Illegal Chagos Stamps Explained:

[@diptenl]

Dear Graham, May be there are many digital philatelic KZbin channels nowadays but you are only one Pioneer of this kind of Philately.

[@ExploringStamps]

😊 you are too kind. Thank you for your support!

[@jimgordon6629]

It’s gracious of you to acknowledge and promote the other sites. None I’ve seen is remotely as interesting as yours. You covered a lot in this episode! Well done, as always!

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you Jim, glad you enjoyed the videos! 😊

[@seandolan8502]

Wow, so much packed into this episode- I’ll have to view it again!

[@IllBeStamped]

Hi! Wow Alan really tricked me there! Awesome joke! Also I am a Seychelles collector so thank you for sharing those BIOT stamps from there! The Chagos islands story is really interesting with all the countries involved! Thanks Gram. I hope you and Laura are doing well!

[@DavePlouffe]

Thank you for taking the time to produce these wonderful videos. It always makes me happy to see a new one pop up in my suggested videos. I always play them as I work on my collection.

[@ExploringStamps]

You are so welcome! Thank you for your support and viewership Dave, glad you are enjoying the videos 😊

[@Braddad126]

Thank you Graham…..I really enjoyed watching this episode and because of you I am so proud to be a member of this hobby. Like you, I love receiving stamps, letters, and mail in my mailbox and I am always excited when I receive somethings. Thank you so much Graham for all that you do sir.

[@ExploringStamps]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for watching, Bradley! 😊

[@wayneaugustine517]

Another GEM Graham! Thank you!

[@ExploringStamps]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@godcountrycorps7621]

What a great video. I am just starting to explore becoming a stamp collector and really only cared about U.S. stamps, because I am from the U.S., but these videos teach me a lot and open my eyes to all sorts of cool philately I would've otherwise ignored. So many beautiful and cool designs of stamps out in the world, and we thank you, Graham, for your hard work and dedication to the hobby.

[@billmilner9772]

Graham, Canada also issues a hard-bound, dust-jacketed collection every year. The Canadian version includes the mint stamps, with sleeves in the book in the appropriate places. My collection goes back to 1973 (with the early years being soft covers.) And yes, I agree. A cool way to see a year's worth of stamps, and read the story of each - a history/geography/biology/biography book in one go!

[@ExploringStamps]

Wonderful! I did not know this, I'll have to keep an eye out for the Canadian yearbooks. They are indeed a cool way to see and read the story of each issue in the year. Thanks for watching Bill.

[@peterconrad2277]

😮 I didn’t know about the Chagos islands, or the Vatican and Equality stamps… off to do some reading. Many thanks for another amazing video!

[@ExploringStamps]

Absolutely, I have some links in the description, but they are also pretty easy to find with a Google search. Thanks for watching Peter 😊

[@ellie6940]

Great video, very educational. Thanks for the KZbin channel recommendations 👍

[@ExploringStamps]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed the video Ellie :)

[@yvescote2808]

Thanks for this very interesting topic and the introduction to soo good new KZbin chanels!

[@ExploringStamps]

You are very welcome! Stamps always provide some interesting topics to learn about :)

[@TsukiCondor]

I didn't hear about this news story, thank you for explaining Graham. You never disappoint with these videos 😁🇮🇴

[@ExploringStamps]

😊. You are too kind Tsuki, thanks for watching!

[@TsukiCondor]

@@ExploringStamps And that damaged letter has more layers then a Russian nesting doll! 😅

[@iainmalcolm9583]

Great episode. I saw the BBC article about the Chagos Islands but probably not much known outside of the UK. I'll definitely check out the links to the other YT stamp channels.

[@ExploringStamps]

Excellent! Thank you Iain, glad you liked the video. Thanks for your support 😊

[@rbullmb]

Another great video! Never heard of the Chagos Islands before this video. Very interesting the concept of illegal stamps. I think something similar occurred in Haiti with their Audubon stamps. LOVE YOUR CHANNEL!

[@ExploringStamps]

😊 Thank you!! Glad you are enjoying the channel, I'll have to check out the Haiti stamps.

[@barrydrees9969]

But wasn't Audubon born in Haiti??

[@rbullmb]

@@barrydrees9969 Audubon was born in Les Cayes in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) - Wikipedia

[@daniellee5192]

Loved the old bank note and tax stamps you got. The craftsmanship in the dies is fantastic. Great episode!

[@ancienthebreworg]

Kudos to you Graham for setting the bar for philatelic KZbin channels. You are a true pioneer!

