Montserrat Gandhi Stamps : What is the real value of stamps?

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately 16 km (9.9 mi) long and 11 km (6.8 mi) wide, giving 40 km (25 mi) of coastline. 

On his second voyage to the New World in 1493, Christopher Columbus named the Caribbean island after the mountain of Montserrat located near the city of Barcelona, Spain. Montserrat is nicknamed the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean both for its resemblance to coastal Ireland and for the Irish ancestry of its inhabitants.

In 1998 Montserrat issued Mahatma Gandhi miniature sheet of 4 stamps. Looks like this stamp sheet has picture of Mahatma Gandhi visiting England during round table conference. Also color combination of this sheet is with copper base which also looks unique.

Recently this stamp sheet was sold somewhere between 4-5$.

So please make sure about pricing before you buy Gandhi MNH stamps or sheet. It's not that expensive and there is plenty of it.

Also you will see some SPECIMEN stamps which required more research.!!

Thanks

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

Belgium Gandhi Stamps : Can't believe the pricing of this 1999 stamp sheet of Gandhi with Kennedy, MLK, Nelson Mandela, Lenin, Guevara, Golda Meir, Jesse Owens, Football, Bicycling, Tim and Struppi stamps from Belgium.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.

Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups, the Dutch-speakers, mostly Flemish (about 60%), and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons (about 40%), plus a small group of German-speakers. Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region.

Belgium issued  first Gandhi stamps with Euro as it's currency.

In 1999 Belgium issued stamp sheet of 20 stamps each 0.42 euros. That means that it's price is 8.40 Euros.

Recently I saw above sheet sold under face value, for 6.50 Euros.!!!  This means that each stamp is 0.33 euros.!! So after 12+ years it's price has gone down instead of any appreciation even after keeping in safe storage.

This sheet has Gandhi stamp along with other 19 stamps  of Pope Johannes XXII., King Boudewijn., Willy Brandt., John F. Kennedy.,  Martin Luther King., Vladimir Lenin., Ernesto 'CHE' Guevara., Golda Meir., Nelson Mandela., Jesse Owens., Football., Bicycling Eddy Merckx., (female) singer Edith Piaf., Pop and Rock music the Beatles., film/movie Charley Chaplin., Tourism beach and holidays., Scouting., Comics., Tim  and Struppi von Hergé., philately stamp & magnifying-glass.

Following is the screen shot of selling price. Check it out 

After looking at this price Do you think stamp hobby is dead.!! This sheet is not even from very small countries who makes money on stamps like Aland, Sao Tome, Nevis etc and still value is going lower then it's original value.

Is it worth to collect Gandhi stamp sheet?

Now you decide what's going on Gandhi Philately.


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

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Senegal Gandhi Stamps : What is Real Price of Gandhi Stamps.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north. Senegal is externally bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south; internally it almost completely surrounds.

The Gambia, namely on the north, east and south, exempting Gambia's short Atlantic Ocean coastline. Senegal covers a land area of almost 197,000 square kilometres (76,000 sq mi), and has an estimated population of about 14 million. The climate is tropical with two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.

In 1969 Senegal issued Mahatma Gandhi stamp, which has similar to other stamps issued during that time from African countries.

Recently this stamp sheetlet  of stamp of 4 was sold for $2.50. I don't think this is scares or rare sheetlet and I think there are still lot of this stamp sheetlet. 

Now look at following screen. Single stamp of Senegal was for auction starting at $5.  Ofcourse there were no buyer for this stamp, but sometimes someone will get trap in this.!!

If you don't pay attention about this kind of inflated starting price then in future you will regret it.

If you see above screen shot Senegal stamp was not sold for last 3 weeks.

So make sure when you bid for MNH Gandhi stamps. There are lot of MNH Gandhi Stamps. It should not cost more than $1.

Thanks
Ketankumar Patel

Togo Gandhi Stamps set with George Washington, Albert Luthuli (Lutuli), Simon Bolivar, Friedrich Ebert stamps are not for investment.!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Togo, is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located.

