GANDHI STAMPS CLUB

Exposing illegal activities by investigating what's happening in Gandhi Stamps. I don't want any other stamp collector to get cheated ever like I was cheated because there was no blog, website or book which gives you reality about Forgery, Fake, Shill bidding and correct pricing in Gandhi Stamps and Philately. Think this blog as GANDHI STAMPS NEWSPAPER. No Profit or NON PROFIT approach without trying to sell anything or no advertisement and expressing my freedom of speech.

12/21/10

1948 Gandhi FDC with 10 rupees stamps

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

I saw 1948 Gandhi 4 stamps FDC with 10 rupees stamps sold for $1675.!!! At this price someone in India can buy car (Tata Nano).!!

I am not sure who is spending this much money in philatelic world, but someone is.

Check out following screen shot and you will be surprised.

winner --------> c***e(1321)
other bidder ---> c**b (3575), b***b(209), a***d(228)

Don't you see this bidders all the time.!! Don't know how much money they have.!!

I am not sure what is going on with 1948 10 rupees Gandhi stamp and FDC but the price are going through roofs. Even though worldwide stamp collecting hobby is declining and stamp collectors cannot sell there collection even though with internet boom in last 10 years except Gandhi philatelic material.!!

I am not sure how many advanced Gandhi collectors are in world who are trying to buy this kind of philatelic material.

I think it will be interesting topic to start researching on this.

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club

12/16/10

Sao Tome Principe stamp

Hello Gandhi Stamps Collectors,

I don't understand why 1987 Gandhi stamp from Sao Tome Principe is selling for more than $100 dollars.

This country is 183rd in size(372 sq. miles), 188th in population( 163000) and Gross National Income per captial is US 1020$. If you compare with USA which i s 3/4th in size, 3rd in population (308 million) and GNI per capital is US 48000$.

If you think about this 3 facts than you will start thinking who in Sao Tome & Principe will buy this stamps. I think this is another example of making money on Gandhi stamps in which fetching lot of money.

This stamp was printed in 1987 with Olympic games, International Organisations, Red cross, Famous people Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Albert John Lutuli. It's Michel number 979-982, 169. Following is the complete set.

Some times you can find this stamp cheap from people who are collecting only Nobel Price winner or Red Cross and Gandhi is not Noble Price winner (This is a great embrassement for all the Nobel prize winners !!) and collectors of that nobel prize stamps don't need this Gandhi stamp. If you are lucky you will get cheap otherwise collector has to pay high price.

The price in an old Michel catalogue is cheap and they never warned in Michel Rundschau about high prices of this Gandhi stamp.

If anyone has more info about this stamp than please comment on it.

Following are links from delcampe auction site and you will be amazed what price it is selling for and who are the bidders. Look carefully to bidders name.

1) Delcampe item # 85864077
2) Delcampe item #64552460
3) Delcampe item #91402531
4) Delcampe item #64552460

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club.

8/22/10

Why paying 900 dollars for Gandhi 1948 FDC with 10 rupees?

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I saw another 1948 Gandhi FDC with 4 stamps of Gandhi including 10 rupees was sold for $900!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is private FDC :)

But after some research(type of fdc, bidders, seller, buyer) of this FDC it makes me think twice!!!

Look who is winning and bidding.

Seller is aspireb(209) [b***b (209)]

winner is-----------> i***0(253)
2nd bidder---------> i***p(272)

If you see my previous blog than seller of this item was also bidding on that FDC which was sold for $1675.

Now you need to do more research and find out more things for yourself.

This is only for future reference for new Gandhi collector.

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club

5/13/10

Possible FAKE Gandhi China Postcard ( postal stationery , Articles postaux ) Gandhi and Formula Car Postcard from China

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I saw 50+ Gandhi Postcard with different pictures from China selling on delcampe. It looks like postcard is officially issued from "The People's Republic of China" postal service because China stamp with 80 Yuan(whatever amount) is printed on this. My first look is this is official without any research. But...

After doing some research I think all this Gandhi postcards from China are possibly FAKE(Not issued officially by China Postal Service).

Reason for this conclusion is

1) How can 50+ different Gandhi postcards is issued from China. Gandhi is related to Human Rights, Peace, Non-Violence etc. Even Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries don't have any official stamp or stationary than how can it be from China.!!
2) Barcode & AA number is same on all China Gandhi postcards.
3) Also same Barcode & AA number on Gandhi Postcard is also on other postcards from china.(same number on 2 different theme of postcards.)

In this case Barcode & AA # is same on Gandhi & Formula Car Postcard.!!

You can see both postcards on delcampe website by clicking following link. Check for Barcode # & AA # which is same.

