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11/30/11

Cuba Gandhi Stamps : You decide what's going on in Cuba Gandhi Stamp and FDC

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

In 1997, Cuba honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing stamp of him on occasion of 50th Anniversary of India Independence. Gandhi stamp is designed very nicely which has India Flag, Indian Emblem and Mahatma Gandhi Picture on it.

The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city. 

To the north of Cuba lies the United States and the Bahamas, Mexico is to the west, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica are to the south, and Haiti and the Dominican Republic are to the southeast.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on and claimed the island now occupied by Cuba, for the Kingdom of Spain. Cuba remained a territory of Spain until the Spanish–American War ended in 1898, and gained formal independence from the U.S. in 1902. (Reference from Wikipedia : Cuba)



Now look at following 3 screen shot and you decide what's going on in this stamp.!!

On August 16, 2011 auction Cuba stamp was not sold, On September 20, 2011 auction it was sold for only 48 cents with 1 bidder and on November 28, 2011 it was sold for $16.51.!!!!






On delcampe Cuba stamp were sold under $1. Following is the screen shot.



This stamp is not rare and  currently available on delcampe under 50 cents.!! Please look following screenshot about current auction. So not sure why buyer is not buying this and wants to buy for $16.!!


Even FDC was sold under $3.



So why someone is paying more than $16.!! for just a single MNH stamp. What do you think about this transaction?

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

11/29/11

Congo Gandhi Stamps - Do you think this is example of SCAM in Stamp Collection specially in Gandhi thematic collection?

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

There are two countries named with Congo who honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing his stamp.

1) Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)
2) Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Republic of the Congo, sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa.

The republic is a former French colony. Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. The People's Republic of the Congo was a Marxist-Leninist single-party state from 1970 to 1991. Multiparty elections have been held since 1992, although a democratically elected government was ousted in the 1997 Republic of the Congo Civil War. (Read more about Republic of the Congo at Wikipedia)


The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world. The Second Congo War, beginning in 1998, devastated the country and is sometimes referred to as the "African world war" because it involved nine African nations and some twenty armed groups. Despite the signing of peace accords in 2003, fighting continues in the east of the country. The war is the world's deadliest conflict since World War II, killing 5.4 million people since 1998.The vast majority died from malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo was formerly, in chronological order, the Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo-Léopoldville, Congo-Kinshasa, and Zaire (Read more about Democratic Republic of the Congo  : Wikipedia)

Congo was 3rd country in world after India and USA to honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing stamp of him. I think this was real honored to Mahatma Gandhi.


1967
In 1992, they again honored Mahatma Gandhi with MLK, but after that all stamps are questionable.

1992
Now look at the following stamps issued by Congo and you decide whether this is a SCAM or not in Gandhi Philately.?

Click following link to understand GANDHI stamp SCAM.!!

1) "National Game or Gandhi Philatelic Game"
2) "Gandhi stamp collection SCAM"


To me it looks like maximum # of Gandhi stamps came from Congo in last 10 years.!! This is not honored to Mahatma Gandhi but to honored printers/dealers/reseller.!!!

Starting 2001 dealers are taking benefit of internal war by issuing stamps of GANDHI. I think this is nothing but a SCAM in Gandhi Philately.!! It's very sad where people are dying in Congo and this dealers are taking it's benefit. Following are all bogus stamps from Congo so avoid it and don't support this SCAMMER.

All following stamps were issued after 1997.!!

2009

2008

2007
Please read following series of my blog post  to understand what is going on stamp collecting world specially in Indian Philatelic materials.



2006

2006

2005

2001

2001

There might be more Gandhi Stamps from Congo which we all might see after couple of years.!!!

Now look at what price Congo stamps sold for even 1967 FDC.





Considering the political situation in Democratic Republic of the Congo since last 15 years, I think stamp dealers are printing without permission of government as there is none like Somalia(since 1991) , Afganistan (till 2002) etc.

Do you think this many Gandhi Stamps from Congo are needed?