From the 11th to the 16th century, various tribes entered the region from all directions. From the 16th century to the 18th century, the coastal region was a major trading centre for Europeans in search of slaves, earning Togo and the surrounding region the name "The Slave Coast". In 1884, Germany declared Togoland a protectorate. After World War I, rule over Togo was transferred to France. Togo gained its independence from France in 1960. (Source : Wikipedia).

In 1969, Togo honored Mahatma Gandhi with a set of a 2 stamps valued 30 and 90 CFA Franc. Along with Mahatma Gandhi they also honored George Washington, Albert Lutuli, Simon Bolivar, Friedrich Ebert with one stamp for each.

Not seen any official FDC but you can see private FDC of this stamps, but you need to make sure about authenticity of FDC.

In October 2011, set of 6 stamps was sold for $3.!! Amazing price after 40+ years, which tells that Gandhi stamps are not for investment.

Don't trust all the news articles which is mentioning that you should put some percentage of your investment in stamps.!! Think and research first about this investment. Compare it with Gold or even Stocks(Shares) and then if you think it's worth it then go for it.

Even with famous leaders from around the world this stamps in not appreciating.

You will see this stamps selling from $5 - $15 on delcampe or ebay so beware of pricing.  So new collectors make sure about pricing before you buy this stamps.

Thanks

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

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Following is brief information about  other leaders. (Source : Wikipedia).

George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of the Constitution in 1787.  His leadership style established many forms and rituals of government that have been used since, such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address. Washington is universally regarded as the "Father of his Country".

Albert Lutuli was a South African teacher and politician. Lutuli was elected president of the African National Congress (ANC), at the time an umbrella organisation that led opposition to the white minority government in South Africa. He was awarded the 1960 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the non-violent struggle against apartheid. He was the first African, and the first person from outside Europe and the Americas, to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.


Friedrich Ebert  was a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). When Ebert was elected as the leader of the SPD after the death of August Bebel, the party members of the SPD were deeply divided because of the party's support for World War I. Ebert supported the Burgfrieden and tried to isolate the war opposers in the party. After the war and the end of the monarchy he served as the first President of Germany from 1919 until his death in office.


Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader. Together with José de San Martín, he played a key role in Hispanic-Spanish America's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire, and is today considered one of the most influential politicians in Latin American history. Bolívar remains regarded in Hispanic-America as a hero, visionary, revolutionary, and liberator. During his lifetime, he led Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia to independence, and helped lay the foundations for democratic ideology in much of Latin America.

Ghana Gandhi Stamps - Does value of Gandhi FDC makes sense.!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Ghana is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.

The Gold Coast achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1957 and the name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana, which once extended throughout much of west Africa.

On December 24, 1998 Ghana issued 4 stamps(each 2000 Ghana Cedi) Miniature sheet  of Mahatma Gandhi with pictures of his famous Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) and various age portrait. Also this sheet has quotes of Mahatma Gandhi.  (Not sure why they issued in  December instead of October 2nd !!). Also Ghana  issued another Miniature sheet of Mahatma Gandhi value 5500 Ghana Cedi. 

So total 5 stamps (2 Miniature sheet) were  issued in 1998 by Ghana.

In September 2011, FDC of this Miniature sheet was sold for only $1.29.!! 

Seller : stamp_bay (USA)

Buyer : adityamootha (India)

Date : Sep 3, 2011

Price Sold :- $ 1.29 (less than a $2!!)

To me all 1998 Gandhi FDC from African and South American countries looks like questionable (more than 10-15 countires.!!!!)

It's surprising to see this kind of price for Gandhi Philatelic material.

I am not sure how much catalog value of this FDC but I think $1.29 is under stamp catalog value.!!

But I am sure it is selling under face value, as in 1998 $1=2300C. So above miniature sheet, in 1998 was somewhere between $4-5 when it was sold in Ghana.!!

What a decline.!!

 The Ghana cedi was introduced on 3 July 2007 and is equal to 10,000 old cedis. It was the highest-valued currency unit issued by sovereign countries in Africa in 2007

1 US Dollar = 1.62689 Ghanaian New Cedi   (16000 Old Cedi)

Following is another miniature sheet. Not sure about current pricing but I will update in future.

