Einstein - Shakespeare - Churchill stamps : Do you think it's worth to even collect stamps.!!

Gibraltar issued  Einstein stamp, Shakespeare stamp, Churchill stamp and Gandhi stamp in 1998 as WORDS OF WISDOM / STAMPS OF WISDOM.

Even though this is one of the world most famous people stamps there is only one bid for this stamps and it only sold for $11 even though it's stamps of Einstein - Shakespeare - Churchill  and Gandhi stamps.

In past just Gandhi sheet was sold for $22.!!!

What a decline in stamp collection value for buyer, and what a relief for seller "bobby92".

I also saw just only Gandhi stamp sheet selling for $30.!! What a ripoff if you buy it. So make sure what price you are buying it.!!

So after looking above screen shot what you think.

Does it make sense to collect stamps in this modern technology world were there are lot of things to do such as playing video games, facebook, snapchat, watching tv etc.!!

So what your's WORDS OF WISDOM ?

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club.

Churchill stamps - Einstein Stamps - WHAT ARE MY STAMPS WORTH ?

Hello stamps collectors,

Everyone is curious what's their worth is, but it's more when people are collecting because they put lot of time and effort to collect them as hobby.

But recently worth of all hobbies such as stamps, coins, cards is going down or even some of them are worthless to invest.

You will be shocked when you see pricing trends of stamp collection. Recently Churchill stamps, Einstein stamps, Shakespeare stamps and Gandhi stamps on First Day cover from Gibraltar issued in 1998  was sold under $4.

Now if you see following images you will surprised that there are not even that much enthusiasm in buying 1998 Gibraltar first day cover with four world famous people Mahatma Gandhi stamps, Churchill stamp, Einstein stamp and Shakespeare stamp  on that Word of Wisdom cover. 

I think reason for this very low stamp value is because

1) There are lot of other things to do in this modern technology world than to collect stamps.
2) There are lot of forgeries in stamp collection
3) Shill bidding is way to increase price and fool new collector.


Now you need to decide what to do if you are new collector. Whether to start collecting Einstein stamps or Churchill stamps and get regret about collecting or if you are existing collector than forget about "what are my stamps worth" and just don't think about it, because it's worthless.!!

You will not able to justify your time in selling this stamps because it's not worth your time.!!

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club.

Einstein stamps Churchill stamps : Stamp collection in decline.!!

Hello stamp collectors,

As we all know that stamp price is declining more than ever because there is no interest in collecting stamps by new generation as there is lot of other things to do such as video games, facebook, online games etc.

In past I wrote about this "A Hobby in Decline". Please read so you get some idea what's going on.

http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-hobby-in-decline.html

Also more and more collectors are burned by all kinds of Forgery, BOGUS and Shill bidding so they are also not interested to collect or trying to get rid of their collection by even involving in to some illegal practice such as shill bidding.!!!

Following is the one example in which 4 sheets of world famous people like Mahatma Gandhi stamp, Winston Churchill stamp, Albert Einstein stamp and Shakespeare stamps.

This 4 sheets were sold for $9.!! Yes $9 after 15 years.!!

Original price of this sheet were 7.68 UK pound in 1998, which was $12.60 ( 1 dollar = 1.64 pounds).

So after 15 years it's selling under original face value by 30%.!!

So what about all this catalog values.!! Does it makes sense to even look at the price mentioned in that.!!

To me it's selling 400% less than SCV  ($33).!!

Churchill stamps   "The price of greatness is responsibility"

Shakespeare stamps "Love comforts like sunshine after rain"

Einstein stamps  "Imagination is more important than knowledge"

Gandhi "Hate the sin, love the sinner".


There were only 2 bidders for this stamps.!! even though stamps were in auction which indicates that there is no interest at all.!!

But you might see some seller selling this stamps for enormous price.!!

Following is one of the example were seller "kamalmedicine" is trying to sell just one set of stamps for $16.50.!!! which will be $100 for just 6 stamp set and that's not even in a sheet.!!

Now it's up to you to decide whether you want to start collecting stamps if you are new collector or whether you are like me then you need to decide whether I should continue or quit ?

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club.

Gibraltar stamps : Are stamps worthless ? Einstein stamp , Churchill stamp, Shakespeare stamps

Hello Gandhi Stamps Collectors,

In 1998 Gibraltar issued Shakespeare stamp, Churchill stamp, Einstein stamp and Mahatma Gandhi stamps with their famous quotes.

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.

Look at the following screenshot and you will know what is the current value of stamps.!!! It sold for $1.55, which is under face value.!!!