Do you think stamps issued after 1998 is/was available in Congo!!? But in future you might see used cover with stamps issued after 1998 from Congo(same way like Cameroun Overprint Used covers).!!

Do you think this is a SCAM in Gandhi Philately.?

Do you think this is all about making money on Gandhi Stamps?

For all above questions I think so.!!!

Thanks
Ketankumar Patel.

11/28/11

Gandhi FFC - First Flight Cover : One more Gandhi Rubber Stamp?? Emirates Airbus A380 Ryanair FFC London - Leipzig.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I saw Gandhi rubber stamp on lot of FFC from Emirates Airways.

Looks like nothing to do with Gandhi, but it's a  great marketing technique.!! I don't think it's even official rubber stamp from Emirates Airlines. (Correct me if you know it's official from Emirates Airlines.)

This is another way to make money from Gandhi!! Same way like printing stamps from smaller countries or creating Gandhi  error stamps or like other Gandhi FFC.




This FFC's are selling for $12.75 and to me it required more research for even considering it as a Genuine FFC. Lot of things to research such as FFC from which airlines Ryanair or Emirates Airlines, direct flight from south africa or stop over, FFC was taken out during flight stop etc.

 FFC is on November 3, 2011 and Emirates Gandhi Rubber stamp is October 1, 2011.!!

So beware of this Gandhi Rubber stamp. This FFC has nothing to do with Gandhi.!!

Also make sure about  Airbus A380 Gandhi FFC and Gandhi FFC after 1975.!! It's another way to make money by using current popular philatelic theme.

I know all experienced collector(now including me!!) are aware of all this in Gandhi FFC world but any new collector who will start Gandhi Philately after 3-4 years will have no idea what happen in 2011 and start buying it thinking it's rare ffc !! and when they will know about this then there is nothing but regret.!!!


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.!!!!!!!


Want to read other Germany related blog posts then click following link.

http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/search/label/Germany

After looking to this value to me it looks like no one wants to collect stamps in this modern world, because there are lot of others things to do, such as play video games on ipad, xbox, gamecube or on internet surf on web or facebook or lot of other outdoor activity such a hiking, skating, running etc or watch different shows on TV or sports games such as Cricket or Football or Basketball or just talking on smartphone or chating.!!

After all this kind of things you don't get any more extra time to pursue your hobby of stamp collection were not that many people are involved and you feel like retard when you talk to friends.!!

Also there are lot of cheating such as Forgery stamps, Shill bidding, BOGUS philatelic material  involved in stamps collection.

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

11/27/11

Czechoslovakia Gandhi Stamps : M.K. Gandhi 1969 Postmark Cancellation : Is it Genuine or FAKE Cancellation ??

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Czechoslovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992. From 1939 to 1945, the state did not de facto exist because of its forced division and partial incorporation into Nazi Germany, but the Czechoslovak government-in-exile nevertheless continued to exist during this period. 

In 1945, the eastern part of Carpathian Ruthenia was taken over by the Soviet Union. On 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. (Read more about Czechoslovakia from source of above writing : Wikipedia)

In 1969, Czechoslovakia honored Mahatma Gandhi with special postmark cancellation so chances of Forgery, FAKE etc in this Gandhi cancellation are possible.

Following are 2 different cancellation from Czechoslovakia and it is little bit different. Not sure both are Genuine or one of them is FAKE or both are FAKE.

If you see closely you will see date is different on both of this. One has 4-10-1969 and other has 29-9-1969. It could be possible that this special cancellation might be for multiple days instead of just one day. But I am not sure, but I notice that it has only one date.
CDS 4-10-1969
CDS 29-9-1969
In past I had seen Czechoslovakia M.K.Gandhi Cancellation with 4-10-1969 date but never saw with September 29, 1969 date.!!!!!!!

So now I am really confused because before I was making sure about only FAKE cancellation of 4-10-1969 date but now I am not sure which date is Genuine.!!

2-3 weeks ago one of them was sold for $10. I think if it is genuine then buyer paid reasonable price but if it is questionable than it's just piece of paper,  like one came out from Winnenden, Germany 2009 Special Gandhi Cancellation with Emblem of India.!!

