THE
Philatelic Record
VOL. XXIX
JANUARY TO DECEMBER,
1907
Wonbon
Truslove and Bray, Ltd., Printers,
West Norwood. S.E.
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PRINTED BY TRUSLOVE AND BRAY, WEST NORWOOD, S.E.
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CONTENTS.
References in Italics are to New Issues.
Abyssinia, 203.
Afghanistan, 164, 203.
American Journal of Philately, The, 85.
Antigua, 41, 80, 102.
Antioquia, 63.
Archer's Perforations, 12.
Argentine Republic, 145, 203.
Assolba, 224.
Australian Commonwealth, 63, 102, 123, 202, 222, 240.
Austria, 126, 145, 168.
Baden, 128, 191.
Bahamas, 123.
Barbados, 80, 158.
Belgium, 22, 126, 203, 223, 241.
Benadir, 81, 128, 160.
Bermuda, 14.
Beyrout, 108.
Bibliographie der Wichtigsten Spezialwerke iiber
die Postwertzeichen Einzeluer Lander, 180. Birmingham Philatelic Society, 206. Bolivar, 65, 159, 186. Bosnia, 108, 203. Brazil, 108.
Breitfuss Collection, The, 148. Bridger & Kay, Messrs., 188. Bright & Son, Messrs., 243. Brighton Stamp Case, The, 161. British Central Africa, 123.
„ Guiana, 41,43, 68, 80, 166.
Philatelic Exhibition, 138. Journal, 20.
„ Honduras, 41, 63, 202.
,, India, Postage and Telegraph Stamps of, 183.
., New Guinea, 63.
„ Post Offices in The Levant, 55, 71, 108, 128. Solomon Islands Protectorate, 80, 185.
„ South Africa, 18. Brunei, 14, 41, 123, 168. Bulgaria, 186, 203, 212.
Calcutta Exhibition, The, 147, 208. Canada, 85.
Cape of Good Hope, 128. Catalogues : —
Bright & Son's igc8, Part I., 243.
Hagen & Co.'s, 43.
Japan, Stamps of, 89.
Scott's (66th Edition), 19.
Stanley Gibbons' 1908, Part II., 243.
Whitfield King & Co.'s (;th Edition), 22. (8th ,, ), 226. Cayman Islands, 80, 202. Ceylon, 146. China, 223.
Collections, Sales of, 167. Columbia, 65. Commemoratives, 126. Condition, The Question of, 70. Costa Rica, 241. Crete, 203.
Crimean Postmarks, 166. Cucuta, 145, 160. Cyprus, 240.
Danish West Indies, 23. Denmark, 42. 65, 103, 223. Dominica, 123, 185, 202, 222. Dominican Republic, 107, 212. Duty on Stamp Albums, 107.
East Africa and Uganda Protectorate, 63, 123, 144,
158, 185, 222. Ecuador, 23, 186. Egypt, 17, 65, 81, 108, 128, 220. Elobey, Anniston and Corrisco, 16. Envelopes, Origin of, 22, 48.
Registration, 49, 50, 51, 86, 88 (bis), 188. Eritrea, 224. Exhibitions : —
British Guiana, 138.
Calcutta, 147, 208.
First, 128.
French, 85, 235.
Junior Philatelic Society's, 207, 243.
Leicester, 105, 188, 208, 219.
Minto Fete, 22, 54.
Exhibitions (continued) :— Rotterdam, 20. The Hague, 168.
Fernando Po, 16.
Fernley, The Late Miss, 243.
First Stamp Exhibition, The, 128.
Foreign Letters, New Tariffs for, 244.
Forged Stamps, The Marking of, 2, 213.
Forgers, 128.
Fraenkel, The Late Heinrich, 194.
France, 65, 107. 124, 128 (bis), 145, 146, 160, 164, 179,
204, 211, 216, 241. French Colonies, 241.
„ Indo-China, 223, 241.
,, Oceanic Settlements, 160.
„ Philatelic Exhibition, 85, 235.
German China, 124.
„ Empire, 42, 65.
„ Levant, 103.
Morocco, 15, 103, 187, 204, 211.
,, Philatelic Congress, The, 212. Gibraltar, 63, 102, 123, 158. Glendining & Co., 24, 46, 211, 227 (bis), 228. Gold Coast, 63, 102, 144.
Great Britain, 16, 17, 49, 50. 51, 67, 68, 85, 88 (bis), 118, 125, 133, 16ti, 188, 242. ,, ,, Corner Lettering of id. black, 118, 133.
Greece, 21, 68. Grenada, 14. Guanacaste, 160. Guatemala, 42. Gwalior, 202.
Hagen & Co., F., 43.
Hausburg, The Collection of Mr. L. L. R., 212.
Hayti, 127, 241.
Herts Philatelic Society, The, 83.
Histoire des Timbre-Postes Francais, 179.
Holkar, 63, 80.
Holland, 42, 81, 103, 211, 223.
Honduras, 43, 66, 81, 148-
Hong Kong, 41, 80, 124, 240.
How to Collect Postage Stamps, 207.
Hungary, <56\ £/, 103,241.
Iceland, 145, 160, 187. India, 14, 45, 244.
„ Philatelic Society of, 84, 212. International Stamp, The, 188. Ireland, The National Collection of, 232. Issues of 1905, 107.
,, from 1840 to 1906, 127. Italian Crete, 103, 145. Italy, 15, 107.
Jacquier, The late Jules, 168.
Jamaica, 14, 41, 106, 124.
Japan, 42, 89, 224, 226.
Japanese Offices in China, 65.
Java, 212.
Jhind, 64.
Johannesburg Philatelic Society, 21.
Junior Philatelic Society Exhibition, 207, 243.
,, ,, ,, Manchester Branch, 19, 44,
68, 83, 105, 206, 225, 242. Kiautschou, 187, 223. Kingston Relief Fund Stamps, 106.
Labuan, 64, 127, 240.
Lagos, 64.
Leeds Philatelic Society, 165.
Leeward Islands, 42, 80, 158.
Leicester Philatelic Exhibition, 105, 188, 208, 219.
,, ,, Society, 105.
Le Roy D'Etiolles Sale, The, 168. Levant, British Post Offices in, 55, 71. Libraries, Philatelic, 120, 136, 172. Lindenberg Medal, The, 45. Literature Society, Philatelic, 149, 165, 225. Liverpool Philatelic Society, 84, 188. Locals, 109.
Lowden v. Ewen, 25, 35, 44, 66.
Luxemburg, 15, 45, 103, 107, 121, 126, 128 (bis), 160 201, 212 (bis).
Malay States, 208, 223. Maldives, 64.
Contents.
Malta, 42.
Manchester Philatelic Society, 16, 43, 67, 83, 104,
187, 205, 225, 242. Marking of Forged Stamps, The, 2, 213. Mart, The: —
Gl« ndining & Co , 24, 46, 211, 227 (bis), 228.
Martin Ray & Co., 24.
Plumridge & Co., 87.
Puttick & Simpson, 45, 86, 210, 228.
Ventoni, Bull & Cooper, 46, 211, 227. Martin Ray & Co., Messrs., 24, 188. Mauritania. 81. Mauritius, 158, 222. Maury, The late Arthur, 230. Me & Myn, Limited, 146. Minto Fete Philatelic Exhibition, The, 22, 54. Modena, 127.
Montenegro, 126, 128, U5, 160. Montserrat, 158, 240. Morocco Agencies, 14, 48, 102, 124, 240. Moyen Congo, 241. Mozambique Co., 82, 241.
Nabha, 102.
Natal, 18.
National Collection of Ireland, The, 232.
Nepal, 129, 185,202.
New South Wales, 159, 185, 202, 222.
New Zealand, 15, 42, 44, 45, 64, 80 102, 124, 202.
Nicaragua, 43, 103, 124, 167, 204, 224, 241.
Notable Philatelists : —
Breitfuss, Frederick, 4, 23.
Campbell, G. Lionel, 116.
Djurling, Hilmer, 52.
Duerst, Geo. B., 26.
Gray, William Martello, F.C.A , 170.
Hinton, T. H., 150.
Jones, B. Gordon, 215.
Keyser, Consul Sixten, 100.
Walker, John, 130.
White, H. L., 74. Norway, 82, 187, 204.
Obituary Notices: —
Fernley, Miss, 243.
Fraenkel, Heinrich, 194.
De Heer, D. M., 226.
Jacquier, Jules, 168.
Maury, Arthur, 230.
Perkin, Sir William, 148. Orange River Colony, 202, 240.
Panama Republic, 15, 43. Papua, 80, 102, 159, 203, 208, 226, 240. Paraguay, 16, 43, 82, 146, 187, 204, 224, 241. Perkin, The late Sir William, 148. Peru, 82, 103, 224.
Philatelic Journal of Great Britain, 44. Libraries. 120, 156, 172. Literature Society, 149, 165, 225. „ Novelty, A, 19.
Philatelic Societies : —
Birmingham, 206.
Herts, 83, 148, 205.
India, 84, 212.
Johannesburg, 21.
Junior (Manchester Branch), 19, 44, 68, 83, 105, 206, 225, 242.
Leeds, 165.
Leicester, 105, 187.
Liverpool, 84, 188.
Manchester, 16, 43, 67, 83, 104, 187, 205, 225, 242.
Royal, 1, 23, 44, 67, 125.
Scottish, 83.
(Juniors), 44, 105, 206.
Swedish, 128.
Transvaal, 206. Philatelic Societies' Syllabuses, 149. Philately, American Journal of, 85. Philippines, 43, 187, 212. Plumridge & Co., Messrs., 87. Portuguese Colonies, 126. Portugal 204,244. Postage Stamp, The, 168. Postage Stamps and their Collection, 229. Postal Congress, The, 189, 244.
,, Service in Paris, 1653, The, 164. Postmarks, Crimean, 166. Postmaster-General's Report, The, 209. Publications, New, 169. Puttick & Simpson, Messrs., 45, 86, 210, 228.
Queensland, 15, 42, 64, 124, 203, 240.
Railway Letter Stamps, 3.
Registration Envelopes, 49, 50, 51, 85, 88 (bis), 188.
Re-union, 81.
Reviews : —
Bibliographie der Wichtigsten Spezialwerke iiber die Postwertzeichen Einzeluer Lander, 180.
British Guiana Philatelic Journal, 20.
British India, Postage and Telegraph Stamps of, 183.
Histoire des Timbres- Poste Francais, 179.
How to Collect Postage Stamps, 207.