So looking to all this, it seems to me that Gandhi Stamps are not for investment as $4 invested in 1998 is currently getting only $1.!! which is 300% decline in value.

Thanks

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

Malta Gandhi Stamps Sheet - Is it worth for collection or investment.!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Can't believe it when I noticed Malta Gandhi stamp sheet of 60 stamps was sold under $13 after 40+ years.!!

I don't think Gandhi Stamps or Gandhi Sheets are for investment.!!

Update on 12/15/2011 :

Check out price of recently sold Malta Gandhi FDC and no one willing to buy block of 20 Gandhi Malta stamps even at $4.99!!

Thanks
Ketankumar Patel.

9/11 - 10th Anniversary Event Card

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

As you all know from my other blog post about 9/11 Memorial Cover,  that I was present in New York during 10th Anniversary of 9/11, I also made following 2 different Event cards(total 5+4=9)  to remember this event. Only one each were send through regular postal stream and other 7 has only cancellation (not through postal stream ) so it stays in good condition.

Both Event card has official special cancellation from USPS in front of  Event Card.

1) "We Will Never Forget" from "Memorial Station, NY"
2) "Never Forget" from 10th Anniversary Station,  NY.

 In back of Event card it has regular postmark hand cancel dated Sep 11, 2011 from James Farley post office (yes it's open on sunday) and it is mailed to my house with automatic cancellation and barcode.

Also this Event Card has Gandhi stamps in front and back and also there  are two quotes of Mahatma Gandhi. in front and one quote in back(on one card it is damaged due to postal stream.!!). In back there is also description about  9/11 (September 11 attacks).

You can read my other blog post related to 9/11 Memorial Cover by clicking following link.
http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2011/09/911-memorial-cover.html

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

Inauguration of Mahatma Gandhi's Teacher Farm.

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.


Photographs, Contents and Style Copyright Ketankumar Patel © 2009 - 2011
Material from this article may be reproduced only with the written consent of Ketankumar Patel. If you need higher resolution pictures of this then let me know.

Is Stamp collection hobby a SCAM, specially in Gandhi stamps and philatelic materials.!! My three experience in this hobby tells me YES.!!

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

In November 2011, I finished my three year journey in Gandhi Stamps and Philatelic material collections. It was a great experience with very good learning, which had not only taught me about this hobby but also what are other possibilities in this world and how to be AWARE of fraudulent activities not only in philatelic but about everything.!!

As you all know that I write about my research and my personal opinion about Gandhi stamps and philately material on this blog so new collectors are aware of all things and get some kind of reference (in my case there was none) about following.

1) Buying experience of ebay and delcampe

2) Information about different FAKE philatelic material
3) My Creative Gandhi philatelic covers.
4) Some Rare Gandhi Philatelic materials.
5) General Gandhi Philatelic materials.

Now after 3 years and all this research and futher study about all this activity, I can tell that Gandhi Philatelic hobby is a very big SCAM.!! I think I know what I am talking about.!!

What is SCAM ? (a stratagem for gain; a swindle)
What is SCAMMER [to swindle (someone) by means of a trick]

IF YOU ARE RUNNING AROUND TO COLLECT GANDHI STAMPS OR PHILATELIC MATERIALS, PLEASE GO THROUGH THIS BLOG POST AND UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLITES   BEFORE YOU START ACCUMULATING GANDHI PHILATELIC ITEMS FOR YOUR COLLECTION.

Let me start from Pre-Independence and finish it till 2011.

But let me tell you that I only have just 3 years of experience in this Gandhi Philately so I might be wrong on some cases or all cases.!! If you think any of the following is incorrect/wrong then please let me know so I can change it and provide correct information to all new upcoming Gandhi collectors.

1) What are this Pre-Independence Gandhi Boycott label?

I think most of them currently available are FAKE. (It's all Reprinted and then naturalized to look like old.!!, Some of them are even hand cut to look like perf.!!). Also lot of shill bidding in this label auction to prove that lot of buyers are interested.

