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.

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!!

Gandhi Germany Stamps :- Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -10

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

As you all know that in 1969, 40+ countries honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing his stamps to celebrate his 100th birthday. Germany was one of the them.  I am not sure about the # of stamps and FDC issued but looks like it is very very large quantities. Also wide varieties of FDC are available for this Gandhi Germany stamp. 

According to Germany 1969 Gandhi stamp cost around 10 cents.!! and FDC are sold around 1$.

 If you see following screen shot and you will surprised what  is starting price of Germany FDC $12.!! 

Is it not amazing to see this kind of high price on huge quantity of FDC. If you see the # on FDC it is 23000+.

So not sure why this seller is trying to sell at high price. I think he waiting for some newbie to buy it.!!

So please keep this in mind whenever you buy Germany Gandhi stamps or FDC. Don't pay more than 10 cents for stamps and $1 for FDC other wise you will regert.

You can see all this FDC in Nikhil's blog post about Germany FDC. Click  here to see.

All varieties of FDC are available in large quantity except some so don't get trap other wise you know what will happen to you.!!

Following screen shot was added on 11/17/11. You can see what is the current price of Germany FDC. It's one euro ($1.35).!!

Even after 40+  years stamps is selling under 10 cents and FDC under $1.!! So don't think Gandhi stamps or any other stamps are for investment. Also there are not that many collectors of Gandhi stamps which will increase value and will give your high rate of return. Just think as hobby and don't pay any attention about putting some money in stamps as diversification of portfolio.

If you like this post and want to know more about pricing on Gandhi stamps then you will like my other following blog posts.

Bhutan Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-1

Tchad Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately  - Part-2

Malta Gandhi Stamp  - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately  - Part-3

India 1969 Postcard SPECIMEN - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-4

Suriname Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-5

Guyana Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part-6

Somalia Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -7

Sao Tome Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -8

Mauritius Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -9

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

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
My 100th Blog post

(My Son's blog http://usapostman.blogspot.com)

Click to see 50th Anniversary
Special Cancellation

1970 Hannover Messe Inauguration MaxCard with Germany 1969 Mahatma Gandhi stamp and special cancellation

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Thanks to my friend Jens Oetling in Germany for making this possible.

Recently my philatelist friend from  Germany send me 2 Maxcard with 1969 Mahatma Gandhi stamp on Hannover Messe card with special cancellation of  "Hannover  Messegelände " means Hannover Fairground issued on 25-4-70.

Looks like this Maxcard and Special Cancellation was issued to celebrate opening of  Hannover fair in 1970. The Hanover fairground is an exhibition area in the Mittelfeld district of Hanover, Germany. Featuring 496,000 m²  of covered indoor space, 58,000 m² of open-air space, 27 halls and pavilions and a convention centre with 35 function rooms, it is the largest exhibition ground in the world.


In 1970 Hall 1 was opened, then the largest exhibition hall in the world. It becomes permanent home to CeBIT, a subdivision of the Hanover Industry Fair.

Let me know what do you think about this Maxcard.

Other interesting blog post about Germany Stamp Collections.

1) FAKE cancellation from Winnenden.

2) Gandhi Special Cancellation or Rubber Stamp?

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!!

FAKE FFC flown in Airbus A380 with Mahatma Gandhi USA stamp from New York to Frankfurt, Germany in First Flight.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,


Recently I saw New York to Frankfurt FFC with Gandhi USA 4 cents stamps flown by Lufthansa in new Airbus A380. I only have issue with  date on cancellation & special postmark Cancellation from New York.

Special Cancellation on both cover is not as per USPS standard.


On cancellation date stamp it is Feb 18, 2011  but has also another rubber stamp which indicates that first flight operated on Feb 28, 2011.


So how this is FFC if the cancellation on stamp has CDS 2 weeks in advance.!!


Lufthansa was officially landed on JFK airport for first time  on February 28th at 2:00pm. (Technically 2nd time. First time was in 2007 during test run.). And I believe it was flown back to Frankfurt on same day which is Feb 28.




As per my  research about FFC the date on cancellation should be date of First Flight departure from that particular airport so it should be Feb 28 not Feb 18.!!