I don't understand what all this propaganda about Investment in stamp about.!! I think it's nothing but big lies.!!

Than you might be thinking why some times it's this sells for $10-15.!!

It's nothing but shill bidding and false glorification.!!

In 2011 this 4 stamps were sold for $2.50, but this is new low.!! Want to know more about what happen in that Gibraltar stamps then click following link.

http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/2012/01/gibraltar-1998-gandhi-einstein.html






Now think as investment made in stamps in 1998 and what is the appreciation.!! 26+26+38+38=1.28 pound.!! It selling for 1 UK pound.!!

Don't you think it's not worth to collect stamps as Investment.!!!

Read some of interesting blog post to see how CHEATERS are working to get your money by selling forgery or Bogus gandhi stamps.!!

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

It's now up to you to decide whether to spend $6600 on this kind of rare folders or just ignore it.!!

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club

Maximum cards - Max cards

Hello Gandhi Philatelist,

Recently I saw Mahatma Gandhi Maximum Card (Max card or Maxi card) along with total 98 Maximum card (FDCards) selling for $99.

But it's not about the price but I was surprised how it is made in such a large quantity. 

After looking this many Max card from Montserrat issued in 1998 I am thinking what are chances of just applying a forged post mark.!!

I am not expert but I had seen lot of forged postmark on Gandhi first day covers, event covers, max cards etc so I am little bit curious about this.

Don't you think this simple rubber stamp can be forged ?


Following are some forgery blog post I wrote in past.

1911 First Aerial Mail post forgery card (one of the greatest philatelic blunder in forgery) with receiving and sending postmark.

BOGUS forgery cancellation card of 1911 First Aerial Mail from Allahabad.

Even Queen Victoria overprint stamp of Indian state is forged with RPS certificate.!! Now think what happen to FORGER.!! Nothing.!! As no one cares.

http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/2013/01/rare-stamps-old-stamps-rps-certificate.html

Reprinted label are sold as original 1930 Pre-Independence Gandhi Boycott label!! A philatelic fantasy.!! What a SCAM!!!

Gandhi Boycott British Goods label

Fake 10 Rupees SERVICE stamps is available in large quantity.!!

Gandhi SERVICE FAKE Stamps and Governor Cancellation  

What is Tibet 1949 register cover with 1948 Gandhi stamps without stamps from Tibet and Indian Embassy of Nepal?

FAKE 1948 Indian Embassy of Nepal cancellation and Independence day of India  

FAKE Gandhi specimen stamp.!!

This is not COUNTERFEIT. It's BOGUS stamp.!! Because no country name on this.!!! (was selling from $43000 -$2000)

FAKE Gandhi specimen stamp.!! 

Forged 1948 Gandhi FDC with Indian Embassy of Nepal cancellation!!

Forged 1948 Gandhi Nepal Indian Embassy Cancellation  

FORGED India 1948 Gandhi stamps FDC!!

FAKE 1948 Gandhi  stamps "JAI HIND" Cancellation

OVERPRINT stamp issue from Cameroun, Nicragua & Togo. Does not make sense at all someone printing on stamp by mistake. This is delibrate act.

FAKE Overprint Cameroun, Nicaragua stamps and FDC!!

Even FAKE Error stamps. (Color faded with sunlight or other chemicals.!!!)

How to create FAKE error stamps 

Why 2009 FAKE or BOGUS (not approved by Germany post) Germany Special Cancellation on October 2nd.? (This makes all 1969 special cancellation questionable!!, because who knows what have happen in 1969.!!). Also don't know up to what stage collector goes to take benefit. !!

Germany FAKE Cancellation with illegal usage of National Emblem 

BIDDERS!! "hitlerandgandhi" just to glorify Gandhi stamps they increase price of 1948 Gandhi FDC and Used covers.!!! (Images are not enough to understand this so read following blog posts.!!)

1) Is GANDHI stamp collection hobby a SCAM?

2) 1948 Stamps False hope of Riches?

3) 1948 Gandhi Stamps: Are False hope of Riches - Part II ?

4) 1948 Gandhi Mourning Private FDC : Are False hope of Riches - Part III?

5) 1948 Expensive Gandhi FDC : Are False hope of Riches - Part IV?

6) 1948 Gandhi Stamps Early Usage cover :  Gandhi Stamps Are False hope of Riches - Part V?

7) Indian Philately EXPOSED ?

I am not expert and I am in this hobby for 4 years only so you don't have to believe me or trust me. But you can think about it. There are more experts with 20-30-40-50 years sitting around with stamp hobby and there are expertizing certificate which might help you.

