Cameroun Gandhi Stamps : Cameroon Overprint Gandhi, Kennedy and Martin Luther King error stamps and miniature sheet - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part 13

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

After looking Cameroun overprint stamps and Miniature sheets, I think Cameroun Stamp Printer or Stamp Quality Assurance (QA)  department organisation people are DUMB?

I am not sure how they can overprint by mistake on large quantity even without thinking what they are doing. In 1969 they printed space theme of Moon Landing on 1968 Gandhi, Kennedy and MLK stamps and miniature sheets.

After researching more about this and thinking more about this  I came to conclusion that they are super SMART and we all who have this overprint stamps and minisature sheets are DUMB!!! They did it to make money and they succeed.!!! Also in 1968  they know what is going to sell (MLK, Kennedy's and Gandhi)  and in 1969 it was all about space. They combined this together with overprint and made one of kind error stamp So they are super smart.!!!

And right now out of all stamps in that overprint only Gandhi theme is famous and we all are being cheated.!!

Think Why you don't see  overprint error stamps from USA!!

Today Cameroun stamps and sheets were sold for very high price and I am not sure what this buyer (if real) then he will do with this piece of paper. I guess he will also keep it like me.!!

Buyers are : martind8751 & spark-500 (canada)
Seller : ctx23 (Germany).

Also price of Gandhi stamps and sheets should not be too much because there is enough for everyone. If you think as investment than negative return is guarntee if you paid high price because Gandhi stamps is very highly inflated and also there are lot of other expense in selling, so BEWARE of this.

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

Germany Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -10

Sri Lanka Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part - 11

India 1948 Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -12

Also value of MNH Gandhi stamps is not appreciating in value and also it don't have any value in exhibition, so beware.!! Also this kind of intensely overprint stamp is nothing but garbage  which you keep it very safe.!!!


So now think who is Smart and who is Dumb.!!

All overprints stamps from Cameroun, Togo, Nicragua and whatever else are there to just make money by making us it's error. Click following blog post to read more about this.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2010/01/overprint-gandhi-stamps.html

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

Chile Gandhi Stamps on FFC during 1974 Football Soccer World Cup First Flight Cover

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

One of the best FFC with Gandhi stamps was issued in 1974 with Chile Gandhi Stamps during World Cup Soccer.

While researching about correct price about this FFC, I was surprised by the price of this FFC as it was sold under $5.!!

I think it's a fair value for this FFC comparing 2 Gandhi OVPT stamps from Chile and also one more stamp.

Thanks
Ketankumar Patel.

INAUGURATION COVER OF MAHATMA GANDHI TEACHER'S FARM

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

"Sal Mubarak" (Happy New Year). Today is New Year for some of the people in India which is day after Diwali.

In today's world we see lot of protest is going on whether it is in India (corruption) or Middle East (freedom) or USA (wall street) all are trying to protest against injustice or difficulty they are facing in today's world. 

This is same what we all know about protest did by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa & India and  MLK in USA  and many others in last 100 years using Non-Violence and Civil Disobedience.

But this Civil Disobedience and Non-Violence in USA goes back in mid 1800 when Henry David Thoreau refuse to pay tax. On July 1846, Thoreau ran into the local tax collector, who asked him to pay six years of delinquent poll taxes. Thoreau refused because of his opposition to the Mexican-American War and slavery, and he spent a night in jail because of this refusal. The next day Thoreau was freed, against his wishes, when his aunt paid his taxes. The experience had a strong impact on Thoreau.  For more reading about Thoreau click this link

Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817  and died on May 6, 1862 was an American author, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, historian, and leading transcendentalist. He is best known for his book Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay Civil Disobedience, an argument for individual resistance to civil government in moral opposition to an unjust state.

Henry David Thoreau played a significant role in Mahatma Gandhi's life and he was one of the person who had a lasting impact on Gandhi.

Gandhi first read Thoreau's book "The Duty of Civil Disobedience" in 1907 in South Africa which he published a paraphrase of his book in his weekly newspaper, Indian Opinion..

Gandhi also wrote in his own book "HIND SWARAJ"  that views express in this book are his, but he follow Thoreau and other writers. In appendix of Hind Swaraj book he mentioned about Thoreau's works "The Duty of Civil Disobedience" and "Life without Principle".