Formula Car Postcard:- http://stamps.delcampe.net/item.php?language=E&id=89334282
Gandhi Postcard:- http://stamps.delcampe.net/item.php?language=E&id=88161481
Gandhi Postcard:- http://stamps.delcampe.net/item.php?language=E&id=88159778

You can search on delcampe for 50+ Gandhi postcards from China and you will see same Barcode and AA # with 10+ Formula car postcards.

Also Check following screen shot from delcampe.

AA # is 451684
Barcode # is 6 938710000017

After looking all 3 points I think this are all FAKE postcard printed not by China Post but by some other greedy person.

Barcode should be different for each postcard for inventory, pricing etc.

So I think maker of this postcard don't know how to make FAKE postcard.!!

Think before buying not only GANDHI postcards from China but all postcards from China selling on delcampe.

If any one in China reads this blog please do some research on this and let us know so we can remove FAKE or remove Possible.!! Also there is one ebay seller from China who sells Gandhi stamps from all around the world he needs to look in to this postcards or he might be also FAKE seller from China.

But my personal opinion is Gandhi Postcard from China is not issued by Postal Service of China and I will called it as a FAKE. Until now I was aware of FAKE postmark cancel issued in 1969 & 2009 but now it is Postcard.!! So buyers please do your research before you think to buy this kind of item or any GANDHI philatelic material.

Only good point is that this item is selling under 3-4 US dollars which is a good part on seller. I don't understand why he try to make it looks like officially issued instead of just printing simple postcard of Gandhi if he wants to sell this cheap. I think he might get his asking price even if he did not try to make it official postcard by printing stamp on this postcards. Previous Gandhi FAKE postmark cancel are currently selling for very high price ($99)!!

Not only Gandhi Postcard from China is FAKE but also all postcards(Formula Car, Darwin, Disney Characters.......) from this seller is FAKE.

I am amazed in 18 months of my collection, that what kind of activities collectors and dealers are applying to sell Gandhi Philately material as well as other Philately material. CAN'T TRUST ANY GANDHI PHILATELIC MATERIAL. !!!

Any comments are welcome on this blog post.

Again thanks for reading this blog post and Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

Following are some of the blog posted about Gandhi Fake Philately material on Gandhi Philately blog which will give you good information before you buy.

1) Gandhi 1969 Fiji Cancel
2) Gandhi 1969 Cancel - Possible Forgery
3) Gandhi Germany 2009 Postmark Cancel with Emblem of India
4) Germany special Gandhi Postmark Cancel or Gandhi Rubber Stamp?

4/30/10

Pricing study of Gandhi USED cover - Part 1 ( Gandhi 1970 Mauritius Souvenier Sheet Register Cover )

Hello Gandhi Collectors

As you know I am studying Gandhi stamp pricing, Gandhi FDC pricing and now I started studying about Gandhi USED covers. It looks like pricing is declining in Gandhi collection in each and every catageory whether it is Gandhi Stamp or Gandhi FDC or Gandhi commerically Used Cover etc.

In this blog post I would like to bring your attention about my study on Mauritius Used covers. In April 2009 Mauritius Gandhi Souvenir sheet Register cover was sold for $1.84( 1.24 GBP). I am surprised by the price this cover was sold.

Seller is "theobargain" from UK and buyer is "indiephila" also from UK. Following is the screen shot taken from ebay. My other hobby is to collect this kind of screen shot for future reference for my Gandhi Pricing & Bidding study.

There were 2 bids on this item and one was mine. If I had not bidded on this item than this might have sold only for $1.35(0.99 GBP)

I am not sure why this Register cover only sold for $1.84. Do any one know why?

I have following questions.
1) Is there not enough interest in Gandhi USED covers?

2) Or there is not enough interest only in Mauritus Gandhi Used covers?

3) Is $1.84 is philatelic value of this cover?

4) What was correct postage required for Register cover in 1969/1970?

Also I see lot of Gandhi Register Cover from Mauritus for sale on ebay on regular basis (as if some one got postmark cancel or someone went to Mauritus in 1969 and made it.!!) and try to sell between 30-50$, but no one is buying it. I also see wide variety of postage affixed on this register cover so that's need to be studied in future. Also I don't think Gandhi collection was that famous in 1969 and except some dealers all were not that rich that can afford it to make this kind of covers. Also communication between collector was not that easy and fast like we have it today So I am suprised how this Register cover are popping up for sale on ebay and as well as delcampe.!!

I think $.184 is philatelic value in 2009 for this Mauritius 1970 Register cover because it was sold through open market in auction. This price was low because NO Shill bidding happen in this auction and no other Gandhi Collector or dealer was interested in this cover to buy it so value did not went up. Not sure why Indian dealers are not buying this kind of Mauritius cover to resell it at higher price or they are not averaging there purchase by buying this kind of cover.