Japan, Summarised Catalogue, 89.
Me & Myn, Limited, 146.
Postage Stamps and their Collection, 229.
Sarawak, Postage Stamps of, 181.
Stamp Collectors' Annual, 1907, 68. Rio de Oro, 16, 160, 205. Rotterdam Exhibition, The, 20. Roumania, 18, 82, 126, 242.
,, Issues of 1906, 6.
Royal Philatelic Society, 1, 23, 44, 67, 125. Russia, 107, 208. Russian China, 146.
St. Christopher, 24.
and Nevis, 15, 80, 222. St. Lucia, 186. St. Vincent, 102, 144, 203. Sales of Collections, 167. Salvador, 43, 66, 128, 224. San Marino, 124. Santander, 145, 159. Sarawak, Postage Stamps of, 181. Scottish Philatelic Society, 83.
(Juniors), 44, 105, 206. Scott's Catalogue (66th Edition), 19. Scott Stamp and Coin Co., The, 85. Siam, 125. Sicily, 128.
Sierra Leone, 103, 159. Slot Machine, Stamps by, 108. South Australia, 64, 81, 124, 144, 222, 240. Southern Nigeria, 186, 203. Spain, 24, 165, 205, 244. Spanish Guinea, 82. Stamp Albums, Duty on, 107.
,, Collectors' Annual, 1907, 68.
,, Trade Protection Association, 86. Stamps by Slot Machine, 108.
,, Issued from 1840 to 1906, 127.
,, ,, in 1905, 107.
Stanley Gibbons, Limited, 21, 148, 188, 243. Straits Settlements, 159. Sudan, 42, 203. Surinam, 66, 103. Susse Perforation, 216. Sweden, 24.
Swedish Philatelic Society, 128. Switzerland, 66, 82, 128, 242.
. „ Forgeries of the Cantonal Stamps of,
29, 58, 77, 93, 111, 152, 176, 197. Syllabuses of Philatelic Societies, 149.
Tahiti, 108.
Tariff, The New, 189.
Tasmania, 144, 159, 203, 240.
Telegraph Messengers, Novel Use for, 207.
Stamps, 212. The Hague Exhibition, 168. Transvaal, 64, 124, 159.
Philatelic Society, 206. Trinidad, 17, 64, 103, 124, 159, 223. Tunis, 81. Turkey, 165.
Uruguay, 16, 125, 205, 224.
United States of America, 66, 103, 125, 126, 123, 207, 208, 211.
Vacation, The, 129.
Victoria, 64, 81, 103, 144, 223.
Ventom, Bull & Cooper, Messrs., 46, 211, 227.
Western Australia, 124, 145, 186, 223. Why and Wherefore of Various Stamps, The, 191. Whitfield King & Co.'s Catalogues, 22, 226. World's Postage Stamp, The, 188. Wurtemburg, 66, 128.
9-T4
Philatelic Record.
JANUARY, 1907
Editorial Notes
UNDER this motto our Australian contemporary comments upon the seeming inaction of the Royal Philatelic Society in publish- ing the new edition of " Oceania," a forecast of which was inserted in the London Philatelist some four years ago. It is not within our province to defend the Society against the charges of " Festina delay, which have at different periods during the past ten Lente." years been made by many different journals, or concerning the long interval which has occurred between the publica- tion of its works, notably in the case of Africa, which took over twelve years to complete. In spite of the difficulties attending that particular work, the majority of its members most likely concurred in the criti- cisms which were made, although, as is often the case, the biggest growlers were unwilling to assist in its completion.
Having regard to all the circumstances, we do not, however, consider that there is any just ground of complaint about the new edition of " Oceania." It was stated, we believe, at the time the announcement was made, that it would not be published for a con- siderable period, as the desirability of consulting experts in the Colon}-, and the fact of philatelists residing so many thousand miles apart, joining in the compilation and comparing notes, must inevitably occupy no small amount of time.
The work is also not done by the Society as a body, but by a small Committee known as the Publishing Committee, two prominent mem- bers of which were on the Publishing Committee of "Africa, Part III.," and did most of the work in connection withr that volume ; and so for some time past, " Oceania " has pressed practically upon the shoulders of one who, although one of the most enthusiastic and capable philatelists of the present day, has for the past eighteen months had to carry other philatelic cares, as well as the burden of getting so prodigious a work ready for the press.
Another cause of delay has been the difficulty of getting unused or nearly unused specimens for the various plates of Sydney Views, etc., for illustrating the work, and in this connection we believe that in spite of the appeals which have been made to collectors all over the world to send their best specimens or photos of them for reproduction, not a single one has come from Australia.
We understand that the stamps of the different Colonies forming the Commonwealth will be treated and published in separate books, each about the size of the first editions of " Oceania," and no doubt the entire work, when completed, will be something far in excess of any
The Philatelic Record.
other similar publication. He would be a rash man indeed to predict the actual completion of the series, therefore, for several years to come. It would, however, be an advantage, and at all events of interest to very many, if short announcements were made from time to time in the official organ of the Society, letting the members and others inter- ested know how the work was progressing.
To discover whether a stamp is a forgery or not is a matter of more or less difficulty — so much depends upon the skill with which it has been produced — but to deal with the evil effectively is a The Marking vastly more difficult problem. In the case of a forgery of Forged creeping into the collection of a friend, it is sufficient to Stamps. point out the weed to be eradicated, and the same occurs in the cases of the stockbooks of dealers of reputation. But it is no use blinking the fact that there are both collectors and dealers who in such events will simply put the stamp on one side, and take the earliest opportunity of disposing of it in another approval book sent out to a different district. We have had instances furnished to us of this having been done in high value I.R. Official forged surcharges on the Queen's Heads, etc., and the whole matter caused a long discussion at a recent meeting of the Manchester Philatelic Society, to see whether anything could be done to remedy the evil. The most drastic method of dealing with the practice which was proposed was to deface all forgeries declared to be such by an Expert Committee of the Society, with a large letter " F," or the word "forged," or " forgery " in bold type. The desire to deal with this matter in some effective way is no new thing, as can be seen from the proceedings of the German Philatelic Congresses, when similar proposals were on the agenda in 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, and 1906.
Exchange Society Secretaries can, of course, provide for it by inserting a clause in the rules, that each member will submit to an Expert Committee defacing any stamp adjudged to be a forgery. But what happens to the sender, when the stamp in question does not belong to him, or when, as is very likely to happen, he knows where he got the stamp from and could have redress, if it had not been defaced ? Will a third person, be he dealer or collector, take a defaced stamp back and return the money, especially if it should be a valuable one ?
The whole question bristles with difficulties. Everyone can do with his own stamps what he likes, but when they belong to a third party, then " hands off."
So far we have only proceeded upon the supposition that the defaced stamp is really a forgery. But what if it should be proved afterwards that the Expert Committee has made a mistake ? And that such mis- takes can happen is evidenced by the law proceedings taken against the Germania Ring, which were decided quite recently against the Ring. The Expert Committee of the Ring had marked a stamp sent to them to expertise, forged ; other experts declared it to be genuine. An action was the result and the Germania Ring had to pay.
The International Dealers' Association in Berlin, a very strong- body composed of all the principal dealers in the world, proposed
Editorial Notes.
at the Eighteenth German Philatelic Union, that it should be decreed that all Societies and Experts should perforate all forged stamps found by them with the word " Falsch." This is a bold step, but coming from the Association itself may prove the foundation for general action. Great difficulties are still to be surmounted, yet there is a hope now, in Germany at all events, we may come to a practical result.
It will be interesting to see how this decree works in practice : but so far as this country is concerned, we must confess to not seeing how the evil is to be met. It is not those who are members of Phila- telic Societies who need protection, but the large number of collectors who are outside the pale, and have neither the knowledge nor experience necessary to distinguish between dealers of repute and the sharks of the trade.
At the same time, to deface other people's stamps seems to us a very risky business, and one not to be commended — even when the object to be attained is of so much importance to all concerned in the welfare of our hobby.
We have received from Mr. Ewen " No. 4 Priced Catalogue of the Railway Letter Stamps of the United Kingdom," with a " Preface " published under a different cover ; and also " No. 1 The Priced Catalogue of the Newspaper and Parcel Stamps
Distinction, issued by the Railway Companies of the United King- dom, 1855- 1906."
While not a disciple of Railway Letter Stamps, one cannot but admire the exhaustive way in which the subject has been dealt with by Mr. Ewen. It has always seemed to us a case of love's labour lost, but, as the proverb says, cliacun a son gout, and there is something to be said in favour of Railway Letter" Stamps, although, in our view, it is not philately.
We have no desire to raise the old vexed question as to whether that word full of pregnant meaning covers fiscals or not. In the uni- versal acceptance of the term w7e hold it does not, and its derivation has nothing to do with it. It is purely a question of application and not derivation. One of the greatest arguments against fiscalists is the nature of what they collect. A philatelist does know where to draw the line, and that is why he cannot admit the fiscalist, who has no line apparently to draw.
This soliloquy is caused by the third volume mentioned above. It is lavishly illustrated and as well written and produced as Mr. Ewen's " Railway Letter Stamps," yet what possible interest can these things be ? Of course a man can collect anything, and whatever that article happens to be he will get some interest out of it; but, really, tram tickets are equally as interesting and collectable as parcel stamps, and possess the merit of being in certain cases a great deal more valuable when you hit the lucky number. If parcel stamps, why not railway tickets, tram tickets, bobbin labels, and thimbles ? Fiscalism covers a multi- tude of things.
No — we never did like fiscals, always foreseeing the danger of there being practically no proper definition of the cult, and this latest work confirms both our views and our prejudices.
The Philatelic Record.
Notable Philatelists
Frederick Breitfuss.
NOW-A-DAYS, due chiefly to the changed manner in which people collect, it is more difficult than in the olden days to judge of the relative strength of different collections. At the time when general collecting was in vogue, the collection of Mr. Breitfuss was reckoned as the third or fourth best in the world, and in spite of the altered condition of things his would be numbered amongst the six best collections to-day. He tells us that he commenced collecting in 1864, when thirteen years of age. His father, who was Court jeweller to the Czar, gave a general order to a dealer in Germany for all stamps which were quoted at less than 10 silbergroschen (is.) per stamp.
This order was duly executed at a cost to Breitfuss peve of some 300 t balers (about £45), and formed the foundation-stone of this great collection. It is interesting to learn that among the stamps under is. were the provisional 1 and 2 cents British Guiana of 1862, which Mr. Breitfuss still has in his collection, together with the other twenty- three varieties of each value.
