Suriname Gandhi FDCs

Hello Gandhi Philatelists,

Firstly, wishing all of you a belated Gandhi Jayanti! If there has been any philatelic issue on this 2nd October around the world, please inform us by way of emails or comments.

I had published an article earlier on the different types of FDCs brought out for the Gandhi Germany 1969 issue. The link is given below:

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2010/02/gandhi-1969-germany-fdcs.html

Today's post is about the various FDCs prepared for the 1969 Suriname Mahatma Gandhi issue.

Though other South American nations like Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, etc. have also issued stamps on Gandhiji, we hardly find a couple of types of FDCs of those stamps. But isn't it intriguing that Suriname has as many as 10 FDCs (to my knowledge) for the Gandhi issue? The images of these FDCs are shown below:

The popularity of the issue might be understood if one looks into Suriname's history.

The region of Guyana in South America had 3 imperialist occupants - the British, the French and the Dutch (Netherlands/Holland). The British portion is today the country of Guyana, the French is French Guiana, while the Dutch portion is Suriname. Before it became fully sovereign and independent on 25th November 1975, Suriname was referred to as Dutch Guyana.

The Dutch, who had colonized parts of India and South-East Asia, took back with them thousands of people from India to work in the plantations in Suriname during the 19th century. These were contract laborours from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh areas. It is to this effect that even today, the largest demographic populace in Suriname is "Hindoestanen", which is a modified form of "Hindustani", or Indian.

Thus, I believe the sentiment towards the leader of their ancestral nation is seen in the popularity of this issue and the numerous FDCs brought out in the Mahatma's honour. Also, the Suriname PTT Department had made arrangements with several big dealers to come out with various types of FDCs, so that they could be easily passed on to collectors. This lead to the large number of beautiful covers being brought out for this issue.

Thanks

Nikhil Mundra

www.gandhistamps.com

5th October 2010

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1948 Gandhi 10 Rupees Stamp and FDC is inflated?

Hello Gandhi Collector,

In last 2 months three 1948 Gandhi FDC with 10 rupees stamp was sold for US $ 1675 & $900 and now this 3rd one which is sold for US $1525 !!!!!!!!

Now you as a reader has to decide that value is inflated or real by doing more research. You need to see who is bidding on this items and whether this is coming back in market after a while.

If you really see bidder list then you will be amazed that same buyer is buying 2 FDC out of 3. Which means that collector is spending almost $2500 from India.

Is Indian collectors are really crazy about philately and are really RICH ?



Winner is ------------> i***0(253)
other bidder ---------> a***d(230)

Advance collector will never bid and increase price during regular auction. He/She will bid at the end if PRICE IS RIGHT or FORGET IT.!!

After doing some research I am amazed how this Gandhi 10 Rupees FDC is sold on ebay.


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!!

Why paying 900 dollars for Gandhi 1948 FDC with 10 rupees?

Hello Gandhi Collectors,


Recently I saw another 1948 Gandhi FDC with 4 stamps of Gandhi including 10 rupees was sold for $900!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is private FDC :)

But after some research(type of fdc, bidders, seller, buyer) of this FDC it makes me think twice!!!



Look who is winning and bidding.

Seller is aspireb(209) [b***b (209)]

winner is-----------> i***0(253)
2nd bidder---------> i***p(272)


If you see my previous blog than seller of this item was also bidding on that FDC which was sold for $1675.

Now you need to do more research and find out more things for yourself.

This is only for future reference for new Gandhi collector.

Thanks
Ketan Patel.

1948 Gandhi FDC with 10 rupees stamps

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

I am back after long summer break. Even though I was on break I keep a eye my hobby!!

I saw 1948 Gandhi 4 stamps FDC with 10 rupees stamps sold for $1675.!!! At this price someone in India can buy car (Tata Nano).!!

I am not sure who is spending this much money in philatelic world, but someone is.

Check out following screen shot and you will be surprised.



winner --------> c***e(1321)
other bidder ---> c**b (3575), b***b(209), a***d(228)

I am not sure what is going on with 1948 10 rupees Gandhi stamp and FDC but the price are going through roofs. Even though worldwide stamp collecting hobby is declining and stamp collectors cannot sell there collection even though with internet boom in last 10 years except Gandhi philatelic material.!!

I am not sure how many advanced Gandhi collectors are in world who are trying to buy this kind of philatelic material.

I think it will be interesting topic to start researching on this.

Thanks
Ketan Patel.