If you don't want to go through all this don't think as Investment and think as "Philately Greed" and you will be SAFE.

I think collector, dealers, seller, forger will do anything for money such as making BOGUS cancellation from Winnenden to celebrate non-violence for school shooting or plane crash cover, forged 1948 stamps,  Nepal Indian Embassy cancellation, Gandhi SERVICE stamp with forged Sunday cancellation, letter reaching after 2 years or reaching in 3 days from India to France by removing stamps and black ink of rubber stamp etc.

It's nothing new. In stamp collection it has been going on 160+ years since Penny Black. But counterfeit or forgery is going on since 700 B.C. ( 2500+ years).

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club.

Ghana stamps - Gambia stamps - Antigua stamps : Do we need to collect each and every stamps in thematic collection ?

Hello Gandhi Philatelist,

In 1998 lot of countries issued Mahatma Gandhi stamps and miniature Gandhi stamp sheet to celebrate 50th Anniversary of Indian Independence.

I am not sure whether they issued official First Day Cover with special cancellation, but we still some unofficial First Day Cover or private first day cover.

As you know private cover are very easy to make because it don't need any special cancellation and it's easy to make rubber stamp with date. 

In past we had seen Nicaragua private F.D.C of 100th year of cinema and which was forgery or FAKE.!! Click following link to read that Fake Nicaragua Cinema stamps.

http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/2011/12/fake-nicaragua-100-years-of-cinema-fdc.html

So how can we know whether following are Genuine first day cover. All covers looks same even though it's from different country. Even rubber stamp looks similar!!

Also pricing of this First Day cover is also surprising.!!

$100 for one Ghana stamps F.D.C  or Gambia stamps F.D.C or Antigua stamps F.D.C of Mahatma Gandhi.

Now compare above First Day cover with Nicaragua 100 years of Cinema F.D.C and don't you think it is same pattern.!!

I think so this are very hard to think as Genuine because lot of things needs to be considered. You don't have to believe me or you don't have to think that all philatelic books or magazine are doing through research on this kind of First Day Cover.

You have to do your own research and think over all picture. Also you don't need to collect each and every First Day cover other wise dealers will provide you anything you need.!! So it's up to you. There is nothing like complete collection on thematic philatelic because it will be very hard for you to keep up with each and every stamps because dealers will print more stamps!! and you have to buy more.!!

http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/2011/12/fake-nicaragua-100-years-of-cinema-fdc.html

So BEWARE what you are collecting and why are you collecting and at what price.!!

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!!

Also don't you think it does NOT make sense to collect all thematic stamps because it will keep coming.!!

Thanks

Gandhi Stamps Club.

Gabon Stamps - Gabon Gandhi Stamp First Day Cover is one example to make you fool!!

Hello Gandhi Philatelist,

Recently I saw 1998 Gandhi first day cover with stamp from Gabon and it was very surprising.

My personal opinion for this first day cover is not officially issued by Gabon postal service department or this is  DIY (Do It Yourself). using regular home printer.!

Look at the quality of printing Gandhi Cachet. It's not properly aligned also.

It was sold by seller "MARP" from Netherlands and there were 2-3 bidders for this first day cover and it was sold for $27 and looks like there wereonly 2 bidders "0261orthod" and "vmootha"

I don't think this is valued more than $3-4 even if it is genuine so think before you buy. So you need to think/decide how it sold for $27.!!

To me it's a good combination of seller and buyer to make you fool by making you think that this is Genuine/Officially issued F.D.C and it's really valued $27 by bidders.!!

So not sure why $27 for this cover which does not even looks like official cover. Also looking to all forgery in cancellation rubber stamp it does not make sense at all to buy it or even to pay it when whole world is running away from this hobby because of hobby is declining.!!

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.

Sierra Leone Gandhi Stamps sheets : How stamp printers and stamp dealers make money!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

In 1998, Sierra Leone honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing 2 stamp sheet of him.

Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest.

After researching more about Sierra Leone I was surprised that even though Civil war was going on they came out with Mahatma Gandhi Stamp and Miniature sheet.!!

Between 1991 and 2002 the Sierra Leone Civil War devastated the country leaving more than 50,000 people dead, much of the country's infrastructure destroyed, and over two million people displaced in neighbouring countries; mainly to Guinea, which was home to more than six hundred thousand Sierra Leonean refugees.

The war was resolved in 2002 and restored the civilian government elected in 1996. On January 18, 2002 President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah declared the civil war officially over. Since then the country has re-established a functioning democracy.