[@genew3452]

Hi Graham. There are other postal administrations that will be in the same situation as BIOT now will be in terms of UPU - for example the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not in the UPU, and all of its mail is routed through the Turkish postal service via the port of Mersin. As far as I know most countries are not rejecting mail from Northern Cyprus, except for Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. Northern Cyprus gets a good number of tourists and they seem to not have problems sending postcards home.

[@ExploringStamps]

Fascinating! I did not know of other examples such as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, thank you Gene!! It makes me wonder if BIOT could do something similar of routing mail through a supporting entity like the Seychelles or Maldives for example... that is IF they actually send mail...Time for me to do more reading 🤓

[@jimhresco1728]

Thanks for another enjoyable vid. I checked out some of the other channels you mentioned and found them quite entertaining. Always great watching the mail segment. Thanks again!

[@joeyfarley9916]

Another great video! I am going to check out the new channels you mentioned.

[@ExploringStamps]

Awesome! Thank you Joey 😊

[@ralphralf100]

As always Great content!!!! Keep it up!!! I subscribed to all those youtube channels right after I watched this. Ralph here from 🇵🇭

[@ExploringStamps]

Terrific! Thank you for your support Ralph! :)

[@jupitterlarsen]

Over the years there have been a few occasions when either a postal clerk or mail carrier would hand me a piece of mail art and make the comment, something to the effect of: "We couldn’t read the handwriting but we figure this had to be for you since it's so weird." And every time they would be right. Got to love it!

[@isabelleisles7649]

I now listen to lowfi music when working with my stamps... thanks to this channel.

[@ExploringStamps]

🙌. It’s an excellent pairing 🎶

[@imtiazahamed7959]

Wow philately is never ending. There is much to know and learn. Thank you for making us learn. Superb ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@botanyboy5454]

Graham, I appreciate your channel. 💖 the content ! Always interesting and thank you for adding the links. Awesome !

[@ExploringStamps]

😊 Thank you!! Glad that you enjoy the content and the channel, thanks for watching!

[@sarahgoodman6279]

It is so interesting when stamps get involved in politics! Thank you for always leaving links for us to learn more and take a deeper dive on different topics or matters you discuss, it is so interesting! I think it is so cool that the UPU weighed in and took a stance on the dispute. The stamps on your cover are so beautiful and colourful. I love tropical and island stamps because they have such vibrant pictures of animals, insects and fish. I have to say, viewer mail is one of my favourite reoccurring segments on the videos, it is great to get to know some of the other viewers through their letters and packages.

[@LouisGedo]

Thank you for another excellent educational episode!

[@ExploringStamps]

You are very welcome Louis, thank you for watching!! 😊

[@BobCollectsStamps]

Thank you! You filled in some (wide) gaps in my Chagos knowledge.

[@ExploringStamps]

Thanks Bob 😊. Glad it was helpful!

[@pv9684]

Always fascinating. Thanks!

[@ExploringStamps]

Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@pennyfodca7752]

Always a stellar show! I've been thinking about creating fantasy stamps of my own... its in the very early stages.

[@buzzawuzza3743]

I am as well. My hobby is drawing and painting and I have created one original postage stamp painting so far but plan on making more. Best of luck to you.

[@ExploringStamps]

Ooo, yes make sure to work on a solid backstory for your fantasy land. When you have some stamps please be sure to send me some 😊. Thanks for watching Penny, glad you enjoyed it!

[@physics2112]

Brilliant episode! There's also the controversy around the duck stamps, which recently flared up again, although they aren't postage.... That fantasy mail was wild. It's a creative blend of philately and parody.

[@ExploringStamps]

I just looked up the duck stamp controversy, wow!! 🤨 After posting this vid, I really want to explore fantasy philately more, I think Alan's teaser into Adanaland has made me curious. Thanks for watching as always 😁

[@botanyboy5454]

Hi, I really like your channel. I went over to StampCat Stamps and liked what I watched and subscribed. Then I came back to your channel and binge watched season 1 pretty cool !

[@Melstorm]

I always learn something watching your channel. Great upload :)

[@StampswithSara1]

Really interesting episode & I’m running to find the chagos islands. 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

[@ExploringStamps]

I think you can swim there! I don't think it is tooo far from Sri Lanka 🤔😅. Lol thanks for watching Sara!

[@StampswithSara1]

@@ExploringStamps yeh. It is. But i didnt know about that until watched your video.

[@mdujanahmad]

Hey Graham! I wish you a lot of wishes on this teachers' day. You are my first teacher about philately. Thanks a lot for teaching me whatever I learnt since 2018 through your channel. By the way, I enjoyed this episode a lot, especially the damaged letter. Thanks a lot, once more. :-D

[@ExploringStamps]

😊 Thank you!! That is such a wonderful comment to have, I'm so glad to see that you have learned and enjoyed a lot from this channel. Thank you for your support and viewership, more vids to come!

