Komitetit Te Qindreses – Committee

of the Resistance – Albania Fantasy

Series 1940’s – 1960’s
Posted onNovember 5th, 20144 Comments

Background
April 7th of 1939, Italy invades Albania and by April 12th, Albania
capitulated, King Zog fled for Greece and the Albanian Parliament had
offered the crown to Italian King Victor Emmanuel III. This created an
environment that led to the rise of many Albanian “Resistance”
organizations. First against the Italians, then the Germans, and finally
against the communists.

In the 1940’s a set of 4 stamps featuring scenes of Albanian Resistance

Fighters first appeared. And towards the end of the 1940’s a 2nd, 3rd and
4th series appeared. An updated set in 1952 and finally overprinted stamps
in the 1960’s.
With all likelihood, most, if not all, of these stamps were purely philatelic
bogus sets issued to sell to collectors, however, there is a slight chance that
at least the first set was actual propaganda for one of the resistance groups,
but this is doubtful.

Resistance Groups

The first resistance groups formed during the Italian occupation of Albania
from 1939 – 1943. In November or December of 1941, Kostandin Cekrezi,
who had fled Albania and eventually ended up in Boston, formed the
committee “Free Albania” (Albanien: Shqipëria e Lirë) and began
publishing a newsletter from the United States.

Around the same time, in Albania, communist groups formed the Albanian
Communist Party in Tirana. The Albanian Communists fought against the
Italians and later the occupying Germans until they drove the Germans out
and took control of the country in November of 1944.
In 1942, a western orientated anti-communist, anti-monarchy group called
“Balli Kombetar” (National Front) was formed. This group spent as much
time fighting the communists as they did fighting the Italians and the
Germans. After the war most of the members (Ballists) either fled the
country, were imprisoned or were executed.
Beginning in 1947, covert operations by the British SIS and the American
CIA were begun in order to subvert the communist regime in Albania
(Operation BGFIEND). The paramilitary operations began in 1947,
resulted in the forming of the “Free Albania Committee ” – or – “National
Committee for a Free Albania (NCFA)” – (a political front for the secret
operation) in 1949 and ran at least through 1952 based on recently
declassified US Government documents. Much of this operation involved
training existing Albanian anti-communists, Ballists, and Zog Supporters
and the supply of resistance fighters through parachute drops. The
operation also, according to the CIA documents, dropped Leaflets with anti-
communist propaganda. and on at least one occasion, mentions the dropping
of “stamp sized leaflets” (see footnote). Overall however, the operation was
a failure.
The Stamps

4 distinct series of stamps inscribed “Shqipnija” and featuring the phrase

“Komitetit Te Qindreses” are currently known to exists. All 4 series are
denominated as semi-postals and all but the first set feature the Albanian Air
Post phrase: “Posta Ajrore”.

Shqipnija
This term which is a spelling of Albania only appears on officially released
stamps on the 1944 Semi Postal “Aid to Bombing Victims” set released
under German Occupation.

The spelling appears to be of the Albanian Gheg Dialect. Gheg is

spoken in Northern Albania, Kosovo, northwestern Republic of Macedonia,
southern Montenegro and Serbia. It is also spoken in parts of Sicily and
southern Italy.
The spelling appears on a map created in 1941 by Professor Ahmet Gashi.
The map was titled “Shqipnija E Vertete” which translates to “Albania
True” and describes a greater Albania encompassing additional surrounding
territories in other countries. Gashi was born in Pristina Kosovo
(Yugoslavia), studied in Turkey and at the time the map was created, lived
in Tirana.

Other printed works use the term Shqipnija. The work: “Shqipnija: Para Dy
Shekujsh” by Kosovian born Salih Vuceterni, and other works.

