Hello Gandhi Collectors,
As we all know that 1948 Gandhi Stamp from India is one of the most popular philatelic item for collection and also one of the expensive also and with this there are lot of question about Genuine collectible items.
To make it more complicated there is also Gandhi SERVICE overprint stamp issued specially for Governor General of India.
Recently I saw Gandhi Service Replica on ebay auction and I was surprised by seller truth about his stamps. Following is the screenshot of that were seller mentioned it's Replica(FAKE) stamp.!!
Not sure what is correct price for Replica stamp.!! but seller mentioned about this is very nice thing instead of trying to cheat.
But how can you find GENUINE or REAL stamp if seller don't mention about it and just try to sell it. Following two screenshot of recently sold Gandhi SERVICE stamp is taken from ebay. Seller has not mentioned about certification from British Philatelic Association (BPA) so it is very hard to trust whether this is REAL.
Do you really think ebay seller "afsj58" really got 907$ from this sale to "shafiqshah2810" and paid all ebay/paypal fees.!!
Also it is very very hard to find used stamp and specially on cover or piece of paper but you will see this frequently on eBay.
Now see following screenshot and you decide that this are really used Gandhi SERVICE stamps.
Why just used stamp on piece of paper instead complete cover.? Do you think original collector of this SERVICE stamp don't know what was the value of this stamp with cancellation.!!!
Following partial screenshot is from one of the most reputed and respected website from India and hosted since more than 10+ years www.stampsofindia.com which mentioned that.
(This is not authorized source from Government of India, but someone like me wrote it so cannot believe it)
"USED ON COVERS ARE UNOBTAINABLE"
"FORGERIES OF ANNA VALUES ARE FOUND IN PLENTY."
"A VERY FEW ARE KNOWN CANCELLED BY PRESIDENT CAMP P.O."
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| http://www.stampsofindia.com/readroom/b013.htm |
To read complete article about 1948 Gandhi Stamp from India please click following link
http://www.stampsofindia.com/readroom/b013.htm
Through research and in-depth analysis is required before you jump into GANDHI SERVICE stamp (Mint or USED on paper) otherwise you will be holding some REPLICA.!!
It's very hard to tell whether overprint Gandhi SERVICE stamp is Genuine and it's difficult to find USED 1948 GANDHI overprint SERVICE stamp on piece of paper.!!
I don't have any SERVICE stamp and don't intend to add this in my collection!!
Also I don't add any 1948 Gandhi philatelic material in my collection because lot of research is required and you need to be in this collection for more than 10 or more years before you understand completely.
If you like this blog post you may also like following 1948 Gandhi stamp blog post.
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?
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?
Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps
Pleased to read your blog. I am happy you are taking the effort to expose many of hoaxes that underlay the stamp business. On the one hand what I am seeing is the dwindling of philately as a hobby, as can be seen by the low prices at which even large collections of vintage stamps are being auctioned in Ebay. Yet one cannot say that collection/philately as a hobby will not resurface, particularly encouraged by:
ReplyDelete1. The online facilities for information sharing (catalog, price, valuation, portfolio creation etc.).
2. Technology assisted methods and networks of informed collectors to expose fraudulent offers and fake stamps.
Philately for sure is an educating hobby that if encouraged (without the false hope of riches to be made) can still be of value to children and adults with a craving for knowledge.