Click following link to read more about Winnenden, Germany 2009 Gandhi Cancellation.





You can also read another blog post from Maulik about Possible Forgery in 1969 Gandhi Cancellation. To read his blog post please click following link.


Now you need to decide before you buy whether it's Genuine or FAKE, otherwise you will end up regretting buying some useless Gandhi Philatelic material which are widely available on ebay and delcampe.

Try to avoid special cancellation if you have little doubt about 1969 cancellation as it would be very difficult to do more research or buy it if it is available at low price, just for possible FAKE items.!!

After looking to this value to me it looks like no one wants to collect stamps in this modern world, because there are lot of others things to do, such as play video games on ipad, xbox, gamecube or on internet surf on web or facebook or lot of other outdoor activity such a hiking, skating, running etc or watch different shows on TV or sports games such as Cricket or Football or Basketball or just talking on smartphone or chating.!!

After all this kind of things you don't get any more extra time to pursue your hobby of stamp collection were not that many people are involved and you feel like retard when you talk to friends.!!

Also there are lot of cheating such as Forgery stamps, Shill bidding, BOGUS philatelic material  involved in stamps collection.

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



Update : 12/19

Unsold cancellation on ebay


Belgium Gandhi Stamps : Can't believe the pricing of this 1999 stamp sheet of Gandhi with Kennedy, MLK, Nelson Mandela, Lenin, Guevara, Golda Meir, Jesse Owens, Football, Bicycling, Tim and Struppi stamps from Belgium.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.

Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups, the Dutch-speakers, mostly Flemish (about 60%), and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons (about 40%), plus a small group of German-speakers. Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region.

Belgium issued  first Gandhi stamps with Euro as it's currency.



In 1999 Belgium issued stamp sheet of 20 stamps each 0.42 euros. That means that it's price is 8.40 Euros.

Recently I saw above sheet sold under face value, for 6.50 Euros.!!!  This means that each stamp is 0.33 euros.!! So after 12+ years it's price has gone down instead of any appreciation even after keeping in safe storage.

This sheet has Gandhi stamp along with other 19 stamps  of Pope Johannes XXII., King Boudewijn., Willy Brandt., John F. Kennedy.,  Martin Luther King., Vladimir Lenin., Ernesto 'CHE' Guevara., Golda Meir., Nelson Mandela., Jesse Owens., Football., Bicycling Eddy Merckx., (female) singer Edith Piaf., Pop and Rock music the Beatles., film/movie Charley Chaplin., Tourism beach and holidays., Scouting., Comics., Tim  and Struppi von Hergé., philately stamp & magnifying-glass.


Following is the screen shot of selling price. Check it out 


After looking at this price Do you think stamp hobby is dead.!! This sheet is not even from very small countries who makes money on stamps like Aland, Sao Tome, Nevis etc and still value is going lower then it's original value.

Is it worth to collect Gandhi stamp sheet?

Read my following blog post to understand about stamp collection in DECLINE.!!

1) A Hobby in Decline : 1948 Gandhi USED cover case study.!!
2) A Hobby in Decline.!! - Part-2
3) How to invest when philately price is dropping.

If you see stamps are not even selling or selling like 5-10 times lower their value than mentioned in catalog.!!


There is nothing RARE or Scare in philately because this hobby is in downward trend because experienced collectors are loosing interest because value is not appreciating and new collectors are not coming in to this because there are lot of other things to do for them such as playing video games on Nintendo or X-box , social networking on facebook or google+ or  surfing on web through internet or SMS through iphone or android or watch games such as cricket, football or basketball.!!

Only way philately can sustain is to stop cheating in this hobby. Yes CHEATING.!! which is what you will see in order to increase value artificially by inflating the price by SHILL bidding, not paying to seller or mutual understanding cancelling transaction and lot more.

To know more about this kind of activity read my following blog post and think what are the possibilities in cheating, glorification, SHILL bidding, FAKE, Forgery etc.

