Island 2020 Stamp Collecting Month, minisheet.

.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.
.·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·..·:*¨¨*:·.

[Ubobo.R.O.]

Will covers be available signed by the stamp designer ?

[Panterra]

Will covers be available signed by the stamp designer ?

Fortunately, my fisherwoman pal on the island was able to prevail on Miss Smergley to sign some covers. Mine just arrived in the post, looking good:

Waikoa Island 2020 Stamp Collecting Month set,
on first day cover, and signed by the designer.

[Panterra]

Sandy Island has now had its first new issue for the year 2020. I gather it celebrates the Anura Conference at the island.

Sandy Island 2020 Frogs Condominium.

[Panterra]

. . . and here is the minisheet, which looks very attractive.

Note that the Butterfly stamp is almost identical to the 2019 one, but with the correct date now shown on it: 2020.

Sandy Island 2020 Frogs Condominium & butterfly, in minisheet.

[Ubobo.R.O.]

I see the "inverted" stamp has shifted from position #9 to position #10.

[Panterra]

Yes, funny how those frogs "jump" around! Sometimes here, sometimes there.

Personally, I am a bit suspicious of frogs. Too slimy in their ways for me!

Froggie cover from Vaneigem, Occussi-Ambeno, to Auckland, New Zealand, 28th September 1987.