STAMP COLLECTING VALUES : STAMPS WORTH - Stamps Investment

This blog post is to bring AWARENESS to new or  long time stamp collector about Stamp Collecting Values or How much is my Stamps Worth or Stamp Investment makes sense in today's world.

We all are always thinking about stamp worth because we put lot of effort in it as a hobby, but hobbies don't last for ever.

Same is the case for stamp collection and what I notice in last 4+ years that it's value is declining like great depression, and chances are it will never come back because there is lot of other things to do as time has changed and communication method is also changed so no one even use stamps what was daily part of life.

If you are thinking about STAMP COLLECTING VALUES  or  STAMPS WORTH then you are in big trouble because you might get in depression. There is not value in Stamps Investment as no body collect it.!!

If you see 20 years ago there was no computers, no internet, no video games , no Facebook, no google search and limited amount of reading material available. Also at that people don't have money so no more going out to eat or vacation to see different places so there was lot of extra time for stamp collecting hobby, but now you don't have enough time for hobby.

As there are only 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year there is no way you can accomplish all this things and have time for hobby.!!

So your new hobby is facebook or video games or surfing the web  for daily activity other than going to school or work and during weekend go out to eat and see movie and during long weekend or school vacation travel to different places.!!

Now look at the following screenshot from eBay. 

1969 Great Britain Gandhi stamp sheet of 120 stamps was sold for $9 which will be 7 cents per stamp.!!

After 45 years it's value is not appreciating and if you count all inflation and investment and storage of stamps it is losing value.( also needs to pay for shipping, handling and eBay and PayPal fees.!!)

Now don't you think it's a sign of great depression in Stamp collecting if you look at it's value.

But you might see lot of HIGH price in stamps which are nothing but GLORIFICATION of stamps by

1) Increasing price by SHILL Bidding
2) Not paying to seller after winning so it increase price
3) FORGERY and FAKE items are even selling at high price
4) Even expertising certificate are FORGED.

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!! or even Collecting.!!!

Do you think it's INVESTMENT or GAME.!!

I think it's not for Investment but it's a Philatelic GAME.!!

So let's see how to play  Philatelic Game.!! (click to read how to, rules and regulations.!!)

After reading above links what do you think of  STAMP COLLECTING VALUES : STAMPS WORTH - Stamps Investment ?

Thanks

Gandhi Stamps Club.

Cameroon Stamps

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

You all saw what is the price of Mahatma Gandhi 1968 FDC from Cameroun sold on Delcampe. It was sold for $91 which means that Gandhi Stamp/Philately PRICE IS ON DECLINE.

This is how it is sold in last 3 years.

4/26/2008 --- $294
3/09/2009 --- $266 ($150) (my purchase, how I was fooled.!!)
3/07/2010 --- $214
5/14/2010 --- $179
1/28/2011 --- $112
5/31/2011 --- $91

I think this are still INFLATED price of Cameroun Gandhi FDC. ( Cameroon Ghandi FDC )
I think this is also on high because there are 2000 total (and not sure there are total 2000 Gandhi collectors who can afford this.) so my guess is next time it will go under $75-80. Let's see what happens in future when someone from France will sell this FDC.

Now if you see closely top 3 bidders then you will notice that these are dealers/reseller who already have 3-6 FDC or more  in their stock. Some of them bought very cheap from dealer/reseller from France and some even paid high price also so in order to keep the price up they are bidding on this item. They generally auction this FDC around $299-499.!!

This time if you see all 3 of them try to bid at last moment where as if you see previous bidding (look at my previous blog post about this) then they start bidding  initially to make price high. Click this link and you will find same bidders who are bidding on this also. This time they really want to buy this at cheap price.!! & want to sell it to us in future at higher price by offering same FDC with different id,  from different country etc.

Now it's up to all Mahatma Gandhi Collectors to decide how we can stop this or prevent this kind of activity. I leave it up to you to decide what you need to do.!! 

But we all know what  are Mahatma Gandhi's Principles  "Boycott" and "Passive Resistant" and we all can try his principles and let's see what happens to this FDC in future.!!

