Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Nevis Gandhi SPECIMEN Stamps : Germany Gandhi MUSTER Stamps : How to find Genuine SPECIMEN stamp ?

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I am seeing lot of Gandhi SPECIMEN stamps on internet auction sites.

A specimen stamp is a postage stamp or postal stationery indicium sent to postmasters and postal administrations so that they are able to identify valid stamps and to avoid forgeries. The usual method of invalidating the stamps is either overprinting in ink or perforating the word Specimen across the stamp and where English is not the common language, the words Muestra (Spanish), Monster (Dutch), Muster (German) or Образец (Russian) have been used instead. (From : Wikipedia)

Because of latest printing technology available to common people I am not sure how we can find out whether this SPECIMEN stamps are Genuine or Forgery.?

In today's technology world,  laser printers are even capable of printing currency.!!(which is prevented/disabled by printer manufacture using special chip/software) but it is easy to print just SPECIMEN on stamps, postal stationary etc.

Even sometimes just Rubber stamp is used to specify that this is SPECIMEN stamp.
As many specimen stamps are worth more than the originals, they have often been forged.!! (From Wikipedia.)
So my question is how to find Genuine SPECIMEN stamp?

Following is screenshot of recently sold Nevis Specimen stamp. Not sure whether this is Genuine. !!


Following is 1969 Gandhi  Muster (SPECIMEN) stamp from Germany.  This is even more easy to make regular stamp in to Muster stamp because it's just a rubber stamp.!!

So not sure whether following Germany Gandhi SPECIMEN stamp as well as above Nevis stamps are  Genuine or Forgery.!! It's hard to trust any Gandhi Philately material.!!


Following are my other two blog post related to Forgery Cyrpus SPECIMEN stamp and 1969 India SPECIMEN Postcard (Postal Stationary).

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/04/fake-gandhi-specimen-stamp-from-cyprus.html
http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/09/gandhi-stamp-1969-india-postcard.html

Now if you like this blog post or want to know more about other FAKE Gandhi Stamps Philatelic Materials then please check out our other blog post (There are more blog posts but 8 are more interesting to read, so please read.!)

Maldives : http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/12/maldives-gandhi-stamps-is-it-fake.html
Germany : http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/08/its-back-again-fake-germany-2009-gandhi.html
Mauritius : http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/06/possible-fake-postmark-cancellation.html
Madagascar : http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/12/madagascar-gandhi-stamps-fake-fdc-of.html
Nicaragua : http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/07/fake-fdc-made-from-nicaragua-1979-1980.html
Mauritius : http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/11/early-usage-of-indian-pin-code-classic.html
1969 issues : http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2009/04/gandhi-1969-cancels-possible-forgeries.html
Nicaragua : http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/12/fake-nicaragua-100-years-of-cinema-fdc.html

After reading above blog post don't you think similar pattern for making FDC or Max Card in Gandhi Philately.!! (It's a whole new topical Philately !! FAKE Gandhi thematic collection.!!)

Don't you think that is there any Genuine GANDHI philatelic material ever issued.!!! Most of the Gandhi stamps were issued in 1969 and during that time there were very less collectors so it is not enough for current needs of collectors.

Also I think because of recent popularity of Gandhi stamps there is a huge demand of it  so dealers and resellers (even printers) are trying to take benefit by issuing FAKE and Forgery material of some never issued stamps, FDC or Used Covers including Register Covers so Beware before you enter in to Gandhi Philately collection.!!

Is it hobby with investment or scam in mind? !! Think before you buy any Gandhi Philately Material as it is very easy to make rubber stamp.!!! 

This is how stamp printers and stamp dealers prosper!!

I don't have any answer, How to find Genuine SPECIMEN Stamp? 


Do  You ? Then please let us know so all collectors will be benefit and will be more interested in SPECIMEN stamps.

I don't collect this because it's very risky.!!

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

Friday, December 23, 2011

Cameroun Gandhi Stamps and Overprint sheet with Martin Luther King and Kennedy stamp value : Don't think overprint stamps as ERROR, it is done intensely. !!!

12/22/2011
By Ketankumar Patel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

As you all know Cameroun 1968 Gandhi stamps has wide variety( just to make money!!), but I think value of this Cameroun Stamps is going down very fast.

Look at following screenshot, you will be surprised that this triptych stamps of Gandhi was sold only for under $5.!! (This stamp is selling on ebay india for 10500 Rupees.!!)