[@philatelovely5748]

Superb video Graham!! It's such an interesting subject. I wonder if there are any used Chagos Islands covers or stamps out there? I will have to have a search. 😀

[@ExploringStamps]

Thanks John! I'm enjoying having the Philatelovely sticker on my laptop :D.

[@GalvanDrew]

My brother used to Watch your Channel and Now i do btw Great Work. Keep it Up!

[@RichardPhilatelist]

New knowledge gained✅ And always enjoy your mail section☺️

[@ExploringStamps]

Ah thank you fellow KZbin Philatelist 😊. Always appreciate your support!

[@todaysmail]

It’s really great that you’re including "fantasy" and mail-art stamps. In the weeks and months ahead we will be featuring a number of such stamps on our own channel. Keep up the really great work!

[@ThisIsAlan]

Always love a video that starts with brewing a cup of coffee. Great stuff all around!

[@ExploringStamps]

☕️ I don't function too well without coffee 😅. Thanks for watching!

[@johncalhoun9198]

I have a number of stamps from b.i.o.t I have been ordering from their post office my last order had a Singapore postal label on it my prior order had the b.i.o.t stamps on it there is something definitely happening going on with the current dispute over the island

[@dario5651]

Thanks Graham for another amazing video!

[@terrywoods2328]

Hi Graham, another very interesting video keep up the good work

[@krusheasy]

I was in tears hearing about your interaction at the post office. 😂🤣😂

[@ExploringStamps]

😂. I really wish I could show you their reactions!😅

[@siam1883]

Another video well worth watching even for non-stamp collectors. It made me think of the1898 Canadian Christmas stamp and their boast," We hold a vaster empire than has been" and the consequences of such colonization.

[@TanyaJohnsonKaszazz]

Fantastic episode. Love Alan’s post!

[@ricardodias3609]

I really, really love this grand format videos!! Thank you!!! I also thank you the tips for that great KZbin channels!! That last item... Oh man!!! Fantastic, just fantastic!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you Ricardo!! Glad you enjoy the channel and the video 😊. Thanks for your support.

[@avilacanario]

I am a resent subscriber and this video is one of my favorite. There is so much contain. Can't wait for the next video.

[@mpojol]

Hahaha, the flip-flop saga continues! Interesting topic today, more than just the stamps itself. Nice video Graham :)

[@ExploringStamps]

🩴 😊. Thanks Mark, glad you enjoyed it!

[@LawrenceFisher]

Thank you Professor. Never knew about this. But more than these Islands, I am glad that you are OK and dry. I was worried!

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you Lawrence 😊. Yup we have dried out with minimal damage, can't say the same for all of our neighbors though 😞. Thanks for your support!

[@IIoveasl10]

Incredible! I had read that on the internet.

[@ExploringStamps]

It is incredible! Thanks for watching David 😊

[@Carterofmars]

The 2020 Australian book is a very nice gift. It's a pricey item on eBay currently. You are deservedly appreciated by your viewers. 🙂👍

[@benjaminmiller8162]

Another great new channel is the female philatelist. She's doing an educational journey

[@angiepaulson6591]

The tragic matryoshka of Alan's fantasy covers was amazing!!! 🤣

[@ExploringStamps]

😅 They had me for a while... I also thought they were amazing! Thanks for watching Angie.

[@margersmuzis4929]

Australia 2020 book looks great! Iam a bit jealous on You ! Hope to see your next episode! take Your time! Graham!

[@ExploringStamps]

😊. It certainly is a stunning book! Thanks so much for watching!!

[@markusbose7786]

My cousin who is in the Navy sent me a postcard from the BIOT post office, I was surprised that it only took 2 weeks to get to me. Apparently the BIOT police station is pretty harsh with issuing tickets for anything....yes, they have a police station.