Some quotes by Henry David Thoreau was affected to Gandhi.

"Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slave..."

"An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day..."

On June 26th 2010, Birth House of  Henry David Thoreau was Inaugurated after very long time and hard work by volunteers. It is located at 341 Virginia Road, Concord, Massachusetts. 

Want to know more about Thoreau Farm's then click this link  http://www.thoreaufarm.org/

Following is the cover I made with help from my friend who took picture of Theorau's  house and who helped me to get hand cancel on this cover on June 26, 2010 and mailed it to me.

Gandhi in his 1942 appeal to"To American Friends," wrote, "You have given me a teacher in Thoreau, who furnished me through his essay on the 'Duty of Civil Disobedience'."

I take full responsibility of this cover and it has

1) Thoreau 5 cents stamp

2) Gandhi 8 and 4 cents stamps

3) 29 cents American Eagle stamps in Red, White and Blue.

4) Hand Cancellation from USPS Concord, MA. (Birth & Death Place of Thoreau)

5) Picture of Thoreau Farm(house). (Send to me by my friend).

6) Description about Inauguration in Front

7) Description about Henry David Thoreau in back with his quotes and role he played on Gandhi.

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

Dedication Cover of Martin Luther King National Memorial  in Washington DC.  

Washington, DC Gandhi Statue Cover on October 2nd.

25th Anniversary cover of Gandhi Statue in New York.

Ottawa Gandhi Statue Unveiling Cover with Diwali stamp.

International Peace Day Cover - 30th Anniversary.

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 25 humanitarians in Oakland, CA

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

Apple IPad Launch cover Think Different "Gandhi and  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)

India 1948 Gandhi Stamps FDC Value - Nepal Indian Embassy cancellation - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part 12

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Happy Diwali to all readers.

Recently I saw that Nepal Indian Embassy 1948 Gandhi FDC sold for $52. I am not sure why buyers really wants this cover and  what kind of research they are doing before bidding on this kind of item. In past I had also written blog post about this Nepal cover.

You can read my previous blog posts about Nepal 1948 FDC/Cover by clicking following link.

 http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/05/nepal-india-indian-embassy-mahatma.html
http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-difference-in-1948-gandhi-stamp.html

This FDC was bought by "rohit98103" from India.  This buyer also sells cover with slogan "Free India" with 1948 Gandhi Stamps. Also he sells 1948 55th Congress CDS cover with Gandhi stamp on it. So this makes me curious why he wants to buy this Nepal Cover and sell similar covers except no address to sender, but I am glad that seller is not typing  on it and telling us that this is mailed to famous philatelist!!!

To me all this 3 covers looks similiar. All 3 don't have any backstamp or receiving stamp cancellation which makes me very nervous. As I mentioned previously that I bought this cover under $10 but I cancel the transaction after doing more research on this.  I am not going to buy it at very low price as it will occupy space in my collection.!!

Now you need to decide what's going on 1948 Gandhi Stamps,  FDC, Used Covers and special cancellation.

If you start collecting this kind of covers even at 20% of above listed price you will quit Gandhi Philately, because it's is worthless item  in collection as it has no proof that it is authentic. If it has some kind of proof from BPA it will make sense.

According to me most of the cheating in Gandhi Philately happens in1948 Gandhi Stamps. So beware of this kind of materials.

Also value of MNH Gandhi stamps is not appreciating in value, so beware.!!

Also price of Gandhi stamps and sheets should not be too much because there is enough for everyone. If you think as investment than negative return is guarntee if you paid high price because Gandhi stamps is very highly inflated and also there are lot of other expense in selling, so BEWARE of this.

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

Thanks

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

Bhutan Gandhi Stamps - Don't think Gandhi Stamps are for Investment.!! 200 pieces of 3-D plastic stamps of Gandhi, Kennedy, De Gaulle, Pope Leo XII, Churchill & Eisenhower are selling under $3.!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

In 1972 Bhutan issued Plastic 3-D Stamps of  Gandhi, Kennedy, De Gaulle, Pope Leo XII, Churchill & Eisenhower. Even though it is small country Bhutan makes lot of money by selling stamps from collectors like you and me.!!