The spelling also appears in the text of leaflets dropped in Albania by

operation BGFIEND. The leaflets are attributed to the National Committee
for a Free Albania and contain the phrase: “Komiteti Kombetar “Shqipnija e
Lire” “ The phrase was only used on the first 3 leaflets air-dropped in
1950, the phrase was changed later as the remaining leaflets dropped use the
phrase: “Komiteti ‘ Kombetar “Shqiperia e Lire”” (Shqiperia instead of
Shqipnija).

Komitetit Te Qindreses

This phrase seems to translate to “of the Resistance Committee”. The word
“Qindreses” doesn’t translate well, but is the Gheg spelling spelling of
“qendreses” which means “Resistance”. There are many dialects of
Albanian spoken in Greece and parts of southern Italy. There are at least 2
works that use the term, and both were written by Albanians from either
Northern Albania or Montenegro The full phrase “Posta E Komitetit Te
Qindreses” translates to “Postage of the Resistance Committee”. Of note is
that later sets drop the “Posta E”.

Series 1: Albanian Resistance Fighters

Series 1 – #1-4
The first series of stamps is a set of 4 featuring images of resistance fighters
and symbols of resistance.

This is most likely the first set of stamps that were produced, and were
probably created anywhere between the years of 1940 and 1944 although it
is most likely that they were produced after the end of WWII and are
probably anti-communist in nature. Based on the denominations used, the
probable guess would be 1944 as we have an example on cover dated
September 19th, 1944.

Details, designs A1-A4, 1945?

Printing Method: LithographedPerforation: 11.25 x 11.25Size: 39.5mm x 29mm
1 A1 2+1 Fr Shq Purple Woman
2 A2 5+3 Fr Shq Green Fighter with machine gun
3 A3 7+5 Fr Shq Blue 2 fighters shaking hands
4 A4 10+7 Fr Shq Red Eagle and flag with Albanian double headed eagle
The denominations are written as “Fr. Shq.” – This terminology first
appeared on official Albanian stamps in April of 1943 on the semi-postal
“Fighting Tuberculosis” set. These official stamps were printed under
Italian Occupation. The top value of the set was a 100Q+40Q stamp written
as “1Fr Shq.” Prior to 1943, values above 100Q were written as “Fr Af.”
The last set of stamps to feature “Fr Shq.” were overprints issued in 1945
while still under German occupation. Subsequent to this, stamps dropped
the “q” and were written as “Fr. Sh.”

The “Franga” (Fr) was used in Albania from 1926 until 1946. It represented
5 Lek. It was first introduced by King Zog and appeared on coins up until
1939. It is possible that the “Fr Shq” currency was used on these stamps as
a homage to Zog and his supporters. The values are extremely high
however. The top value stamp officially issued in this timeframe was a 5fr
in 1945 (overprint). The top value in this resistance series was 10Fr+7
which, with the surcharge, was nearly 3 times the top value of any official
stamp released.

In 1947, the Franga was dropped in officially released stamps and all future
stamps used Lek for the high values.

The design of these stamps does appear to be Anti-Communist in nature.

The motif of a “Free Traditional Highlander” is Northern Albanian in
nature. The woman in the first stamp appears to be Catholic. According to
Bardh, they don’t appear to be from the National Front, or any royalist
group and if they are propaganda, they would have originated with a
Northern Albanian group.
Series 2: Relief Air Drops
The second series of stamps feature 3 designs and one design overprinted.

These were likely printed in the late 40’s, and based on a few covers that
exist bearing these stamps, the probable year was 1947. This series (and all
remaining series) feature the phrase “POSTA AJRORE” which identifies
these as Airpost stamps. The artwork on this set is much more crude than
in set 1.

Details, designs A5-A7, 1947?