After doing some research I don't find any information from USPS about this type of special cancellation just for First Flight Lufthansa from New York Post Office.


Looks like this is rubber stamp not postmark cancellation from USPS because postmark is not as per USPS standard special cancellation. ( I know this because I recently worked with USPS to make one for 50th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi USA stamp, I will scan this and blog  in near future.)


Again if maker/seller of this cover has proof  such as email correspondence of application, approval etc please provide us so we can modify this blog post and also I might think about buying it. I am looking for Postmark Cancellation from United States Post Office, New York, NY.


Looking for 2 things about this FFC.


1) Why date is different on CDS and flight flown.
2) Proof of Cancellation is not as per USPS standard.


I will call this as  FAKE FFC or and if I don't want to call FAKE then I might come up with new thematic collection "Advance FFC"  or "Future FFC".!!.


Anyone has more info then please comment on this


Thanks
KP.


BTW: It's good that creator of this FFC  specify about the actual date of First Flight. There is no way to find First Flight dates of 1961, 1969, 1970 , 1985 covers unless you go through archives in library.




******* Also read about frogeries in German Postmark Cancel **********
While researching on this German Cancel I found very interesting material related to Germany postmark handstamp forgery.
It is very important to read before you buy any Gandhi related material from Germany including this as well as other FFC available from that country.
http://www.filatelia.fi/forgeries/blum.html

Following link will display more than 650 FAKE postmark handstamp. You can see by clicking following link and than choose the first alphabet of German city.
http://www.phila-kompass.de/index.php?id=73&no_cache=1&tx_kbsystem_pi1[showUid]=90

Believe IT or NOT price of regular used 1969 Mahatma Gandhi Germany stamp is unbelievable.!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

I can't believe it & I think you will not also believe it. I was suprised when I saw price of USED Germany 1969 Gandhi Stamp on ebay which was sold on April 22,2011 for US $7.26 plus shipping.
Also this stamp is not IMPERF or SPECIMEN.

I am not sure why buyer wants to pay this much price. Either he might be new in Gandhi collection OR ????????


Not sure why, but there is something strange/weird things are going on in Gandhi Philatelic World.!!




Yes this is for SINGLE Germany Gandhi USED stamp.!!


According to me this stamp might cost 5-10 cents as it is used. Germany issued very large quantity of this Gandhi Stamp so it is not rare. Even FDC of this stamps & Full sheet of 100 stamps don't cost this much.!!  Check following 1969 stamp sheet of 50 stamps sold for 5 Euros.!! and ebay buyer "vinro99"  is paying 7$ for one stamp.!!

You can find Germany FDC easily at very low price. Check following Germany Gandhi FDC which was sold for $3 on April 30, 2011.




Believe IT or NOT!! (Single Used stamp for $7.26 where as FDC with 2 stamps for $3.)


Welcome to Mahatma Gandhi's Philatelic World.!!


Thanks
Ketankumar Patel.

BTW: Check price of Germany Gandhi stamps currently selling or recently sold on internet auction sites.

1) Germany Gandhi 1969 stamp currently available on Declampe for 4-10 cents only.!!

2) Germany Gandhi stamp recently sold on Delcampe for 8-10 cents & even FDC for 46 cents.!! YES 46 cents.!!

3) WAKE GUYS!!

====================================================================

Germany special Gandhi Postmark Cancel or Gandhi Rubber Stamp?

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I saw one more Gandhi Special Postmark Cancel from Germany. Thank God this one don't have Emblem of India.

This postmark cancel is different than which was for sale on ebay with Gandhi picture & Emblem of India with CDS of 2nd October 2009. But there are some similarities between this 2 postmark cancel.
1) Picture of Gandhi on postmark cancel.
2) Address (Town) on cover.
3) And lot more..........

It's amazing.!!

Following is the cover which has GANDHI special postmark cancel with CDS of May 6-10, 2009. Seems to me that India is welcoming this stamp exhibition at IBRA(Internationale Briefmarken-Ausstellung) 2009 in ESSEN, Germany. Name & Address is white-out is from this cover by me. If you want to do more research on this I can provide full scan.






