Burkina Faso Gandhi Stamps Value - Martin Luther King stamp , John Kennedy stamp and Jinnah stamp.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Burkina Faso – also known by its short-form name Burkina – is a landlocked country in west Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest. Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta, it was renamed on 4 August 1984.

Read more about Burkina Faso Stamps at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postage_stamps_and_postal_history_of_Burkina_Faso

In 1988 Burkina Faso (previously known as Upper Volta) issued Mahatma Gandhi stamps along with JFK, MLK and Jinnah.

Recently this stamps were sold for $2.!!

After 23 years this is selling for $2.Can't believe it.!!

Seller : Hagagard
Buyer : Brownblackcherry
Price : 1.50 Euros.
Date :  10/31/2011

So beware of pricing on Gandhi Stamps. Also I think there is enough for everyone so don't need to hurry. Just need to wait and bid it wisely.!!

Update on 7/19/2012:- Stamps were sold for 1.20 euros.

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

Thanks

Gandhi Stamps club

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?

Mali Gandhi Stamps : Do you think Gandhi Stamps price will ever go up.!!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Mali honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing his stamps in 1969 and 1978. (there might be more!!) Both stamps are  unique in color and very nice portrait of him is used on stamp.

1969

1978

Mali is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west.  Its capital is Bamako. 

Present-day Mali was once part of three West African empires that controlled trans-Saharan trade: the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire (from which Mali is named), and the Songhai Empire. In the late 19th century, during the Scramble for Africa, France seized control of Mali making it a part of French Sudan.

French Sudan joined with Senegal in 1959, achieving independence in 1960 as the Mali Federation. Shortly thereafter, following Senegal's withdrawal from the federation, the Sudanese Republic declared itself the independent Republic of Mali. (Read more about Mali at Wikipedia : Mali)

Mahatma Gandhi stamps from Mali is selling some where between 50 cents to one dollars even after 35+ years. This is very interesting that value is not going up in Gandhi Stamps.

Also FDC are also available at a reasonable price.

So new collectors make sure about pricing. Also you will see lot of stamps with margin or gutter stamps so it's not any rare stamps.

Now look at  following screenshot and you will be amazed. In July 2010(18 months ago), Mali Gandhi 5 stamp was sold for only 99 cents.!! So what do you think about this auction?. Also there was last minute bid retraction.!!!

Seller :- staucy62
Buyer :- dismen987654321

Look at the feedback given by seller "staucy62". To me this seller looks like have multiple accounts and doing shilling bidding as he retracts the bid last moment trying to increase price on it item. In this case he was not successful as the bidder just bid minimum and never increased the bid again which seller(other bidder) was hoping to bid upto $11.!!!!!. Not sure why r***n(376) waited for 6+ days as he bidded on Jul-19 and Retract it on Jul-25 at 10:07 just before auction ends.!!!

 A classic  Shill Bidding on Gandhi stamps. To read more about Shill Bidding click this link.

Read following feedback comment giving by "STAUCY62" and seller's replies.!!  Also see followup reply by  bidder.!!

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&ftab=FeedbackLeftForOthers&userid=staucy62&iid=-1&de=off&items=200&mPg=2&page=2

Also verify buyer dismen987654321 feedback and you decide. Click this link to see buyer's feedback.

3 years of my experience tells me MNH Gandhi Stamps price will never go up because there are very few collectors around the world compare to other thematic collection, also I don't see too many new collectors are coming in to stamp collections and there are more then enough Gandhi stamps for everyone.!!

Only way to increase price of Gandhi stamps is by Shill Bidding and I think it will not work.!!

I hope my analysis on this Mali Gandhi stamp auction will help to all Gandhi Collectors. It's ugly out there.!!!

Now do you agree with me that it's a SCAM in Gandhi Philately.!!

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

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.