Even though this are kind of rare stamps as it is made from plastic, it is not appreciating in value. Read my previous blog post about Bhutan Gandhi stamps.

But I was surprised when I saw 200 pieces of 1972 Plastic 3-D stamps was for sale for only $3 per set of 6 stamps (3x200=600$) even after almost 40 years. This means that each stamp is worth only 50 cents including Gandhi.

In past I saw some dealers trying to sell for $175 for a set.!!! What a ripe off they are trying to do to new buyer who is completely unaware of correct market value. (check my previous blog about this)

Also more surprised is that there are more lots like this available for sell, so not sure who will need this many stamps.!!

Now I can imagine for other countries also that there will be plenty of this stamps sitting in everyone's collection trying to find owner for that particular Gandhi stamps.

So again before buying Gandhi stamps please make sure what you are jumping into and what is the right value for Gandhi stamps.

If you don't do your own research than chances are you will pay high price which will make you regret in future.

Also think how many Gandhi Stamps collectors are in the world. Might be 1000-2000 or 3000 or 5000, but not more than that and usually stamps are printed in very large quantities such 100,000 - 140,000,000.

Recently we are seeing auction of big lot of Gandhi stamps. 2 Weeks ago we saw 100 Indipex 2011 Gandhi Khadi Miniature Sheet + Presentation folder for sell. This Khadi stamp is also special stamp made from cloth. So not sure why big lot are coming out.!!

I hope by providing this kind of information I am helping new collectors that Gandhi stamps are not for Investments, so don't just buy thinking it will go up.

Think what's reality.!!

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

Click to see 50th Anniversary
Special Cancellation

Sri Lanka Gandhi Stamps : Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -11

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent, is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the Maldives. It is part of South Asia. It was known as Ceylon until 1972.

Sri Lanka honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing  stamp in 1988 on occasion of 40th death anniversary. (30 January 1948 - 30 January 1988). Stamps has very unique color and it's face value is 0.75 SLR Rupees.

Yesterday I was surprised when I saw Sri Lanka Gandhi Stamp sold only for $3. Reason for my surprised is that in April 2011 this stamp was sold for $41.!! Check out my previous blog post about this Sri Lanka stamp pricing.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/04/dont-know-whats-going-on-in-srilanka.html

If you pay more than there are chances that you will start hating Gandhi Philately because you paid very high price. I am not sure about feeling of "Shukla_nawab" who bought this stamp for $41.

I think you will be surprised by this pricing difference in just 6 months, but I am not surprised at all. This is part of Gandhi Philately in which anything is possible such as SHILL bidding, FAKE items, Forgery items etc.

Seller :- kboons (Netherlands)
Buyer :- haywardstamps (UK)
Date Sold :- October 23, 2011
Sold for :- $3.

According to me Gandhi Stamps price should not be very high as more stamps are printed than collectors. Yes Gandhi is popular currently in philately, but there are limited collectors compare to other themes like fauna, birds, animals etc.

So for new collectors please make sure about pricing otherwise you will regret and will QUIT.!!

Also price of Gandhi stamps and sheets should not be too much because there is enough for everyone. If you think as investment than negative return is guarntee if you paid high price because Gandhi stamps is very highly inflated and also there are lot of other expense in selling, so BEWARE of this.

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

Germany Gandhi Stamp - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -10

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

Martin Luther King Memorial Dedication Cover with Gandhi, Thoreau and MLK stamps

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

On October 16th Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial was dedicated to nation by President Barack Obama. It was schedule on August 28, 2011 but it was postponed because of hurricane Irene.

I was lucky enough to visit this memorial during my last visit in September. I was amazed by location of this memorial as MLK  is the fourth non-President to be memorialized on the National Mall where all other memorial  are of past presidents Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR and others.

Covering four acres, the memorial opened to the public on August 22, 2011. A ceremony dedicating the Memorial was scheduled for Sunday, August 28, 2011, the 48th anniversary of the "I Have a Dream" speech that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 but was postponed until October 16 (the 16th anniversary of the 1995 Million Man March on the National Mall) due to Hurricane Irene.