After looking in to details on this cover it has 5 Rupees Stamp from India. Which is not sufficient/correct postage required for International mail by Indian post in 2009.
I have following questions about above Gandhi Postmark cancel.

1) What to do with Gandhi and this exhibition(expo) in Germany?
2) Is this offical cancel from IBRA with cachet of stamp exhibition?
3) Which philatelic society of India is Greeting this Exposition?
4) Do Indian Postal Service or Indian Goverment greets this exhibition?
5) Do Indian Embassy in Germany knows about it?
6) It has orange barcode so do you think it is commerical used (with insufficent postage)?
7) If commerically used than how it is valid with Indian stamp or only Indian stamp on cover?
8) Why Indian stamp on German Expo (IBRA) cover? Not sure whether this cover is mailed from India or Germany?

After thinking answers for all above questions, Will you consider this as Special Postmark Cancel or Special Rubber stamp?


Unless I don't get sufficent proof of this cancel, I will call it as Special Rubber stamp.!! Like my kids play with rubber stamps of butterfly, flowers, rainbow, princesses, disney characters etc. This is my personal opinion for this Gandhi Special Rubber Stamp because it is very hard for me to think as Special Postmark Cancel.

After researching for previous Gandhi Postmark Cancel from Germany, I can do research on this myself so I did not contacted Deutsche Post. If someone has contact with IBRA I would like to get more info on this if possible.

This postmark cancel is not as per design guidelines of Deutsche(German) Post. Following are links from Deutsche Post for special cancellation requirements. Check it out for more information.

1) Postal stamp with self promotion used for special anniversary or memorial event.
2) Sonderstempel used for anniversary, festivals, fairs and exhibition.

There is a huge difference in design requirement of this cancel compare to 2nd October 2009 cancel where only POSTHORNS were missing in the postmark cancel.
I think artist/creator of this postmark cancel learned from previous mistakes and make neccesary improvement in next release (bug fix for computer industries) but still there are more bugs.!! Next time they need to fix Gandhi Photo on the cancel so it looks completely different.!!
Why Germany?
According to me something is going on like Germany's BLUM Forgery so Gandhi collectors need to be aware of this kind of activities as currently we see it from Germany than we might see from other countries like it happen in 1969. Also World is very small now compare to 1969 so it is easy to keep your eyes open and you will see something not only in Rubber stamps but also how philatelic material prices are increased by collectors, dealers and reseller.

Let us know if you have more information about this Rubber stamp so we can change it to Postmark cancel. But I think it is a Rubber stamp.!!!

And also Christian Sperber thinks so. You can read his comments by clicking following link.

http://stampsofindia.com/newssite/download/432.pdf

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

Thanks

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

===============================================================
On side note:-

Why collectors, dealers, resellers try to make Gandhi Postmark(rubber stamp) cancel. I am not sure what they are trying to do or prove by making this cancellation and why collectors buy them!!

One think is sure that someone wants to make money and someone wants to make their collection unique by buying expensive Rubber Stamps and win awards.!! But what we are trying to do is that we are not following the principles laid down by Gandhi.

Also it is easier and less expensive to make this kind of Rubber Stamp as no special equipment is need. So I guess greedy collectors and dealers try to take benefit!!

If someone wants to really show their art & creativity than they can start making use of personalized stamps with Gandhi theme, which is also cheap and easy to do. Also this is legal in certain countries so need to worry.

THE STATE EMBLEM OF INDIA & GANDHI Postcards and Postmark Cancel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I saw in philately world there is a great demand of official material and to supply this demand philatelic organisation all around world started using official/emblem of that counrty after getting permission from authorized countries. Today I am writing about "Emblem of India".

http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/STATE_EMBLEM_ACT2005.pdf

Above link will explain why it is ILLEGAL to use EMBLEM OF INDIA without permission of Goverment of India. Also it explain about penalty and fine for using illegally.!!

WHAT IS STATE EMBLEM OF INDIA:

The State Emblem of India is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Emporer Ashoka, who ruled from 272 BC to 232 BC. It is preserved in the Sarnath Museum, near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The Lion Capital has four lions standing back to back mounted on a circular abacus. The frieze of the abacus is adorned with sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening Dharma Chakra (Wheels of Law). The abacus rests on a bell-shaped lotus.