In 1871 Mr. Breitfuss went to Marseilles, where he continued to collect, though at that time he had to be content with ploughing a lonely furrow, for he could not find a single philatelist in the place.
While there he bought several small but good collections, the property of French officers who had mortgaged them before going to the front in the war against Germany and had failed to return to their native country. His great purchase was the Nothhaffe collection a few years ago.
In 1873 he came to London and remained until April, 1875.
During his stay in this " right little, tight little island," he made the acquaintance of the late Dr. Viner, who introduced him as a mem- ber of the Royal Philatelic Society, London, of which he has continued his membership right up to the present time, being therefore one of its oldest fellows. He came over to London again in 1897, officiating as a judge at the Exhibition in that year, and he again officiated at the Manchester Exhibition of 1899.
His collection, although a general one, is really composed of more or less specialized collections of all the countries of the world. Unused and used stamps, many in blocks, are included, and special attention is paid to shades. There are also essays and proofs, and, to make it as complete as possible, reprints are shown. In addition, Mr. Breitfuss collected forgeries bearing genuine postmarks that have franked letters and thus deceived the postal authorities. Add to this, used and unused envelopes, postcards, and wrappers, it is indeed a general collection in the fullest sense of the term, of adhesives and entires. Mr. Breitfuss also collects telegraph stamps and entires of every country, but declines to have anything to do with fiscals.
He was a great friend of the late Grand Duke Michaelovitch, and has more than once expressed the hope that his collection would some day be to Russia what the Tapling collection is to Great Britain.
Notable Philatelists,
Frederick Breitfuss
The Philatelic Record.
Roumania:
The Issues of 1906
By George B. Duerst.
Eight Series in Twelve Months.
ROUMANIA must lately have been watched with envious eyes by some of the Central and South American Republics, for has she not gone a few steps further in the creation of new series of stamps in a shorter time than any of them have ever done ? As one paper puts it : — " Our descendants will regard with admiration the Roumanian creations of the year 1906, but still more the courage and the willingness of philatelists, who have bought them with such a rush." The Roumanian Postal Administration has evidently counted upon the greed of philatelists, otherwise such a quantity would never have been issued. Precedents for issuing commemoration sets for jubilees of states and kings, for exhibitions, and for hospitals, can be found in plenty ; but it is rather unfortunate, to say the very least, that all these events should have fallen into twelve months.* To issue eight sets of stamps within twelve months shows the commercial spirit which has of late years entered a nation, which hitherto thought only of corn, maize, and pigs. Pity these, their former loves, are so little represented on the new sets. I have not the slightest doubt that the Administration had some fear, but no qualms, when the exhibition set appeared, that there would at last be a crash, and a heavy loss. But, thanks to the splendid bringing-up stamp collectors have had in the last ten years, even this set, with and without "Service" surcharge, went like hot cakes.
It would be of interest if the Roumanian Government would publish the net profit resulting out of their eight sets.
All philatelists hope the flood is over and that we shall not hear of any new stamps being issued in Roumania for several years to come.
Even the Roumanians are sick of the never-ceasing stream of new stamps. L' Independence Ronmaine, of October 23rd, says " that the delay in the issue was caused by the bad weather." Such a reason for issuing a set of exhibition stamps at the very end of the exhibition is rather novel. I wonder whether the paper or the colour or the gum was affected by the bad weather. The same paper says : — " Do not
* We suppose our contributor is sarcastic. We should have hailed such a coincidence with delight if the Authorities had made one set, or preferably one stamp do duty for the lot, as they might very easily have done. — Ed.
Roumania.
issue any more, all collections are full ! You jubilee too much in Roumania and loose the little brains left to you ! Our philatelic glory is now complete, therefore let it rest ! "
These words from a well-known Roumanian newspaper are severe, but justified, and I hope the vox populi will produce the effect, which the bleating of the sacrificed philatelist will never do. At the same time some rapacious Government will some day kill the goose that lays the golden egg, and the last attempt of Roumania comes dangerously close to this momentous point.
I will now give the various issues and begin with the charity stamps : —
5th January, 1906. — Charity Stamps.
The Queen as Spinner.
According to an official notice in the Roum. - Lloyd, Charity Stamps of the value of 3 and 5 bani were to be issued on the 24th December, 1905, old style. These were sold to the public at 10 and 15 bani, the difference to be given to the " Policlinica " and " Tesatorea," two charity institutions under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth.
It was deemed expedient not to wait until the whole set was ready owing to the Christmas holidays, because it was thought that during this time a very large sale might be relied upon.
The design consists of a large circle with Queen Elizabeth sitting with a silk spindle in her hand, and the inscription, " Dumneden sa ne duca mana, Elisabeta " (God direct our hand, Elizabeth). Size, 26 X 36 J mm.
" Policlinica" is a hospital and "Tesatorea " a society founded to promote the re-establishment of the culture of silkworms and the silk industry in Roumania.
The two higher values of 10 and 15 bani were issued on the 13th of January and were sold to the public at 20 and 25 bani, the difference also to be given to the same two charities.
These stamps could only be used for inland letters and at face value ; 500,000 sets are said to have been printed.
Perforated 11 J.
|
3 (10)* 5d5) 10 (20) 15 (25) |
bani ... ,, ... ,, ... ,, ... |
.. red-brown. .. green. carmine. . . lilac. |
|
|
Perforated |
nj x |
I3i- |
|
|
5(io) 10 (20) 15 (25) |
bani ... ,, ... ,, ... |
.. green. . . carmine. .. lilac. |
This set was sold out very quickly, and this doubtless contributed a great deal in influencing the authorities to issue two further sets.
* In all instances the figures in brackets indicate the sale price to the public. — Ed.
The Philatelic Record,
5th March, 1906.— Charity Stamps.
The Queen as Weaver.
The second set depicts Queen Elizabeth sitting at a weaving frame, and the design was drawn by the Roumanian painter, Costin Petrescu. Besides the usual inscriptions of " Romaina Posta " and " Timbru de binefacere," we also find one " Victorul tarcol tese femea," meaning, "The future of the country weaves the woman," and the name of the Queen of Roumania. Size, 26 X 36J mm.
This set could also be used at face value for inland letters only.
Perforated 11 J.
3 (10) bani ... ... ... pale brown.
5 (15) » pale green.
10 (20) „ ... rose.
Perforated nj- X 13 J.
5 (15) bani ... ... ... pale green.
10 (20) „ ... ... ... rose.
15 (25) » mauve.
Perforated 11J X 13I X 11J X 11 J.
5 (15) bani .. ... ... pale green.
5th March, 1906. — Charity Stamps.
Queen Elizabeth as Samaritan.
A third set appeared also, but the difference between the face value and the sale price was to go solely to the " Policlinica Regina Elisabeta." On the stamps Queen Elizabeth is depicted as the good Samaritan, helping a wounded man who is lying on the ground. At the top, " Romana Posta," and two Geneva crosses; at the bottom, " Rana legata si lacramile sterse, Elisabeta," signifying " The wound bound up and the tears stilled, Elizabeth."
|
Perforated n£ |
. |
||||
|
3 (10) bani ... 5d5) „ 15 (25) » |
pale brown, pale green, mauve. |
||||
|
Perforated 5 (15) bani |
nj X |
13*. pale brown. |
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|
Perforated 3 (10) bani ... 5 (15) » 10(20) „ 15 (25) „ |
13* X |
Hi. pale brown, pale green, rose, mauve. |
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All the three Charity Sets stamps were printed in stamps in ten rows of eight. The distances between the Some are 3 mm. and others 9 mm. from one another. |
sheets of 80 stamps vary. |
Roumania.
14th June, iqo6. — To celebrate the 25th Jubilee of the Kingdom.
Head of King Charles to left in black in an oval, surmounted by a crown ; inscription at the top, " Nihil sine Deo," from the Roumanian coat of arms ; below, " Romania in XXV. an al Regatului," and value
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in figures between " |
bani." Upright rectangular |
, size |
22* X 33^ mm. |
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Perforated |
nh Printed by Messrs. Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., |
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of London |
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1 ban, |
light brown, centre black |
500,000. |
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3 bani, |
red-brown, ,, |
500,000. |
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Sept. |
5 „ |
green, |
1,000,000. |
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10 „ |
rose, ,, |
500,000. |
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Sept. |
15 „ |
lilac, ,, |
1,000,000. |
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Sept. |
25 » |
blue, |
... |
400,000. |
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4° » |
dark brown, „ |
300,000. |
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Sept. |
50 » |
bistre, |
300,000. |
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1 leu, |
red, |
250,000. |
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Sept. |
2 lei, |
orange, Error. Centre inverted. 25 bani, blue, centre black. |
250,000. |
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About |
this stamp I cannot say anything, |
as I |
have not so far |
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|
received any reliable |
information, nor have received it from any of my |
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correspondents. |
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Printed |
in sheets |
of 100 stamps in ten rows of ten. |
July — September, 1906. — To celebrate the 40th Anniversary
of the King.
Oblong rectangular. Various scenes printed in black in centre. The inscriptions are " Romana," description of the picture, and " Posta." The value is described in figures, also the years 1866 and 1906. All these inscriptions are placed in different positions on the various values. Perforated 11^. The thickness of the paper varies; specimens are found on nearly transparent paper.
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Aug. |
1 ban, |
light brown, centre black |
1,000,000. |
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? > |
3 bani, |
red-brown, ,, |
1,000,000. |
|
J"iy- |
5 „ |
green, |
2,000,000. |
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Aug. |
10 „ |
rose, , ,, |
1,000,000. |
|
J«iy- |
i5 ,, |
lilac, „ |
2,000,000. |
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Sept. |
25 „ |
light blue, „ |
800,000. |
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.ij |
40 ,, |
dark brown, ,, |
600,000. |
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5? |
50 » |
bistre, ,, |
600,000. |
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Aug. |
1 leu, |
red, ,, |
500,000. |
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>> |
2 lei, |
orange, „ Error of Colour. |
500,000. |
|
Sept. |
25 bani, |
olive-green, centre black |
(?) |
io The Philatelic Record.
The scenes depicted are as follows : —
i ban. Charles I. swears to the constitution. 3 bani. The newly-elected Prince travels in his country. 5 bani. Charles I. in the Battle of Calapt during the Russo- Turkish Campaign.
io bani. Charles I. meeting Osman Pasha in 1878 (?).
15 bani. Charles I. in 1866 and in 1906.
25 bani. Roumanian troops crossing the Danube.