Cameroun  also has Gandhi Overprint stamp sheet with Martin Luther King and Kennedy's.  I am not sure why they want to do overprinting of this stamp in very large quantity.!!  Don't think this as ERROR stamps. It's a delibrate act to make money.!! by selling it to multiple thematic collectors like Gandhi, MLK, Kennedy's, Space, Moon, Error etc. All other thematic collection is declining very fast except Gandhi collection which is also declining but lesser compare to others.

Following screen shot has 2 types/version of Overprint sheets.(useless sheets.!!), which was sold for $34. Amazing is the philately world where you get money on Error. In regular world you don't buy with little error or mistake or buy it for discounted price,  but in philately it's different!! and you pay premium for error, misprint, overprint etc.



This 2 sheets are selling on ebay india for 5000 and 8000 Rupees, Does this makes sense if you compare with following price of $34 which is 1800 Rupees for both sheet.!!!!!!!!!!

So before you add this in your collection please make sure you don't pay high price because multiple thematic bidders will be buying it and also lot of  cheaters are trying to increase value.

Following screenshot is from ebay India on which it is selling for 5-20 times of recent selling price.!!! One of the reason of this high price is to trick new collectors that this is the price of stamps and when new collector see it at lower price then they will buy it.!!!! But new collectors might be cheated as this stamps might be not worth that much.



Click following link how price are increased in Cameroun Gandhi FDC and dealers/reseller are trying to pay you high price.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/12/cameroun-ghandi-stamps-fdc-how-some.html

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

Is stamp collection hobby on decline.!!

Update on 12/24/11:- 3 triptych of Gandhi, MLK and Kennedy's were sold only for $5.42.!!!


Thursday, December 22, 2011

Chile 1974 FFC Lufthansa World Cup 74 Football First Flight Cover - Gandhi Chile Overprint Stamps FFC - Is FFC value going down.?

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I saw 1974 Chile FFC of Lufthansa airlines with two overprint  Gandhi Stamps was sold for $3.42.!!! Also similar FFC were sold for $3.50 - $4  last few months.

Chile 1974 FFC Lufthansa flight LH-491 Football World cup flight carrying the Chile National team dated 13 June 1974. Cover is franked with the Vina del Mar overprint and 100E opt on 1969 Gandhi Stamps are cancelled with a special event cancellation and the front has a cachet with the official WM74 logo

This is a very nice FFC but again price is going in downward direction.!! After almost 40 years it's has no appreciation.!! This price is in auction and there were total 3 bids and 2 bidders for this FFC and then also it never went up.!!


So please make sure priicing of FFC before you buy Gandhi FFC. It's selling very cheap. If you pay more than 3-4$  then chance are that you will regret.

I see lot of Gandhi philatelic materials is selling for very high price some where between 30-50$ which is not even worth 1/5th of that price, but this is a trick to cheat some new buyer who is not aware of all kinds of activity in Gandhi Philately.

If you like this blog post about FFC then please click follwoing link to read our other FFC blog post to know more about it.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/search/label/ffc

So before you buy any stamps or philatelic materials think twice what are going in to. Make sure you not accumulating someone junk as your treasure.!!


Again thanks for reading and  please share your thoughts in the comments section or you can email me at ketankumar@gmail.com.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

20th Anniversary of World Aids Day special cancellation on Gandhi Postcard from India - Is this Official World Aids Day special cancellation from India Postal Service ?

12/20/2011
By Ketankumar Patel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

World AIDS Day, observed on 1 December every year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. Government and health officials observe the day, often with speeches or forums on the AIDS topics. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day. Governments of other nations have followed suit and issued similar announcements.

I was looking to add something related to Gandhi and Aids in my collection and I came across India Gandhi Postcard with  special cancellation issued on 20th Anniversary of World Aids Day in 1-12-2008.


I have no doubt about Gandhi Postcard but when it comes to special cancellation I start shivering.!! because I have seen lot of FAKE, Forgery and questionable Special Cancellation in Gandhi Philately, so I question this special cancellation issued for 20th Anniversary of World Aids Day (1998 - 2008).

I searched for more information about this special cancellation from India, but I did not find any useful information. So I am not sure whether this is Official Special Cancellation  on Gandhi Postcard or just regular rubber stamp on Gandhi Postcard?

Also there is no special cancellation available on (ebay.in) eBay India.!! which is also strange as you will see lot of postcards for sale but not with this special cancellation.!!

Currently wide variety (different theme) of this Gandhi Postcard with AIDS special cancellation is available on ebay.com from seller "staucy62" for $6. Of course there is  someone who bought this special cancellation.!!! ( I hope buyer did research before buying it.!!)





If you see following screen shot you will know that various Gandhi Aids and Cancer postcards are available without cancellation for very cheap on ebay India so I am not sure whether this is RARE special cancellation.?