This Souvenier Sheet has very good stamps of Gandhi in his different age and other things related to Gandhi. According to me this is one of the best Gandhi sheet printed ever, but still used register cover are not appealing to collectors at all.

Strange are things in Gandhi Used covers as I saw couple of months ago Register cover from Cameroun 1969 with Gandhi stamp sold for $460 (one of the expensive Gandhi used cover) and Mauritus cover is sold under $2. I am not sure why.?

I don't own this kind of Gandhi Mauritius Register Cover and not planning to add in my collection in my life time!!

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club

4/26/10

Gandhi stamp value declining.!! - Part 2 (Somalia Gandhi stamp and Yemen Gandhi stamp)

Hello Gandhi Collector,

It is a great news for new Gandhi Collector who want to start collecting Gandhi stamps because I am seeing Gandhi stamps value is really going down.
In January 2010 I wrote about Gandhi stamp value declining and I am writing part-2 about Gandhi Stamp value.
On April 23rd Gandhi stamp from Yemen sold for $3.50 & Gandhi 3 stamps from Somalia sold for $8.70 on ebay. Following is screen shot.

I bought Somalia & Yemen Gandhi stamps in January 2009 for $32.00. so I lost $20 which is 62%.!! During same time US stock market & 401k accounts went up by 40-50%.!! You might be thinking how in the world "Mr. Patel" paid this much!!. But I did as I was not aware about what's going on in Gandhi Philately.

Both transaction was from same seller "sedin01" from Isarel. (see at bottom of this blog post for more screen shot).
So this means that I lost money as well as this dealer"sedin01"also lost money(from profit) on this Gandhi stamps.
So again my questions are
1) Why price declining in Gandhi Stamps?
2) Is it temporary decline or forever.?
3) Or I paid more in Jan 2009? My answer is YES !! (Again My Experience)
4) Someone was/is playing with new Gandhi collectors (In this case it's me!!!)
5) What is real value of this stamps?
6) Are RESELLER of Gandhi stamps are more educated about bidding on Gandhi stamps? (Now they might be thinking what to do with this overpriced purchases.!!)
7) Do you think price will further decline and become just piece of paper instead of stamp?
I am not sure whether new collector will ever start collecting Gandhi stamps after reading this price declining in Gandhi stamps!! But I am sure by reading this blog post they will get some hint before they start collecting.
I am writing this because new collector as well as experienced collector should not go through this again.!!
Any comments or concerns are most welcome.

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club

Further Reading:-
1) Gandhi Stamp value declining.
2) Pricing Study on Gandhi FDC - Part 1

==========================================================
Following is bigger screen shot for more research.
1) My purchase in Jan 2009.

2) Following is Yemen & Somalia stamps sold on April 23rd 2010 for $3.50 & $8.20 which will combine $12.20

4/25/10

Pricing study on Gandhi FDC - Part 1 (Costa Rica Gandhi)

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Today Costa Rica Gandhi FDC ended for $1.90 (1.24 Pounds) on ebay. If I have not bidded on this item than it might have gone for $1.35 (0.99 pounds).!!

Item was listed from United Kingdom (England) by seller "phil-centre" and buyer is unknown because of private listing. I don't know why seller wants to hide bidders, but my guess is that they want to hide their own bidding on their item(shill bidding) so they can increase the price, but that is different research/topic.

I am surprised by price at which this Costa Rica Gandhi FDC is sold and I am not sure what is the real value of Gandhi FDC.

Whether all this pricing is all FAKE (increased by seller) or value of Gandhi FDC is real.

In January I wrote about Gandhi stamp value declining and again my point is it really value declining? or buyer and dealers know this the GAME of Gandhi philately collection.!!!

I paid $10-15 in Feb 2009 when I just started collecting FDC so I am loosing value on this FDC. Is it strange that value is declining or I paid more as I was not aware of what's going on in Gandhi collection.

If any one knows real value of this FDC than please let us know so in future some other new Gandhi collector don't pay more money like me and he is aware of what is real situation instead of just jumping in Gandhi Philately by buying at more price and than regret like me.!!

Please read following series of my blog post to understand what is going on stamp collecting world specially in Indian Philatelic materials and then you decide.