40 bani. Entry into Bucarest after the campaign of 1878.
50 bani. Charles I. on horseback in battle.
1 leu. Consecration of the Cathedral of Argez in 1896.
2 lei. Consecration of the renovated St. Nicolas Church in
Jassy, 1904.
This issue was also printed in London, by Messrs. Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., Ltd., in sheets of 100 stamps in ten rows of ten.
How many errors of colour (25 bani olive-green and blue) exist, it is impossible to say.* When the first few sheets of each value arrived in Bucarest, it was found that the 25 bani stamps had not been printed in the right colour, blue. The Administration notified the printers at once of this error, and returned the sheets. Some of them must, how- ever, have got into the hands of dealers, as they have appeared in the market. It is to be hoped the whole order (800,000) were not printed in the wrong colour, and if this should be the case, that the printers will destroy the lot.
October, 1906. — Charity Stamps.
Angel with Palm Branch.
The design of this set originated with Queen Elizabeth, as the inscription at the foot denotes. Two supplicating hands are stretched out by an angel with palm branch. Besides the usual inscriptions we rind another in Latin : — " Gloria autem, honor et pax omni operand bonum," signifying, " But glory, honour and peace are with everyone who does good." Printed in three colours on white paper. Perf. 12. Size, 24 x 35^. mm.
3 (10) bani ... ... brown, orange and light blue.
5 (x5) » » » green.
10(20) „ „ „ rose.
15 (25) » ,, ,, hlac.
Blue and green in the 5 bani value being found not to harmonise, the orange has been changed to red ; therefore,
5 (15) bani ... ... green, red and light blue.
* Concerning this stamp we believe the facts to be that in the original order the Government of Roumania specified the colour of the border for the 20 bani stamp to be printed in green ; after the first delivery this was stopped by order of the Postal Authori- ties, and the colour changed to blue, in order that the colour of this stamp might be in conformity with stamps of the same value in other countries of the Postal Union. 3,000 sheets had already been printed ; 2,500 sheets (of 100 stamps) were delivered, the remain- ing 500, being waste sheets, were destroyed by the printers as usual in such cases. None of the 2,500 sheets delivered to Roumania have been returned, so that the total available for sale is 250,000. We do not gather that this stamp has ever been issued, and in our opinion it should not be accorded catalogue rank. It falls within a well-defined class, of which many examples could be enumerated. — Ed.
Roumania.
ii
29th — 31st October, 1906. — Exhibition Stamps.
We now come to the most unnecessary issue of all. Somebody (most likely the Committee of the Exhibition) proposed that special stamps, to a total of 130,000 lei, should be printed, 70,000 lei to go to the exhibition treasury. The stamps were only to be obtained at the exhibition and to be allowed for franking letters, etc., for the space of three days only, viz., from the 28th to 30th September. But who was to get the 60,000 lei (less cost of printing) ? Somebody, or the post office ?
The proposal was accepted, and advance orders for cash were booked in the exhibition. The advance bookings did not flourish, so the date of issue was put off until the 29th to 31st October. To put it off farther was useless as the exhibition closed on the latter date.
No official decree about this issue exists, nor can any information be obtained at the General Post Office ; 15,000 sets were printed by Albert Baer, in Bucarest. Lithographed. Designs by C. Stengel.
On the 29th October the Roum.- Lloyd states that the stamps have been issued, and two days later that the exhibition stamps, which could only be obtained in the exhibition, would be withdrawn from circulation the 1st of November, 1906.
Various scenes and pictures are to be seen on the stamps, which are upright rectangular in shape, measuring 44 X 24 mm. Perforated 11^. The centres are all black.
5 bani, yellowish green . . . Peasant ploughing.
• • • >? ?j Exhibition building
• • • ?? ? ? An old princely Roumanian
country residence.
• • • j? ?? Royal Pavilion in Exhibition.
• • • j? ?> ?? King on horseback.
• • • 55 j? ... Queen Elizabeth writing.
The whole set also appeared surcharged S. E., meaning Servicial Expositici = official service of the exhibition.
The 40 bani exists also, perf. 13J.
The plates of this issue have been destroyed.
During the last few days I have read that " Somebody " consisted of one dealer, two collectors, and a chief official of the Post Office in the Exhibition. For the permission of the post to give the stamps currency during three days, the Post Office received 900 sets, which they sold for £8,550 in three days. Thus the four originators netted a nice round sum.
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10 „ |
rose ... |
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15 ■» |
violet |
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25 ,, |
blue |
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30 „ |
pink |
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40 » |
green |
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50 „ 75 » 1L50C. |
orange pale brown red lilac |
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2I. 50c. 31. |
yellow orange brown |
ssssssssss
12 The Philatelic Record.
Archer's Perforations.
By Plain Anchor.
<Jfif LL philatelists are indebted to Mr. Hodson, and to you for
fjk publishing the result of his studies. To assist in tracing out m jl the history from the start I beg to give the following facts : —
The plates for the id. red, small crown, varied in size from the fact that the rocking of the roller into them would extend the metal in degrees, varying according to the different pressures applied and the consistency of the metal itself.
The paper, being hand made, varied in thickness, and shrank from the damping necessary before printing, in varying degrees. The gumming also caused shrinking.
Some help may be gained from these facts by examining very badly centred stamps with the small lettering.
Archer said before the Committee : — "There were 12 plates, all of different sizes. Messrs. Bacon & Petch were directed by Mr. Hill to make new plates to remedy this, which they did."
On this subject the following is interesting : —
5th July, 1849.
Sir, — Immediately on your leaving me this morning I discovered you had unknowingly led me into a great error and into a great loss of time by giving me, at first, a sheet of labels that did not at all correspond with the one you brought me to-day. The one you brought to-day is the same as the machine, and it places me in an uncertainty as to how I had better proceed; but till I see you I shall go on with the new rachet, suitable to the first sheet you brought. It quite surprises me to find these sheets of labels do not correspond, and don't know how far it may interfere with your plan. If this had not occurred your machine would have been completed this month back, which is much to be deplored. Shall I see you to-morrow ? — Respectfully yours,
J. Addenbrooke.
The official date of the first trial of Archer's machine was 6th December, 1848. The second trial was made at Somerset House in January, 1850.
Some sheets perforated were sent to provincial towns in addition to those sent to the Houses of Parliament, a total of 5,000 sheets being distributed altogether.
The two first machines were thrown aside about July, 1848.
The first trial perforation submitted to Mr. Hill was on plain paper, i.e., paper without stamps printed upon it.
Archer's Perforations. 13
Addenbrooke stated he made the first alterations to Archer's machine in April, 1849.
The Government order for their first machine is dated 3rd September, 1849. For a second set of needles, 7th May, 1850.
I suggest the study of the lettering of the stamps is not yet complete. I believe there were more sets of punches than referred to. The first set may be distinguished by the letters being well shaped, except the J, which is square, as in the second set used to the id. black, and stamps with this set are always found with the X postmark.
Second Set. — The letters are somewhat smaller, and the J is round, but yet not quite so well shaped as in the first set of the id. black. The X postmark is not always found with this set.
Third Set. — The letters are larger but not so well formed, and not found with the X postmark.
Fourth Set. — The letters are much larger, and are easily dis- tinguished. In all sets the G's are very similar, but, curiously, they appear to be a trifle smaller in the fourth set.
The " state of plates " may help if specimens with margins can be examined. The first state comprised plates 12 to 92, and to a limited extent 10 and 11.
In the second state a small dot was added in the margin at the top above the inscription and between the sixth and seventh stamps, and a vertical line was placed in the same position in the bottom margin.
State Three. — A circular ornament was placed at the centre of the side margins, and of this state plate 132 was the first and 137 the last.
I have just made the discovery that there is a state of plate of the id. red not mentioned by Messrs. Wright & Creek, as is shown by the two enclosed stamps.
In one the ornament has large leaves, which are enclosed in a circle, and this state is not mentioned by Messrs. Wright & Creek. In it the lettering of the stamps is of the small type, and it is, therefore, probably early, as a mint block of 18 small crown, perf. 16, I have in my collection, with margin showing ornament, is of the small leaf pattern without circle.
I hope that Mr. Hodson and others will give further information, which I am sure will be appreciated.
14
The Philatelic Record.
The earliest information as to Neiv Issues will be much appreciated by us, and will be duly credited
to the correspondent, or firm, sending it. Our foreign subscribers can materially
help us in this direction. When possible, a specimen should
accompany the information, and be addressed to
G. Fred. H. Gibson, Fairfield, Crumpsall, Manchester.
The British Empire.
Bermuda.— Mr. W. H. Peckitt sends us a specimen of the 2^d. value which has just been issued, but informs us that the other two new denominations (2d. and 4d.), chronicled in October, are not yet on sale in the Islands.
Brunei. — The London Philatelist describes a complete set for this Native State. The stamps are formed by overprinting the Crown type of Labuan with the word " Brunei," and the new value in thick block capitals.
|
Adhesives. |
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1 cent in black |
on ic. violet and black. |
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1 cent in red on ,, ,, |
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2 cents ,, |
3c. brown and black. |
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2 cents ,, |
8c. vermilion and black |
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3 cents ,, |
3c. brown and black. |
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4 cents ,, |
12c. yellow and black. |
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5 cents ,, |
16c. brown and black. |
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Scents ,, |
8c. vermilion and black |
|
10 cents ,. |
16c. brown and green. |
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25 cents ,, |
16c. |
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30 cents ,, |
16c. „ ,. |
|
50 cents ,, |
16c. ,, „ |
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1 dollar ,, |
8c. vermilion and black. |
Great Britain. Offices in Morocco. — We have been shown by Messrs. Whit- field King & Co. various values of the current set, overprinted " Morocco Agen-
cies," and values in " centimos " and "pesetas." The denominations are as follows : —
Adhesives.
5c. on Jd. yellow-green, ioc. on id. scarlet. 15c. en ihd. purple and green. 20c. on 2d. green and scarlet. 25c. on 2^d. ultramarine. 50c. on 5S. purple and ultramarine.
ip. on iod. purple and scarlet.
3p. on 2s. 6d. lilac.
6p. on 5s. carmine.
Grenada. — The Postage Due stamps are now appearing on multiple watermark paper. E wen's Weekly chronicles the 2d. and 3d. values.
Adhesives.
Unpaid Letter stamps.