[@ExploringStamps]

Oh nice, so you have a cover!! It sounds like there is an interesting story regarding the police and your cousin 😅. Thanks for watching Markus

[@laurasimpson2870]

Fasenating story as usual. ❤️🇨🇦

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you Laura 😊

[@hirschy10]

All ways good to see new countrys and the stamps they have

[@buzzawuzza3743]

Great episode Graham. Can't wait for the local stamp collectors club to restart their meetings, they're just a few blocks from my building. Cheers

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you!! Yes and I am hearing that several clubs are returning to in-person meetings, so hopefully it wont be too much longer for you :). Thanks for watching 😊

[@topsail2]

Hello Graham....many thanks again for this great episode and the 5 sec opening with the cover of St Pierre et Miquelon ...( the trickiest part was to have the postmaster date stamp a sunday 4th of july 😎 really scarce 😉💫 )

[@ExploringStamps]

It is a stunning piece Fred! You are a master in mail art🤩

[@topsail2]

@@ExploringStamps A bit proud about..I have to admit and all is not finish yet.. 😉

[@philmerrill4280]

According to the wiki, Britain did this for the US for an airbase, in exchange for access to Polaris missiles for submarines. As well, there's just about 200 British folks on Diego, a long with 1000 Americans and 1200 contract laborers, chiefly Filipinos. The Americans are all military folks, they can get their postal service through the military postal system, and most units have their own US zip codes...

[@ExploringStamps]

Absolutely, most of the mail will be processed through the military postal system. There is one BIOT post office on Diego Garcia that uses BIOT stamps, I believe it leverages the logistics of the military postal systems, but likely doesn't do much mailing other than souvenir postcards.

[@kettleofseveralfish]

My father in law has got me the AusPost yearbook for christmas every year since he found out I collect stamps. I can’t believe I didn’t spot the error in the 2020 book! Although, 2020/2021 were very busy years, and I wasn’t really concentrating on stamps at the time, so I guess I shouldn’t be that surprised. I LOL’d so hard at the ambulance cover trick. HILARIOUS 🤣

[@ladneznaczki]

Thanks Graham for suggestions of philatelic channels. I have my also, but in Polish. Have you seen it?

[@ExploringStamps]

Oh wow! I’ll check it out, and perhaps I can learn some Polish along the way 🇵🇱 😃.

[@yrobtsvt]

It's great how stamp collecting takes you deep inside a country's beliefs about itself as well as the international responses. Evidently some civil servants in the UK think the ongoing occupation (and forced depopulation) of Diego Garcia is so fundamental to the UK's national identity that they need to continue issuing stamps despite international condemnation. And they like to put the Queen on those stamps!

[@ExploringStamps]

Exactly, stamp collecting can absolutely take you inside a country's beliefs, and it's interesting to watch those beliefs slowly or radically change in some countries as seen through their stamps. Philately is such an incredible hobby. Thank you for watching 😊

[@tedtalksstamps]

The islands are best known through that 1974 Sam Peckinpah movie, "Bring Me the Head of Diego Garcia."

[@ExploringStamps]

😆 That must have been a sequel to the Alfredo one that I havent seen! I actually worked with a Diego Garcia, I should reach out to them and see if they have ever heard of the Island.

[@wayneaugustine517]

I liked the Australian Book error the best!

[@ExploringStamps]

It really is a stunning book with an unusual error.

[@Esa294]

Super❤❤❤.. Very informative

[@MrPatrick1414]

Canada post also publishes a yearly collection book

[@PunkPhilatelist]

Ha ha! Alan had me going for the first two layers but I smelled a rat by the third. 😄 Fascinating coverage of the “B”IOT issue! Thank you for the time that you put into the research and presentation of such complicated histories. That Australian error was pretty stunning. Australia Post ends each year by releasing overpriced, contrived variations of earlier stamps to make a buck out of collectors. But this one seems to have been a genuine mistake for once. Perhaps they should spend less time on the marketing, and more time on the proof reading…

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you Punk! Glad you enjoyed it. I found the Aussie error quite fascinating, something I will treasure. 😊

[@member0900]

Graham, you're a talented person from what I've seen. Have you ever considered designing your own stamps?

[@ExploringStamps]

Funny you brought this up...I'm actually working on something right now 😉. Thanks for watching!!

[@member0900]

Exploring Stamps Can’t wait to see it! It’s always an amazing day when I see your videos in my inbox.

[@rogerturner1881]

GOING POSTAL stamp video's is not responding to any messages and i presume something has happened to him, how can we find out?

[@ExploringStamps]

I see the Going Postal account launched a video a couple of months. I have never been in contact with them so I wouldn’t know.

[@mikeywestside8509]

I wish the USPS would produce postcards that have stamp images on them the way the UK does.

[@brucec7034]

You are lucky, the Australian Yearbook of Stamps 2020 is actually valued at $129.95 Australian dollars, I think they have issued a yearbook every year since 1981…

[@ExploringStamps]

I saw that!! And I see that they are no longer selling the 2020 yearbook. It is interesting that you could have a stamp collection of 40 yearbooks on a shelf 🤔, I would love to page through some of the earlier ones.