1) 1948 Stamps False hope of Riches?
2) 1948 Gandhi Stamps: Are False hope of Riches - Part II ?
3) 1948 Gandhi Mourning Private FDC : Are False hope of Riches - Part III?
4) 1948 Expensive Gandhi FDC : Are False hope of Riches - Part IV?
5) 1948 Gandhi Stamps Early Usage cover : Gandhi Stamps Are False hope of Riches - Part V?
6) Maxi Card sold for $5100 with 1948 Gandhi Stamps - False hope of Riches - Part VI?
7) Indian Philately Exposed
8) Indian Philately Exposed - Part II
9) First Aerial Post - Indian Philately Exposed - Part III
10) 1911 First Aerial Post - Allahabad - Indian Philately Exposed - Part IV

So all collectors beware of a big hype or push to glorify not only Gandhi stamps collection but some other Indian Philatelic collection such as 1911 First Aerial Mail from Allahabad, King George V, King Edward, Queen Victoria and other British India Stamps

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club.

4/3/10

"Think Different" Gandhi & Apple.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

On April 3rd Apple came out with IPAD. You might be wondering what to do with IPAD & Gandhi Philately.!!

"Think Different" was an advertising slogan created for Apple Computer in 1997 . It was used in a famous television commercial & several print & billboard advertisment for Apple products with Images of different famous people around the world including Gandhi, Einstein, Martin Luther King etc. Apple's use of the slogan was discontinued with the start of the Apple Switch ad campaign in 2002.

(image update on 4/28/10 so readers can see 44 cents stamps)

I understand about using images of MLK, Einstein, Dalai Lama, Muhammed Ali (boxer) & others but Gandhi has great power as an icon from 1890- till today and also in future. If you look at him and you think about him than you will really impressed by his thinking "Think Different" who believed in simplicity, calm, rebellion without violence.

When he died, all his belongings -- Bhagavad Gita (Hindu holy book), his toothbrush & khadki cloth, fit inside couple of shoe boxes. Also he has no "WILL" and so no royalty of his books goes to his family members. So Apple Mac, iMac, iPod, iTouch, iPhone, iPad & i......? are simplicity in look.

So on 3rd April I also started "Think Different"and made a event cover during IPAD deputs.

This is a genuine postmark cancel from USPS postoffice with Gandhi stamp on the cover.

I also started thinking other than Gandhi Rubber Stamps.!! "Think Different"
I know this is not a great Gandhi cover or event related to Gandhi, but I think differently.!! Also all things here are genuine such as stamp, postmark cancel and also photo. Photo is used as per APPLE Inc. guidelines with corporate logo of Apple and also mentioned about "Courtsey of Apple Inc" on my envelope(Event Cover). Following is the link for photos and Apple guidelines.
http://www.apple.com/pr/pics/thinkdiffads.html

Any comments are welcome. Thanks for reading & start thinking differently like Gandhi.!! Don't think like Apple.!!

Want to see more of this kind of my creation then click following links.

Martin Luther Memorial Dedication Cover in Washington DC. (coming soon)

Washington, DC Gandhi Statue Cover on October 2nd. (This Blog post)

25th Anniversary cover of Gandhi Statue in New York.

Ottawa Gandhi Statue Unveiling Cover with Diwali stamp.

10th Anniversary cover of 911 Memorial with Gandhi Stamps and CDS from NY.

Unveiling cover of One of the Largest Bronze Sculptor of Gandhi with other Humantrains in Oakland, CA

50th Anniversary cover of Mahatma Gandhi USA stamp with Special Pictorial Cancellation.

Apple IPad Launch cover Think Different "Gandhi & Apple"

Again thanks for reading and Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.

My 100th Blog post

(My Son's blog http://usapostman.blogspot.com)

Read comment about this cover by clicking following link.

http://stampsofindia.com/newssite/download/433.pdf

3/25/10

Germany special Gandhi Postmark Cancel or Gandhi Rubber Stamp?

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I saw one more Gandhi Special Postmark Cancel from Germany. Thank God this one don't have Emblem of India.

This postmark cancel is different than which was for sale on ebay with Gandhi picture & Emblem of India with CDS of 2nd October 2009. But there are some similarities between this 2 postmark cancel.
1) Picture of Gandhi on postmark cancel.
2) Address (Town) on cover.
3) And lot more..........

It's amazing.!!

Following is the cover which has GANDHI special postmark cancel with CDS of May 6-10, 2009. Seems to me that India is welcoming this stamp exhibition at IBRA(Internationale Briefmarken-Ausstellung) 2009 in ESSEN, Germany. Name & Address is white-out is from this cover by me. If you want to do more research on this I can provide full scan.

After looking in to details on this cover it has 5 Rupees Stamp from India. Which is not sufficient/correct postage required for International mail by Indian post in 2009.
I have following questions about above Gandhi Postmark cancel.

