Hello All,
I received a general news email from Delcampe about changes in their policy concerning Cinderella / Label stamps. They have a specific category for them, but are now cracking down on the illegal / bogus "stamps".
Here's the body of the message:
We have taken an important ethical decision concerning the sale of certain labels without any postage value, printed by companies without any ties to postal administrations.
Currently, the sale of these fantasy labels (also known as "Cinderellas" or "bogus stamps") is tolerated on our website Delcampe.net, as long as their nature is clearly mentioned in the title.
However, we would like to clear things up since many different types of labels exist, ranging from illegal issues to very collected, private, legal issues.
Fantasy labels are in fact labels which were not issued by postal authorities, contrary to postage stamps ! We have divided these labels into two categories :
1. The classic labels (Revenue stamps, exhibitions, promotion of tourism, charities, …),
2. Modern fantasy printings aimed at philatelists (especially topical stamp collectors).
It's the second category which we are interested in...This category is divided in the following subcategories:
2.1. Labels bearing the name of a place (country, region) which never existed.
2.2. Labels bearing the name of a place (country, region) which exists or has existed, but has never issued postage stamps.
2.3. Labels bearing the name of a place (country, region) which exists or has existed and issues or has issued postage stamps.
The most annoying thing about these labels is that :
They can be sold without the buyer knowing that they are in fact not postage stamps ;
They can go against the rights of people, countries, companies or organisations (illegal use of logos, country name, photographs, illustrations, …)
Adaptation of the Terms and Conditions
Here are the changes we foresee for the sale of these modern fantasy labels :
Labels infringing the rights of third parties are obviously prohibited on Delcampe.net. We are preparing a rights protection program for the website, which will take off in the future.
Other labels will be tolerated insofar as the seller clearly indicates the word "LABEL", in capital letters at the beginning of the title. The seller will also exclusively need to place his sale in the following category: "Stamps > Topics > Fantasy labels".
The Delcampe Terms and Conditions have been adapted and from now on they clearly precise what is forbidden, for example:
Labels bearing logos, illustrations, photographs belonging to third parties who have not given their approval ;
Labels which seem to have been issued, illegally, by an existing place (country or region), whether or not this place issues postage stamps.
-end-
They are also looking for knowledgeable member-moderators to help place such items into the correct category and remove illegal items.
While I know that the illegal issues of former Soviet Republic and "stamps" mentioned in Scott for several African nations as illegals are definitely no-no's (see Niger and Mozambique for examples), but where does that leave a lot of the Desert Dunes, State of Oman, Staffa and other "Scottish Rocks"?
Can they still go into the fantasy category or are they banned as they were not issued by any postal enity?
Also some topical collectors like to collect Staffa, State of Oman, etc. despite their status, but now with all the labels in one catagory will make it difficult to search for items. I forsee a need for subcategories soon. They have a subforum for suggesting new categories. Unlike
ebay (Modor), Delcampe is very open to member feedback so something will work out.
Will
Posted 02/14/2012 08:02 am