[@brucec7034]

@@ExploringStamps they normally issue a special sheetlet that is only issued with the yearbook, the most popular being one of all the Australia Gold medallist’s for that Olympic year, these normally end up being sold separately, good for collectors, the yearbook is normally only sold for a limited time each year…

[@joyseng]

Can imagine this book costs alot with all the mint stamps inside!

[@indianphilatelist2851]

Great video 👍👍👍

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you 😊

[@indianphilatelist2851]

@@ExploringStamps this my channel kzbin.info/door/9Lnqp5voVwPJRPVEWUZRrw

[@howitworks-tamil3246]

Can do an episode about postal strike event and stamps issued during this period

[@RichardLaurence]

I can really recommend ‘Stamps my fun things’ channel: kzbin.info/door/S8xplj3eefiQhIpl2iJHyg Despite its rather quirky title, the producer has an amazing collection of really high quality material.

[@kevinhans189]

For a fun read that includes fantasy stamps I recommend reading the fantasy/sci-fi book, “Going Postal,” by Terry Pratchett

[@NisargSutaria]

Awesome :-)

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you 😊

[@alwatan-9700]

سلام أخي اامحترم أنت ماهر وجميل في علام تريخ كيف نتواصل معك وشكرا جزيلا ادريس اامغرب وسلام.

[@LouisGedo]

Wouldn't fantasy stamps be a subset of Cinderella Stamps?

[@ExploringStamps]

They absolutely would be. Fantasy stamps are Cinderellas!

[@LouisGedo]

@@ExploringStamps Hi Graham.....the reason why I wasn't sure is because it seemed as if you were distinguishing fantasy stamps as being stamps which indicate a specific location. Many Cinderellas, as you know, don't picture or point to a location but rather highlight a person or a thing. I've recently started seeking out genuine official stamps and Cinderella stamps which depict or focus on the RMS Lusitania which, as you may know, was not only an incredibly impressive luxury liner but also its sinking is one of the most fascinating, mysterious, and world changing events in modern history (IMO). Mysterious, because there's still real doubt by rational people who've scrutinized everything about the event, as to whether or not it sank due to a large amount munitions that were placed on board......which would be very unethical and illegal to do so. World changing because in large part, this was the impetus for the US to join the allied forces in WWI......and without the consequences of WWI, there arguably wouldn't have been a sufficient reason for a WWII. So the RMS Lusitania is one of those lesser known events that helped change the course of human history. I have a fascination with train, ship, and air vehicle philately......and an acute fixation on stamps depicting the RMS Lusitania. Anyway, your content is ALWAYS enriching and educational.

[@jamesshattell1425]

You can video inside a US Post Office. Refer to Poster 7 which should be posted in the lobby of your post office. The poster lists the rules and regulations for conduct on post office property. To your concern of videoing: "Photographs for News, Advertising, or Commercial Purposes Photographs for news purposes may be taken in entrances, lobbies, foyers, corridors, or auditoriums when used for public meetings except where prohibited by official signs or Security Force personnel or other authorized personnel or a federal court order or rule. Other photographs may be taken only with the permission of the local Postmaster or installation head." I would talk with the Postmaster or the Supervisor first so your video doesn't turn into a 1st Amendment Audit video. (Google 1st Amendment US Post Office.)

[@ExploringStamps]

😮 I'm going to have to take a closer look now, I saw a couple of no camera signs and so I assumed it was a total no.... thanks James! (Ill be sure to ask the Postmaster first 😉)

[@jamesshattell1425]

@@ExploringStamps FYI: about.usps.com/posters/pos7.pdf

[@Rangersly]

I don't think the Universal Postal Union should get involved in political conflicts. They should concentrate on mail delivery and not decide who is right and who is wrong in something that has nothing to do with their mandate. This is a dangerous path.

[@ExploringStamps]

Totally a valid point, should a postal entity take a political stance, or just focus on the delivery of messages globally? It would mean that the UPU needs to take a political stance in EVERY single dispute (to be fair), which as you said could be a dangerous path!

[@wagnertheitalianflipper9047]

Let's make stamps great again come on people❤

[@ExploringStamps]

Let’s do it 💪

[@maggieeberle22]

I have stamps from different countries I would like to sale I would like to send a pics for evaluation

[@MondoProducer]

I have stamps from my grandfather that I'd like to speak to you about.

[@ExploringStamps]

Hello Sal, if you are looking to evaluate, value and or sell stamps, I recommend reaching out to dealers or clubs. The APS and PTS both have directories for you to check out: stamps.org/dealers www.thepts.net/members.html#!directory/map

[@manashranjanbasu2605]

Sir....I am from India, I am having more old Indian and foreign stamps, could you please inform me any buyer's contact

[@bornfamous4871]

$babyjchosen in need of help