2) 1948 India Gandhi Stamps? (Read in detail about 1948 Gandhi issue.)

Why 10 Rupees Gandhi Stamps. ( 10 Rupees was too much money back in 1948 for Indian people)?

Why 10 Rupees SERVICE overprint Gandhi stamps?

Why only 100 Gandhi 10 Rupees SERVICE stamps.?

Why only 18 known 10 Rupees SERVICE Stamps.? Where are others 82.? (According to me there are all 100 stamps are in safe hands.!! This was start of Biggest SCAM ever.!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Fake 10 Rupees SERVICE stamps also available.!!

Also  Used on paper 1 1/2 Annas SERVICE are questionable.!! Very hard to believe it is really used.

Why some rare folders available without knowledge of Indian Goverment?

Some FDC available in current market looks questionable which don't have special cancellation? Such as from Nepal, Pondicherry, Goa, Calcutta etc.

Also some special cancellation issued during 55th Congress are also questionable.

What is Tibet 1949 register cover with 1948 Gandhi stamps without stamps from Tibet?

How about early usage of 1948 Gandhi stamps ?

Lot of questionable postmark cancellation from certain post office on FDC, USED covers and Register covers and most forgery are happening in 1948 used covers. (This might be done after buying some used cover with receiving CDS on back, apply gandhi stamp and fake or stolen postmark cancellation and you can get used covers. USED covers chances of forgery/FAKE is very very high.!!)

Also I am not sure 100% but there are chances that original special cancellation might be around with someone which might be used on FDC or private FDC .!! (If 1969 India Gandhi color trials is available then this is also possible.!!)



3) Some questionable 1949 Special Cancellation (blue/black rubber stamp) "Sabko Samati De Bhagavan" on First Anniversary of Gandhi's death.(30-1-1949) is available.


4) 1951 - Postcards from India.

I see some questionable post office postmark cancellation and make it is used postcard with October 2nd, 1951 date.

5) 1961 - Gandhi USA issue.

Don't see any problem.!!!

6) 1968 -1971  Gandhi's 100th Birth Anniversary issue.

Where are other Panama Gandhi stamps?  what happen ? No officially FDC from Panama  and we can see one.!! Even used covers have some questionable postmark cancellation if you compare with other 1971 postmark cancellation.

OVERPRINT stamp issue from Cameroun. Does not make sense at all someone printing on stamp by mistake. This is delibrate act.

Same is the case with Nicragua Overprint Gandhi stamp with Einstein & TOGO overprint Gandhi stamps.

Also 1979 - 1980 wrong year printing with UNICEF, Olympics, Einstein , TajMahal. Are Stamp designer, proof reader and other people in postal department of that countries are that DUMB..!! Also FAKE FDC with Miniature sheet are available.

Special Cancellation from Burma, Czeckoslovakia, Fiji, Luxembourg were issued. Not sure whether they were really issued or FAKE from start(same way like 2009 Germany Gandhi Cancellation.!!). Lot of Forgery in this special cancellation available in market.

Why lot of Register cover from Mauritius in 1969? Also 2009 covers looks alike 1969 with FAKE address. Nothing change in 40 years on the cover including cancellation, type of cover, register stamp and even hand writing.?

Also not all countries issued FDC of stamps so you will see private FDC specially from Greece and  USSR (Russia). So Beware about this. Not sure whether this are really cancelled in 1969 or afterwards.!!

Fake1969 SPECIMEN postcard is available.?.

Even FAKE Error stamps. (Color faded with sunlight or other chemicals.!!!)

Why to many Miniature sheet of Gandhi with MLK, John Kennedy and Robert Kennedy from smaller African countries. Don't think 1969 Africa needs that many stamps and that kind of printing machinery to print that kind of stuff.?

All small countries outsource to there printing stamps to dealer who in turn will print stamps for that countries and rest they can sell all over the world with different overprint, errors etc.!!

7) 1972 - 1997.