I can buy following postcards and make my own rubber stamps and start stamping on this postcards.!!!! so I want to make sure what I am buying. Whether this is official cancellation from India Post or just another kind of hobby DIY (Do It Yourself).

It's easy to make rubber stamp. Download logo from UNaids.org or google images, then go to any local rubber stamp vendor or on internet and create your design and next 2-3 days you will get your rubber stamps and start your work.!!


As usual I’d be very grateful if blog readers could assist me in nailing this one. (Same way like reader "koolcals" helped me to find FAKE Mauritius Cancellation.!!)

Please let me know if you have more information about this cancellation so I can add this in my collection if it is indeed Genuine cancellation.

I emphasis on research before I buy any item in Gandhi Philately otherwise I have to regret like some of my past purchase.!!

Very nice cancel with usage of Logo/Emblem of United Nations. Permission from United Nations is required in order to use their Emblem. This is similar to using Emblem of India


By using UN logo it does not make it Genuine.!! One need to have permission to use. Check this  link to see who can use it.   http://www.un.org/MoreInfo/guide   (item #10)

Someone should have information about this special cancellation as they have to get cancellation from India Post or if it at there place then they have to pay 1500/3000 Rupees in 2008 and also needs to take permission to use UN Emblem.

So if it is Genuine then some local philatelist or club or government official will have something which can proof it is Genuine.
http://www.indiapost.gov.in/netscape/philately.html

I request all fellow collectors and well wisher if you have any info about this special cancellation please send it to me or comment in this blog so all Gandhi collectors as well as some other topical thematic collectors will also benefit by adding in their collection with peace of mind and they don't have to worry about any Fake item.!!

Again thanks for reading and  please share your thoughts in the comments section or you can email me at ketankumar@gmail.com.


Thanks

Monday, December 19, 2011

India Gandhi stamps - 1969 Gandhi Birth Centenary issue FDC - Is stamp collection hobby is on decline.?

12/19/2011
By Ketankumar Patel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

1969 was 100th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and lot of countries honored him for his Human Rights,  Non-Violence and Peace achievements by issuing stamp of him.

India issued large quantity of 4 different Gandhi Stamps of  20 paisa, 75 paisa, 1 Rupee and 5 Rupees. All 4 stamps are with different theme, size and pictures on it.


Now if you see following screenshot from ebay, you will be surprised about pricing of this FDC with 4 stamps. It was sold for 0.25 UK pounds (39 US cents or 20 Rupees).


Now you can see that after 42+ years, FDC with 4 stamps whose face value was  Rs. 7  in 1969  was sold only for 20 Rs. This means that it did not appreciated if you count compound interest from 1969 - 2011.!!

It's very sad to see this kind of valuation of this FDC with very nice Gandhi Stamps on it.

I think such a low appreciation is due to large number of Gandhi Stamps and FDC issued in 1969.

But main reason I think is because stamps collections world wide is declining as there are other interesting hobbies  for kids such as video games, computer board games,  internet games (zynga, world of warcraft, internet chess, monopoly etc) and Internet communications such as email, social networking (facebook, linkedin) etc which will give them advance communications  and skills required to 21st century then old hobby like collection of just stamps and fdc.  I am seeing this trend also in collection of cards baseball, basketball, soccer etc. Also pen pals which was a great source of stamp collection is also obsolete because of internet social networking.

Also because of all Forgery, SCAM, FAKE stamps and philatelic materials I think less and less people are not interested in stamp collections and experienced philatelist is also growing up in age and there kids are less interested in stamps because of the all above reason.

So I think stamp collection hobby is declining including Gandhi Stamps.!!!

So before you buy any stamps or philatelic materials think twice what are going in to. Make sure you not accumulating someone junk as a treasure.!!


Want to know more about price decline in Gandhi stamps than please click following link.


http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/search/label/Gandhi%20stamp%20value%20declining

After reading above link, don't you think pricing of stamps are going down.

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

Friday, December 16, 2011

Madagascar Gandhi Stamps - Fake FDC of Mahatma Gandhi Stamps sheet.!! - Is it Stamp Investment or Scam.?

12/16/2011
By Ketankumar Patel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

This is our 200th blog post on Gandhi Philately Study Circle.!! Thanks to all our blog readers and special thanks to Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti of RAINBOW STAMP CLUB for referring our blog to all her blog readers by adding us in "favorite sites and blog". This is a great honored for us to be on her famous philatelic blog.

Today I am happy to announce that 1000 readers (and growing)  were referred from her blog   rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com. which is  3rd most referreing sites to our blog after google.in and google.com.

