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.

9/30/11

All United Nations Airbus A380 FFC with Gandhi stamp are questionable.!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

On October 2, 2009 United Nations issued stamp of Mahatma Gandhi of $1 to celebrate International Day of Non-Violence. This stamp is only valid to mail from United Nations office in New York. You cannot use this in local USA post office or any other UN office in USA. But here United Nations Stamps - UN stamps, is been used on FFC.

The United Nations is the only organization in the world which is neither a country nor a government, and is permitted to issue postage stamps. Because of arrangements made with postal authorities in the United States, Switzerland and Austria, the United Nations Postal Administration issues stamps in three different denominations. While UN stamps are popular collectors’ items, they can be used for posting only from post offices located at UN offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna.

Read more about United Stamp Usage.(#31)

Recently I am seeing lot of FFC with this Mahatma Gandhi stamps and to me all look bogus. Reason for this assumption or opinion is that it does not make sense at all with all kinds of stuff such as origin of mail, not flown officially through regular mail stream or might be not flown at all.

We need to think and research before we buy any philately item whether this is possible or not. Don't just buy it blindly because it's Gandhi.!!!

Following United Nations Stamps or UN stamps FFC is from San Francisco to Frankfurt for AirBus 380 with date on May 9, 2011.

After detail research about this cover I still have following concerns about this cover.

1) You cannot use UN Gandhi stamp from any other USA post office except from United Nations, New York. So how this is mailed from San Francisco, California. If it is mailed from New York to Frankfurt it should go directly to Frankfurt not San Francisco.

2) Also if it is mailed from United Nations New York office on May 9th, 2011 it will take 3-6 days to reach San Francisco and after that it cannot be send to Germany.!! Where as First flight was on May 9th and reached Germany on May 11th.

3) Also you don't see any barcode from regular postal stream so not sure whether it was flown through regular postal stream or not at all.

4) Again USPS cancellation is not per standard and also it is not on stamp at all.!!

So after detail thinking about all this concerns I think UNO FFC are all bogus. This is my personal opinion. You can do more research on UNO FFC with Gandhi stamps and compare it yourself with that FFC and you will find something strange. Please write a comment on this blog if you find one.

If you have more information about how this is flown than let me know. There are lot of FFC with Gandhi UN stamp which are questionable.

BTW: - Let me tell you how UN postal service works. You send them envelope(cover) with UN stamps on it they will cancel the envelope and send it back to you in another envelope. I tried this and I got it back.!!

If you like this blog post then you will like following also.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/05/airbus-a380-gandhi-first-flight-cover.html

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/06/ffc-from-hawaiian-airlines-and.html

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/05/gandhi-cover-is-paquebot-or-ffc-or.html

Now look at the following and you surprised what are possibility in Stamps Philatelic collection ?

http://www.filatelia.fi/forgeries/blum.html

Following are some FAKE postmarks of FRANKFURT.!!!!!!!

If I have to buy it I will avoid it, because it's nothing but a big SCAM.

10 ) Make money by OVERPRINTING stamps.!!

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club

Gandhi Khadi Stamp - Gandhi Khadi 2011 Indipex Folder value (presentation pack) . It sold under face value!! Is it not amazing.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

You all know that how much collectors were eager to buy Gandhi Khadi stamp + folder in Feb. 2011. There were very big lines during exhibition to just get it. Collectors were trying to grab this Khadi stamp + folder even online by using multiple id in order to make a quick bucks.

The stamp made out of khadi was available online at the Indipex 2011 website where an individual can only order upto a maximum of 10 stamps. There was a long queue even for the online bookings during the first day of the exhibition.

But look at it what going on after 7 months. It is selling below face value of 250 Rupees. (under $6) even though it was printed 100,000 only.

I know it's limited quantity but it's still enough for everyone's need. Also this stamp will not be used in regular mail stream because stamp value is only 100 Rupees where as you pay 250 Rupees for this. So this will be only collectors item which will stay for ever.

My opinion for this kind of low return on investment is because of original high face value(you are buying at high price). Look at 1995 Gandhi MS of Rupees 8 currently selling for 300-400 Rupees in just 16 years which is almost 40 times it's face value and I will be happy if we all can see this kind of return on this Khadi stamps even after 50 years!!

Also compare to 1995 in 2011 there are lot more dealer and collector has bought it. Where as in 1995 less dealer/collector got this in hand as certain dealer/collector grab all the stock because of low investment.!!

So again I think Indian Post (Gov. of India) did excellent decision by keeping this price high. Also I think India is booming so all collectors can afford this price and because of this it will keep tab in price as lot of collector has multiple in their collection including me.!!

This is the lowest price in last 7 months. It usually sells around 290 rupees but I think now collectors are losing patience of holding this high value investment. I think it's better to invest in smaller amount Gandhi stamps than big one like this.

