Research article written by London swaminathan

Post No.2206

Date: 1^st October 2015

Time uploaded in London: 16-00

October 2 Gandhi Jayanthi

It is needless to say that the Gandhian values have down in India. But the surprising thing is that the value of Gandhi stamps are going up and up! Politicians use Gandhiji’s name as a popular brand name. Like corrupt Tamil politicians use the name of holy poet Tiruvalluvar, corrupt North Indian politicians use Gandhi’s name. Any way the new generation know neither Gandhi nor Tiruvalluvar. They read their names in text books for examination sake. As soon as they come out of the examination halls they forget both the names and their teachings.

But as a stamp collector and possessor of Gandhi stamps issued by several countries, I am glad that the values of those stamps are going higher and higher. I very often pass by the Stanley Gibbon stamp shop at Strand in London. Their catalogue is the Veda for the stamp collectors and their headquarters is the Benares/Varanasi of stamp collectors. Today I looked at the latest Stanley Gibbon’s catalogue to compare the prices. I have given below the prices:

For mint stamps (Not used)

In 2006 the price of Rs10 Gandhi was 45 pounds (45×100=Rs.4500 in today’s currency rates)

In 2015 the price is 375 pounds (375×100= Rs 37,500)

For used Stamps

In 2006 it was 40 pounds (Rs.4000 in today’s currency rates)

In 2015 it was 130 pounds (Rs13,000)

In 2011-12 Indian Stamp catalogue the price of Rs10 Gandhi stamp issued in 1948 was Rs.13,000 (mint) and Rs.6750 (used)

This is the price for the stamp in best condition.

For instance here the stamp dealers sell even Gandhi stamp for 60 pounds. But they have lost the gum in the back or browned due to weather. In India stamps change to brown very quickly because of the climatic conditions. But in temperate countries like Britain they are in good condition. All my old Indian stamps collected in Madurai are brownish. But after coming here, I bought Indian stamps from English dealers and they are in pristine condition.

If you have coins or stamps, please maintain them properly. Stamp dealers or the philatelic societies in all the Indian cities will advise you in this regard.

( I am writing about Gandhi coins separately)

Long live Gandhi! Longer live Gandhi stamps!!!