Printing Method: LithographedPerforation: 11 x 11.25 (horiz), 11.25 x 11 (vert)Size: 35mm x
23.5mm (horiz), 24mm x 35mm (vert)
5 A5 10+2 Fr Shq Green Airplane on ground
6 A6 15+5 Fr Shq Blue (vert) Supplies dropped with parachutes
7 A7 20+10 Fr Shq Red Airplane over globe
8 A7 50 Fr Sh on 20+10 Fr Shq Red (7) Airplane over globe

There is 1 overprinted stamp in

this series, 50Fr Sh surcharged on the red 20+10 Fr Shq. (Note: the
overprint seems to drop the “Shq” in favor of “Sh”

The airplane featured on the 20+10 Fr Shq stamp appears to look like a
Boeing 247. This plane probably wasn’t used by the Americans or British
for air-drops as all references seem to indicate the use of the Douglas DC-3
(C-43).
It is nearly certain that these stamps were not printed by the same group that
printed series 1.
Series 3: Figures of Freedom

Series 3 contains just 1 stamp, and

this stamp could have possibly been printed at the same time as Series 2
even though it is of different size and appearance. This stamp features 3
vignettes of world figures representing freedom and is definitely anti-
communist in nature.

The center figure is Gjergji Kastrioti (Skanderberg) who was a 15th century
Christian leader who fought against the Ottomon’s in Albania. He is
considered a national hero and was a key figure of the Albanian National
Awakening and Independence in the early part of the 20th century.

The stamp also depicts Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.

Of note is the misspelling of “Churchill” as “Churcill”.

Details, design A8, 1947?

Printing Method: LithographedPerforation: 11 x 11Size: 44.5mm x 28.5mm on (A) white or (B
brown paper
9 A8 50+20 Fr Shq Green, Salmon Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
A White Paper
B Brown Paper
Series 4: Figures of Freedom (Re-drawn)

This series of stamps, most likely

printed in the United States and sold to collectors, is modeled after the
stamp from Series 3 featuring Kastrioti, FDR and Churchill.

This series contains 4 values and 4 color varieties. In addition these are
known imperf and in 2 perforation sizes.

These stamps began to flood the philatelic market in the United States in the
early 1950’s.

Details, designs A9-A12, 1950?

Printing Method: Photogravure, sheets of 50Perforation: (A) 12.5 x 12.5, (B) 14 x 14, (C)
ImperfSize: 44.5mm x 28.5mm
11 A9 10+20 Fr Shq Green, Salmon Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
A Perf 12.5×12.5
B Perf 14×14
C Imperf
12 A10 25+25 Fr Shq Blue, Yellow Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
A Perf 12.5×12.5
B Perf 14×14
C Imperf
13 A11 25+50 Fr Shq Brown, Light Green Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
A Perf 12.5×12.5
B Perf 14×14
C Imperf
14 A12 50+50 Fr Shq Red Org, Light Org Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
A Perf 12.5×12.5
B Perf 14×14
C Imperf

The printing of these stamps is Photogravure (versus Lithography) and there

are some design differences including different portraits for FDR and
Kastrioti, heavier shading on the branches, and on the symbol surrounding
POSTA AJRORE. These were modeled after the series 3 stamp and were
not printed from the same plates.

Series 3 versus Series 4

There are a number of differences to show that series 4 is a reproduction or

copy inspired by Series 3.
In addition, series 4 used a different printing method (Photogravure). This
lends evidence to support the idea that Series 4 was not printed by the same
organization that printed Series 3.

Series 5: Figures of Freedom (Re-drawn) – Inscribed 1952

Same basic design as Series 5

in new colors and all inscribed “1952”. These were printed from the same
plates as Series 4, with the color changes and the 1952 inscription added.

Details, designs A13 – A16, 1952?

