Abkhazia Sheet 1993? Legitimate Or Bogus?

I just won this ebay auction for a sheet supposedly from Abkhazia. I know the postal history of the region is very shaky, but this appears to be legitimate. Does anyone know for sure? If it's bogus, then I suppose I've just made my first collector's mistake.

Thanks for any help. I think the region has a fascinating history. Plus, the thing looks awesome!

Well, after some research, I have concluded that everything that comes out of Abkhazia is bogus in the eyes of Georgia, and the UPU. However, I did find that Abkhazia has definitely put out legitimate stamps for use within its borders, or so it appears.

I'm not sure if I'm gonna buy anything else saying it's from Abkhazia, but if nothing else, this sheet looks really cool, and it was my first purchase as a collector. :-)

South Ossetia is another local area to look at along with Abkhazia.
There is also nearby Transnistria in Moldova.

But do be careful about spending too much in this area. There are an awful lot of items out there that were not ever intended even for internal use in Abkhazia and that would be part of a political dispute, but rather were created by third-parties intending just to make money off collectors. (I believe I remember reading that there may have been some criminal connections in the creation of these issues.)

Lucky for me, it was under $10. It's doubtful I'll purchase anything else like this, until it becomes 100% legitimate. If nothing else, it is pretty as well as being a good conversation starter!

Thanks everyone for your input!

I agree, tread very lightly on purchasing this type of over priced mainly topical material for those more interested in Madonna & the Spice Girls than the country area. However, after looking at what is available the item you purchased is one of the more interesting ones relating to the region.

I'm convinced it's the most interesting! Much more so than those ridiculous ones... Lennon and Marx, Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky... this piece definitely trumps those.

Hopefully one day we'll be able to buy whichever stamp we want with full confidence. :-)

Is this of any help?

http://home.nestor.minsk.by/fsunews.../ab12-3.html

If it helps, I've the flag stamp on a cover circulated to Moscow, Russia, in 1993.

Wow, thanks! I'd never seen that website before. I did see it on the website of a company that sells stamps from the former USSR, and Africa... but now, I'm feeling more confident that what I bought was legit. Cursus, that's pretty cool. I've seen a couple of covers with stuff from Abkhazia on them.

Any suggestions on how to display this thing?