The centerpiece for the memorial is based on a line from King's "I Have A Dream" speech: "Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope. A 30 feet high relief of King named the “Stone of Hope” stands past two other pieces of granite that symbolize the "mountain of despair. (Read more about Memorial)

As all of you know that MLK used Mahatma Gandhi's Principle of Non-Violence to fight for Africian American Civil Rights Movement. Following article  from Wikipedia will explain you about Mahatma Gandhi's deeply influence on MLK.(Source Wikipedia)

With assistance from the Quaker group the American Friends Service Committee, and inspired by Gandhi's success with non-violent activism, King visited Gandhi's birthplace in India in 1959. The trip to India affected King in a profound way, deepening his understanding of non-violent resistance and his commitment to America's struggle for civil rights. In a radio address made during his final evening in India, King reflected, "Since being in India, I am more convinced than ever before that the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity. In a real sense, Mahatma Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are inherent in the moral structure of the universe, and these principles are as inescapable as the law of gravitation." African American civil rights activist Bayard Rustin had studied Gandhi's teachings. Rustin counseled King to dedicate himself to the principles of non-violence, served as King's main advisor and mentor throughout his early activism, and was the main organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. 

Mahatma Gandhi picture was always hanging in his office, which indicates how deeply Gandhi had influenced him. 

Photo uploaded from unknown
source from Internet.!!

You can see MLK interview in which he talks about influence of Mahatma Gandhi and Non-Violence.

Also MLK was influenced by David Henry Thoreau. (Source Wikipedia)

Martin Luther King, Jr. noted in his autobiography that his first encounter with the idea of non-violent resistance was reading "On Civil Disobedience" in 1944 while attending Morehouse College. He wrote in his autobiography that it was

Here, in this courageous New Englander's refusal to pay his taxes and his choice of jail rather than support a war that would spread slavery's territory into Mexico, I made my first contact with the theory of nonviolent resistance. Fascinated by the idea of refusing to cooperate with an evil system, I was so deeply moved that I reread the work several times.

I became convinced that noncooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good. No other person has been more eloquent and passionate in getting this idea across than Henry David Thoreau. As a result of his writings and personal witness, we are the heirs of a legacy of creative protest. The teachings of Thoreau came alive in our civil rights movement; indeed, they are more alive than ever before. Whether expressed in a sit-in at lunch counters, a freedom ride into Mississippi, a peaceful protest in Albany, Georgia, a bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, these are outgrowths of Thoreau's insistence that evil must be resisted and that no moral man can patiently adjust to injustice.

Mahatma Gandhi was also deeply influenced by David Henry Thoreau and used some of his principles in South Africa as well as in India.

I take full responsibility of above cover made by me. Total 10 covers were made by with different cachet, stamps combination. Above cover is one of them and has

1) Photograph of MLK Memorial.(Taken by me).

2) 47 cents USA stamps of MLK, Gandhi and Thoreau.

3) Hand cancel on October 16th from Washington, DC post office.(It's  open on Sunday.!)

4) Also following note is printed on the cover.

And that's the reason I used stamps of all 3 person on this cover to make aware of all  3's  contribution in Non-Violence and Civil Disobedience.

This is my private collectible item.If you want to see USPS cover from USPS than see following screen shot and link. ( You can see now difference between Official and private FDC.!!)

http://about.usps.com/news/state-releases/dc/2011/dc_2011_1012.htm

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

Dedication Cover of Martin Luther King National Memorial  in Washington DC.  (this blog post)

Washington, DC Gandhi Statue Cover on October 2nd.

25th Anniversary cover of Gandhi Statue in New York.

Ottawa Gandhi Statue Unveiling Cover with Diwali stamp.

International Peace Day Cover - 30th Anniversary.

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 25 humanitarians in Oakland, CA

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

Apple IPad Launch cover Think Different "Gandhi & Apple"

By working on this kind of dedication, unveiling, anniversary, special cancellation I am trying to take Gandhi Philately to different level. Not sure what is importance in philatelic value in exhibitions, but my goal is to document what ever I can. I hope you all will get some idea from this and start working on similar things in your area. I know it's take lot of time and effort, but it's fun.

Again thanks for reading and  Please share your thoughts in the comments section. (Also I think today this blog will cross 25000 page view !! Thank You to all page viewers.).