1) What to do with Gandhi and this exhibition(expo) in Germany?
2) Is this offical cancel from IBRA with cachet of stamp exhibition?
3) Which philatelic society of India is Greeting this Exposition?
4) Do Indian Postal Service or Indian Goverment greets this exhibition?
5) Do Indian Embassy in Germany knows about it?
6) It has orange barcode so do you think it is commerical used (with insufficent postage)?
7) If commerically used than how it is valid with Indian stamp or only Indian stamp on cover?
8) Why Indian stamp on German Expo (IBRA) cover? Not sure whether this cover is mailed from India or Germany?

After thinking answers for all above questions, Will you consider this as Special Postmark Cancel or Special Rubber stamp?

Unless I don't get sufficent proof of this cancel, I will call it as Special Rubber stamp.!! Like my kids play with rubber stamps of butterfly, flowers, rainbow, princesses, disney characters etc. This is my personal opinion for this Gandhi Special Rubber Stamp because it is very hard for me to think as Special Postmark Cancel.

After researching for previous Gandhi Postmark Cancel from Germany, I can do research on this myself so I did not contacted Deutsche Post. If someone has contact with IBRA I would like to get more info on this if possible.

This postmark cancel is not as per design guidelines of Deutsche(German) Post. Following are links from Deutsche Post for special cancellation requirements. Check it out for more information.

1) Postal stamp with self promotion used for special anniversary or memorial event.
2) Sonderstempel used for anniversary, festivals, fairs and exhibition.

There is a huge difference in design requirement of this cancel compare to 2nd October 2009 cancel where only POSTHORNS were missing in the postmark cancel.
I think artist/creator of this postmark cancel learned from previous mistakes and make neccesary improvement in next release (bug fix for computer industries) but still there are more bugs.!! Next time they need to fix Gandhi Photo on the cancel so it looks completely different.!!
Why Germany?
According to me something is going on like Germany's BLUM Forgery so Gandhi collectors need to be aware of this kind of activities as currently we see it from Germany than we might see from other countries like it happen in 1969. Also World is very small now compare to 1969 so it is easy to keep your eyes open and you will see something not only in Rubber stamps but also how philatelic material prices are increased by collectors, dealers and reseller.

Let us know if you have more information about this Rubber stamp so we can change it to Postmark cancel. But I think it is a Rubber stamp.!!!

And also Christian Sperber thinks so. You can read his comments by clicking following link.

http://stampsofindia.com/newssite/download/432.pdf

Again thanks for reading this blog post and Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

It's very hard to find Genuine cancellation (special cancellation) as it is very easy to forged.!!! and sometimes there are NO GENUINE cancellation even exist.!!

Still cannot decide then read following blog post which might help you.

1) FAKE or Forged British India Cancellation

2) FAKE Indian Embassy of Nepal Cancellation

3) Even Gandhi Stamps are FAKE.!!

Still not decided then my opinion is AVOID it all the cost.!! and have peace of mind instead of worrying you are buying Genuine material.!!!

To me all Gandhi Philatelic material available ( specially before 1950) looks FAKE or Forgery as it is very hard to find Genuine stuff and as new collectors (like me) wants to collect, so some greedy experienced collectors/dealers will provide all of us as well as experienced collectors.!!

Still want to do research then please read my other blog post and have fun.!!

By reading this blog post with all think link, will you ever trust this postmark cancellation even it is sold to me by some known person also ?

Don't you think Gandhi Philatelic material is very easy to FORGED or FAKED.?

Thanks

Gandhi Stamps Club

3/16/10

THE STATE EMBLEM OF INDIA & GANDHI Postcards and Postmark Cancel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I saw in philately world there is a great demand of official material and to supply this demand philatelic organisation all around world started using official/emblem of that counrty after getting permission from authorized countries. Today I am writing about "Emblem of India".

http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/STATE_EMBLEM_ACT2005.pdf

Above link will explain why it is ILLEGAL to use EMBLEM OF INDIA without permission of Goverment of India. Also it explain about penalty and fine for using illegally.!!

WHAT IS STATE EMBLEM OF INDIA:

The State Emblem of India is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Emporer Ashoka, who ruled from 272 BC to 232 BC. It is preserved in the Sarnath Museum, near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The Lion Capital has four lions standing back to back mounted on a circular abacus. The frieze of the abacus is adorned with sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening Dharma Chakra (Wheels of Law). The abacus rests on a bell-shaped lotus.

The State Emblem is the official seal of India. As such, use of the State Emblem for official seal is restricted to the President, the Vice President, Union Ministers, Ministers and others Officers of the Central Government including diplomatic missions abroad, Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Chief Commissioners and Administrators of Union Territories and Ministers and departments and offices of the State governments and of Union Territory governments and administrations who have adopted the State Emblem. Offices of Central Government permitted to use distinct emblems of their own may, however, use the same in their seals.

