Bogus Stamps - Topical Cinderella Stamps From Sahara OCC RASD


Sahara OCC R.A.S.D. (officially the République Arabe Saharouie Démocratique – Arab Republic of Western Sahara) is a country that's not a country, and the stamps that it issues aren't official stamps.  That doesn't stop Sahara OCC R.A.S.D., and it's one of the most common sources of modern topical cinderella stamps.  None of them have any postal validity anywhere in the world.  They're probably labels that are issued for propaganda purposes, but they're very attractive.

The purpose of these propaganda labels / cinderella stamps? 

Western Sahara, currently under Moroccan rule, is the former Spanish West Sahara.  The last African colony still waiting for independence, its population objected to a proposal to divide Western Sahara between Morocco and Mauretania.  That plan was put on hold and the area's status is now a matter for the United Nations.  The area's fate is currently unresolved.

Many of Sahara OCC's bogus stamps are beautiful thematic stamps.  The region has issued hundreds of stamps, souvenir sheets and mini-sheets, all waiting to add color and life to topical stamp collections.