2d. black. Wmk. CA and Crown multiple.
id. ,, ,, ,,
India. — Mr. W. T. Wilson writes: — "I ' ' enclose the new 1 anna India Postage and " Revenue just issued, and am advised that " this stamp, overprinted ' On H.M.S.,' will ' ' be issued very shortly ; it is stated on best ' ' official authority that no other values will " appear with Postage and Revenue."
Adhesive. ia. carmine. (Postage and Revenue).
Official stamp.
On ia. carmine. Surcharged H M in black. S
Jamaica. — The Monthly Journal has received the 6d. and is. values of the Queen's Head set upon multiple watermark paper.
Adhesives. 6d. orange. Wmk. CA and Crown multiple, is. brown. ,, ,,
N
ew issues.
15
Queensland. — The Postmaster-General writes from Brisbane, under date 17th November, igo6, stating that the 2s. 6d. and 10s. values of the lithographed stamps are not yet in use.
The date of their issue is uncertain as present stocks will probably last eighteen and twelve months respectively.
New Zealand. — Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. send us the Christchurch Exhibition set, as illustrated below ; they are not beautiful.
Mr. Salt, of Wellington, forwards the id. Government Insurance, design redrawn, the VR omitted, the rocks and sea re-arranged, and a window placed in the lighthouse. He informs us the others are expected. The same correspondent also states that the Government Departments will shortly be supplied with current stamps, either over- printed with initials or perforated ; when the returns for requirements are complete, it will be decided which.
Adhesives. £d. blue-green, id. red.
3d. blue and brown. 6d. green and pink.
Government Insurance stamp. id. dark blue. (Design redrawn).
St. Christopher and Nevis. —Eiven's Weekly has seen the 3d. value on multiple watermark paper ; the id. was listed some months back, but we believe it is not yet on sale.
Adhesive.
Wink. CA and Crown multipU
3d. orange and green.
Foreign Countries.
German Empire. Offices in Morocco. — The following are the latest to appear upon the watermarked paper.
Adhesives. 3c. on 3pf. brown. Watermarked. 25c on 2opf. ultramarine. ,,
Italy. — Dr. Diena has shown us the current 15c. stamp of Italy, imperforate vertically.
Luxemburg. —Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. inform us that the first value of a new set for this country has appeared : it shows a portrait of the Grand Duke Wilhelm.
Adhesive. ioc. red.
Panama, Republic of. — We are advised by Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. of the values of the new set further to those
i6
The Philatelic Record.
chronicled last month, viz., an 8c. and ioc. The Monthly Journal adds the 25c. and 50c, and also states that the 2c. has already been overprinted " Canal Zone."
Adhesives.
8c. black and purple (Manuel J. Harlado). ioc. black and violet (Jose de Obaldia). 25c. black and brown (Jomas Herrera). 50c, black (Jose de Falrega).
Surcharged " Canal Zone " in black. 2c. black and red.
Paraguay. — The Monthly Journal men- tions that the colours of the ic. and 2c. Official Stamps of 1904 have been changed, coming now in olive and light green respectively.
Adhesives. Official stamps.
ic. olive.
2C light green.
Uruguay. — Mr. W. H. Peckitt sends us a used specimen of a new type of 5c. The design is larger than that of the last 5c, and shows the Arms of Uruguay, etc., lithographed on plain white paper.
A dhesive. 5c. blue.
Spain. Elobey, Annobon v Corisco. — Ewen's Weekly states that certain values of the 1905 set have been overprinted as below : we are also indebted to the same journal for the following particulars of the 1907 set.
A dhesives.
Stamps of 1905 Surcharged.
ioc. in black on ic. in red. 15c. in red on 2c. violet. 25c. in red on 3c. black. 50c. in black on 4c. red.
Series of 1907.
iC. dark violet.
2C. black.
3c. red.
4c. light green.
5C green, ioc. violet. 15c. rose. 25c. orange. 50c. blue. 75c. brick-red.
ip. dark sepia.
2p. carmine.
3p. black-brown.
4p. bronze-green.
5p. dark rose. iop. red.
Fernando Po. — The new set here is also listed by Ewen's Weekly as follows : — Adhesives.
ic. indigo.
2C. red.
3c. dark violet.
4c black.
5c. dark orange, ioc. red.
15c. bronze-green. 25c. black-brown. 50c. green. 75c. carmine.
ip. blue.
2p. brick-red.
3P. rose.
4p. violet.
5p. dark sepia, iop. chestnut.
Rio de Oro. — And also here :—
Adhesives.
ic. green.
2c. light blue.
3c. violet.
4c. light green.
5c. rose.
ioc. dark orange. 15c. brick-red. 25c. blue. 50c. dark brown. 75c. green.
ip. carmine.
2p. black-brown.
3p. bronze-green.
4p. dark rose.
5p. dark green, iop. violet.
Notes and News.
An Omission.
By an oversight, Plate XXI. illustrating Mr. Yardley's article on Portugal, was not published with the November or December numbers. We circulate it, together with our apologies, with the present issue.
Great Britain.
In reference to the id. stamps with a curious nature of perforation at the left- hand side, as reported by us in these columns in Vol. XXVIII., page 219, and again in this number, a correspondent writing to Ewen's Weekly says "that he has found similar specimens from the left-hand side of sheets and also others from the right-hand side."
Manchester Philatelic Society.
The Society has removed its headquarters from the Grand Hotel to the Manchester Geographical Society's building, 16, S. Mary's Parsonage. Here the 250th meeting was held on Friday evening, January nth, when there was a large attendance. The special attraction was a display of interest- ing stamps (limited to 12 by each member) selected, not so much on account of variety, as because of some special attraction of size, design, history, or personal interest, each exhibitor briefly explaining the reasons for the choice of his stamps. A number of members of the Junior Society were present by invitation.
Notes and News.
17
Is America becoming Mexicanized ?
We frequently hear of Mexico becoming Americanized, but now the U.S is to copy a postal system discarded by Mexico twenty years ago. Our Washington correspondent sends us the astounding news that our postage stamps are to be overprinted with the names of the town from which they are sold ! The class of towns to be so dis- tinguished number about 5,900, and say ten stamps in the set will advance the number of varieties to 59,000, quite a nice addition to our albums. This plan was tried experimentally some forty years ago, only numbers were used in place of names ; it was, however, found impracticable. The country was small then, but it could not be made to work. We should say that it is absolutely impossible now. It is possible we may get the plan started and perhaps to keep it up for six months, but to maintain the system is beyond the powers of the government. From a philatelic standpoint we think it will give a great boom to business. Thousands will endeavour to make a ' ' post office directory ' ' with used stamps. Fathers will encourage their children to collect stamps from every town, it will provide amusement to boys and girls and many older persons. A percentage of these will certainly drift into stamp collect- ing proper. A complete collection will be difficult to obtain ; there will certainly be errors. Post offices are made and others discontinued every month, so some will be rare. We wish our friends joy, and extend our heartfelt sympathy to the new printers and the post office officials.
Great Britain : Perf. x Roulette.
Further upon the note in these columns last month Major Evans, in the Monthly Journal, makes the following comments, from which it will be seen the stamp is not rouletted at all. We should have been more than surprised if it had been, for so far as is known there was no rouletting machine available for use at the period at Somerset House.
" Four copies are said to be known, one used at Manchester, February 7th, 1855; one used in London, February 8th, 1855 ; one used at Sheffield and the fourth with an illegible postmark, thus at least three out of the four were used in different places and presumably came from different sheets. All four are proved by their lettering to be from the left hand vertical row of the sheet, and the presumption would be that sheets were imperforate at the left hand side and that the margin was rouletted off. Through the kindness of the owner of one of these specimens we have had an oppor- tunity of examining it ; it is probably the best of the four for that purpose as it has the left hand side still attached. At first sight the stamp appears to be entirely im- perforate at left but on close examination shows that this is not quite the case, neither
is it rouletted in the ordinary sense of the term. There are traces of circular or rather semi-circular cuts along the side not entirely piercing the paper, and it seems to us to be a case of a blind perforation ; but the curious thing is, that although the dents are in- distinct and almost impossible to guage, they are certainly larger than those of the 16 perforation and we should say they would run about 10 or 11 to the 20 mm.
' ' It must be remembered that the stamps of this period were perforated as at present with a comb machine and the copy before us appears to have been perforated with such a machine, but with the short vertical line of pins at the left hand end of the row deficient or altered. It would be interesting to ascertain, if possible, whether any injury happened to the machine at this point, necessitating the use of some less perfect single line machine for perforating off this margin of the sheet, or whether any experi- ments were made before the introduction of the 14 guage by substituting a row of larger pins more widely spaced for this particular row in the 16 guage machine. Such pins of course would not fit into the bed plate, they would therefore have to be shorter than the others and probably would fail to pierce the paper of any of the sheets and thus might produce the appearance described. We have since been shown two more of the copies referred to above which show the abnormal perforation to be a kind of piercing in curved lines like that of the stamps of Hannover, etc., perces en arc, but very rough and with wide and irregular spaces between the semi-circular cuts. A curious circumstance is that although the three specimens we had seen came from quite different parts of the vertical row, the irregularities in the spacing of the cuts are identically the same on all three, as if the cutters had been inserted into the comb machine, as we suggested in the preceeding paragraph."
Warning.
The Berliner Briefmarhen Zeitung warns collectors about purchasing Trinidad stamps. The forgers cut the label con- taining the value out of the is. and 5s. stamps and fill in the labels impressed with 10s. and £1. This is the same kind of fraud which has been practised with King's head, Lagos, concerning which we warned our readers many months ago.
Egypt.
A new value in the stamps of Egypt has recently appeared, namely 4 mil- liemes carmine. This stamp is specially issued for the franking of illustrated post cards, which hitherto could only be franked by two stamps — 1 + 3 or 2 + 2.
By the way, the number of post offices in Egypt has risen during the last twenty years from 169 to 1,081. The number of letters, etc., rose in the same period from 12J to 5of millions.
i8
The Philatelic Record.
Roumania.
We had a ' ' false alarm ' ' of another jubilee issue recently, which would have made three sets within the year, not includ- ing the charity labels. Latest information, however, is that the latest set is simply one of labels, gotten out to advertise the exposi- tion at Bucharest, and without postal use or value. — The American Journal of Philately, October, 1906.
Our information is quite different . We are assured that the stamps have been printed at the Government offices, and were during the Exhibition available for internal postage.
Types and Errors of Natal "Postage Half- Penny" on 6 pence violet, 1895 issue.
Of this stamp, a writer in the Berliner Briefmarhen Zietung, lately obtained the upper half of a sheet of 240 stamps. From the following drawing, our readers will see the sequence of the types and errors : —
British South Africa.