Romania Gandhi Stamps : International Day of Non-Violence Stamp : One of the most Colorful stamp from bucharest .!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

On 6-10-2009 (October 6th, 2009) Romania issued very colorful stamp to celebrate International Day of Non-Violence (IDNV). As all of you might know that IDNV is celebrated by United Nations on October 2nd, which is Mahatma Gandhi's birthday.

Official FDC

Private FDC

Also special cancellation is picture of  "Non-Violence", a sculpture by Karl Fredrik Reutersward, sits permanently outside UN Headquarters in New York

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

I think this is first IDNV stamp which don't have Mahatma Gandhi Picture on it.  United Nations and India has stamp and special cancellation, where has Croatia has only special cancellation issued on 2nd October with Mahatma Gandhi picture. Also you can read by clicking following for  FAKE cancellation with Gandhi Picture and Emblem of India from Winnenden, Germany to celebrate International Day of Non-Violence.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2010/01/fake-gandhi-postmark-cancel-from.html

I am not sure why Romania decided not to issue stamp on October 2nd and also no picture of Mahatma Gandhi in stamps or cancellation.(Looks like "Think Different").!!

sheet with 10 stamps

Miniature sheet with 6 stamps

The International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

According to General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness". The resolution reaffirms "the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence" and the desire "to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence".

Introducing the resolution in the General Assembly on behalf of 140 co-sponsors, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Anand Sharma, said that the wide and diverse sponsorship of the resolution was a reflection of the universal respect for Mahatma Gandhi and of the enduring relevance of his philosophy. Quoting the late leader’s own words, he said: "Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man".

Following is the brochure of Romania International Day of Non-Violence stamp.

Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea. Romania shares a border with Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and Moldova to the northeast and east, and Bulgaria to the south.

Romania is the ninth largest country of the European Union by area, and has the seventh largest population of the European Union with 20.2 million people. Its capital and largest city is Bucharest, the sixth largest city in the EU with about two million people

This stamp is widely available on ebay and delcampe for reasonable price as lot of collectors/dealers are not aware of it.

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

It's very hard to find Genuine cancellation (special cancellation) as it is very easy to forged.!!! and sometimes there are NO GENUINE cancellation even exist.!!

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.!!!

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

By reading this blog post with all think link, will  you ever trust this postmark cancellation even it is sold to me by some known person also ?

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.

Mexico Gandhi Stamps : Why such a low price for Gandhi FDC.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

In 1969, Mexico honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing stamps of him. 

This stamps are widely available under 50 cents and even FDC are available for $1.!!

In July, 2010 Gandhi FDC from Mexico was sold under $1.!!!

You know why such a low price because it's selling from Mexico and looks like they are not in to Shill Bidding.!! Once it's change the country everything starts.!!

Recently Mexico FDC was not even sold for $10.!! 

You know why it did not sold, because seller don't know how to sell it.!! He needs to keep low price and starts rigging up price.!!


It all depends on Current Market trends of stamp collection. (Which is DECLINING since last 10 years and it's going down tremendously since last 5 years.!!). 

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.!!


So buyer make sure about value before you buy  it. There is enough for everyone needs.!!

Thanks

Gandhi Stamps Club

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.

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) First Aerial Post - Indian Philately Exposed - Part III
10) 1911 First Aerial Post - Allahabad - Indian Philately Exposed - Part IV

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.

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.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2010/01/fake-gandhi-postmark-cancel-from.html

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.

http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/2009/04/gandhi-1969-cancels-possible-forgeries.html

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

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.!!

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 HOW LOW IT WILL GO?

There might be no buyer so it May be go as low as $0.!!

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club

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.!!

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 ?

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.

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.

Germany FAKE Cancellation with illegal usage of National Emblem 

FAKE 1948 Gandhi  stamps "JAI HIND" Cancellation
Forged 1911 Aerial Mail and Gandhi Philately 

Gandhi SERVICE FAKE Stamps and Governor Cancellation 

Forged 1948 Gandhi Nepal Indian Embassy 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.

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