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.

My 100th Blog post

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

Washington,DC Gandhi Statue cover on International Day of Non-Violence.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

As you all know that October 2nd is most popular day for Gandhi Philatelist, because of Mahatma Gandhi Birthday.

Following cover is made by me to celebrate 142 Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This postally used cover on October 2nd, has picture of Gandhi Statue in Washington, DC which is opposite to Indian Embassy in Washington, DC.

I take full responsibility of this cover including photo taken by myself during my previous visit. Also this post office is open 365 days except 2-3 days.

There is nothing FAKE in this cover. Everything is Genuine including address, cancellation, postally used, photo, hand writing etc.!! Not like we saw some fake things in Gandhi Philately such as Germany FAKE cancellation, FAKE Mauritius 1969/2009 Register or used cover, FAKE Nicaragua FDC  or Nepal Indian Embassy cover and lot more !!!

I don't understand why to FAKE or hide, which reduce philatelic value and kills this hobby.!! 

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

Dedication Cover of Martin Luther King National Memorial  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 25 humanitarians 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)

Gandhi Jayanti Cover from great Gandhi Philatelist Ole-Fredrik of Norway

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Last week I got cover from  Ole-Fredrik Olsen who is one of the best known Gandhi Philatelist in the world.

This cover  from Sandefjord, Norway was send to celebrate 142 birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi which is celebrate in world as Gandhi Jayanti  and since 2007 it is also celebrated as International Day of Non-Violence.

This cover is printed with Mahatma Gandhi spinning the wheel to make Khadi (cloth) which he used for  promoting the spinning of khadi for rural self-employment and self-reliance (instead of using cloth manufactured industrially in Britain) in 1920s India thus making khadi an integral part and icon of the Swadeshi movement.  Also this cover has  rubber stamp in green color of Mahatma Gandhi picture and his existence dates in the world. Because of Sunday  on October 2nd, 2011 it has cancellation of next day.

I am really happy to get  this covers from great philatelist around the world. This is my 2nd cover from well known Gandhi Philatelist. First one was from Nikhil Mundra who had send me FDC from India with 25 Rupees Gandhi stamps issued on October 2nd 2009.

Thank You Mr.Olsen for sending me this cover.

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel. 

BTW: You can see Mr. Olsen's Philatelic website at http://www.olsen.5u.com/

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

Gandhi Mauritius Stamps 1969 value - Why you will quit Gandhi Philately - Part -9

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometres  east of Madagascar and  its capital city is Port Louis.

In 1969, along with other 40+ countries, Mauritius also honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing  6 Gandhi stamps to celebrate 100th birth anniversary. (1869 -1969). Mauritius is only country in world to issue 6 stamps + Miniature sheet in 1969. This 6 stamps shows different pictures of different age which makes it unique for collectors. 

Now if you see following screenshot you will notice what price this stamps were sold in October 2011. It's under $2 even with margin in bottom. !! Even Miniature Sheet will be between 1-2$.

What I notice in my 3 years of collection is that there are lot of this stamps available in current market, so I think this is fair value of this stamps.

Also I notice there are lot of used covers and register covers with this stamps and MS with Dodo stamps. Initially I was thinking to buy that covers but after more research I question this covers made  in 1969 and 2009. Looks like lot of questions needs to research on this used register cover including addresses, rubber stamp or official postmark cancel etc.

So Beware of this 1969 Mauritius Stamps and Register cover.

So if you pay more than $2 or $3 for this stamps then I think in future you will regret to be in Gandhi Philately and will quit this hobby.

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

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
My 100th Blog post

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

Click to see 50th Anniversary
Special Cancellation

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

Gandhi Khadi Stamp Value 2011 Indipex MS with folder - 100 pieces for sale.!!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

As I mentioned in previous 3-4 blog posts about Gandhi Khadi  MS + folder, you all know what's going on with this stamp value and return on investment.

Now after looking to following screen shot I think my assumption about ROI is true. I think collectors/dealers will not able to hold on this stamp because of initial high value of 250 Rupees.($5.50). This is one example where 100 pieces are coming for sale around $8 but I think it is still very HIGH price. I think there will be lot of buyer who has more than 100 in their stock which they will have to sell because of huge amount is invested in this. 