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) Gandhi SERVICE overprint stamp price fell from $1009 to $1.!!
10) How can you tell that Gandhi SERVICE stamp is FAKE or Forgery ?

I hope all the above will help while making decision in investing stamps and to avoid getting CHEATED.!!

Now don't you think it does NOT make sense STAMP INVESTING!!

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club.

11/26/11

Senegal Gandhi Stamps : What is Real Price of Gandhi Stamps.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north. Senegal is externally bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south; internally it almost completely surrounds.

The Gambia, namely on the north, east and south, exempting Gambia's short Atlantic Ocean coastline. Senegal covers a land area of almost 197,000 square kilometres (76,000 sq mi), and has an estimated population of about 14 million. The climate is tropical with two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.


In 1969 Senegal issued Mahatma Gandhi stamp, which has similar to other stamps issued during that time from African countries.

Recently this stamp sheetlet  of stamp of 4 was sold for $2.50. I don't think this is scares or rare sheetlet and I think there are still lot of this stamp sheetlet. 


Now look at following screen. Single stamp of Senegal was for auction starting at $5.  Ofcourse there were no buyer for this stamp, but sometimes someone will get trap in this.!!


If you don't pay attention about this kind of inflated starting price then in future you will regret it.


If you see above screen shot Senegal stamp was not sold for last 3 weeks.

So make sure when you bid for MNH Gandhi stamps. There are lot of MNH Gandhi Stamps. It should not cost more than $1.
After looking to this value to me it looks like no one wants to collect stamps in this modern world, because there are lot of others things to do, such as play video games on ipad, xbox, gamecube or on internet surf on web or facebook or lot of other outdoor activity such a hiking, skating, running etc or watch different shows on TV or sports games such as Cricket or Football or Basketball or just talking on smartphone or chating.!!

After all this kind of things you don't get any more extra time to pursue your hobby of stamp collection were not that many people are involved and you feel like retard when you talk to friends.!!

Also there are lot of cheating such as Forgery stamps, Shill bidding, BOGUS philatelic material  involved in stamps collection.

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

11/24/11

Central African Republic Gandhi stamps with other Human Rights and Nobel Prize winner Dalai Lama stamp, Martin Luther stamp, JFK stamp, Mother Teresa Stamp and Nelson Mandela stamps. Do you think stamps are for investment ??

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

The Central African Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It borders Chad in the north, Sudan in the north east, South Sudan in the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo in the south, and Cameroon in the west.  Bangui is the capital city. (Source: Wikipedia)



In 1997 Central Africa honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing his stamp with other Human Rights leaders and Nobel Prize winners  MLK,  Mother Teresa, Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and JFK.


This sheet with all this leaders were only sold for 4 euros ($5.50). It's not amazing to see such a low price for this sheet even after almost 15 years.

So all new collectors please make sure about this pricing before you bid in future. This is for all stamps in the sheet not just Gandhi.!!

So don't think stamps are for Investment.!! like gold, stocks or house.!! All articles in newspaper and magazine will try to market stamps as one of the option for investment, but think how many people want this stamps  compare to other kind of stock or gold.!! 

So make sure you don't pay too much price for this kind of sheets or individual stamps of Gandhi or other leaders Nelson Mandela stamp, Dalai lama stamps,  Mother Teresa stamps.

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 ?

But now you know my 15 steps to make money on internet.!! and following four blog post will make you expert in making money.!!



11/23/11

Guyana Gandhi Stamps : Guyana 1995 "Holidays of the World" stamp sheet of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas , Hanukkah , Easter , Carnival in Brazil, Bastille Day , Independence Day in India and St. Patrick's Day

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Today is Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to all readers.


Thanksgiving in North America originated from a mix of European and Native traditions. In the United States, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition traces its origins to a 1621 celebration at Plymouth Rock in present-day Massachusetts. 

The initial Thanksgiving observance at Virginia in 1619 was prompted by the colonists' leaders on the anniversary of the settlement. The 1621 Plymouth feast and thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest.

