No this is not a wanted poster for illegal immigrants. Illegals is a term used by the philatelic community to mean labels that are being passed off as stamps  to the unsuspecting public.

The designs of these labels usually have pictures of movie stars, sports and public personalities, cashing in on their popularity.

Other subjects popular with collectors also abound. Birds, lighthouses, animals, etc. You name it, they've got it!

Over the last few years, these labels are sprouting up everywhere. One much known case is a set of three showing golfer Tiger Wood. They were passed off as from Turkmenistan. It was sold in eBay to the highest bidder for US$1,225!! Presumably. the bidders were non-collectors and had thought they were bidding for something rare. Just imagine what will happen when he try to sell off his 'rarity'.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) have started issuing regular circulars to various groups and publications to warn collectors and denouncing, on the behalf of the postal adminstrations, 'illegals' being issued in their names,

The efforts of the UPU is to be applauded and supported. However, there is need to improve on the publication of these circulars. The UPU, and certain organisations, are against the publication of the 'illegals' images as is is thought that it will indirectly promote them instead.

I had thought so too, until I talked to many people, collectors and non-collectors. The more advanced colectors generally know how to spot an 'illegal' but not the new or non-collectors . Non-collectors usually think they are buying something unique or rare as some of the advertisements state that they are issued in limited quantities.

The easy way to learn and identify these 'illegals' is through the publication of the images. I know of two parties who are currently creating web sites listing known illegal issues and providing the images whereever possible.

I would suggest that they have some kind of warnings throughout the site, stating that they are not legal stamp issues.

There are many suggestions and differing views on this matter. I invite anyone interested to air their views in the newly created Open Forum in Stamp2.com.

More information on the denouncements can be found at the AskPhil site written by Les Winick. For a listing of the illegals, with images, visit the Wax Museum of Illegal Stamps by John Smith.