Believe me you will get this at low price. No Rush or No creed and you will be OK. There was 100000 (one hundred thousand or one lakh) stamps + presentation folder printed by Indian Post. And I think it is enough for every collector who wants to buy it. According to me it is more than what collectors can consume this philatelic item. So don't think price will increase in next 20 years or more.!! 

(On side note how many collectors(more than 100000) need this khadi stamp folder. )

This means it is very good for all collectors who are not even collecting Gandhi stamps but  who wants this MS + presentation folder for their collection or to display in office or shop in a photo frame as a respect to Mahatma Gandhi.

I think we all still needs to wait and we will able to get it a face value or below face value. According to me fair value of this stamp will be less than $6. Also make sure you don't pay more than $2-3 Register shipping even from India other wise they will recover cost from shipping. Don't get into all that Rare, Limited quantity etc.

If you want to know more about Gandhi Khadi 2011 stamps then please read following blog posts.

1) Gandhi Khadi 2011 sold under face value

2) Unbelivable Price of  Gandhi Khadi 2011 MS + folder..

3) What is right price of 2011 Gandhi Khadi stamp + presentation folder.

4) Gandhi Khadi stamp + presentation pack 100 Pieces for sale!! (current blog post).

What are your feelings about pricing of this MS + Presentation folder. Please share your thoughts in the Comments section.

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
My 100th Blog post
My 1st year Experience in Gandhi Philately.
9 Lessons Learned in Gandhi Philately.

Click to see 50th Anniversary
Special Cancellation

Gandhi 1948 stamps, FDC and Used Register Cover. - Why I avoid this.!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

India issued first Mahatma Gandhi stamp in 1948 and I think it one of the most valuable  and interesting  collection  in Gandhi Philately.

Initially I was thinking to collect India 1948 Gandhi Philatelic material but I stopped this and try to avoid it if possible to add in my collection. My reason for avoiding is

1) Needs lot of study and research to make sure it is Genuine item as because of  almost 65 years quality of Cancellation Data Stamp (CDS) is not in good condition and also it will require lot of research time to authenicate cancellation.

2) Also it will be very hard to research about Receiving Postmark cancel (Back stamp) on the philatelic material as it is very hard to believe that it is real. (Like Nepal 1948 from Indian Embassy).

3) Even some of the register cover I saw makes me nervous.!!

4) Lot of questions about bidding on this auction which is truly amazing to research.

5) I figured it out that in India 1948 Gandhi philatelic material it requires lot of experience (15+ years) and knowledge to even start collecting 1948 Gandhi philately.

6) Even some times I think about Postmark Cancellation on cover. I cancelled my 55th Congress cover because I cannot decide on it eventhough I only paid under $10.(It's easy to make Rubber stamp of 1948, same way like FAKE special cancellation 1969 Burma, Fiji, Luxembourg or 2009 from Germany.!!)

7) But main think for me it does not Justify the value of Stamps, FDC and other USED covers.!!! (I think Lot of Shill Bidding.!!)


If you are really interested  into 1948 Gandhi Philately  then following are 2 exhibit from Maulik Thakkar (founder of this blog) which will help you what kind of material you needs to collect and what is required to make sure it genuine.

Click on both links or on caption to see this exhibit in detail. I think this is one of the best available in 1948 thematic collection. Start dreaming to make this only if you have more than 50000 US dollars in spare.!!

1) Memorial Issue of Mahatma Gandhi- 15th August 1948 By Maulik Thakkar.

http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0465/index0465a.htm

2) Usage of the 1948 Gandhi Memorial issue. By Maulik Thakkar.

http://www.japhila.cz/hof/0684/index0684a.htm

But don't jump after looking this and start buying it otherwise you will endup like buying something like Nepal Indian Embassy or some FDC with Pondicherry or Goa postmark cancellation or FDC from TajMahal hotel etc. Before you start it required lot of study and research otherwise you will regret.


Thanks Maulik for sharing this exhibit to everyone. I hope others will follow like Maulik to share his life long dream in Gandhi Philately collections with others so they can learn from it.

(By keeping in closet collection will not grow or it's just selfish enjoyment)

Thanks

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