Initially, the Plymouth colony did not have enough food to feed half of the 102 colonists. The Wampanoag Native Americans helped the Pilgrims by providing seeds and teaching them to fish. The practice of holding an annual harvest festival like this did not become a regular affair in New England until the late 1660s.


Thanksgiving in the United States was observed on various dates throughout history. It was not until December 26, 1941 that the unified date changed to the fourth Thursday in November—this time by federal legislation making Thanksgiving a national holiday. (Read more about Thanksgiving at Wikipedia)


In 1995 Guyana had issued a sheetlet of eight stamps as a philatelic tribute to some of the world's most popular holidays around the world. Following are holiday stamps depicted this sheet.

Thanksgiving Day in the United States
Christmas in Germany
Hanukkah in Israel
Easter in Spain
Carnival in Brazil
Bastille Day in France
Independence Day in India
St. Patrick's Day in Ireland .

Mahatma Gandhi's picture in  Independence Day in India stamp in this miniature sheet. 



This sheet is available somewhere between 7-8$ as Guyana makes lot of money by selling surplus stamps to dealers around the world.

Do you think for holiday of India they should used Diwali instead of Independence Day when comparing with Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter etc. in this miniature sheet.?

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 ?

But now you know my 15 steps to make money on internet.!! and following four blog post will make you expert in making money.!!



Following is brief description of other 7 holidays in miniature sheet.(Source : Wikipedia.)

Christmas is observed on December 25  to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. The exact birthday of Jesus is not known, and historians place his year of birth some time between 7 BC and 2 BC. Narratives of his birth are included in two of the Canonical gospels in the New Testament of the Bible.

Hanukkah also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE.

Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday. The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously interpreted to have occurred between AD 26 and 36.

Carnival of Brazil  is an annual festival held forty-six days before Easter. On certain days of Lent, Roman Catholics and some other Christians traditionally abstained from the consumption of meat and poultry, hence the term "carnival," from carnelevare, "to remove meat." Carnival celebrations are believed to have roots in the pagan festival of Saturnalia, which, adapted to Christianity, became a farewell to bad things in a season of religious discipline to practice repentance and prepare for Christ's death and resurrection.

Bastille Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on 14 July of each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête Nationale (The National Celebration) and commonly le quatorze juillet (the fourteenth of July). It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. Festivities and official ceremonies are held all over France.

Independence Day of India is celebrated on the fifteenth of August to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation in 1947. The day is a national holiday in India. All over the country, flag-hoisting ceremonies are conducted by the local administration in attendance. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated within 6 months (30 January, 1948) after Independence of India, so he never enjoyed it.!!

Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick (c. AD 387–461), the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.  Saint Patrick's Day was made an official feast day in the early 17th century, and has gradually become a secular celebration of Irish culture in general.


11/22/11

Togo Gandhi Stamps set with George Washington, Albert Luthuli (Lutuli), Simon Bolivar, Friedrich Ebert stamps are not for investment.!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Togo, is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located.

From the 11th to the 16th century, various tribes entered the region from all directions. From the 16th century to the 18th century, the coastal region was a major trading centre for Europeans in search of slaves, earning Togo and the surrounding region the name "The Slave Coast". In 1884, Germany declared Togoland a protectorate. After World War I, rule over Togo was transferred to France. Togo gained its independence from France in 1960. (Source : Wikipedia).



In 1969, Togo honored Mahatma Gandhi with a set of a 2 stamps valued 30 and 90 CFA Franc. Along with Mahatma Gandhi they also honored George Washington, Albert Lutuli, Simon Bolivar, Friedrich Ebert with one stamp for each.

Not seen any official FDC but you can see private FDC of this stamps, but you need to make sure about authenticity of FDC.



In October 2011, set of 6 stamps was sold for $3.!! Amazing price after 40+ years, which tells that Gandhi stamps are not for investment.

Don't trust all the news articles which is mentioning that you should put some percentage of your investment in stamps.!! Think and research first about this investment. Compare it with Gold or even Stocks(Shares) and then if you think it's worth it then go for it.

Even with famous leaders from around the world this stamps in not appreciating.

