Mali Gandhi Stamps : Do you think Gandhi Stamps price will ever go up.!!!

12/12/2011

By Ketankumar Patel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,


Mali honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing his stamps in 1969 and 1978. (there might be more!!) Both stamps are  unique in color and very nice portrait of him is used on stamp.

1969

1978

Mali is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west.  Its capital is Bamako. 

Present-day Mali was once part of three West African empires that controlled trans-Saharan trade: the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire (from which Mali is named), and the Songhai Empire. In the late 19th century, during the Scramble for Africa, France seized control of Mali making it a part of French Sudan.

French Sudan joined with Senegal in 1959, achieving independence in 1960 as the Mali Federation. Shortly thereafter, following Senegal's withdrawal from the federation, the Sudanese Republic declared itself the independent Republic of Mali. (Read more about Mali at Wikipedia : Mali)

Mahatma Gandhi stamps from Mali is selling some where between 50 cents to one dollars even after 35+ years. This is very interesting that value is not going up in Gandhi Stamps.

Also FDC are also available at a reasonable price.

So new collectors make sure about pricing. Also you will see lot of stamps with margin or gutter stamps so it's not any rare stamps.

Now look at  following screenshot and you will be amazed. In July 2010(18 months ago), Mali Gandhi 5 stamp was sold for only 99 cents.!! So what do you think about this auction?. Also there was last minute bid retraction.!!!

Seller :- staucy62
Buyer :- dismen987654321

Look at the feedback given by seller "staucy62". To me this seller looks like have multiple accounts and doing shilling bidding as he retracts the bid last moment trying to increase price on it item. In this case he was not successful as the bidder just bid minimum and never increased the bid again which seller(other bidder) was hoping to bid upto $11.!!!!!. Not sure why r***n(376) waited for 6+ days as he bidded on Jul-19 and Retract it on Jul-25 at 10:07 just before auction ends.!!!


 A classic  Shill Bidding on Gandhi stamps. To read more about Shill Bidding click this link.


Read following feedback comment giving by "STAUCY62" and seller's replies.!!  Also see followup reply by  bidder.!!

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&ftab=FeedbackLeftForOthers&userid=staucy62&iid=-1&de=off&items=200&mPg=2&page=2

Also verify buyer dismen987654321 feedback and you decide. Click this link to see buyer's feedback.

3 years of my experience tells me MNH Gandhi Stamps price will never go up because there are very few collectors around the world compare to other thematic collection, also I don't see too many new collectors are coming in to stamp collections and there are more then enough Gandhi stamps for everyone.!!

Only way to increase price of Gandhi stamps is by Shill Bidding and I think it will not work.!!

I hope my analysis on this Mali Gandhi stamp auction will help to all Gandhi Collectors. It's ugly out there.!!!

Now do you agree with me that it's a SCAM in Gandhi Philately.!!

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

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

Romania Gandhi Stamps : International Day of Non-Violence Stamp : One of the most Colorful stamp from bucharest .!!

12/4/2011

By Ketankumar Patel.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

On 6-10-2009 (October 6th, 2009) Romania issued very colorful stamp to celebrate International Day of Non-Violence (IDNV). As all of you might know that IDNV is celebrated by United Nations on October 2nd, which is Mahatma Gandhi's birthday.

Official FDC

Private FDC

Also special cancellation is picture of  "Non-Violence", a sculpture by Karl Fredrik Reutersward, sits permanently outside UN Headquarters in New York

http://www.un.org/en/events/nonviolenceday/

I think this is first IDNV stamp which don't have Mahatma Gandhi Picture on it.  United Nations and India has stamp and special cancellation, where has Croatia has only special cancellation issued on 2nd October with Mahatma Gandhi picture. Also you can read by clicking following for  FAKE cancellation with Gandhi Picture and Emblem of India from Winnenden, Germany to celebrate International Day of Non-Violence.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2010/01/fake-gandhi-postmark-cancel-from.html

I am not sure why Romania decided not to issue stamp on October 2nd and also no picture of Mahatma Gandhi in stamps or cancellation.(Looks like "Think Different").!!

sheet with 10 stamps

Miniature sheet with 6 stamps

The International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

According to General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness". The resolution reaffirms "the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence" and the desire "to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence".