Panama Gandhi cover with 3 stamps. ( One of the Most Expensive Gandhi Used cover).

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Today auction of 1972 Panama Gandhi stamps cover with 3 Gandhi stamps was sold for 521.85 US dollars.!!!

 Previously I saw 1 or 2 Gandhi Panama Stamp cover which were sold somewhere around $80-100 but this was unique. This cover was send to Germany where as all previous cover were either send to Mexico or Guatemala.

On ebay or delcampe Panama Gandhi stamp MNH is sold somewhere between 50-70 US dollars so this cover has higher ROI.

Already Maulik has mentioned about this Panama cover with Gandhi stamps in his blog post " 1971 - Panama's Gandhi Stamp, a Surprising Philatelic Rarity"

As per this postage to USA was 13 cents. So this cover has 30 Cents postage.!! Not sure what was postal rates for Germany, but I don't think it will be 17 cents difference.!! Also not sure how can we verify it is Genuine.!! because it's easy to make this BLUE Rubber stamp on some cover.!!



This will be one of the most expensive used cover I had seen in last 18 months other than 1948 Gandhi stamp with 10 Rupees stamps from India.

Previous one was Cameroun cover sold for 450+ US dollars.


Following is the screen shot of the bidders, which indicates last 3 bidders are  mcphila, speedbird1* and coolblue1955.



Looks like there was a great interest in buying this cover as 3 bidders were bidding 500+ US dollars.!!

This blog post is only for future reference for new collectors to know what other collectors are collecting other than MNH Gandhi Stamps & FDC or FFC, so there is no research or other information about cover or stamp (no brainer).

And one more thing that I will never buy this Panama Gandhi stamp cover along with 10 Rupees Gandhi stamp cover because it does not make sense. This is my passive resistance!!

Related Previous Blog post:-
1) 1971 - Panama's Gandhi Stamp, a Surprising Philatelic Rarity
2) Why Cameroun Commerically cover is costly?


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!!

Possible FAKE Gandhi China Postcard ( postal stationery , Articles postaux ) Gandhi and Formula Car Postcard from China

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Recently I saw 50+ Gandhi Postcard with different pictures from China selling on delcampe. It looks like postcard is officially issued from "The People's Republic of China" postal service because China stamp with 80 Yuan(whatever amount) is printed on this. My first look is this is official without any research. But...


After doing some research I think all this Gandhi postcards from China are possibly FAKE(Not issued officially by China Postal Service).

Reason for this conclusion is

1) How can 50+ different Gandhi postcards is issued from China. Gandhi is related to Human Rights, Peace, Non-Violence etc. Even Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries don't have any official stamp or stationary than how can it be from China.!!
2) Barcode & AA number is same on all China Gandhi postcards.
3) Also same Barcode & AA number on Gandhi Postcard is also on other postcards from china.(same number on 2 different theme of postcards.)

In this case Barcode & AA # is same on Gandhi & Formula Car Postcard.!!

You can see both postcards on delcampe website by clicking following link. Check for Barcode # & AA # which is same.

Formula Car Postcard:- http://stamps.delcampe.net/item.php?language=E&id=89334282
Gandhi Postcard:- http://stamps.delcampe.net/item.php?language=E&id=88161481
Gandhi Postcard:- http://stamps.delcampe.net/item.php?language=E&id=88159778

You can search on delcampe for 50+ Gandhi postcards from China and you will see same Barcode and AA # with 10+ Formula car postcards.

Also Check following screen shot from delcampe.

AA # is 451684
Barcode # is 6 938710000017





After looking all 3 points I think this are all FAKE postcard printed not by China Post but by some other greedy person.
Barcode should be different for each postcard for inventory, pricing etc.
So I think maker of this postcard don't know how to make FAKE postcard.!!


Think before buying not only GANDHI postcards from China but all postcards from China selling on delcampe.
If any one in China reads this blog please do some research on this and let us know so we can remove FAKE or remove Possible.!! Also there is one ebay seller from China who sells Gandhi stamps from all around the world he needs to look in to this postcards or he might be also FAKE seller from China.

But my personal opinion is Gandhi Postcard from China is not issued by Postal Service of China and I will called it as a FAKE. Until now I was aware of FAKE postmark cancel issued in 1969 & 2009 but now it is Postcard.!! So buyers please do your research before you think to buy this kind of item or any GANDHI philatelic material.