The State Emblem, on demi-official stationery used by Ministers, when printed or embossed should appear on the top left hand corner in blue colour,. The lettering like "Home Minister" or "Ministry of Home Affairs" should appear on the top right hand corner. The demi-official stationery used by officers should be embossed or printed in red colour except when an officer is specifically authorised to use such stationery in some other colour. Names of officers, however, should not be printed on such stationery.

The Members of Parliament may have the State Emblem embossed or printed on their stationery. The colour to be used for the purpose in the case of the Members of the Lok Sabha is green and red for the Members of the Rajya Sabha. Such stationery when supplied by the Chief Controller of Printing and Stationery, does not contain the names or addresses of the Members. But the Members may, at their discretion get such stationery, with their names and addresses printed at private presses approved for this purpose by the Government of India in the Ministry of Urban Development.

Where the stationery used by the Members of Parliament, contains the State Emblem it should not bear words like "Advocate, Supreme Court/High Court" and "Editor…..Journal", below their names in the letter-heads.

The Members of Legislative Assemblies of Union Territfories and the Members of Metropolitan Council of Delhi may have the State Emblem embossed or printed on their stationery. The stationery containing the State Emblem, however, should not bear words like "Advocate, Supreme Court/High Court" and "Editor…..Journal", below their names in the letter-heads.

The State Emblem shall not be used for any trade or profession or in the title of any patent, or in any trade mark or design except in such cases and under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Governments under Section 3 of The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950. Unauthorised use of the Emblem for such purposes is an offence under the Act.

Private persons, bodies of persons and sports associations are not permitted to use the State Emblem on their letter-heads, seats, crests, badges, house flags or for any other purpose except with the permission of the Government.(PIB Features)

Above Postcard is from Croatia with GANDHI postmark cancel issued on Oct 2nd 2009 has "EMBLEM OF INDIA". This is legal as it was issued in presence of Indian Consulate Officer from Embassy of India in Croatia. Also he attended this stamp exhibition.

This was issued during philatelic exhibition tribute to Gandhi from 30.9. to 30.10.2009. in Zagreb at HT Museum. It was exhibit of Mr. Ole-Fredrik Olsen from Norway. Above photo is from opening ceremony ( from left to right : Ivan Libric, president of Croatian Philatelic Federation; Mrs Dunja Radosevic, Director of Museum; Mr. Suresh C. Khurana, Embassy of India; Interpreter; Mr. Ole-Fredrik Olsen philatelist from Norway). This makes that this postcard was issued officially with STATE EMBLEM OF INDIA.

Don't you think famous collectors needs to EXPOSE all activities instead of getting involved in making forgery items such as First day Independence "Jai Hind" cancellation or cover mailed to Gandhi or others.!

Don't you think they need to expose in exhibit by mentioning this might be BOGUS or FAKE philatelic material instead of glorifying it through exhibit.

(Do we have any proof like above for following Gandhi 2009 Germany Winnenden Special Cancellation with Emblem of India.)

On the postcards are coats of arms of the Croatian Philatelic Federation, OFFICAL EMBLEM OF INDIA provided by Embassy of India and Association Lotos Zagreb. Text on postcard is in Croatian language: Days of Mahatma Gandhi - and "My life - my message".

So to all my fellow collectors if you are buying any postcards, postmark cancellation or any other philatelic material make sure it is offically issued by Indian Goverment or Indian Goverment has given Permission to use that.

Please beware of greedy dealer/reseller who are trying to abuse Gandhi Philatelic collection by creating unbelievable philatelic material.

Let me know if any quesitons or concerns. Any comments or further research on this topic is most welcome.

Want to know more about FAKE and FORGERY stamps then checkout other blog post click one of the following link and you will be surprised.!!!

1) Philatelic FAKE and FORGERIES.
2) FAKE AERO PHILATELY Covers.
3) Stamp collection CHEATING.
4) Stamp Collection Value
5) Stamp Collecting Facts
6) China stamp collection value.
7) First AirMail Post
8) World First Flight Cover
9) Greatest Stamp Collection Scandal
10) Biggest stamp collection SCAM
11) SCANDAL in stamp collection
12) How to increase stamp collection value

Now does it make sense to collect stamps ?

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club

3/8/10

Great Britain Gandhi stamps : 1969 Gandhi FDC with British Force Post Office (BFPO) Postmark Cancellation

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Daily you are seeing 1969 Gandhi FDC from UK on Ebay, Delcampe or other stamp shows but today I am going to blog about UK Gandhi FDC with a very different CDS.

