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!!

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!!

Sierra Leone Gandhi Stamps sheets : How stamp printers and stamp dealers make money!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

In 1998, Sierra Leone honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing 2 stamp sheet of him.

Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest.

After researching more about Sierra Leone I was surprised that even though Civil war was going on they came out with Mahatma Gandhi Stamp and Miniature sheet.!!

Between 1991 and 2002 the Sierra Leone Civil War devastated the country leaving more than 50,000 people dead, much of the country's infrastructure destroyed, and over two million people displaced in neighbouring countries; mainly to Guinea, which was home to more than six hundred thousand Sierra Leonean refugees.

The war was resolved in 2002 and restored the civilian government elected in 1996. On January 18, 2002 President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah declared the civil war officially over. Since then the country has re-established a functioning democracy.

So not sure who printed this stamp sheet. As there was no official goverment between 1996 - 2002 who gave permission to print this stamp.!!!!

I am also surprised after looking FDC of this sheet.!! To me this FDC looks like nothing but DIY (Do It Yourself).

Seller of this FDC is "Phillindia01" and selling for $14.!!

Now after all this stuff you can find OVPT stamp sheet of this.!!! Same way like Cameroun and  Togo stamps.!!

According to me this stamp sheets never made it through Sierra Leone.!! It is printed outside Sierra Leone and started selling on ebay and delcampe.!!!

Buyer beware of this kind of activity and before you  buy think that this stamps and sheets have any value in Philately.?  I don't think so. It only looks good in your album.!!  (BTW : I have in my album!!)

To me it looks like printers/dealers/reseller are making money on this.!!!  because printer and dealer knows Who from Sierra Leone is going to complain about this and if they want to then where they will complain.!!

Sierra Leone is the poorest country in the world, now you think do they need this stamp sheet ?

Do you think how many people can afford this stamp sheet?

Do you think this is specially printed for collectors like me and you.!!!?

Now do you think this will be value in philatelic collection.?

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!!

*******************************************************************************************************************************

Gandhi FFC - First Flight Cover : One more Gandhi Rubber Stamp?? Emirates Airbus A380 Ryanair FFC London - Leipzig.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I saw Gandhi rubber stamp on lot of FFC from Emirates Airways.

Looks like nothing to do with Gandhi, but it's a  great marketing technique.!! I don't think it's even official rubber stamp from Emirates Airlines. (Correct me if you know it's official from Emirates Airlines.)

This is another way to make money from Gandhi!! Same way like printing stamps from smaller countries or creating Gandhi  error stamps or like other Gandhi FFC.

This FFC's are selling for $12.75 and to me it required more research for even considering it as a Genuine FFC. Lot of things to research such as FFC from which airlines Ryanair or Emirates Airlines, direct flight from south africa or stop over, FFC was taken out during flight stop etc.

 FFC is on November 3, 2011 and Emirates Gandhi Rubber stamp is October 1, 2011.!!

So beware of this Gandhi Rubber stamp. This FFC has nothing to do with Gandhi.!!

Also make sure about  Airbus A380 Gandhi FFC and Gandhi FFC after 1975.!! It's another way to make money by using current popular philatelic theme.

I know all experienced collector(now including me!!) are aware of all this in Gandhi FFC world but any new collector who will start Gandhi Philately after 3-4 years will have no idea what happen in 2011 and start buying it thinking it's rare ffc !! and when they will know about this then there is nothing but regret.!!!


Now look at the following and you surprised what are possibility in Stamps Philatelic collection ?

http://www.filatelia.fi/forgeries/blum.html

Following are some FAKE postmarks of FRANKFURT.!!!!!!!

Want to read other Germany related blog posts then click following link.

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

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.
My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.
My 100th blog post.
Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

Sao Tome Gandhi stamps - 1980 sheet with stamp in stamp with Gandhi and other leaders - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately Part - 8

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I bought Sao Tome 1980 Sheet for 6 Euros from delcampe.net which  has 12 countries leaders who helped them to shape their countries including Mahatma Gandhi , George Washington, Lenin and others. This stamp sheet was issued to celebrate 5th Anniversary of Sao Tome Principe Independence from Portugal.

You can read my previous blog post about  Sao Tome Gandhi stamp.

You can see there were more than 5-6 sheets were sold for 6 euros. Click this link  to see selling price of this Sao Tome sheet or you can see in following screen shot.

I bought only one of that as it does not make sense to accumalte stamp like this or it will demand premium in future because there are lot of stamp sheet available. It's not RARE.!!

I think I paid right price for this stamp and if I paid higher price than I will quit Philately hobby because it don't justify to collect this  kind of sheets at high price. I see lot of exhibition where I don't see this kind of stamp sheet in stamp exhibitions.

If you like this blog post then you will like my following other 7 blog posts:  Why you will quit Gandhi Philately.!!

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

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
My 100th Blog post

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

Click to see 50th Anniversary
Special Cancellation

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

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

In 1969 Somalia honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing 3 stamps. Somalia was the only country to issue 3 stamps in 1969 even though more than 20 countries issued stamp of Mahatma Gandhi in 1969 to celebrate 100th Anniversary of birth (1869 -1969). (India issued 4 stamps + 3 Postcards.) & Mauritius issued 6 stamps.!!

All 3 stamps are very nicely design and one of them also have dove (symbol of peace) in it. But there is no peace since 1991, Civil War broke out and  no central government has controlled the entirety of the country, despite several attempts to establish a unified central government.

What I noticed in my last 3 years, 1969 Somalia stamp is the most volatile stamp after 10 Rupees Gandhi stamp. I think reason for this volatile in Somalia Gandhi stamp is one of the dealer has  large quantity of this stamps and you will be lucky if you get it at cheap price because he will make sure it goes to certain price. !!!

Recently this 3 stamps were sold for under $3 in a auction and I was one of the bidder on 3 stamps, but I did not get it.!! Also FDC with 3 stamps also sells around $18.

From above 2 screen shot you can notice that 3 stamps were sold under $3 and FDC was sold under $18.!!! I think this is a fair value for next 2-3 years.!!

If you notice that one bidder was me upto 2.10 euros. So think of the price if I was not bidder.!!!

Also look at the interest of buyer bidding, almost at the end of auction.!!! This is known as real purchase.!!

So please look at all this factor before you buy it.  Don't just buy, because you need this stamp in your collection. See what are trends going on in Gandhi stamps and watch pattern of buying and selling.

I was not aware of this when I jump in Gandhi Philately and I paid very high price which I don't think it will ever reach at that price unless I start increasing price and stop writing about my experience.!! (BTW: I paid $18 for this 3 stamps.!!).

Do you why I paid this much price.? Because there was all kind of material about Gandhi Stamps but no where I can find information about Price of Gandhi Stamps and Philatelic material, what's going on in Gandhi Philately such as FAKE items, useless items, what to collect etc so I was alone fighting with this dealers.!! but that all gave me enough experience which I am using now to educate others.!!! 

Also what I learned in 3 years that this stamps you can buy it any time because there are enough for every Gandhi collectors and all experienced collector already have it. Also don't think there are lot of new collectors are joining in Gandhi Philately.!! But  I think in future they will be as price will stable down from current rate.!

If you like this post then you will like following blog posts related to Somalia stamps.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2010/04/gandhi-stamp-value-declining-part-2.html

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2010/01/gandhi-stamp-value-declining.html

I hope this will help to new collectors and they don't have to quit Gandhi Philately.

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
My 100th Blog post

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

Click to see 50th Anniversary
Special Cancellation

My other 6 blog posts:  Why you will quit Gandhi Philately.!!

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

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

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

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

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

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