The State Emblem is the official seal of India. As such, use of the State Emblem for official seal is restricted to the President, the Vice President, Union Ministers, Ministers and others Officers of the Central Government including diplomatic missions abroad, Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Chief Commissioners and Administrators of Union Territories and Ministers and departments and offices of the State governments and of Union Territory governments and administrations who have adopted the State Emblem. Offices of Central Government permitted to use distinct emblems of their own may, however, use the same in their seals.

The State Emblem, on demi-official stationery used by Ministers, when printed or embossed should appear on the top left hand corner in blue colour,. The lettering like "Home Minister" or "Ministry of Home Affairs" should appear on the top right hand corner. The demi-official stationery used by officers should be embossed or printed in red colour except when an officer is specifically authorised to use such stationery in some other colour. Names of officers, however, should not be printed on such stationery.

The Members of Parliament may have the State Emblem embossed or printed on their stationery. The colour to be used for the purpose in the case of the Members of the Lok Sabha is green and red for the Members of the Rajya Sabha. Such stationery when supplied by the Chief Controller of Printing and Stationery, does not contain the names or addresses of the Members. But the Members may, at their discretion get such stationery, with their names and addresses printed at private presses approved for this purpose by the Government of India in the Ministry of Urban Development.

Where the stationery used by the Members of Parliament, contains the State Emblem it should not bear words like "Advocate, Supreme Court/High Court" and "Editor…..Journal", below their names in the letter-heads.

The Members of Legislative Assemblies of Union Territfories and the Members of Metropolitan Council of Delhi may have the State Emblem embossed or printed on their stationery. The stationery containing the State Emblem, however, should not bear words like "Advocate, Supreme Court/High Court" and "Editor…..Journal", below their names in the letter-heads.

The State Emblem shall not be used for any trade or profession or in the title of any patent, or in any trade mark or design except in such cases and under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Governments under Section 3 of The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950. Unauthorised use of the Emblem for such purposes is an offence under the Act.

Private persons, bodies of persons and sports associations are not permitted to use the State Emblem on their letter-heads, seats, crests, badges, house flags or for any other purpose except with the permission of the Government.(PIB Features)

Above Postcard is from Croatia with GANDHI postmark cancel issued on Oct 2nd 2009 has "EMBLEM OF INDIA". This is legal as it was issued in presence of Indian Consulate Officer from Embassy of India in Croatia. Also he attended this stamp exhibition.

This was issued during philatelic exhibition tribute to Gandhi from 30.9. to 30.10.2009. in Zagreb at HT Museum. It was exhibit of Mr. Ole-Fredrik Olsen from Norway. Above photo is from opening ceremony ( from left to right : Ivan Libric, president of Croatian Philatelic Federation; Mrs Dunja Radosevic, Director of Museum; Mr. Suresh C. Khurana, Embassy of India; Interpreter; Mr. Ole-Fredrik Olsen philatelist from Norway). This makes that this postcard was issued officially with STATE EMBLEM OF INDIA.

On the postcards are coats of arms of the Croatian Philatelic Federation, OFFICAL EMBLEM OF INDIA provided by Embassy of India and Association Lotos Zagreb. Text on postcard is in Croatian language: Days of Mahatma Gandhi - and "My life - my message".

So to all my fellow collectors if you are buying any postcards, postmark cancellation or any other philatelic material make sure it is offically issued by Indian Goverment or Indian Goverment has given Permission to use that.

Please beware of greedy dealer/reseller who are trying to abuse Gandhi Philatelic collection by creating unbelievable philatelic material.

Let me know if any quesitons or concerns. Any comments or further research on this topic is most welcome.

Thanks

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

Germany Gandhi 1969 Black test stamps or Photographic proof or German Archive proof prints

Hello Gandhi Collector,

Following is interesting blog posts about test stamps which I recently bought it.


Germany has issued a surprising number of "proof prints" commonly called "black prints" or in some cases referred to by the post office as, "test stamps". After stamp is selected they come up with color trials which you will see from different countries but very rarely seen this tests stamps.

