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.

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

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

Ketankumar Patel.
http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com

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

Ketankumar Patel.
http://gandhistampsclub.blogspot.com

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.

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

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.

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

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

12/12/2011

By Ketankumar Patel.

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.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

Gabon Gandhi Stamp Sheet : Let's do research on stamp auction bidding on Gabon Kennedy and Martin Luther King stamps sheet with Ghandi stamps.

12/9/2011

By Ketankumar Patel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Today on ebay I saw Gabon Gandhi sheet with MLK and Kennedy's which  was sold for $6.90 with shipping $4 extra. So total of this Gandhi sheet will be $11.!!!  In past it was sold somewhere between $1-3, so I decided to dig more in to it and see what's going on.

Before  you start reading further about this Gabon Gandhi stamp sheet you need to know the seller "raimissss" from LATVIA who auctioned 1400 listings of different stamps in last 15 days and  almost all were sold.!!!! (Yes, complete auctioned of 1400 listings of stamps were sold in 2 weeks.) Please click following ebay link to verify before you read further about this blog post.

http://www.ebay.com/csc/raimissss/m.html?LH_Complete=1&_dmd=1&_ipg=200&_since=15&_sop=13&_rdc=1

Do you think you can sell all your 1400 stamps/covers etc in 15 days!! from Nov-24 to Dec-8.!! (I don't think so.!!!)

Now let's start reading more about this Gabon stamps and keep above point in mind.!!

seller id : raimissss from Latvia (formerly USSR) and ebay member since 2006 and feedback 9990
buyer id : (u***u(461)) drbhanupratap123 from India and ebay member since 2005 and feedback 461
auction looser id : (k***l(811) kamalmedicine from India  and ebay member since 2007 feedback 811

(keep in mind feedback will change in future)

Looks like lot of money is flowing in India from ebay buyers.!!

Following screen shot is bidding details of drbhanupratap123.

As per bidding details it looks like he bidded on 50+ bids (26% of 276)  on ramissss items.!!!

Ebay id kamalmedicine is looser of this auction.As per bidding details it looks 25-30bids (9% of 303) were placed by kamalmedicine. 

Now please think what's going on and you will come up with something.!!! You need to solve this kinds of puzzle if you want to be successful in Gandhi Philately and then you can avoid some very big mistakes.!!!

I am not sure why Indian buyer has to go all the Latvia to buy this Gabon Gandhi stamp sheet where as it is available locally on ebay india and pay with Paisapay (india's paypal).  By buying from India they don't have to worry about PAYPAL account as Paypal is very strict on certain condition and it is not working properly with India and lot of restrictions by Indian goverment to use paypal.!!!

Following screenshot is from ebay India where same sheet is available for 550 rupees + 50 Shipping = 600 Rs. which is little bit expensive then India but it's quick and hassle free shopping from India.

Please add this also in your research and solve this puzzle and keep it with you when ever you buy something.!!!

But I am still curious why pay $11 for this sheet when it is available for less than $3-4(with shipping) frequently on delcampe.

And sometimes it's available under $1. See my previous blog post about this.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/11/gabon-gandhi-stamps-gabon-gandhi.html

How in the world a seller can sell all his auction listing?


Do you think you can sell all your auction listings?

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

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

Mauritius Gandhi Stamps Sheet : Looks like prime time is ending in Gandhi stamp Collection !! Is Gandhi Stamps still for Investment.?

12/6/2011

By Ketankumar Patel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

To me it looks like prime time of Gandhi Stamps collection is gone.!!! Gandhi stamps is not any more premium then other thematic collection such as Martin Luther King, Albert Einstein, Churchill, John Kennedy etc.

Look at the following 1969 stamps sheet from Mauritius with 6 Gandhi Stamps on it. It is selling under $1. Yes it is selling under $1 from CANADA.

This is second Mauritius Gandhi stamp sheet from ebay seller "wwfc" from CANADA is sold under $1.

Looks like charm for CANADA ebay seller is gone or charm of Gandhi Stamps is gone.!!!