I don't think this is for investment at all.

Thanks
GSC

9/29/11

Bhutan Gandhi Stamp FDC with Plastic 3D Emboss Stamp of Churchill, Kennedy, Ghandi

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Today Bhutan Gandhi FDC issued in 1972 with Plastic 3D stamp was sold only $8. I think this is reasonable value when you compare that it has 3 famous people on it and there are lot of thematic collectors who collects particular person.

Also seller has 30000+ feedback so there is no chance of shill bidding (price increase on their own item or friends/families items) on this sale. This feedback is very important when you buy any Gandhi Philately material as you will have very less chance of getting cheated.

This is just FYI for new collectors so they don't overpay for this kind of item which is frequently selling on ebay. I know there is huge quantity of this Plastic 3D stamps in market so make sure before you buy.

Now look at following Bhutan FDC starting price for auction. Seller's are waiting for some new collector to buy it.

Seller "allstamps4you" from Germany is selling this on ebay at starting price of $45.!!! (Please buy me.!!!, Please new collector, Buy me and regret and quit this hobby!!).

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
My Son's Blog :http://usapostman.blogspot.com

9/27/11

Guyana Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately or Stamps Collections - Part-6

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Guyana is the third-smallest independent country on the mainland of South America (after Uruguay and Suriname). Its population is approximately 770,000, a majority (44%) of which are of East Indian descent. Guyana achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 26 May 1966, and became a Republic on 23 February 1970.

Now you understand why Guyana issued Gandhi stamps in 1969, 1993,1995 and 1998. Let's talk about 1969 stamp and FDC as this has some importance for Gandhi Philately as anything after 1975 does not make sense for collection as lot of stamps are popping after 1990 because of Mahatma Gandhi collectors.!!

In 1969 Guyana honored Mahatma Gandhi with 2 stamps with unique color combination. This stamp are 6 cents and 15 cents in value and has Mahatma Gandhi picture and "Charka" (spinning wheel).

Guess what, currently this stamps are selling some where between 15-75 cents (for both stamps). And recently FDC of this stamps was sold under $5.!! Can you believe it. !!

As per following stats, if you pay more than 75cents for Guyana Gandhi stamps(for 2 stamps) or $5 for Guyana Gandhi FDC then I think in future you will Quit Gandhi Philately.

Detail of Gandhi Guyana FDC Sale.

Date:- Sep 4 , 2011

Buyer:- Suratphilatelist

Seller:- numberonegear

Sold for:- $4.20

Also same buyer bought another Guyana FDC for $21.

Date:- June 16 , 2011

Buyer:- Suratphilatelist

Seller:- gdstamps

Sold for:- $21

Also same seller sold 2 more similar FDC for $25 and $11. Check out my previous blog.

Guyana Gandhi FDC price difference in selling price within a week . Again it's a price decline ?

I only bought Upper Volta Gandhi FDC from "gdstamps" but after that I don't buy it from him.

Now if you pay more than 75cents for Guyana Gandhi stamps or $5 for Guyana Gandhi FDC then I think in future you will Quit Gandhi Philately.

If you like this post and want to know more about pricing on Gandhi stamps then you will like my other following blog posts.

Bhutan Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-1

Tchad Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-2

Malta Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-3

India 1969 Postcard SPECIMEN - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-4

Suriname Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-5

Guyana Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-6

Somalia Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -7

Sao Tome Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -8

Mauritius Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -9

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
My 100th Blog post

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

9/22/11

Gandhi stamp on International Day of Peace 30th Anniversary cover and Mahatma Gandhi Peace Quotes.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

I recently made 5 covers and sent them to my friends and my son to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of International Day of Peace, with philatelic point of view. This postal used cover has a1961 Mahatma Gandhi stamp( 4 cents) and 2011 Love stamp (44 cents) on it. (Love and Peace go together!!) Mahatma Gandhi peace quotes are also on the cover. Also hand postmark cancel from Fremont and Automatic machine cancel from Oakland, both on same date.

Don't you think Mahatma Gandhi and Peace goes together, same way like International Day of Non-Violence.

By making this cover it's my way to "Think Different" in philatelic world.!! I am not sure what is importance of this kind of covers to other philatelist, but for me it's fun to celebrate certain special events and remember it. If you are stamp collector then please let me know your thoughts about this cover.

http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by resolution 36/67 of the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its opening session, which was held annually on the third Tuesday of September. The first Peace Day was observed in September 1982. In 2001, the General Assembly by unanimous vote adopted resolution 55/282, which established 21 September as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire. The UN invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.