Mr. Poole, writing in the West End Philatelist, describes the two dies of the 1896-97 issue : —
" Some little time ago, while examining some of the penny stamps of the 1896-97 issue of the British South Africa Company, I noticed that several specimens showed a small coloured dot, which did not appear in others. Carrying my investigations farther, I found that the variety is common to the whole of this issue, which, it will be remembered, was engraved and printed by Messrs. Perkins, Bacon & Co., and represents another die discovery of the same importance as the two dies that occur in the first set of stamps for the Seychelles.
" In the original die, from which two plates numbered ' 1 ' and ' 2 ' respectively were made, there is a small dot behind the tuft of the tail of the animal on the
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e |
a * |
g |
f |
g |
h |
h |
g |
h |
h |
b |
d |
|
c |
,b |
h |
f |
g |
h |
h |
g |
h |
h |
b |
b |
From the above it would seem that the surcharge for the first five rows was^set up and then stereotyped, from which a printing plate for the 240 stamps of the sheets was obtained.
The following is a list of types and errors : Type a.— Long P, „ b.— „ T, „ c— „ A, „ d.— „ PT, 12 „ e.— „ PA, 14 „ /.— „ TA, 12 „ g.- „ PTA,i4 ,, ^.—Normal, 36 Error *.— Pennv, 4
,, **._EAlf, 2
A reference to S.G. catalogue will show that type c is much underpriced,
14 stamps. s 12
6
In half a sheet, therefore double the number in a full sheet of 240 stamps.
right of the design. Curiously enough, when a third plate, numbered '3,' was made, this dot was first of all removed from the die.
"It is difficult to understand why the dot was introduced in the original design, unless it was meant as a secret mark, in the same way as the dot on the tail of the left supporter of the coat-of-arms in some of the earlier issues. The variety, then, without dot, represents a retouching of the original die, and the two types are just as important as the two types of the Queen's Head issues of Cyprus, St. Lucia, etc. Though the difference is somewhat minute, I fancy most collectors will be able to
Notes and News.
19
distinguish between these B.S.A. types with more ease than they can differentiate the two dies of the Cyprus type referred to above.
" It is interesting to note that on plate 3 the stamp in the extreme right lower corner has a small coloured spot on the ' s ' of 'British.' I have seen a block of six of the 2s. from the lower right corner of the sheet in which this spot does not show, so that it is quite possible another plate numbered ' 4 ' was brought into use."
Scott's Catalogue.
The 66th edition of this popular work has reached us. We do not notice any change from its predecessors except that it has been brought up to date, and the price of some stamps have been altered.
The sole agent for it in Europe is Mr. W. T. Wilson, of Birmingham, from whom it can be obtained for 2s. 56.. post free.
In view of all the agitation there has been recently about a simplified catalogue, it is amusing to note in some of the more readable criticisms which have been published that as often as not exactly what is suggested is already in existence. Messrs. Whitfield King & Co 's catalogue is just what some are aiming for, yet they rush into print (and what is more comical still, editors who ought to know better, publish their dissertations without com- ment) apparently wholly oblivious of the fact that what they ask should be published is already in its seventh edition. Another writer says the beginner does not want such a catalogue at all, but something according to his sketch, a little more complex than the official catalogue of the French Society ; Gibbons' is appar- ently altogether too elementary. The latest we have seen is in a contemporary last month ; we quote : — "The list should consist of standard varieties only, leaving out all varieties of perforation, watermark, shade, type, and such things as inverted centres and surcharges, errors of colour, etc. After each of these could be put varieties lettered 'a' 'b' ' c,' etc., of watermark, and reasonable varieties of perf., together with other varieties and errors in reason."
In other words Scott's catalogue, which, as we have just noted, is in its 66th edition. And so the world wags !
Junior Philatelic Society Branch.
Manchester
The fourteenth meeting was held on January 3rd. Mr. Bernstein presided, and there were twenty-five members present. Mr. B. Chapman was elected a member. Mr. M. T. Ascough gave a display, with notes, on the stamps of Bulgaria. He said the country first issued stamps on May 1st, 1879. They were printed in St. Petersburg. Several stamps were surcharged with
fresh values in 1884 ; these were de- monetised by decree dated September 30th, 1888. Several unauthentic surcharges were made at Sofia. A translation of the inscription of the postage due stamps issued in 1884, reads as follows : — At the left, "Bulgaria"; right, "post"; top, "tax"; below, "for extra payment." Mr. W. S. Lincoln sent his paper and display entitled, " Philatelic Monuments to War." Among a number of interesting stamps he showed envelopes bearing the postmarks of the British military post offices in the Crimea, Abyssinia, Sudan, and South Africa, special envelopes and cards issued for the German army, and " balloon post " envelopes, issued in Paris during the siege in the Franco- Prussian war.
The fifteenth ordinary meeting was held on January 12th. Mr. Bernstein presided, and there were about thirty members present. Messrs. C. H. Cartwright and and E. T. Harrison were elected members. Mr. Melville, President of the Junior Phila- telic Society, gave an interesting lecture entitled, " His Majesty's Mails." He said the mails were carried by mounted post- boys until the improvement of the roads by Macadam's system, when the mail coaches were introduced, which in their turn were superseded by railways. Before the introduction of penny postage, in 1840, letters were charged by distance, and if any enclosure was made the rate was doubled. After that date the rate was reduced to one penny per half ounce to any part of Great Britain. Mr. Fawcett, a noted Post- master-General, introduced the parcel post. Describing the system used in the post offices, Mr. Melville said: — "When the boxes are cleared the letters are first of all placed on tables in the post office, where they are 'faced,' that is, arranged with the address uppermost. They are then taken to other tables where they are postmarked, sorted, and tied in bundles, which are placed in sacks and carried to the railway stations to be sent to their destinations."
A Philatelic Novelty.
Mr. D. Field has brought out a templet, by which it is claimed that the task of arranging stamps in blank albums is greatly simplified.
In the ordinary way one has first to find the centre of the page and then it is necessary to count the small squares most carefully to get the stamps in correct alignment, and to see that they are the proper distance from one another. But the stamp templet makes all this labour unnecessary. So long as one is careful to keep it perfectly straight, a few pencil dots are all that are required as a guide to the correct position of the stamps.
The templet is also designed so that it will fit any blank album.
20
The Philatelic Record.
,,The British Guiana Philatelic Journal."
The first number of the above, which is to be neither a weekly nor a monthly but a bi-annual publication, reaches us. It is the official journal of the British Guiana Philatelic Society, which finds, with so many of its members scattered over the Colony and others unable to attend the meetings, it impossible to keep them in touch with its doings, and it is hoped the publication will have the effect of creating that solidity so necessary for the welfare of all societies. The first number contains several papers which have been read before the Society during the past session, the most important being one on the Bisected Stamps of the Colony, by Mr. Abraham, which is worthy of more than passing notice.
National Stamp Exhibition, Rotterdam,
July, 1907, instituted by
the Philatelic Club, Rotterdam.
Statutes.
Art. 1. — The Exhibition will take place in Rotterdam, in the " Nutsgebouw," in the Oppert Street, on some days in July, 1907, to be announced later.
Art. 2. — The Exhibition will comprise stamps and postal matter in the widest sense.
Art. 3. — Everyone will be allowed to compete, subject to the following rules : — The Committee reserve the right to them- selves to refuse any exhibit without giving any explanation. The proper form must be filled up and received by the Secretary not later than April 1st, 1907.
Art. 4. — The number of entries is un- limited. A collection can only compete in one class or division, to be chosen by the exhibitor himself.
Art. 5.— Every entry must be sent in in duplicate and contain : —
(1) An exact statement of what is sent
in.
(2) The Insurance value.
(3) If for competition, in what class
and division.
Art. 6. — The price for the space is fl.5 — (8s. 4d.) per square metre. For collections in albums the first volume is fl.io (16s. 8d.), and fl.5 (8s. 4d.) for every volume after the first.
Art. 7. — All exhibits on loose sheets must be shown in Classes III., IV., XII. A, B, C. XIII.
Art. 8. — All exhibits must be sent carriage paid and well packed before a certain date (to be announced later), addressed to the Committee, Delftschevaart 44, Rotterdam.
Art. 9. — To meet the expenses of insur- ance and caretaking, the exhibitors have to pay fl.3 (5s.) for each thousand florins (^83) of the stated value of the exhibits, the minimum amount to be fl.1.50 (2s. 6d).
Art. 10. — On receipt of the filled-up entry form, the Committee will send the exhibitor a bill for the amount of space, insurance, and caretaking.
Art. 1 1 .—This amount has to be remitted to the Committee, Delftschevaart 44, Rotter- dam. If this is not done, the Committer reserve to themselves the right of refusing the exhibit.
Art. 12. — The Committee will make the necessary arrangements with the Minister of Finance regarding collections from foreign countries.
Art. 13.— The placing of the exhibits will be done by the Committee.
Art. 14. — The medals will be given to the winners. Exhibitors receiving a medal will also receive a diploma on payment of fl.i (is. 8d.)
Art. 15.— The Jury will be appointed by the Committee. Its decision is final. Ex- hibits by Jury members are not eligible for competition.
Art. 16.— Although the Exhibition is national, and instituted by the above men- tioned Club, yet collectors living in other countries are not excluded.
Art. 17. — No traffic in stamps will be allowed in the Exhibition.
Scheme of Competition.
Class I. Division A . — Stamps of Holland and Colonies, unused.
Division £. — Stamps of Holland and Colonies, used, in which the rarity of the obliterations will be considered.
Class II. — Stamps of Holland and the Colonies, used and unused.
Class III.— Obliterations of the stamps of Holland, with or without Colonies.
Class IV. — Entires of Holland, with and without Colonies.
Class V.— Proofs and essays of stamps and entires of Holland, with or without Colonies.
Class VI. Division A. — The stamps of one European country. (A specialised col- lection).
Division B. — The stamps of three Euro- pean countries. (No specialised collection).
Class VII.— Division A. — The stamps of one Asiatic country. (A specialised collec- tion).
Division B. — The stamps of three Asiatic countries. (No specialised collections).
Class VIII. Division A.— The stamps of one African country. (A specialised collection).
Division B. — The stamps of three African countries. (No specialised collection.)
Class IX. Division A.— The stamps of one American country. (A specialised col- lection).
Division B. — The stamps of three Ameri- can countries. (No specialised collection).
Class X. Division A. — The stamps of one Australian country. (A specialised collection).