So not sure who printed this stamp sheet. As there was no official goverment between 1996 - 2002 who gave permission to print this stamp.!!!!

I am also surprised after looking FDC of this sheet.!! To me this FDC looks like nothing but DIY (Do It Yourself).

Seller of this FDC is "Phillindia01" and selling for $14.!!

Now after all this stuff you can find OVPT stamp sheet of this.!!! Same way like Cameroun and  Togo stamps.!!

According to me this stamp sheets never made it through Sierra Leone.!! It is printed outside Sierra Leone and started selling on ebay and delcampe.!!!

Buyer beware of this kind of activity and before you  buy think that this stamps and sheets have any value in Philately.?  I don't think so. It only looks good in your album.!!  (BTW : I have in my album!!)

To me it looks like printers/dealers/reseller are making money on this.!!!  because printer and dealer knows Who from Sierra Leone is going to complain about this and if they want to then where they will complain.!!

Sierra Leone is the poorest country in the world, now you think do they need this stamp sheet ?

Do you think how many people can afford this stamp sheet?

Do you think this is specially printed for collectors like me and you.!!!?

Now do you think this will be have any value in philatelic collection.?

Do you really think that Sierra Leone really honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing this kind of stamps?

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

Thanks

Gandhi Stamps Club.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/106963437745047063033/posts

Imperf stamps : How hard is to print or photocopy Imperforate Gandhi stamps ? Anyone can make one!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Perforations are the holes or cuts made to allow you to separate stamps in a sheet or roll. Imperforate means that the stamp is either intentionally made like that, requiring the user to use scissors to cut them apart, or that the step was missed, creating an error.

Currently there are lot of imperf stamps or sheet are available from African countries and to me it needs to be thoroughly examined as chances of getting forgery will be very high or sometimes it might not even exist and you will see it as imperf stamps.!!

Following is recently example of imperf stamp from Gabon sold by "Marp" for $60.  I am not telling that this is  fake or forged, but just bringing awareness among the Gandhi stamp collectors.

Reason for higher chances of forgery is because it's very easy to forged. You don't need to worry about perforation and it can be easily printed or photocopied by any high quality printer with high resolution images or even by cutting perforation and recopying it.

Imagination is power.!! I think Einstein said it right and everyone in Gandhi Stamp collection needs to use this before purchasing any stamp or philatelic material so you will never regret of being cheated.!!

And you all know what's going in Gandhi stamps.!!

So beware other wise you will get some kind of color copy instead of imperf stamps.

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club.

St. Vincent Gandhi Stamp FDC - Is this Genuine Gandhi FDC?

Following are different ways to make money by selling stamps on Internet.

1) Make money by selling SPECIMEN postcard 

2) Make money by making RUBBER stamp

3) Make money by selling TRIAL PROOF waste by stealing it or by art using Photoshop.

4) Make money by selling FORGERY stamps

5) Make money by selling FORGED special cancellation from different cities.

6) Make money by selling FORGERY stamps as GENUINE.

7) Make money by selling BOGUS - never exist special cancellation

8) Make money by selling LABELS - forgery or bogus

9) Make money by selling FAKE or BOGUS First Flight Cover FFC

Recently on eBay India I saw St. Vincent FDC  with 1998, 2000 and 2005 Gandhi stamps and I was surprised. Nothing change in 7 years.!! i.e. Simple Cover and Simple First day Cancellation.!!

FDC should have unique cachet printed on Cover and unique special cancellation related to theme of stamps, which keeps collector interested in collecting. If it is this kind of simple FDC then it's very hard to trust about this cover and collector will start questioning this kind of FDC.

Do you think following are Official First Day Cover ?

Now think what are the possibilities!! and also think whether this is really Official FDC from St. Vincent Postal Service.!! Bring it On!!

It's easy to make(DIY) this kind of FDC at cheaper rate because just print one cover (with Official FDC) and rubber stamp and start stamping on Gandhi stamp as well as different kind of stamps.!!! and FDC is ready for sale.!! Who cares about different cachet even though they are issued 7 years apart.!!

To me this FDC looks questionable and needs more research.!!

What do you think?

In future we all might see FDC from other smaller countries and this is how dealers and reseller (converted from collectors.!!) makes money.!! 

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.!!

http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/2013/12/india-1948-commercial-used-cover-how-to.html

http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/2013/12/king-george-stamps-post-card-kgv-stamps.html

http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/2013/12/rarities-india-1854-stamp-queen.html

Straits Settlements stamps B/172 India stamps - Do you really think it's worth $34,500.!!?