Following FDC has Cancellation from British Force/Field Post Office (BFPO) 318, which makes this very unique in my collection. FPO 318 is postoffice on HMS Kent which is part of Allied Regiment. HMS Kent (D12) was a County-class destroyer ship of the Royal Navy from 1960 to 1998. So this is a Naval Cover and I have not seen any FDC which has CDS from Sea (ship).

What is BFPO: The British Forces Post Office (BFPO) provides a postal service to HM Forces, separate from that provided by Royal Mail in the United Kingdom. BFPO addresses are used for the delivery of mail in the UK and around the world.BFPO is based at RAF Northolt in North West London

What is a BFPO Number?

British Forces Post Office Numbers (Static) are for a given location, and/or group of isolated detachments.

British Forces Post Offices Numbers (Ships) refers to a specific ship, regardless of its location, although it may refer to some land based naval establishments.

Addressing format for BFPO mail:

Service No Rank Name
Unit/Regt
Operation Name
BFPO No

Please be advised that the Town and Country must not be included in the address.

Do you think this FDC is unique or rare?

If you have any some what similar FDC than please share with all of us and make it an interesting topic to read. So please check your collection or refresh your memory and start sharing.

Any questions, concerns or comments are welcome.

Thanks
GSC
My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.
My 100th blog post.
Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!
(My Son's blog http://usapostman.blogspot.com)

My favorite Blog post:- My experience of Gandhi collection.

Gandhi FDC with British Force Post Office (BFPO) Postmark Cancellation

What is BFPO: The British Forces Post Office (BFPO) provides a postal service to HM Forces, separate from that provided by Royal Mail in the United Kingdom. BFPO addresses are used for the delivery of mail in the UK and around the world.
BFPO is based at RAF Northolt in North West London

What is a BFPO Number?

British Forces Post Office Numbers (Static) are for a given location, and/or group of isolated detachments.

British Forces Post Offices Numbers (Ships) refers to a specific ship, regardless of its location, although it may refer to some land based naval establishments.

Thanks
Ketankumar Patel.

3/1/10

US Gandhi cover from US Embassy travelled through US Navy (Naval cover).

As I mentioned in my previous blog post about Naval cover are covers that are from or to Navy personnel stationed overseas or offical purpose for Navy office. Above cover is is not from or to Navy personnel or Office but still carries US Navy FPO, AP 96515 postmark cancel.!!!

From Address is

XXXXX
PSC500-26
DPO, AP, 96515
USA

By looking to this address if you are aware of USA states abbreviations that there is no AP state. Also city name is also weird as never heard about DPO.

I did some research and found out that that this cover is from Embassy of United Sates in Manila, Philippines and send to Venezuela.

This is Diplomatic mail as it was send from US Embassy so it was not carried out by Philippines Postal Service but it was handle by United States MPSA division.

Name: XXXXX
Street Name: PSC500-26
City: DPO (Diplomatic Post Office)
State: AP (Armed Force Pacific)
Zip: 96515

Following will explain how I found out all this.!!

Until 1980, each of the U.S. military Services managed their own mail program. In 1980, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) created Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) to perform this task with USPS and has a jointly-staffed headquarters located in the National Capital Region. MPSA is required to adhere to United States Postal Service (USPS) rules, federal laws, and various international laws and agreements for movement of military mail into over 85 countries.

USPS and MPSA has addressing scheme so US Military/Navy/Airforce receive mail from family,realtives and friends. Also now a days online retailer ships directly to US Military personnel stationed overseas.

DPO : [Diplomatic Post Office ] : Used by U.S. Embassy.

Following link is US Embassy address in Manila, Philippines.

http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3029.html

So by looking all above mentioned things I had concluded that this Gandhi used cover is from US Embassy and travels through Sea from Philippines to Venezuela. It might have also travelled through Air otherwise it will take long time to reach there.

Thanks for reading and you are welcomed to leave any comments about any questions or concerns.

Thanks

BTW: I had never seen Gandhi Stamp on Embassy covers of any countries so this is a very unique cover for me.

2/27/10

How to create Gandhi Error stamps

Hello Gandhi Philatelic Collectors,

I was looking for Gandhi error stamp for my collection to make unique than all of you !! and I was surprised how many Gandhi Error stamps are available in market today.

Now first let talk about types of error in stamps. There are different types of errors in stamp whiile printing or designing and the errors are Design error, Value error, Omission error, Invert error, Color error, Paper error, Imperforate error and others.

But in Gandhi stamps I only found 2 types of error.

1) Imperforate error (Perforations are missing or incorrect)
2) Color error (Stamp is printed in the wrong color)

As we can understand that Imperforate error are genuine error as it was due to human or machine error while imperforating the stamp sheet in the machine. So I will only discuss about color (faded) error.