Introducing the resolution in the General Assembly on behalf of 140 co-sponsors, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Anand Sharma, said that the wide and diverse sponsorship of the resolution was a reflection of the universal respect for Mahatma Gandhi and of the enduring relevance of his philosophy. Quoting the late leader’s own words, he said: "Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man".

Following is the brochure of Romania International Day of Non-Violence stamp.

Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea. Romania shares a border with Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and Moldova to the northeast and east, and Bulgaria to the south.

Romania is the ninth largest country of the European Union by area, and has the seventh largest population of the European Union with 20.2 million people. Its capital and largest city is Bucharest, the sixth largest city in the EU with about two million people

This stamp is widely available on ebay and delcampe for reasonable price as lot of collectors/dealers are not aware of it.

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

Want to read more blog post from this blog about International Day of Non-Violence then click following link

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/search/label/international%20non-violence%20day

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

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

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

Mexico Gandhi Stamps : Why such a low price for Gandhi FDC.

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

In 1969, Mexico honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing stamps of him. 

This stamps are widely available under 50 cents and even FDC are available for $1.!!

In July, 2010 Gandhi FDC from Mexico was sold under $1.!!!

You know why such a low price because it's selling from Mexico and looks like they are not in to Shill Bidding.!! Once it's change the country everything starts.!!

Recently Mexico FDC was not even sold for $10.!! 

You know why it did not sold, because seller don't know how to sell it.!! He needs to keep low price and starts rigging up price.!!

So buyer make sure about value before you buy  it. There is enough for everyone needs.!!

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

Cuba Gandhi Stamps : You decide what's going on in Cuba Gandhi Stamp and FDC

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

In 1997, Cuba honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing stamp of him on occasion of 50th Anniversary of India Independence. Gandhi stamp is designed very nicely which has India Flag, Indian Emblem and Mahatma Gandhi Picture on it.

The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city. 

To the north of Cuba lies the United States and the Bahamas, Mexico is to the west, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica are to the south, and Haiti and the Dominican Republic are to the southeast.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on and claimed the island now occupied by Cuba, for the Kingdom of Spain. Cuba remained a territory of Spain until the Spanish–American War ended in 1898, and gained formal independence from the U.S. in 1902. (Reference from Wikipedia : Cuba)

Now look at following 3 screen shot and you decide what's going on in this stamp.!!

On August 16, 2011 auction Cuba stamp was not sold, On September 20, 2011 auction it was sold for only 48 cents with 1 bidder and on November 28, 2011 it was sold for $16.51.!!!!

On delcampe Cuba stamp were sold under $1. Following is the screen shot.

This stamp is not rare and  currently available on delcampe under 50 cents.!! Please look following screenshot about current auction. So not sure why buyer is not buying this and wants to buy for $16.!!

Even FDC was sold under $3.

So why someone is paying more than $16.!! for just a single MNH stamp. What do you think about this transaction?

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

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.
Shill Bidding on Gandhi Stamps

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

Congo Gandhi Stamps - Do you think this is example of SCAM in Stamp Collection specially in Gandhi thematic collection?

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

There are two countries named with Congo who honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing his stamp.

1) Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)
2) Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Republic of the Congo, sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa.
 The republic is a former French colony. Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. The People's Republic of the Congo was a Marxist-Leninist single-party state from 1970 to 1991. Multiparty elections have been held since 1992, although a democratically elected government was ousted in the 1997 Republic of the Congo Civil War. (Read more about Republic of the Congo at Wikipedia)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world. The Second Congo War, beginning in 1998, devastated the country and is sometimes referred to as the "African world war" because it involved nine African nations and some twenty armed groups. Despite the signing of peace accords in 2003, fighting continues in the east of the country. The war is the world's deadliest conflict since World War II, killing 5.4 million people since 1998.The vast majority died from malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo was formerly, in chronological order, the Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo-Léopoldville, Congo-Kinshasa, and Zaire (Read more about Democratic Republic of the Congo  : Wikipedia)

Congo was 3rd country in world after India and USA to honored Mahatma Gandhi by issuing stamp of him. I think this was real honored to Mahatma Gandhi.