So now what do you think CAN YOU MAKE MONEY ?

Update:-

Following are some FDC from St. Vincent which has different cachet printing on cover depending on the person's work. Also it has special cancellation with theme of stamps. If you notice cancellation it is also very clear.!!

Above cover has different cachet on cover and different type of cancellation.

Even though all of the above FDC was issued on same date but it has different cachet, where as our St. Vincent Gandhi stamps has one cachet for all 3 stamps which were issued in different years.!!!!!!

Nicaragua Gandhi Stamps : Nicaragua 1998 Gandhi Cachet cover with Map of India Stamp issued during 50th Anniversary of Independence of India.

1/1/2012

By Ketankumar Patel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Happy New Year to all readers.

Nicaragua issued Gandhi Cachet cover with two Map of India stamp in 1998 to celebrate Independence of India 50 Anniversary (1947 -1997).

As you can see it was issued on 13 August 1998 (not in 1997) and also not on 15th August.!!  In future we might see FDC issued in 1997 same way like we can see currently FAKE 100 years of Cinema FDC issued in 1994 instead of 1995.!!

This is similiar to 1995 Gandhi Movie stamp issued during 100 Years of Cinema. On stamp it was mentioned 1994 but it was actually issued in 1995. Same is the case for this stamps. It is mentioned 1997 but issued in 1998.

This FDC is widely available under $5 on delcampe auction (Click this link to see current available FDC). 

Following is screenshot from ebay India where it is selling  from 1500 - 2250 Rupees which is 30-40$.!!!  I don't think this a RARE item so why this much price.!!!

Sellers of this FDC on ebay  are eaglefila, philindia02, dr.vijay.vizirani, kamalmedicine and others.

Do you think this FDC is really valued for 30-40$ in  price or it's just one method of price inflation.!!!

To inflated the price it's very easy. Open multiple account and start selling same item at different price and in this way one can control the price by buying  cheaper and then increasing the price if other comes from actual seller in auction.(and if they win don't pay.!!) !!!

Also to fool buyer change account country such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Croatia etc. and with help of philatelic friend or relatives post it from that country (by mentioning longer shipping time.!!)

Sometimes they keep it in auction with different id and inflate price by Shill Bidding.!!(Increasing price on their own or friends item with different auction id.!!)

But as collector we can also dedicate by not allowing this kind of activity by not just buying from the dealer who try to inflate the price.  I think it's not written anywhere that you need to have all stamps, FDC, FFC etc for your collection.!!!

Also you will see cachet with 2 different Shades also available from ebay India, but this are not different in color!!!.(error or rare fdc is selling cheaper than regular FDC!!) It's easy to have change in cachet color or stamp color just by exposing particular part longer to sunlight.!! or other methods to make it error!! (Read my blog post How to create ERROR stamps.)

Thanks

Gandhi Stamps Club
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!!

Gandhi Stamps - 1998 from Grenada , Grenada Grenadines, Dominica, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Vincent, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda , Zambia.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

1998 was 50th Death Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. (1948 -1998) and stamp dealers and printers came up with stamps on this occasion to make MONEY!!

Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, St. Vincent,  Grenada, Grenada Grenadines, Guyana,  Ghana, Montserrat, Liberia, The Gambia, Dominica and others came up with Miniature sheet and stamps of Mahatma Gandhi. (Also India issued Mahatma Gandhi stamp to celebrate this)

Design and printing of all this stamps is similar and sometimes you will be confused whether this is error or what.!! (Looks like dealers and printers are lazy as they don't even want work to make it different and interesting shapes, sizes and different pictures.!!)

Following are some of 1998 miniature  sheet and stamps from African and South America countries with  Taj Mahal, Gateway of India, Emblem of India which  are currently available on delcampe.

All 1998 Gandhi sheets looks similar!!

Do you think this has any value in philatelic or it is just a album filler.!! and you will easily spent 100-150$ on this miniature sheet and stamps. Also FDC of this miniature sheets and stamps are questionable.!!

Think why no other countries like USA, UK, Canada, Australia issued stamps of Mahatma Gandhi in 1998, because they print stamps for actual use as regular domestic postage by common people not just to make money on it.!! Do you think any of this countries people can afford this stamps. I bet 95% of this countries people did not even saw this Gandhi Miniature sheet or might made it in this countries.!! Also they print stamps which is important to their countries only and occasionally this countries issue stamp of other countries important events, leaders, etc

This is how stamp printers and stamp dealers prosper!!

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 at reasonable price.!!!

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.!!

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

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club