But about the color error I was little bit curious about it so I went to stamp show and ask one of the expert and he explained me about what's going on with this COLOR error stamp. I also did my own research on this topic and I was surprised how easy is to CREATE ERROR STAMP.

1) By keeping certain part of stamp in Sunlight for few days
2) By using bleach on stamp
3) God knows....

Following are some of the example of Gandhi color error stamp. I am not sure whether this is printing machine issue or man made by exposing various methods to do it. It's upto collector to judge this stamps before they buy or use some experts help(not me.!!).

Check some of the amazing FAKE color error stamps. It's worth to look and understand what is and can be possible.

http://www.stephenrdatz.com/srd7blue_033.htm (FAKE error stamps)

http://www.stephenrdatz.com/srd7blue_021.htm (REAL error stamps)

After looking at above website What do you think about this Gandhi Color errors?

If not sure than try it out. It's not that hard. Just waste 2-3 stamps and you will get error Gandhi stamps.

Tips for spotting FAKE error stamps

http://www.stephenrdatz.com/srd7blue_031.htm

We had seen this in Gandhi stamp collection, were everyone think they are smarter than other.!!!

Click one of the following link and you will become smarter.!!

1) Philatelic FAKE and FORGERIES.
2) FAKE AERO PHILATELY Covers.
3) Stamp collection CHEATING.
4) Stamp Collection Value
5) Stamp Collecting Facts
6) China stamp collection value.
7) First AirMail Post
8) World First Flight Cover
9) Greatest Stamp Collection Scandal
10) Biggest stamp collection SCAM
11) SCANDAL in stamp collection
12) How to increase stamp collection value

Now does it make sense to collect stamps after looking above blog posts?

Now let's talk about REAL Gandhi stamp error.

Look at following block of Gandhi Hungary Stamp. This is the REAL (Genuine) color error stamp in which color(black) itself is missing and because of that you can't see other letters on the stamps. This is not a example of faded color error but it's REAL.

But this might be STOLEN from waste or government archive or instead of shredded or burned.!! So don't consider this as ERROR stamp but it is stolen property from people of HUNGARY.!!

This Hungary Gandhi stamp is the genuine color (missing) error but it's stolen from waste which was sold on ebay for 1246 US $.

So each stamp cost about 300$!! instead of $2 if it was GENUINE stamp.

Again thanks for reading and please share your thoughts in the comments section

Thanks

Gandhi Stamps Club

1948 Indian Gandhi stamps used in Tibet
Nepal Indian Embassy Cancellation on 1948 Gandhi Stamps
Early usage of 1948 Gandhi stamps
FAKE 1948 Gandhi stamp FDC from India.
Gandhi SERVICE stamp is it REAL or FAKE?

2/23/10

India stamps and shill bidding ?

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

You all know that I am fan of saving screen shot of Gandhi Philatelic item sold on Ebay (more than 1500 so far in my collection!!).

Let's see how Gandhi 1948 India 10 Rs. stamp is sold 2 years ago. This screen shot helps me lot in collecting Gandhi Philately so I thought let me share with all of you. In order to understand this you need to read my 10-15 blog posts so you will know what I am talking about.

One auction is from USA and other is from UK. It's a global network.!! Not sure were income tax, sales tax, VAT tax etc are paid.!!

========================First Auction=================

Auction ends:- Feb 19 2009.

Seller:- bpp14
Buyer:- 3***n (898) ("manali283")
Price Sold :- 116.50 US $
Other bidders:- o***o(335) and k***_(826)

=====================END 1st Auction =====================

Now let's see how 2nd auction Gandhi 1948 India 10 Rs. stamp is sold :-

==================== Auction 2nd =======================

Auction ends:- Jan 20 2009.

Seller:- theobargain
Buyer:- kad_ss(826)
Price Sold :- 107 US $ (77 GBP)
Other bidders:- UK listing so cannot see. But there were total 4 bidders.

================= 2nd Auction Ends ====================================

If you don't understand what I am trying to explain here then please let me know. Only thing here is to see who is SELLER and BUYER.!!

Look at the following screenshot and you decide what is happening.

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&ftab=AllFeedback&userid=indiephila&iid=-1&de=off&interval=0&items=50

Want to know more about Philatelic FAKE and FORGERY then click following link and read about it and you will find some common bidders.

http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/2013/10/philatelicfakesandforgeries.html

Also would you like to see more of this screen shot about pricing and buyer and seller?

So what do you think about this.?

Thanks

Gandhi Stamps Club.

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3/16/10

3/8/10

3/1/10

2/27/10

2/23/10