1967

In 1992, they again honored Mahatma Gandhi with MLK, but after that all stamps are questionable.

1992

Now look at the following stamps issued by Congo and you decide whether this is a SCAM or not in Gandhi Philately.?

To me it looks like maximum # of Gandhi stamps came from Congo in last 10 years.!! This is not honored to Mahatma Gandhi but to honored printers/dealers/reseller.!!!

Starting 2001 dealers are taking benefit of internal war by issuing stamps of GANDHI. I think this is nothing but a SCAM in Gandhi Philately.!! It's very sad where people are dying in Congo and this dealers are taking it's benefit. Following are all bogus stamps from Congo so avoid it and don't support this SCAMMER.

All following stamps were issued after 1997.!!

2009

2008

2007

2006

2006

2005

2001

2001

There might be more Gandhi Stamps from Congo which we all might see after couple of years.!!!


Now look at what price Congo stamps sold for even 1967 FDC.

Considering the political situation in Democratic Republic of the Congo since last 15 years, I think stamp dealers are printing without permission of government as there is none like Somalia(since 1991) , Afganistan (till 2002) etc.

Do you think this many Gandhi Stamps from Congo are needed?

Do you think stamps issued after 1998 is/was available in Congo!!? But in future you might see used cover with stamps issued after 1998 from Congo(same way like Cameroun Overprint Used covers).!!

Do you think this is a SCAM in Gandhi Philately.?

Do you think this is all about making money on Gandhi Stamps?

For all above questions I think so.!!!

Thanks

Ketankumar Patel.

My First year experience in Gandhi Philately.

My 100th blog post.

Gandhi Stamp Collecting is SCAM. My 3 year experience tell me Yes!!

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Czechoslovakia Gandhi Stamps : M.K. Gandhi 1969 Postmark Cancellation : Is it Genuine or FAKE Cancellation ??

Hello Gandhi Collectors,

Czechoslovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992. From 1939 to 1945, the state did not de facto exist because of its forced division and partial incorporation into Nazi Germany, but the Czechoslovak government-in-exile nevertheless continued to exist during this period. 

In 1945, the eastern part of Carpathian Ruthenia was taken over by the Soviet Union. On 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. (Read more about Czechoslovakia from source of above writing : Wikipedia)

In 1969, Czechoslovakia honored Mahatma Gandhi with special postmark cancellation so chances of Forgery, FAKE etc in this Gandhi cancellation are possible.

Following are 2 different cancellation from Czechoslovakia and it is little bit different. Not sure both are Genuine or one of them is FAKE or both are FAKE.

If you see closely you will see date is different on both of this. One has 4-10-1969 and other has 29-9-1969. It could be possible that this special cancellation might be for multiple days instead of just one day. But I am not sure, but I notice that it has only one date.

CDS 4-10-1969

CDS 29-9-1969

In past I had seen Czechoslovakia M.K.Gandhi Cancellation with 4-10-1969 date but never saw with September 29, 1969 date.!!!!!!!

So now I am really confused because before I was making sure about only FAKE cancellation of 4-10-1969 date but now I am not sure which date is Genuine.!!

2-3 weeks ago one of them was sold for $10. I think if it is genuine then buyer paid reasonable price but if it is questionable than it's just piece of paper,  like one came out from Winnenden, Germany 2009 Special Gandhi Cancellation with Emblem of India.!!

Click following link to read more about Winnenden, Germany 2009 Gandhi Cancellation.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2010/01/fake-gandhi-postmark-cancel-from.html

You can also read another blog post from Maulik about Possible Forgery in 1969 Gandhi Cancellation. To read his blog post please click following link.

http://gandhiphilately.blogspot.com/2009/04/gandhi-1969-cancels-possible-forgeries.html

Now you need to decide before you buy whether it's Genuine or FAKE, otherwise you will end up regretting buying some useless Gandhi Philatelic material which are widely available on ebay and delcampe.

Try to avoid special cancellation if you have little doubt about 1969 cancellation as it would be very difficult to do more research or buy it if it is available at low price, just for possible FAKE items.!!

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!!


Update : 12/19

Unsold cancellation on ebay

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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