Why Sao Tome e Principe 1987 Gandhi stamp with Picasso, Red cross, UN and other leaders are selling at very high price. ?

Why Sri Lanka stamp price has so much difference on ebay?

Fake 1994 Nicaragua FDC of Gandhi movie with other cinema directors/actors etc to celebrate 100 years of Cinema.

8) 1998 - 1999 50th Death Anniversary

Afghanistan stamp in 1999 ? Taliban rule at that time. No country except Pakistan and Saudi Arabia accepted them so who was accepting their postal mail.!!

More than 15 Countries issued stamps during this time. But to me all from African & South American stamp sheet (Grenada, Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone etc.) is nothing but to make money. Also FDC of this stamps sheets looks like FAKE.

9) 2000 - till now

SCAM got a mega boost from Internet, scammer got more creative by multiple accounts from different countries and increase their scamming activities by SHILL bidding on stamps and philately materials. Also they started to inflating price (FAKE bidders, don't pay and avoid you from getting it.!!) which no one has heard this before. Because of ebay and delcampe there is lot of shill bidding on ebay, some times price are very high, some time very bad quality of material is sold by collector to upcoming new collector.

This scammer are very creative by not only creative fake accounts on ebay and delcampe from different countries such as China, Croatia, Netherlands, Australia, NewZealand, Isarel etc  but also creating FAKE  facebook accounts, writing comments on Blogs and philately Newsletters with FAKE name and lot more things we never heard of to defend themselves.!!! Is it not Amazing !!

Why 2009 FAKE Germany Special Cancellation on October 2nd.? (This makes all 1969 special cancellation questionable!!, because who knows what have happen in 1969.!!). Also don't know upto what stage collector goes to take benefit. !!

Why we are seeing lot of 2011 Indipex sheet with Gandhi theme from different countries like Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Vanutu , Micronesia etc even though it has nothing to do with Gandhi.!!

What are 2011 FFC with United Nations Gandhi stamps and other Airbus 380 FFC.? (This makes me nervous to buy 1969 -1974 FFC from Syria, Iran, Chile, Germany travelled through First Flight of Lufthansa airlines.!!)

How come 1969 India Color Trial available now!!.? (This should be Indian Government Property and should not be on sale in private auction.!! What a STEAL.!!)

Same is the case with 1969 Germany Muster(Specimen) stamp and photographic proof (just take picture from book and reprint it as photo, make it as proof).

Lot of Gandhi stamps are available from smaller  countries which is nothing but to make money from piece of paper. To me it looks like not only stamp dealer but also offical from some smaller countries are involved in printing this huge quantity stamps with different popular theme.

Please read on MSNBC for  stamp SCAM on Net.
Is eBay stamp racket the Net's stickiest scam?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17171372/ns/technology_and_science-security/t/ebay-stamp-racket-nets-stickiest-scam/#.TrAarJux2uI

After reading above article from MSNBC do you think you are also victim of SCAM in GANDHI Stamps and Philatelic material.  Also go through my blog posts on this blog and look for ebay id for  possible scammers.!!

http://www.ehow.com/how_5059207_spot-stamp-collection-scam.html

I am not sure about your opinion but my opinion is YES, It's a big SCAM, and we are being tricked and some group of ebay/delcampe dealer or even collectors  are making profit on us!!


Click following URL and read how stamps are ALTERED. And now think how this will affects in Gandhi Collection.

http://www.sheryll.net/Forgeries/AlteredUS/Forgeries_article_AlteredUS.htm

After reading above screenshot and URL think what are chances that this might happen in GANDHI philately specially in BOYCOTT Label, 1948 used covers, 1968-1971 stamps and covers etc.


Now please think what I have written in this blog post  and think more deeper into this subject  by reading my 100+ blog post and then you make own your judgement by putting all pieces together  and you will find it a  big SCAM in Gandhi Stamps and Philatelic materials.


One more thing to think is how easy is to make a RUBBER stamp.!!! 


Higher the price more FAKE or SCAM it is.!!!

If something in blog post don't make sense or want to add more into this then you all are welcome.

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

Thanks

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

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

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)

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)