Currently there are 2 Gandhi  FDC are for sale from CANADA by ebay id "gdstamps" at Fixed Price and it is also not selling. I had never seen Gandhi FDC selling at fixed price by this seller from Canada.It was always in auction and was able to sell at high price but it looks like they want to get rid of Gandhi collection before more decline in Gandhi Stamp value.

You can see my previous blog post about  Mauritius Gandhi stamp sheet sold for under $1.

.http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/11/gandhi-mauritius-stamps-sheet-with-1969.html

Another example of Mauritius Used cover from another Canada ebay seller "gorfa". Following register used cover is not selling since last 2-3 auctions. In past this seller had sold one of the expensive used covers from Cameroun but I think he is not able to sell anymore Mauritius used cover. In past auction was starting at minimum price but now the price is starting at very high level.!!

Please click following link to read all blog post about Mauritius Gandhi Stamps, FDC, Used Cover etc.

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

Even though this Gandhi stamp sheet is one of the best  and issued officially in 1969, it's not appreciating at all if you compare with some worthless stamp sheet issued in last 10 years from countries like Nevis, Congo, Guinea, St. Vincent, Tuvala etc.

So do you think that Prime Time is over for Gandhi stamps.?

Do you think Gandhi stamp is still for Investment ?

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

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

Palestine Gandhi Stamps : It's a Gandhi Stamp Forgery !! Do you think this is one the reason why people are loosing interest in stamp collection?

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Since I started Gandhi Collection I was curious about Gandhi Stamp from Palestine.

According to the http://www.zobbel.de/stamp/fakes_05.htm website  Palestine Gandhi stamps are forgery. Following is screen shot of his page. You can read more in detail by clicking above link, where not only you will find about Gandhi FAKE stamps but also other  FAKE thematic stamps.

http://www.zobbel.de/stamp/fakes_05.htm

From above reference this sheet was unsold and seller was "brownblackcherry". Also price was $24.99 very high for this FAKE items.!! This are still available on ebay India site.!!

So after reading this article and further research that printers print stamps from countries where there is no proper authority to monitor and take action against this kind of activities. Also printers and dealers focus on countries where there is Civil War going on, Some political issue or poverty, where that countries are business in their own important issue, so this countries don't care about this FAKE stamps and printers and stamps dealers make fortune from this.!!

I think lot of Gandhi stamps/sheets from African countries(Rwanda, Somalia, Congo, Cameroon (ovpt), Sierra Leone, Liberia etc) comes in this category so we need to review before we add in our collection.

This is one of the reason why people are loosing interest in stamp collections.!!

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

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.!!

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

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

Cuba Gandhi Stamps : You decide what's going on in Cuba Gandhi Stamp and FDC

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

In 1997, Cuba honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing stamp of him on occasion of 50th Anniversary of India Independence. Gandhi stamp is designed very nicely which has India Flag, Indian Emblem and Mahatma Gandhi Picture on it.

The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city. 

To the north of Cuba lies the United States and the Bahamas, Mexico is to the west, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica are to the south, and Haiti and the Dominican Republic are to the southeast.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on and claimed the island now occupied by Cuba, for the Kingdom of Spain. Cuba remained a territory of Spain until the Spanish–American War ended in 1898, and gained formal independence from the U.S. in 1902. (Reference from Wikipedia : Cuba)

Now look at following 3 screen shot and you decide what's going on in this stamp.!!

On August 16, 2011 auction Cuba stamp was not sold, On September 20, 2011 auction it was sold for only 48 cents with 1 bidder and on November 28, 2011 it was sold for $16.51.!!!!

On delcampe Cuba stamp were sold under $1. Following is the screen shot.

This stamp is not rare and  currently available on delcampe under 50 cents.!! Please look following screenshot about current auction. So not sure why buyer is not buying this and wants to buy for $16.!!

Even FDC was sold under $3.

So why someone is paying more than $16.!! for just a single MNH stamp. What do you think about this transaction?

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

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

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.?

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

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.

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

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