 But I think it is #1 site as we are on her favorite blog since last 8-9 months only, while google is referring since starting of this blog.!!




The Republic of Madagascar  is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The nation comprises the island of Madagascar (at 587,041 square kilometres (226,658 sq mi), the fourth-largest island in the world).

In 1998 along with other African and South American Countries (click link to see 1998 Gandhi stamps) issued two Mahatma Gandhi Stamp sheet. Don't you think this Madagascar stamp and sheets are similar to other countries which issued Gandhi Stamps in 1998!!


 Now look at following screen shot from ebay india auction site and you will be amazed if you are new to Gandhi stamp collection. If you are experience collector then you know all kind of FAKE material available on ebay and delcampe.

Even though stamp sheet were issued in 1998 FDC has CDS of 10-Aug-1999.!!!


I verified this on 2 most famous Gandhi Stamps and Philately website of Dr. Rajan and Nikhil Mundra and it is indeed 1998. http://gandhistamps.com/Madagascar.htm      http://topicalphilately.com/gandhi/


Yes there was another miniature sheet  issued in 1999 with other 7 famous people and Mahatma Gandhi. This sheet also has Diana, Jacqueline Kennedy, General Pershing, General Moshe Dayan and others.

Following is the 1999 Miniature sheet with Mahatma Gandhi stamp.


Now if you compare this stamp with FDC it's different. So now think what's going on in Gandhi Philately. If you think this is not right information then please let me know so I can modify this blog post.

I think all 1998 Gandhi FDC are questionable so do your research before you buy it. It's ugly out there.!!

After reading above blog post don't you think similar pattern for making FDC or Max Card in Gandhi Philately.!! (It's a whole new topical Philately !! FAKE Gandhi thematic collection.!!)


After reading both blog post don't you think similar pattern for making FDC or Max Card in Gandhi Philately.!!

Is it investment or scam ? !! Think before you buy any Gandhi Philately Material as it is very easy to make rubber stamp.!!! 

This is how stamp printers and stamp dealers prosper!!

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


Thanks

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Gandhi Boycott Label - Gandhi Boycott British Goods Label - Do you really need this kind of Gandhi Cinderella label?


12/15/2011
By Ketankumar Patel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I saw 2 Gandhi Boycott British Goods Label sold for $17.!! I think this is too much for this kind of label as this are not 80+ years old.!! It is just printed recently and dealers are trying to make money out of it.

You can read my other blog post about Boycott Label which will explain in detail about this.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-is-gandhi-boycott-label.html

Seller : Collstamps
Buyer : akhilesh_1983



Following screenshot will show you how much currently seller are asking for this kind of Cinderella material which can be printed any time and any body without worry about any forgery.!! Because it's label and it's Cinderella label (not stamp!!).


So beware before you jump into this.

I almost bought this 2 years ago, but when I saw some suspicious bidding activity and seller recent and past activities I cancel this deal so I think I was lucky at that time.

Now I will not even buy it for $1 as it will take my album space, as this label don't justify any significant philatelic value.

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

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

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

12/14/2011
By Ketankumar Patel.
Hello Gandhi Collectors,

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

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!!



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



Cameroun Gandhi Stamps FDC : How some stamp dealers increase price and makes it's difficult for new Gandhi collectors - Part 3 ?

12/14/2011
By Ketankumar Patel.


Hello Gandhi Collectors,

This is one of the famous auction where dealers used their dirty tricks to outbid new collectors and than trying to sell their.!!

As you can see from following screenshot that winner of this auction is "Khel10ka". 

He opened new delcampe id just to increase the bid on this item and eventually outbid me and won the auction. But think what he did not paid for this.!!!



Following is the feedback from seller about buyer "Khel10ka"




French to English translation of his feedback 

"no one, attention this person is without interest, refuses the questions, to avoid----------"

Now let's see how dealers/resellers play tricks with you.

Now if you see following screenshot you will get some idea what happen.

Khel10ka started bidding from 153.40 to 190.20 Euros and he won and I lost.!! But "Khel10ka" did not paid.!!! and in this way he increased the price of this FDC and makes it difficult for new Gandhi collectors.










Now if you see "Anusur" started bidding from 125.20 Euros till 153.00.  To me it looks like "Anusur" and "Khel10ka" are same bidders. Also "kad_ss" was trying to sell me Cameroun FDC for 190 Euros.!! 

So now you need you think what happen in this.?




Now if you see above screen shot you will see all dealers/resellers  trying to bidding on this FDC because some of them are or might be also selling this Cameroun FDC.!!

Here there are actually 3-4 bidders but they are using multiple id in order to increase price.!!! This is common practice in Gandhi Philately by certain dealers and resellers.!!