Division B. — The stamps of three Austra- lian countries . (No specialised collection) . In Classes VI. to X. inclusive, collec- lections of Holland and Colonies are excluded.
Notes and News.
21
Class XL— Stamps of one of the follow- ing groups : —
Germany, with Colonies and old Ger- man States. France and Colonies. Great Britain and Colonies. Italy and Colonies & Old Italian States. Portugal and Colonies. Spain and Colonies. Class XII. Division A. — Collections of stamps of at least 10,000 varieties, in one or more albums.
Division B. — Collections of stamps of at
least 5,000 varieties, in one or more albums.
Division C— Collections of stamps of
below 5,000 varieties, in one or more
albums.
Class XIII. — Collections of entires of at least three countries, Holland and Colonies excluded.
The medals are gold, silver gilt, silver, and bronze.
Special prizes will be given. These will be made known later on.
The Committee of the Exhibition consists of the following :— A. M. van Hoek, Dier- gaardelau 55 ; A van Walraven, Hang 92 ; P. Jorissen P. Czn, Schietbaanlaan 72 ; J. L. van Dichen, jr., Delftschevaart 44 ; J oh H. van Rede, Esschenlaan 80.
The President is H. M. van Hoek, the Secretary Joh H. van Rede, and the Treasurer A. van "Walraven. The Com- mittee Room is Delftschevaart 44.
Another Lament.
We have received a letter, which is too long to publish, from the Philatelic Society of Johannesburg, and one which we gather has been sent to other papers, invoking the help of British and Colonial phila- telists with a view to the official pre- paration of a " standard catalogue, which shall be a reference catalogue, not merely of stamps issued, with their varieties, errors, etc., but of prices current." The letter proceeds: — "We South African collectors are grievously disappointed by the recently issued Part I. of Messrs. Stanley Gibbons." And then their grounds of complaint are set out. They seem to consist of the exclusion of the C S A R surcharges and the percentage, said to be 45 per cent., of South Africans, which are not priced, and the letter, whilst dis- daining any animus against the firm in question, proceeds by making a very bitter attack upon it.
The following appeared in last month's Monthly Journal, written by Mr. C. J. Phillips :— " It is with regret that I have to announce that we have decided to close up our South African Agency, which has for the past three years been under the manage- ment of Mr. A. Sonn. The business done there is so small that it is a farce to keep up the form of an agency. Collectors or deal- ers who require any of our publications or stamps can have them sent by registered
post direct from London at the London prices, not having to pay 3s. 6d. each for 2s. 6d. publications, as I am informed has often been the case in Johannesburg."
From this notice and the letter referred to, it is clear that matters are not as happy as one could desire in that part of the world. We hope these differences, whatever they are, will be adjusted, and that philately will flourish again in South Africa. If a standard catalogue is all that is necessary to bring this about, then collectors out there can very easily compile it. All the necessary information is to be obtained from handbooks already published, the most important of which is the work of the Royal Philatelic Society, London.
The matter of prices is, after all, a matter, not only of minor importance, but so much the inclination of the individual. We have always had the opinion that prices, where they do not indicate those at which a particular person or firm is willing to sell at, are valueless.
Greece.
Mr. Pierre Mahe, continuing his reminis- cences in the Monthly Journal for November, deals with certain entire sheets of the Paris prints which were purchased by him in 1868, under circumstances fully related in the Journal in question.
"The sheets in question were not gum- med, but they were in the most perfect condition, with the exception of the middle row of each, the eighth : they had all been tightly folded across the middle and were almost broken along the fold, the stamps of that row being rendered practically value- less. My man then informed me that he was a dealer in waste paper at Levallois- Perret, in the outskirts of Paris. I did not ask him where he had found these sheets, but I perceived by what was written on the tabs attached to the corner of each that they were those that had served for keeping an account of the printing.
' ' I much regret now that I did not re- serve those stamps which bore notes of the number of each value that had been printed, but I had no idea then that some day I might want to write an article on these very stamps."
Mr. Beckton informs us that some years ago he purchased from M. Moens blocks of Paris prints which were ungummed, and evidently part of this lot, in fact a strip of three of the 10 lepta, had been folded across the centre of the stamps, and evi- dently coming from the eighth row of the sheet above spoken of. Subsequent investi- gations convinced him that these stamps had never been issued to the post offices, and he somewhat naturally concluded that they came from waste sheets. . The article that we have quoted puts quite a different complexion on their status, and it would now seem that these stamps are from what we should call the Imprematerre sheets.
22
The Philatelic Record,
The Origin of Envelopes.
Before Sir Rowland Hill introduced the penny post envelopes were very little used, because a double charge was made for one paper being enclosed in another, how- ever thin each might be. Even the smallest cutting from a newspaper necessitated an extra fee. The use of envelopes became common after May 6th, 1840, when stamped envelopes were introduced. The first envelope-making machine was invented by Edwin Hill, brother to Sir Rowland Hill, and De la Rue's machine for folding envelopes was patented March 17th, 1845. The invention of envelopes has been attributed to S. K. Brewer, a bookseller and stationer at Brighton, about 1830. He had some sheets of paper on sale on which it was difficult to write the address. 1 le invented for these a small envelope, and had metal plates made for cutting them to the required shapes and sizes. These caught the fancy of the Brighton ladies, and his orders multiplied so much that finally he had them made for him by Dobbs & Co., of London. This was the beginning of the trade.
Belgium.
Uncatalogued Varieties.
According to the Echo de la Timbrologie, the following varities of the stamps of Belgium are not catalogued : —
1849. ioc. light biown.— The stamp is printed on thick paper without watermark ; it belongs to the last sheets of the first issue, and is much rarer than the ioc. dark brown with watermark. Only very few specimens exist.
The reprints of the ioc. and 20c. of the first issue are on thin, plain, or ribbed paper, without watermark.
1861. ic. yellowish green. — This stamp exists only on thin paper without water- mark.
1861. 20c. dark blue on thick paper exists also on thin paper, and is then much rarer in the dark blue shade.
1861. Light blue instead of dark blue, exists only on thin paper without water- mark.
1863. ioc. light brown.
1863. 40c. carmine. — Very rare ; only a few sheets of the issue are printed in this shade.
1865. ioc. grey-black. — This shade ought to be catalogued before the next, which is pale grey.
1S65. ioc. pale grey. — This stamp is rarer than the ioc. grey-black.
Only a few sheets exist imperforate of the ioc. pale grey.
1865. 40c. rose, imperforate, is a very great rarity ; only three or four sheets exist.
1867. 2C. sky imperforate.— Only a few sheets exist, and in consequence the stamp is rare.
The four values of the 1883 issue exist imperforate ; they belong to the first print- ing and are rare unused, especially the 50c. violet, which exists in two shades, pale and dark.
1864. ic. grey-black follows the ic. olive. .
1864 ic. pale grey is rarer than the last stamp.
1884. ioc. rose on grey, imperforate.— It should really read rose on white.
The Catalogue for Beginners.
Messrs. "Whitfield King & Co. have sent us a seventh edition of the Universal Standard Catalogue of the Postage Stamps of the World, which comprises all postage stamps known to be issued to the end of 1906, and gives the market value of each according to their opinion. We gather from it that the total number of all known varieties of postage stamps issued by all the governments of the world up to the present time is 20,496, of which 6,153 are apportioned to the British Empire and 14,343 to the rest of the world. Europe has issued 4,361, Asia, 3,856, Africa, 4,469, America, 4,688, the West Indies, 1,637, and Oceania, 1,485.
In view of the demand which some writers in the philatelic press would have us believe exists for a simplified catalogue, the production in question ought to meet with a very large sale.
The catalogue itself is one that is already well known, and appeals, as we have pointed out in former reviews, most strongly to beginners.
An Exhibition in India.
The Philatelic Society of India have
issued a circular letter in connection with
an exhibition of postage, fiscal and telegraph
stamps, to be held under the auspices of
the Society, in connection with Her
; Excellency Lady Minto's Fete for Calcutta
I charities, on the Maidan, Calcutta, from
[ the 27th of January to the 6th of February,
i I9°7-
The exhibition is open to all collectors,
I whether members of the Society or not,
and stamps of all classes will be admitted,
including envelopes and postcards, and
also curiosities not strictly philatelic but ol
interest to philatelists.
It is much to be regretted that the circular came to hand too late to admit of members of- the Society, and others resident in this country, participating in the exhibition.
The knowledge that the exhibits will be properly cared for, and the fact that many prominent members of the Society in India are both well known and popular in this country, would, on this occasion, have secured for the exhibition a larger share of exhibits belonging to members in the mother country, than has been the case in the past.
Notes and News.
In connection with exhibitions in India we may mention that the previous ones held in Calcutta were all very successful. They took place as follows : —
By the late Philatelic Society of Bengal. 28th and 29th February and 1st March, 1896, in the Fine Arts Gallery of the Imperial Museum, Chowringhi. This was in conjunction with the annual display of the Photographic Society of India. Hon- orary Secretary, Air. E. Berthoud.
By the Philatelic Society of India. 24th and 27th to 31st December, 1897, m the Art Gallery of the Imperial Museum, Chowringhi. Honorary Secretary, Mr. P. A. Selfe.
By the Philatelic Society of India. 26th — 29th December, 1898, in the Art Gallery of the Imperial Museum, Chow- ringhi. Honorary Secretary, Mr. P. A. Selfe.
Ecuador. The following decree has been pub- lished : —
"Art. 1. — Stamps for 1907 and 1908 are
to be issued to the value of 460,000 sucres.
"Art. 2. — -The stamps will be in the
following values and colours, and will
contain a portrait in the centre.
" 1 centavo, red, 1,000,000. — Portrait of
Roca. "2centavos, light blue, 1,000,000. —
Portrait of Noboa. •' 3 centavos, light yellow, 1,000,000. —
Monument of 10 August. " 5 centavos, rose, 2,000,000.— Portrait
of Urbina. " 10 centavos, dark blue, 1,000,000. —
Portrait of Garcia Moreno. ." 20 centavos, light green, 500,000 —
Portrait of Carrion. " 50 centavos, dark violet, 100,000. —
Portrait of Espinosa. " 1 sucre, dark green, 50,000. — Portrait of Borrero. "Art. 3. — The ministers of education, post office, etc., and finances, are ordered to see this decree executed.
" Given at the National Palace at Quito,
"8th June, 1906.
" Eloy Alfaro. " Countersigned by
I. Roman, Minister of Post, etc. ' ' Countersigned by
C. Echanique, Minister of Finances."
From Madrid Filatelico.