These items are officially produced by the post office for a number of uses and generally find their way to collectors, though usually in very limited distribution.

Test Stamp is a label not valid for postage, used by postal authorities on sample mail to test various sorting and cancelling machines or machines that can detect the absence or presence of a stamp on an envelope. May also be known as "dummy" or "training" stamps.



In most cases, the "proof prints" from Germany have been made using the
engraved portions of issued stamps. They are usually imperforate, printed in one color (different than the issued stamp).

If you notice that there is difference in price on the issued stamp and this test stamps. Issued stamp was 20 Pfennig(0.20 Deutsche Mark) where as test stamps are 30 Pfening (.30 Deutsche Mark).

I don't have test stamp of the issued one but I have other 6 test stamp which were created for selection process.

Also not sure why they changed price to 20 from 30 Pfennig.? Need further study for this.

You will also find color trials of this 20 Pfennig stamp in blue,red,green & yellow which you can see on Dr. Rajan's website.

I am specially looking for TEST stamp of issued stamp(20 Pfennig). If someone has this black test stamp of issued stamp, please let us know so we can update this blog.

BTW:- I had returned this because it was not proof but PHOTOGRAPH. I also beleive that this was cut from 1969 yearbook and than photographed to sale as Photographic proof. This is another way to make money from Gandhi Philately items. So in future if you are willing to add in your collection than please make sure it is real.(I don't think it's real!!)

Above is copy of 1969 yearly Germany Stamp book
How you can make TEST stamp.

1) Print above sheet
2) Cut it
3) Print more on kodak paper or any good paper
4) start selling.!!



Again thanks for reading this blog post 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!!

Gandhi 1969 Germany FDCs

Hello Gandhi collectors,

Today’s blog-post has an overview of the various FDCs prepared for the Gandhi Germany stamp (2^nd October 1969).

As you know, Germany had been one of the most violent nations during the World Wars, especially during Hitler’s regime. After their defeat at the hands of the USA led forces, Germany had to forego its arms and had to pay a huge sum in lieu of its war excesses. All these factors led to Germany getting transformed into a peaceful nation which started to focus on rebuilding its economy.

It was thus no surprise that Germany decided to join various nations in honouring Mahatma Gandhi, the Apostle of Peace, on his birth centenary (2nd October 1969) by issuing a commemorative stamp. With a denomination of 20 Deusche Mark (the foreign airmail rate at that time), the single green coloured stamp looked pretty ordinary.

What perhaps made up for this simplicity were the various First Day Covers (FDCs) prepared for this Gandhi issue. These FDCs were prepared by various philatelic organizations, publishers and dealers. Given below are scans of the different FDCs for the German Gandhi issue (upto the best of my knowledge):

The last FDC has been postmarked on a later date (26^th October), and I am on the lookout for a copy postmarked on the issue date.

This is on the lines of the multitude of FDCs prepared for the set of 2 Gandhi stamps issued by USA on 26^th January 1961 under the series “Champions of Liberty”. Personally, I find the German FDCs much more colourful and attractive when compared to the ones from USA. UK and Suriname also have various FDCs for their Gandhi issues.

As I mentioned, the above list might not be exhaustive. If anyone has come across any other variety of FDC issued to commemorate the Germany Gandhi Centenary stamp, please keep us informed.

Thanks,

Nikhil Mundra (15/02/2010)

www.gandhistamps.com

=================

FAKE Gandhi postmark cancel from Germany on 2nd October 2009 ???

Recently I noticed on ebay that there is one more postmark cancel by Germany on October 2nd 2009 on Gandhi's 140th birthday to celebrate United Nations International Non-Violence Day. Following is the postmark cancel.




I did some research on German Post website which is
http://www.deutschepost.de/dpag?xmlFile=828 & also I contacted them by email and got reply from them(email copy is attached). Also I contacted some local German Philatelist from whom I bought Gandhi related material and according to them they are not aware of this postmark cancellation.

This is amazing as GANDHI philately material is one of the most popular and searched on internet auction sites as well as in stamp shows noone has any idea about this postmark cancellation. How this is possible that no stamp collector/dealer from Germany has no idea.!!