Printing Method: Photogravure, sheets of 50, some exist without gum (a)Perforation: (B) 14 x
14, (C) ImperfSize: 44.5mm x 28.5mm
15 A13 10+20 Fr Shq Purple, Light Green Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952)
A Perf 12.5×12.5
B Perf 14×14
C Imperf
16 A14 25+25 Fr Shq Green, Light Greyish Blue Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952)
A Perf 12.5×12.5
B Perf 14×14
C Imperf
17 A15 25+50 Fr Shq Reddish Brown, Light Blue Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952)
A Perf 12.5×12.5
 B Perf 14×14
C Imperf
18 A16 50+50 Fr Shq Reddish Purple, Yellow Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952)
A Perf 12.5×12.5
B Perf 14×14
C Imperf

The “E” Flaw

The E flaw provide provides the

evidence that Series 4 and Series 5 were both printed from the same plates.
The “E-Flaw” appears on the 10+20 Fr Shq stamp in each set (#11 and
#15). It does not appear on any of the other stamps in the series.

This could also indicate that both series were printed at the same time.

Overprints on Series 4 and

Series 5
2 known overprints exists on both Series 4 and Series 5 stamps (all
denominations). They are known in 2 colors: Black and Gold. The
overprints are “In Memoriam” overprints for Kennedy (who died in 1963)
and Churchill (who died in 1965).
The overprints are fairly common and were probably introduced to
capitalized on “mourning issues” of worldwide stamps that were circulating
at the time

Overprint I: (In (a) Black or (b) Gold)

IN MEMORIAM
1. F. KENNEDY
1917 – 1963

Details, designs A9 – A16, Overprint I (Kennedy), 1963?

Printing Method: PhotogravurePerforation: 14x14Size: 44.5mm x 28.5mm
19 A9 10+20 Fr Shq Green, Salmon (11) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
Ia Black
Ib Gold
20 A10 25+25 Fr Shq Blue, Yellow (12) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
Ia Black
Ib Gold
21 A11 25+50 Fr Shq Brown, Light Green (13) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
Ia Black
Ib Gold
22 A12 50+50 Fr Shq Red Org, Light Org (14) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
Ia Black
Ib Gold
23 A13 10+20 Fr Shq Purple, Light Green (15) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952
Ia Black
Ib Gold
24 A14 25+25 Fr Shq Green, Light Greyish Blue (16) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952
Ia Black
Ib Gold
25 A15 25+50 Fr Shq Reddish Brown, Light Blue (17) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952
Ia Black
Ib Gold
26 A16 50+50 Fr Shq Reddish Purple, Yellow (18) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952
Ia Black
Ib Gold

Overprint II: (In (a) Black or (b) Gold)

IN MEMORIAM
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL

1874 – 1965

Details, designs A9 – A16, Overprint 2 (Churchill), 1965?

Printing Method: PhotogravurePerforation: 14x14Size: 44.5mm x 28.5mm
27 A9 10+20 Fr Shq Green, Salmon (11) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
IIa Black
IIb Gold
28 A10 25+25 Fr Shq Blue, Yellow (12) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
IIa Black
IIb Gold
29 A11 25+50 Fr Shq Brown, Light Green (13) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
IIa Black
IIb Gold
30 A12 50+50 Fr Shq Red Org, Light Org (14) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill
IIa Black
IIb Gold
31 A13 10+20 Fr Shq Purple, Light Green (15) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952
IIa Black
 IIb Gold
32 A14 25+25 Fr Shq Green, Light Greyish Blue (16) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952
IIa Black
IIb Gold
33 A15 25+50 Fr Shq Reddish Brown, Light Blue (17) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952
IIa Black
IIb Gold
34 A16 50+50 Fr Shq Reddish Purple, Yellow (18) Kastrioti, Roosevelt, Churchill (1952
IIa Black
IIb Gold

Overprint Varieties

A number of overprint “Varieties” exist. There are double overprints and

inverted overprints that appear on the market. In addition, on a few
occasions a set described as “Silver Overprint” has appeared, although, upon
inspection, these are just lightly inked black overprints.
There is also a mention of “T” (postage due) overprints on some of these
stamps (mentioned in an online forum, see footnote)
Philatelic Catalogs

None of these stamps get mention in the major catalogs (Scott, Michel,
Yvert, etc.) but are listed in specialty publications. Chapier’s “Les Timbres
De Fantaisie” lists these, as does “The Cinderella Philatelist”, Volume 1,
January 1961.

