In India, khadi is not just a cloth, it is a whole movement started by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The Khadi movement aimed at boycotting foreign goods and promoting Indian goods, thereby improving India's economy. Mahatma Gandhi began promoting the spinning of khādī for rural self-employment and self-reliance (instead of using cloth manufactured industrially in Britain) in 1920s India thus making khadi an integral part and icon of the Swadeshi movement.
In 2011 during Indipex stamp exhibition, India issued Mahatma Gandhi stamp (not sheet or folder) made from Khadi. Not sure why they did it as it was not a special year or date which significant was significant to Mahatma Gandhi's life.!!
It was also one of the expensive stamp of Mahatma Gandhi ever issued by India, which was also not a regular postage stamp for register or regular postage use as it was very high price compare to that rates.!! This is similar to 1948 Gandhi 10 Rupees stamp.!!!
Even though stamp is 100 Rupees it was only sold in folder which was 250 Rupees.!!! which was equivalent to $5.50 in 2011. (45 Rupees per 1 dollar.)
Now if you see above screen shot you will be surprised that stamp collection is indeed in trouble.!!
It sold for $2.25.!!
Which is below FACE VALUE of stamp and that even after 2 years.!! Also limited quantity was printed then also it has not interest in this stamp.!!
Also not sure whether shill bidding happened in this to protect the price.!!
So if Gandhi stamp collection is one of the most glorified and hyped by philatelic media, it's price is decline by more than 50% in 2 years even limited quantity was printed, so think about other thematic collection which are printed in huge quantity.!!
If there is demand and no material, then you will get all kind of FAKE, BOGUS, FORGED philatelic material.
Also with that all kind of CHEATING happen when it is sold so new collectors or investor will think philatelic is an INVESTMENT to go instead of investing in GOLD, Stocks(shares) or property.!!
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 phones or watch games on TV such as cricket, football or basketball.!!
There is little chance of philately can survive by stopping 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.
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.