Only good point is that this item is selling under 3-4 US dollars which is a good part on seller. I don't understand why he try to make it looks like officially issued instead of just printing simple postcard of Gandhi if he wants to sell this cheap. I think he might get his asking price even if he did not try to make it official postcard by printing stamp on this postcards. Previous Gandhi FAKE postmark cancel are currently selling for very high price ($99)!!

Not only Gandhi Postcard from China is FAKE but also all postcards(Formula Car, Darwin, Disney Characters.......) from this seller is FAKE.

I am amazed in 18 months of my collection, that what kind of activities collectors and dealers are applying to sell Gandhi Philately material as well as other Philately material. CAN'T TRUST ANY GANDHI PHILATELIC MATERIAL. !!!

Any comments are welcome on this blog post.


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

Thanks

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

Gandhi Signature Special Cover

Hello Gandhi collectors,

Starting a series of posts on Gandhi Special covers that shed light on certain facets of the Mahatma and those that commemorate important events in his life.

This post features a Special Cover released in Porbandar, Gandhiji's birthplace. Though the cover is supposed to have been released on 23rd March 1996, the postmark is dated 26th February 1996. The image is shown below:

The cover has been affixed with the most common definitive Gandhi stamp (Re.1), which, to many of my non-philatelic friends, is the only Gandhi stamp to have been issued !

The cancellation features the home where Gandhi was born, and the authorities have made a nice effort to bring out the details.

The cover's catchet/artwork has Gandhiji's signature in 10 different languages. Gandhiji's ability to grasp languages was phenomenal, and I believe this was one of the reasons he was able to connect to a wide audience.

Apart from this, Gandhi was also ambidextrous (i.e.) he could write with both his hands. This was proof that he could use both his creative (right) and logical (left) brains with equal ease...

Nikhil Mundra

www.gandhistamps.com

9th May 2010

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

Pricing study of Gandhi USED cover - Part 1 ( Gandhi 1970 Mauritius Souvenier Sheet Register Cover )

Hello Gandhi Collectors

As you know I am studying Gandhi stamp pricing, Gandhi FDC pricing and now I started studying about Gandhi USED covers. It looks like pricing is declining in Gandhi collection in each and every catageory whether it is Gandhi Stamp or Gandhi FDC or Gandhi commerically Used Cover etc.

In this blog post I would like to bring your attention about my study on Mauritius Used covers. In April 2009 Mauritius Gandhi Souvenir sheet Register cover was sold for $1.84( 1.24 GBP). I am surprised by the price this cover was sold.

Seller is "theobargain" from UK and buyer is "indiephila" also from UK. Following is the screen shot taken from ebay. My other hobby is to collect this kind of screen shot for future reference for my Gandhi Pricing & Bidding study.

There were 2 bids on this item and one was mine. If I had not bidded on this item than this might have sold only for $1.35(0.99 GBP)

I am not sure why this Register cover only sold for $1.84. Do any one know why?

I have following questions.
1) Is there not enough interest in Gandhi USED covers?

2) Or there is not enough interest only in Mauritus Gandhi Used covers?

3) Is $1.84 is philatelic value of this cover?

4) What was correct postage required for Register cover in 1969/1970?

Also I see lot of Gandhi Register Cover from Mauritus for sale on ebay on regular basis (as if some one got postmark cancel or someone went to Mauritus in 1969 and made it.!!) and try to sell between 30-50$, but no one is buying it. I also see wide variety of postage affixed on this register cover so that's need to be studied in future. Also I don't think Gandhi collection was that famous in 1969 and except some dealers all were not that rich that can afford it to make this kind of covers. Also communication between collector was not that easy and fast like we have it today So I am suprised how this Register cover are popping up for sale on ebay and as well as delcampe.!!

I think $.184 is philatelic value in 2009 for this Mauritius 1970 Register cover because it was sold through open market in auction. This price was low because NO Shill bidding happen in this auction and no other Gandhi Collector or dealer was interested in this cover to buy it so value did not went up. Not sure why Indian dealers are not buying this kind of Mauritius cover to resell it at higher price or they are not averaging there purchase by buying this kind of cover.

This Souvenier Sheet has very good stamps of Gandhi in his different age and other things related to Gandhi. According to me this is one of the best Gandhi sheet printed ever, but still used register cover are not appealing to collectors at all.


Strange are things in Gandhi Used covers as I saw couple of months ago Register cover from Cameroun 1969 with Gandhi stamp sold for $460 (one of the expensive Gandhi used cover) and Mauritus cover is sold under $2. I am not sure why.?