Covers

To date, some covers bearing the stamps of sets 2 and 3 have been seen in
online auctions.
These covers are probably purely philatelic and didn’t travel through the
mail, and both have postmarks with the town name “Oroshi”.

Cover A – “Expres” to USA

This cover bears 2 stamps from Series 2 and 3. #8 – 50 Fr Sh Overprint, and

#9, 50-20 Fr Shq Figures of Freedom.

The cover is addressed to a “H.E.F. Stolow on 60 West 46 Street, New York

and is stamped with “Expres” which is the Albanian word for “Express”

Henry Stolow was a stamp dealer and printer who emigrated to New York
from Germany via Brussels in the 1930’s. Stolow was widely known for
producing fantasy issues including bogus Greenland overprints, the issues of
Maluku Selatan and others. This cover leads to the belief that Stolow may
have been involved in the printing of sets 2 and 3, and probably sets 4 and 5
as well. If Stolow wasn’t directly involved in the printing of sets 2 and 3, at
least we have evidence that he possessed a copy of the “Figures of
Freedom” stamp that we know was copied and reproduced in sets 4 and 5.

The postmark dates the cover to May 30th, 1946, is labeled “Oroshi” and
“KOM-QINDR” which is probably an abbreviation of Komitetit Te
Qindreses
Cover B – Airpost to Rome

This cover bears all 4 stamps from set 2 and the single stamp from set 3. It
contains an Oroshi postmark as well as an Airpost postmark on the back
with Roma Ferrovia which indicates a post office at a railway station in
Rome. This cover is likely bogus as there are reports of similar faked covers
from Rome.

The address is blemished but reads in part: Alle STUDIO __?___

ALBANESE ROMA. Alle is Italian for “To” Studio translates to “Study”
and Albanese is “Albanian” and ROMA is Rome.
The postmark on the front is dated May 16th of 1947, “Oroshi”, “Posta
Ajrore” and the postmark on the back shows May 14th, 1947, Posta Aerea,
Roma Ferrovia.

Oroshi Postmark

The significance of the Oroshi postmark is historical and relates to the 1911
event when Albanian Independence was proclaimed and the first provisional

government was established led by Terenzio Tocci.

The Oroshi postmark was also used nearly 30 years earlier on a set of bogus
cinderella stamps for the Republic of Mirdita (Mirdites). Its significance is
further evidence of the philatelic nature of these resistance covers as Albania
was under communist control and no cover could have left
Oroshi (Orosh) with these stamps on them.

Promotion and Sale

The set 4 and 5 stamps “flooded” the philatelic market in the early 1950’s.
A early classified advertisement in the December 1953 issue of Boys Life
magazine promoted these along with other sets. These continued to be
promoted with classified ads throughout the decade and ads were seen in
other publications such as Popular Mechanics (January 1957 and July 1959)
In packet materials from Zenith Stamp company they were promoted as a
“Secret Albania Liberation Set” and from Mystic: “Intended for use when
Albania is Free from Communist Control”. The stamp dealers were
probably aware of their bogus nature but offered them anyway.
Warnings in the Philatelic Press

The Philatelic community caught on quickly to the bogus nature of these

stamps. The stamps were flooding the market in the United States and were
being marketed to young collectors.

Stanley Gibbons Monthly in July of 1954 stated: “It is high time that we
helped make it clear that they (the stamps from these countries) are absolute
rubbish”. At the same time they warned of other bogus issues from “Free
Croatia” and “South Moluccas”.

Other publications picked up these reports including the Stamp column of

the Spokane Daily Chronicle in August of 1954, the Canadian
Philatelist (See image to right), November 1954, and even an article in the
March 1955 editon of Boys Life Magazine (even though the stamps were
being advertised in the Boys Life Classified section).