Now you need to decide how to buy , from whom to buy etc when you start collecting Gandhi Philatelic material other wise you will be paying very high price like me.!! So BEWARE !!

Eventually seller sold me this FDC for 120 Euros.!!! Yes I bought it at very high price because of this kind of greedy dealers.!!

If you like this post, then you can read my other blog post

South Africa Gandhi Stamps :  How some stamp dealers increase price - Part 1 ?
San Marino Gandhi Stamps : How some stamp dealers increase price - Part 2

I hope this kind of blog post about my experience will help you to understand how to protect yourself in Gandhi Philately.

As I mentioned in my previous blog posts about this FDC is not rare and price is dropping and lot of shill bidding to sell this FDC. So avoid it by thinking as a piece of paper.


I can keep my mouth shut about this and I can join with them to increase my value, but I choose other option to publish this and make everyone aware of this so no other Gandhi collectors is cheated.!!!

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

Gandhi Khadi Stamp FDC : I don't think this are rare F.D.C even though it's a private fdc

12/14/2011
By Ketankumar Patel.


Hello Gandhi Collectors,

You already know that there was no official FDC issued by Indian Postal Service with Gandhi Khadi stamp sheet (1,00,000 stamp sheets were printed) issued in February 2011 during Indipex Stamp Exhibition.

But I can see lot of different varities of privately made F.D.C with Gandhi Khadi Stamp sheet or just khadi stamp of 100 Rupees ($2 only).

Following is screenshot from ebay and none of the FDC were sold in last 15 days.!!!


I am not sure why it is not selling, but my guess is it is private fdc and price is too high or dealers are not interested to buy it and resell it or collectors knows that this will be available all the time as lot of collectors and  dealers made private FDC (my guess will be more than 5000!!)during Indipex Exhibition anticipating that value will go high and there will huge appreciation by investing 250 Rupees ($5-6).!!

Do you think 2011 Gandhi Khadi stamp sheet FDC will appreciate after 40+ years.?

Or it will have same appreciation like we see today in Ireland or Hungary 1969 Gandhi stamp FDC!!! which are selling under $1 even after 40+ years

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


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Ireland Gandhi Stamps : One of the Cheapest Gandhi stamps sold in ebay auction!! Do you still think investment in Stamps collection is a good strategy ?


12/13/2011
By Ketankumar Patel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Ireland honored Mahatma Gandhi in 1969 to celebrate his 100th Birth Anniversary by issuing two stamp of him.

This two stamps are selling for Euro 0.01 ( 1 euro cents only). This is cheapest Gandhi stamps sold on ebay.Only 0.01 euro for 2 Ireland 1969 Gandhi stamps.!!


Also there are lot of FDC available for this stamps with different cachet. Currently it is selling for $1.50 .!!




If you count all inflation in currency and expense to store FDC, Do you think Gandhi stamps are really for investment.?

Look at the price of FDC selling after 40+ years.!!

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

Monday, December 12, 2011

San Marino Gandhi Stamps : How some stamp dealers increase price and make difficult for new collectors - Part 2 ?

12/12/2011
By Ketankumar Patel.


Hello Gandhi Collectors,

San Marino,  is  situated on the Italian Peninsula on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over 24 sq mi with an estimated population of over 30,000. Its capital is the City of San Marino. San Marino has the smallest population of all the members of the Council of Europe.

San Marino is the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world, as the continuation of the monastic community founded on 3 September 301, by stonecutter Marinus of Rab. 

The constitution of San Marino, enacted in 1600, is the world's oldest constitution still in effect.

In 1987 San Marino honored  Mahatma Gandhi by issuing stamp of him.




Now let's analyze my purchase of this FDC in March 2009.

As you know I was not aware of real value of Gandhi Philatelic material (as there was now where to find one.!!, but now you have this blog.!!)  and in order to collect it I paid 20 Euros.!!! This is currently selling between 2-6 Euros.!!

Now if you see "Aryan" was another bidder for this auction.


Disclaimer : Before this purchase I had bought from his other id "eaglefila" and he was aware of my id as I had also bought some stamps and fdc from him.!!! Not bought any philatelic material since last 2+ years from this seller.!!

Now you need to decide how to buy , from whom to buy etc when you start collecting Gandhi Philatelic material other wise you will be paying very high price.

If you like this post, then you can read my other blog post

South Africa Gandhi Stamps :  How some stamp dealers increase price and make difficult for  new collectors - Part 1 ?

I hope this kind of blog post about my experience will help you to understand how to protect yourself in Gandhi Philately.

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