I don't own this kind of Gandhi Mauritius Register Cover and not planning to add in my collection in my life time!!

Thanks
Ketan Patel.

Other related blog post

1) Gandhi Stamp Value Declining (Somalia, Cameroun & Syria Gandhi stamp)

2) Pricing Study of Gandhi FDC - Part 1 (Costa Rica Gandhi FDC)

3) Gandhi Stamp Value Declining - Part 2 (Somalia & Yemen Gandhi stamps)

Think Different - Part 2 (Churchill & Gandhi)

Hello Gandhi Collector,

I am surprised by a USA collector/dealer who made above cover. In 1965 he was "Thinking Differently" and made this cover. Main point to look at this that Churchill & Gandhi together.

So don't look at Where is postmark cancel, How stamps are affixed on cover, Value of affixed stamps on cover(it's more than what's required in 1965), photo of Churchill used on cachcet, photo of tower used on cachect etc. Just enjoy cover as much you can without making a point/shot whoever made this and whoever is owning it right now or who did this whether it is Indian or Americian.!!

Learn from this cover and try to "Think Differently" instead of increasing value of Gandhi item by Shill bidding, FAKE Postmark Cancel, Making Fake Gandhi Used Register covers from Mauritius and other countries and lot of other things.

I really admire "Thinking Power" of that person who did all this effort to make this special FDC.

Once Winston Churchill called Gandhi "Naked Fakir".

Churchill quotes on Gandhi is "It is alarming and also nauseating to see Mr Gandhi, a seditious Middle-Temple lawyer, now posing as a fakir of a type well-known in the East, striding half-naked up the steps of the Vice-regal palace... to parley on equal terms with the representative of the King-Emperor"

Churchill opposed Mohandas Gandhi's peaceful disobedience revolt and the Indian Independence movement in the 1930s, arguing that the Round Table Conference "was a frightful prospect". Later reports indicate that Churchill favoured letting Gandhi die if he went on hunger strike.

So this is really interesting cover where 2 of them are together!! So this is known as positive creativity instead of negative creativity. So if someone Think Different they can do it both +ve or -ve things.

Also don't compare Apple and Oranges. Of course both taste good if it is purchased from good seller, but if it is purchase from bad seller than chance are it might not taste good. Also buyer will tell others that don't buy from that bad seller.!!! and also tell others to beware of buying from that bad seller. In Gandhi Philatelic world there are few bad sellers.!!

Any comments or concern are welcome and start Thinking Different.

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!!

Further Reading.
1) Think Different "Apple & Gandhi"


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Gandhi stamp value declining.!! - Part 2 (Somalia Gandhi stamp and Yemen Gandhi stamp)

Hello Gandhi Collector,

It is a great news for new Gandhi Collector who want to start collecting Gandhi stamps because I am seeing Gandhi stamps value is really going down.
In January 2010 I wrote about Gandhi stamp value declining and I am writing part-2 about Gandhi Stamp value.
On April 23rd Gandhi stamp from Yemen sold for $3.50 & Gandhi 3 stamps from Somalia sold for $8.70 on ebay. Following is screen shot.

I bought Somalia & Yemen Gandhi stamps in January 2009 for $32.00. so I lost $20 which is 62%.!! During same time US stock market & 401k accounts went up by 40-50%.!! You might be thinking how in the world "Mr. Patel" paid this much!!. But I did as I was not aware about what's going on in Gandhi Philately.



Both transaction was from same seller "sedin01" from Isarel. (see at bottom of this blog post for more screen shot).
So this means that I lost money as well as this dealer"sedin01"also lost money(from profit) on this Gandhi stamps.
So again my questions are
1) Why price declining in Gandhi Stamps?
2) Is it temporary decline or forever.?
3) Or I paid more in Jan 2009? My answer is YES !! (Again My Experience)
4) Someone was/is playing with new Gandhi collectors (In this case it's me!!!)
5) What is real value of this stamps?
6) Are RESELLER of Gandhi stamps are more educated about bidding on Gandhi stamps? (Now they might be thinking what to do with this overpriced purchases.!!)
7) Do you think price will further decline and become just piece of paper instead of stamp?
I am not sure whether new collector will ever start collecting Gandhi stamps after reading this price declining in Gandhi stamps!! But I am sure by reading this blog post they will get some hint before they start collecting.
I am writing this because new collector as well as experienced collector should not go through this again.!!
Any comments or concerns are most welcome.