I think price will eventually fall for this 2000 FDC which will come out of closet from FRANCE, same way currently from Lativa or Germany we can see  Nicragua OVERPRINT stamp of Gandhi with Eistein series or Nicragua Gandhi with TajMahal. once certain collectors/dealers/reseller will buy it to average their buying price. But they still regret as more and more this stamps are coming in market as price of this Overprint stamps are coming down.

I still have mine which I bought it for $150. so I lost $60 in 2 years (40% + interest)!! If there was enough information like this blog I will never buy this.!! Just keep patience and you will get it cheap in next couple of years. It's just matter of time. You can still exhibit with other countries FDC and it's not a great point that you don't have this FDC.

Let us know what you think about this Mahatma Gandhi Cameroun FDC. 

Thanks

Gandhi Stamps Club

Egypt Ghandi Stamp : You decide what's going on in Gandhi Philately.!! Egypt 1969 Gandhi FDC sold under $2 !!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

You decide what's going on in Gandhi Philately after looking following screen shot. 1969 Egypt Gandhi FDC was sold for $1.58. 

Egypt Ghandi stamp has Gandhi portrait and  Emblem of India as well as Emblem of UAR (United Arab Republic). Also you can consider this as error stamp because spelling of Gandhi is misspelled as "Ghandi".

But in 2011 this First day cover with Gandhi stamp was sold for $1.58.!!

Seller: "Smeagle" from UK.

Price: $1.58 (0.99 GBP)

Buyer: "speedbird1*"

Date: April 10, 2011.

But also interesting thing is other Gandhi items were sold to some Gandhi stamp buyer/seller we see them routinely in Gandhi Philately.!!

I am not sure why such a low price even after 40+ years. Also this was in auction and only one buyer for this. Is it not amazing.!!

Do you know why such a low price.?

This is not only in Egypt stamps but all other countries also.

1) Togo Gandhi Stamps collapse

2) India Gandhi stamps for Investment?

Still want to do research  then please read my other blog post about Gandhi Stamps and you yourself think how Gandhi Stamps are glorified!!

1) 1948 Stamps of India are False hope of Riches?
2) 1948 Gandhi Stamps of India: 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


I don't think it's for INVESTMENT because there are lot of great Investment out there.

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club

BTW: But when you want to buy this you will not able to buy it at this price. This is Mystery.!!

Gandhi Stamps India : Don't know whether pricing is REAL or Inflated. !! My bidding details.!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

In month of September I bidded on following item. You can check my Max bidding price to learn how to protect yourself in Gandhi stamps collection.

But before that I saw one quote from Mahatma Gandhi which was posted on google plus by google user id "Gandhi Quotes" and I like it so I want to share with you.

I think above quotes is for all Gandhi stamp collectors which can help Gandhi Stamp collection by just following it and exposing all illegal activities going in Gandhi stamp bidding, pricing, forgery, fake and  inflated Gandhi philatelic material.

Just speak up and Gandhi stamps and philately will see lot of change.!!

Following screenshot is taken from my own personal eBay account for reference purpose so new collectors can see Gandhi stamp images and from that they can figure out what was going on 5-10-20 years ago.

Also it will learning opportunity for them to know how I am bidding it and what price it sold and what kind of material was sold so it will be a great reference about my monthly bidding price, purchases etc.

Now you can compare stuff of this auction. Some of are stamps from India.

You can find this kind of information for delcampe.net easily because it's all open where as in eBay you have to work little bit hard but you can still get it.

Gandhi stamp price is interesting.!!

Stamps of India are also there with images.

Gandhi stamp value is interesting.!!

Gandhi stamps India is also there with images.

More stamps from India with Gandhi stamps images.

More stamps of India with Gandhi stamps images.

Even British India Stamps with Gandhi stamps images.

Gandhi stamp India is also there with Gandhi stamp images.

Most of the high priced expensive item does  not make sense and to me it looks like very high INFLATION.

It's not like housing market were you see what price a house sold in your neighbourhood and depending on that you can buy or sell house.

Here it's a completely different story because sometimes there are lot of false transaction where seller cancel the purchase or there might be friendly purchase (shill bidding) in order to increase prices.

It's a completely different ball game.!!

So beware otherwise you will have some kind of piece of paper.

Want to learn more about August 2012 bidding then click following link.
http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com/2012/08/gandhi-stamps-and-philately-material.html

Thanks
Gandhi Stamps Club.

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.