Also there were 2 events near by where I live. One in Fremont and other in Oakland. Luckily above cover has cancellation from both places and same date (21 Sept. 2011). In Fremont it was organised by Interfaith Women of Peace & in Oakland it was organised by Listen for Life.

http://www.listenforlife.org/ListenForLife_PeaceDay.html

“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.” Mahatma Gandhi.

Thanks
GSC

9/18/11

9/11 Memorial Cover

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

On 12th September I was lucky enough to visit 9/11 Memorial in New York on First day of opening for General Public. I paid tribute to the thousands who died on 9/11/2001. After visiting this place I truly understand and respect value of life and sacrifice of people.

Above cover has Mahatma Gandhi USA stamps along with 33 cents of USA Flag over City & Liberty 29 cents stamps. Also this cover has Mahatma Gandhi Label with his quotes " Be the change that you want to see in the world" & "You must be the change you wish to see in the world.". Also postmark cancellation date is Monday, September 12, 2011 is from biggest post office in USA located near Penn Station and opens everyday of the week including Sunday.
.

The National September 11 Memorial is a tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon, as well as the six people killed in the World Trade Center bombing in February 1993.

The Memorial’s twin reflecting pools are each nearly an acre in size and feature the largest manmade waterfalls in the North America. The pools sit within the footprints where the Twin Towers once stood. Architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker created the Memorial design selected from a global design competition that included more than 5,200 entries from 63 nations.

The names of every person who died in the 2001 and 1993 attacks are inscribed into bronze panels edging the Memorial pools, a powerful reminder of the largest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack on American soil and the greatest single loss of rescue personnel in American history.

THE 9/11 MEMORIAL is located at the site of the former World Trade Center complex, and occupies approximately half of the 16-acre site. The 9/11 Memorial features two enormous waterfalls and reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, set within the footprints of the original twin towers. The Memorial Plaza is one of the most eco-friendly plazas ever constructed. More than 400 trees are planned for the plaza, surrounding the Memorial's two massive reflecting pools. Its design conveys a spirit of hope and renewal, and creates a contemplative space separate from the usual sights and sounds of a bustling metropolis.

Swamp white oak trees create a rustling canopy of leaves over the plaza. This grove of trees bring green rebirth in the spring, provide cooling shade in the summer and show seasonal color in fall. A small clearing in the grove, known as the Memorial Glade, designates a space for gatherings and special ceremonies.

Following are pictures of names of some Indian Origin People inscribed into bronze panels edging the Memorial pools who died during the attack.

Also some pictures from outside 911 Memorial.

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

Other nice blog about 9/11 from rainbowstampclub.

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel

9/9/11

Gandhi Stamp Suriname - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately or Stamp Collections - Part-5

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Suriname is a country in northern South America. At just under 64,000 sq mi Suriname is the smallest sovereign state in South America. It has an estimated population of approximately 490,000, most of whom live on the country's north coast, where the capital Paramaribo is located.

In 1969 Suriname honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing stamp of him. Stamp is very nice design in Red, Black and White. As you know from Nikhil's blog post there are also 10 FDC of this stamp.

Now about pricing of this stamp and FDC it is very low price because of # of quanties available. You can find this stamp easily under 50 cents and FDC under $1. You can see following screen shot for recently selling price.

Now if you buy without research you will pay high price like following. If you see ebay seller "michel-stamp" from Germay is selling $14 then I think you will quit hobby.!! Because it does not make sense to buy it at this price.!!

If you like this post and want to know more about pricing on Gandhi stamps then you will like my other following blog posts.

Bhutan Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-1

Tchad Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-2

Malta Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-3

India 1969 Postcard SPECIMEN - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-4

Suriname Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-5

Guyana Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-6

Somalia Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -7

Sao Tome Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -8

Mauritius Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -9

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
My 100th Blog post

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

9/7/11

Mahatma Gandhi in One of the largest bronze sculpture. "Remember Them : Champions For Humanity" Sculpture Unveiling Ceremony Cover

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Today I was present during Unveiling Ceremony of "Remember Them: Champions For Humanity" Sculpture in Oakland, California.

This is the largest cast bronze representational sculpture west of the Mississippi, which is four-piece sculpture, weigh more than 60,000 pounds of bronze, cover more than 1,000 square feet and measure 21 feet tall and 52 feet wide, which is sculpted by Mario Chiodo. Following are the 25 Humanitarians featured in the Monument in Oakland, CA.

Ralph David Abernathy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Maya Angelou Abraham Lincoln
Susan B. Anthony Nelson Mandela
Ruby Bridges Harvey Milk
Cesar Chavez Mother Teresa
Chief Joseph Rosa Parks
Sir Winston Churchill Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Frederick Douglass Oskar Schindler
Shirin Ebadi Thich Nhat Hanh
Mahatma Gandhi Rigoberta Menchu Tum
Helen Keller The Unknown Rebel of Tiananmen Square
Coretta Scott King Elie Wiesel
Malcolm X

Unveiling Ceremony Program and
Unveling Cermony Cover with Gandhi stamps and
autograph of Ruby Bridges & Mario Chiodo.