You will see this stamps selling from $5 - $15 on delcampe or ebay so beware of pricing.  So new collectors make sure about pricing before you buy this stamps.

Thanks
Ketankumar Patel.


Please read my following blog post  and check out following images (to me it's a national joke) about following FAKE AND FORGED Gandhi stamps and philatelic cancellation.


************************************************


Following is brief information about  other leaders. (Source : Wikipedia).

George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of the Constitution in 1787.  His leadership style established many forms and rituals of government that have been used since, such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address. Washington is universally regarded as the "Father of his Country".

Albert Lutuli was a South African teacher and politician. Lutuli was elected president of the African National Congress (ANC), at the time an umbrella organisation that led opposition to the white minority government in South Africa. He was awarded the 1960 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the non-violent struggle against apartheid. He was the first African, and the first person from outside Europe and the Americas, to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.


Friedrich Ebert  was a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). When Ebert was elected as the leader of the SPD after the death of August Bebel, the party members of the SPD were deeply divided because of the party's support for World War I. Ebert supported the Burgfrieden and tried to isolate the war opposers in the party. After the war and the end of the monarchy he served as the first President of Germany from 1919 until his death in office.


Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader. Together with José de San Martín, he played a key role in Hispanic-Spanish America's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire, and is today considered one of the most influential politicians in Latin American history. Bolívar remains regarded in Hispanic-America as a hero, visionary, revolutionary, and liberator. During his lifetime, he led Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia to independence, and helped lay the foundations for democratic ideology in much of Latin America.




11/21/11

Ghana Gandhi Stamps - Does value of Gandhi FDC makes sense.!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Ghana is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.

The Gold Coast achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1957 and the name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana, which once extended throughout much of west Africa.



On December 24, 1998 Ghana issued 4 stamps(each 2000 Ghana Cedi) Miniature sheet  of Mahatma Gandhi with pictures of his famous Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) and various age portrait. Also this sheet has quotes of Mahatma Gandhi.  (Not sure why they issued in  December instead of October 2nd !!). Also Ghana  issued another Miniature sheet of Mahatma Gandhi value 5500 Ghana Cedi. 

So total 5 stamps (2 Miniature sheet) were  issued in 1998 by Ghana.

In September 2011, FDC of this Miniature sheet was sold for only $1.29.!!  Ghana 1998 Gandhi IMPERF Sheetlet FDC.

Seller : stamp_bay (USA)
Buyer : adityamootha (India)
Date : Sep 3, 2011
Price Sold :- $ 1.29 (less than a $2!!)

To me all 1998 Gandhi FDC from African and South American countries looks like questionable (more than 10-15 countires.!!!!)

It's surprising to see this kind of price for Gandhi Philatelic material.

I am not sure how much catalog value of this FDC but I think $1.29 is under stamp catalog value.!!

But I am sure it is selling under face value, as in 1998 $1=2300C. So above miniature sheet, in 1998 was somewhere between $4-5 when it was sold in Ghana.!!





What a decline.!!

 The Ghana cedi was introduced on 3 July 2007 and is equal to 10,000 old cedis. It was the highest-valued currency unit issued by sovereign countries in Africa in 2007

1 US Dollar = 1.62689 Ghanaian New Cedi   (16000 Old Cedi)

Following is another miniature sheet. Not sure about current pricing but I will update in future.



So looking to all this, it seems to me that Gandhi Stamps are not for investment as $4 invested in 1998 is currently getting only $1.!! which is 300% decline in value.

After looking to this value to me it looks like no one wants to collect stamps in this modern world, because there are lot of others things to do, such as play video games on ipad, xbox, gamecube or on internet surf on web or facebook or lot of other outdoor activity such a hiking, skating, running etc or watch different shows on TV or sports games such as Cricket or Football or Basketball or just talking on smartphone or chating.!!

After all this kind of things you don't get any more extra time to pursue your hobby of stamp collection were not that many people are involved and you feel like retard when you talk to friends.!!

Also there are lot of cheating such as Forgery stamps, Shill bidding, BOGUS philatelic material  involved in stamps collection.

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