U.S. and Worldwide Stamps and Postal History

1948 Gandhi "Specimen" overprint, set of four, affixed down on gold foil pages in a handsome black velvet presentation folder, with the 10rs high value on first page titled "Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Stamps, 15th August 1948" in red, second page with the 1 1/2a, 3 1/2a and 12a values, each stamp framed in a red border, 12a green with a minor abrasion at bottom, which hardly detracts from this extremely rare Specimen booklet, v.f. and without the usual faults, toning and discolorations which often plague this iconic item (SG 305-8S). The Government of India issued a set of four commemorative stamps on 15th August, 1948, the first anniversary of independence as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. These were the first commemorative stamps of Independent India and the only set of stamps printed outside India, by Courvoisier S.A. in, La Chaux-De-Fonds. Very few booklet sets where produced, with two different styles reported. These where made specially for the Indian Embassy in Switzerland for presentation to very high dignitaries (a similar booklet was last sold at our September 2010 sake for $22,000 plus 15% buyer's premium)
Estimate: $12000