I made very limited covers with different combination of Mother Teresa, MLK, Lincoln and FDR stamps with Gandhi stamps. Each cover has Gandhi stamps. Also this has cancellation from Oakland USPS Post Office dated September 6th 2011. Few covers were mailed through postal stream and few were cancelled and taken personally by me so it looks good and stay longer.Cool!!

Consider this as Genuine Cover with Cancellation from USPS. I take full responsibility of this covers.

Following are some pictures taken by me during ceremony.

Ruby Bridges, an African-American woman depicted in the sculpture for her pioneering integration into an all-white Louisiana elementary school in 1960 spoke during the ceremony along with a handful of the memorialized humanitarians' family members. I was lucky enough to meet with Ruby Bridges and got her autograph on "Unveiling Cover " (only 2 covers) with Mahatma Gandhi stamps. She also mentioned about Mahatma Gandhi during her speech.

Ruby Bridges

Also this cover has autograph of sculptor Mario Chiodo on this cover.

Mario Chiodo

Thanks for reading this and start dreaming to do something like this in your town. I already did.!! Let's work together and do it.!!

Any questions or concerns let me know. More Reading: 'Remember Them' Oakland sculpture to be unveiled

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

Thanks

Gandhi Stamps Club.

Photographs, Contents and Style Copyright.

9/4/11

Gandhi Stamp 1969 India Postcard SPECIMEN - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately or Stamps Collections - Part-4

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

This is my part-4 blog post about "Why you will Quit Gandhi Philately"

(THINK HOW EASY IS TO PRINT and you decide.)

Recently I saw "SPECIMEN" 1969 India Gandhi Postcard (PS). If you want to make your collection unique and add some value to it this is great item because SPECIMEN are made very limited numbers.

Now looking to this "SPECIMEN" rubber stamp it looks like me it's very easy to make one and stamped it on any 1969 Gandhi postcard and you will get a "Gandhi SPECIMEN" postcard. Cool!! Same way you can find it on FAKE cyprus Gandhi Specimen Stamp.

Please click to see FAKE Cyprus Gandhi SPECIMEN stamp!!

Now according to me if you buy this kind of philatelic material without "Certificate Of Authenticity" and paying more than 10$ then YOU WILL QUIT GANDHI PHILATELY.!!!

(Click this link to read blog post by Maulik Thakkar more about how to Authenticate your philatelic material )

Reason for this is that you are paying high price of commonly available under $1 which will not justify your investment or when you will know this that this is FAKE you will start loosing interest.

Please look at following link by Howard Courtney and think what about this and you decide.

http://friends.peoria.lib.il.us/community/howardcourtney/indianpostalstationeryerrors.html

Let us know what do you think about this SPECIMEN and Does it make sense to collect.!!

I know some of you already know about this are aware of this kind of items but some new collectors or future collectors will be not aware of this past activities so I am documenting this which might help to them instead of just me.

If you have more information then please share with us.

If you like this post and want to know more about pricing on Gandhi stamps then you will like my other following blog posts.

Bhutan Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-1

Tchad Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-2

Malta Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-3

India 1969 Postcard SPECIMEN - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-4

Suriname Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-5

Guyana Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-6

Somalia Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -7

Sao Tome Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -8

Mauritius Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -9

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.

9/3/11

Malta Gandhi Stamp FDC value - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately or Stamps Collections - Part-3

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

This is my part-3 blog post about "Why you will Quit Gandhi Philately"

Currently on ebay theree is a auction of 2 FDC from Malta. If you buy this item from ebay seller "phil-centre" at 73$ you will defenitely quit this hobby, because you will be paying too much money for commonly available Gandhi FDC from Malta.

Check my previous blog post about Malta Gandhi Stamp Value and you will know what is the real value of Malta Gandhi FDC.

This both FDC you will able to buy it under $5 (for both covers). So now you need to think from which buyer you need to buy and what price. If you don't make correct decision you will quit this hobby.

I don't know "phil-centre" or never bought any thing from "phil-centre". I am just using my common sense to aware this kind of items available on ebay or delcampe so to stay in the hobby like me by avoiding some commonly available items whose price are inflated.

In future if this item is available in market from other seller then price will be inflated so it stays up.!!!

My goal is to aware all new collectors as well as existing collectors so they don't quit the hobby like one collector quit Gandhi philately because of FAKE items and high price of commonly available items which reduce value of their investment significantly.

Update on 12/15/2011:-

Check out price of recently sold FDC and Malta block of 20 Gandhi stamps unsold for $4.99!!