Thanks
Ketankumar Patel.
Further Reading:-
1) Gandhi Stamp value declining.
2) Pricing Study on Gandhi FDC - Part 1

==========================================================
Following is bigger screen shot for more research.
1) My purchase in Jan 2009.

2) Following is Yemen & Somalia stamps sold on April 23rd 2010 for $3.50 & $8.20 which will combine $12.20

Pricing study on Gandhi FDC - Part 1 (Costa Rica Gandhi)

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Today Costa Rica Gandhi FDC ended for $1.90 (1.24 Pounds) on ebay. If I have not bidded on this item than it might have gone for $1.35 (0.99 pounds).!!

Item was listed from United Kingdom (England) by seller "phil-centre" and buyer is unknown because of private listing. I don't know why seller wants to hide bidders, but my guess is that they want to hide their own bidding on their item(shill bidding) so they can increase the price, but that is different research/topic.



I am surprised by price at which this Costa Rica Gandhi FDC is sold and I am not sure what is the real value of Gandhi FDC.

Whether all this pricing is all FAKE (increased by seller) or value of Gandhi FDC is real.



In January I wrote about Gandhi stamp value declining and again my point is it really value declining? or buyer and dealers know this the GAME of Gandhi philately collection.!!!

I paid $10-15 in Feb 2009 when I just started collecting FDC so I am loosing value on this FDC. Is it strange that value is declining or I paid more as I was not aware of what's going on in Gandhi collection.

If any one knows real value of this FDC than please let us know so in future some other new Gandhi collector don't pay more money like me and he is aware of what is real situation instead of just jumping in Gandhi Philately by buying at more price and than regret like me.!!

Any questions or concerns are welcome.


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!!

"Think Different" Gandhi & Apple.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

On April 3rd Apple came out with IPAD. You might be wondering what to do with IPAD & Gandhi Philately.!!

"Think Different" was an advertising slogan created for Apple Computer in 1997 . It was used in a famous television commercial & several print & billboard advertisment for Apple products with Images of different famous people around the world including Gandhi, Einstein, Martin Luther King etc. Apple's use of the slogan was discontinued with the start of the Apple Switch ad campaign in 2002.

(image update on 4/28/10 so readers can see 44 cents stamps)

I understand about using images of MLK, Einstein, Dalai Lama, Muhammed Ali (boxer) & others but Gandhi has great power as an icon from 1890- till today and also in future. If you look at him and you think about him than you will really impressed by his thinking "Think Different" who believed in simplicity, calm, rebellion without violence.

When he died, all his belongings -- Bhagavad Gita (Hindu holy book), his toothbrush & khadki cloth, fit inside couple of shoe boxes. Also he has no "WILL" and so no royalty of his books goes to his family members. So Apple Mac, iMac, iPod, iTouch, iPhone, iPad & i......? are simplicity in look.


So on 3rd April I also started "Think Different"and made a event cover during IPAD deputs.

This is a genuine postmark cancel from USPS postoffice with Gandhi stamp on the cover.

I also started thinking other than Gandhi Rubber Stamps.!! "Think Different"
I know this is not a great Gandhi cover or event related to Gandhi, but I think differently.!! Also all things here are genuine such as stamp, postmark cancel and also photo. Photo is used as per APPLE Inc. guidelines with corporate logo of Apple and also mentioned about "Courtsey of Apple Inc" on my envelope(Event Cover). Following is the link for photos and Apple guidelines.
http://www.apple.com/pr/pics/thinkdiffads.html

Any comments are welcome. Thanks for reading & start thinking differently like Gandhi.!! Don't think like Apple.!!

Want to see more of this kind of my creation then click following links.

Martin Luther Memorial  Dedication Cover in Washington DC. (coming soon)

Washington, DC Gandhi Statue Cover on October 2nd. (This Blog post)

25th Anniversary cover of Gandhi Statue in New York.

Ottawa Gandhi Statue Unveiling Cover with Diwali stamp.

10th Anniversary cover of 911 Memorial with Gandhi Stamps and CDS from NY.

Unveiling cover of One of the Largest Bronze Sculptor of Gandhi with other Humantrains in Oakland, CA

50th Anniversary cover of Mahatma Gandhi USA stamp with Special Pictorial Cancellation.

Apple IPad Launch cover Think Different "Gandhi & Apple"

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)

Read comment about this cover by clicking following link.

http://stampsofindia.com/newssite/download/433.pdf

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!!