My research indicates that following is authenticated philatelic material issued on October 2nd 2009.

1) United Nations:- $1 Gandhi stamp with FDC & Souvenir card
2) India :- 25 Rupees Gandhi stamp & FDC.
3) Croatia :- Gandhi Postmark Cancel.

So now my questions is what is this German GANDHI postmark cancellation?

Is it FAKE? (Read email from German Postal Service)

Unless I don't get sufficient proof I think it is.

Also above cover and other covers selling has postal barcode. This does not mean that this is not fake. We are now in modern world where everything is easy and quickly done using computer and printer so just don't blindly think that this is real.
Postal barcode can be printed on cover using Microsoft word !! and also using special software. Please read following you will get idea.
For USPS:-

http://blog.qualifiedaddress.com/2009/12/how-to-print-barcodes-in-microsoft-word.html
For German (Deutsche) Post:-

http://www.satoeurope.com/en/industry/post/postal_Deutsche_post.html

http://www.bytescout.com/bytescoutbarcodesdk_sample_deutsche_post_leitcode.html

If someone has any proof please let us know so we can update this.

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!!



I got 2 reply from different department of Deutschepost and as per them this are not postmark from German Postal Service. Read following emails and let me know if any question about email.



Update on 3/10/2011

Genuine/Real postmark cancellation from German Post related to India was issued on 2/12/2011 for Indipex 2011 stamp exhibition in New Delhi. Check following and make see the difference. (You can see the POSTHORNS on both side of town name BONN!!)


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Premium-Service-Philatelie@deutschepost.de
Date: Jan 22, 2010 4:47 AM
Subject: Your inquiry
To: kxxx@gmail.com

Dear Mr. Patel,

Thank you for your inquiry.
Deutsche Post AG did not issue any postmark from Ghandi`s birthday.




Kind regards
Jutta Frimberger
Premium Service Philatelie

Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung Philatelie
Franz-Zebisch-Str. 15
92637 Weiden

3632 Junior Assistent Premium
Tel.: 0180 3 245442



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sonder-Werbestempel@deutschepost.de
Date: Feb 1, 2010 6:31 AM
Subject: AW: Gandhi postmark handstamp on October 2nd 2009 from Winnenden, Germany,
To: kxxx@gmail.com


Dear Mr. Patel,

Thank you for your require.

The postmark is not a postmark from the German Post. You can recognize this, because there are no posthorns on it.

I am sorry, the person who has created the postmark is unknown.

Kind regards

Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Anna Girbert

Deutsche Post AG
Niederlassung Philatelie
Stempelvertrieb
Franz-Zebisch-Str. 15
92637 Weiden
Tel: 0961 - 3818 3636
Fax: 01805 - 24 68 76
e-mail: Anna.Girbert@DeutschePost.de
e-mail: Sonder-Werbestempel@DeutschePost.de
Webseite: http://philatelie.deutschepost.de/philatelie/



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Also if you see there is no POSTHORNS on this cancel. This posthorns are small design on both sides around the name of the city on the cancel.

You can see this posthorns at following link on German postal service.

http://philatelie.deutschepost.de/philatelie/stempel/stempel_pew.jhtml?id=cat180029&navAction=jump

http://philatelie.deutschepost.de/philatelie/stempel/sonderstempel.jhtml?id=cat180029&navAction=jump

Following postmark cancel is genuine which has 2 posthorns on both sides of the name of city (Barnstorf) where as Gandhi postmark cancel that is missing(maker of this Gandhi postmark cancel did not notice this!!)





******** Also read about frogeries in German Postmark Cancel **********
While researching on this German Cancel I found very interesting material related to Germany postmark handstamp forgery.
It is very important to read before you buy any Gandhi related material from Germany including this as well as other FFC available from that country.
http://www.filatelia.fi/forgeries/blum.html

Following link will display more than 650 FAKE postmark handstamp. You can see by clicking following link and than choose the first alphabet of German city.
http://www.phila-kompass.de/index.php?id=73&no_cache=1&tx_kbsystem_pi1[showUid]=90