Danish West Indies Remainders.
On 15th November, the Colonial Office at Copenhagen burnt the whole stock existing of Danish West Indies adhesives, stamps, envelopes, post-cards, and unpaid letter stamps, with value in cents and 5 bits..
The destruction took place in the presence of a number of officials from the Board of Finance and General Post Office.
The following quantities of stamps were destroyed by fire in the Royal Institute of Destruction at Fredericksborg, near Copen- hagen : —
574 sheets of 4 cents.
1. 511 ,. 5 -.
692 ,, 7 ,,
440 ,, 8 ,,
338 ,, 10 ,,
782 ,, 12 ,,
486 ,, 50 ,, Further, about 8,000 envelopes and 30,000 post-cards.
Of unpaid letter stamps were destroyed : —
138 sheets of 4 cents.
297 ,, 6 ,,
172 ,, 10 ,,
Further, the whole stock remaining of the Provisionals, surcharged 1905, with 5 bits on 4 and 5 and 8 cents stamps were burnt — together 1,839 sheets.
Now only the current stamps of all the Danish West Indies adhesives exist.
New stamps with King Frederick VIII. 's head are being prepared, and are expected to be issued in a few months' time. — Gibbons' Stamp Weekly.
What o'clock?
At what hour should the meetings of
Philatelic Societies take place ? This has
given rise to discussion in several Societies
in the past, and at present is engaging the
attention of the Royal Philatelic S ciety.
It will be remembered that the old hour of
7.45 p.m. was changed to 6.30 p.m. last
! session, and this was done to meet the con-
| venience of those who, wishing to attend
; the meetings, also desired to get home by
trains leaving London about 9 o'clock. A
j vote is now being taken of the members by
post- card, and it will be interesting to see
J the result. We personally incline to an
early hour with supper after, instead of a
hurried dinner before the meetings, attended
by indigestion, and the whirl of members
rushing away almost before the close of the
proceedings, and allowing no opportunity
for the exchange of friendly courtesies so
necessary for the prosperity and welfare of
Societies in general.
Mr. Frederick Breitfuss.
The subject of our interview this month possesses a trait common to Northern nations, sure but slow. Five years ago, in giving us some particulars concerning his career, he promised his photo, but in spite of reminders, which may of course have never reached their destination at St. Peters burg, it has never come to hand, and we have to express our indebtedness for the photo appearing in this number, and for some of the particulars, to the Philatelic Journal of Great Britain.
24
The Philatelic Record.
MISCELLANEOUS.
According to the Echo de la Timbrologic the 4 cuartos red of the 1857 issue of Spain has been found with the inscription Corres instead of Correos.
The Swedish Philatelic Journal states that only 4 specimens of the Swedish service stamp, 10 on 12 ore, have been found perforated 14.
The Mart.
By Messrs. Martin, Ray & Co., on Jan- uary 5th.
British Bechuanaland : 5s. green, with Pro- tectorate only, mint
British Somaliland : 1st printing, 2 annas, complete sheet showing error " Britsh '
Great Britain : Army Telegraph £5, mint. . Do., O.W. Queen iod., mint
Sierra Leone : £1 King's Head, single CA, mint
Tasmania: 1867, pin perf. is
United States: 185 1, perf. 15J, 3 cents, scarce colour, mint
£ s. d.
1 14 o
By Messrs. Glendining & Co. on the 8th, gth, and 10th January, 1907, being a further instalment of the Hetlev Collection.
Great Britain : Oct., 1870, iAd. rose-red, error of lettering op. pc. 1847-54, embossed, icd. brown, mint 1865-7, 4d. dull vermilion, Plate 9, mint
block of four
1865-7, 6d. deep lilac, Plate 6, unused 1884-5, I.R. Official is. green, horizontal
pair, unused, but badly stained 1902, iod. purple and scarlet, used 1902-4, Board of Education, Jd. green, id.
scarlet, both mint
2^d. ultramarine, mint
Tuscany : 1851-2, 2 soldi brick-red on azure Cape of Good Hope: 1853, I(i- brick-red, unused 1863-4, id. brown-red, unused pair Gold Coast: 1898-1900, 2d. lilac and red, two mint blocks of 12 1891-4, 20s. lilac and black on red, mint. . 20s. green and red
£ s. d.
17 6
£ s. d. Orange River Colony : 1882, 3d. on 4d.,
double surcharge 400
1900 V.R.I., 6d. bright carmine, horizontal
strip of three, mint, the centre stamp
being variety with figure of value
omitted 350
is. brown, horizontal pair, mint, one
stamp showing variety figure of value
omitted ..150
2nd printing, 2§d. on 3d. blue, mint block
of four, showing both varieties .. 3 10 o Barbados: March, 187^, id. on half of 5s.,
unused 6 15 o
Bermuda : 1874, threepence on id. red . . 515 o British Columbia: 1867, 2c. and perf. 12J,
25c. and 50c, scarce lot . . . . 1 6 o
•Si green, mint 1 15 o
Perf. 12J, ioc. lake, nice lightly-marked
copy 1 14 o
25c. yellow, mint, and 50c. violet, fine
unused 1 14 o
25c. yellow, unused, with nearly full
gum, and perf. 14, 2c. and 25c, mint 1 1 o $1 green, unused, nearly full gum . . in o British Guiana : Feb., 1856. 4c. black on ma- genta, corner repaired 7 5 o
New South Wales: id. carmine, No. 5 on
Plate ) 17 o
On bluish, Plate 1, id. pale red, No. n
on Plate . . . . . . . . . . o 19 o
On white, Plate 1, id. lake, No. 12 on
Plate, superb 300
July, 1850, on bluish, plate 2, id. lake,
cut close . . .... . . . . o 14 o
id. carmine-red .. .. .. . . o 19 o
id. carmine, No. 12 on Plate, fine . . 200 1850-1, 2d. blue, Plate 1, retouched ..220
2d. pale blue, Plate 1, retouched ..220
2d. deep blue, Plate 2, No. 1 on plate,
variety with shading outside fan ..240
2d. deep blue, Plate 2 170
2d. blue, plate 2, horizonal strip of
three 2 16 o
2d. blue, Plate 3, variety double lined
bale, No. 10 on Plate 260
2d. violet-blue, on laid paper, Plate 3,
first retouch 2 12 o
2d. grey blue, Plate 3, first retouch .. 1 16 o 2d. blue on laid paper, Plate 3, first
retouch .. .. .. .. ..200
2d. blue, Plate 3, second retouch, pearl
in fan 0 17 o
2d. blue, Plate 3, second retouch . . 015 o
A similar lot o 15 o
1850, yellowish wove paper, 3d. green . . 1 1 o Yellowish laid paper, 3d. green . . . . 1 10 o Bluish wove paper, 3d. emerald green. . 170
^e"
Correspondence.
The Stamps of St. Christopher.
To the Editor of the "Philatelic Record."
Dear Sir, — On page 211 of last year's Record I made' a brief reference to the small surcharge (May, 1888) of ONE PENNY on 2jd., quoting Mr. Gardner s remark to the effect that it is " an excessively rare stamp ' ' of which only a single sheet of 20 was sup- posed to have been made.
I had overlooked an article by Mr. Douglas Mackenzie in the Record of 1896 (page 98), from which it seems clear that the small surcharge was a trial impression,
of which only one sheet of 20 was made, and that it was never put into circulation. It follows that genuine inverted specimens cannot exist.
It also seems clear that the large sur- charge inverted existed in a sheet of 20 only. Probably it was noticed at the time by the Postmaster, who kept it back from circulation, and distributed copies to his acquaintances. — -Yours truly,
Bertram T. K. Smith. 4, Southampton Row,
London, W.C. January 10th, 1907.
THE
Philatelic Record.
FEBRUARY, 1907
Editorial Note.
THE event of the past month in philatelic circles has been the hearing of the action for libel, entitled Lowden v. Ewen, before the Lord Chief Justice and a Special Jury. The case lasted five days, and is fully reported in our columns this month.
The principle raised in the case was a perfectly
w "J" simple one, and consisted in how far comments made
by the defendant in his paper concerning the business
dealings of the plaintiff in stamps bearing both forged surcharges
and forged postmarks, were justified.
As will be seen from the report, the defendant was entirely successful ; but this success, although most gratifying both to him and also to philatelists in general, has, so far as Mr. Ewen is concerned, involved him in an expenditure of, we understand, some thousand pounds.
It does seem somewhat remarkable that the chief factors which led to the litigation should have been Transvaal " C.S.A.R" surcharges, stamps, the status of which, according to the better opinion in this country, does not entitle them to catalogue rank, a decision which has, apparently caused grave dissatisfaction amongst those interested in them in the country of their origin. On the other hand, one must not overlook the fact that at the time the events happened which led up to the libel proceedings, little was known here of the position these surcharges occupied, and, as the evidence showed, they then met with a ready sale, which we apprehend they would not command to-day. This, however, as we have indicated, in no way detracts from the important issues involved in the case, principles which are of the very highest — the very foundation of the continued prosperity of philately ; and we desire to add our congratulations to those already showered upon Mr. Ewen from far and wide.
A small and influential committee has been formed to get up a testimonial to him which is, we gather, to take the form of a banquet with a presentation, and we have no doubt but that every- one seriously interested in the welfare of stamp collecting will, when the matter is put before him, be willing in some way to do his share. We shall be happy to hear from any of our readers willing to send their mites to the presentation fund.
26 The Philatelic Record.
Notable Philatelists.
Geo. B. Duerst.
OUR Special Commissioner this month, having been busily engaged in listening to the interesting disclosures made in the stamp libel action, heard before the Lord Chief Justice — and to the still more interesting disclosures which were not admissible, but are matters of common knowledge now to those behind the scenes, made in the corridors — has failed to send us his MS., so we have had to ask our friend, Mr. Duerst, to speak for himself : —
" Born in the early sixties, the stamp fever took me very young, and I must admit after all these years it has not abated an iota. I remember quite well how in 1868, recovering from a very serious illness, I received quite a lot of United States private stamps, especially the Winged Bottle and the Giant marching over the roofs gave me unbounded pleasure. About that time an uncle of mine, coming back from Brazil, showered countless first issue Brazilians (large figures) upon me ; but, alas, where are they now ? Later, during my school years, my father found that I spent too' much unprofitable time upon my stamps, and nearly broke my heart when he burnt them. Now I know the Americans were most likely reprints, but my beautiful Brazilian bulls' eyes ! However, this did not dishearten me. I commenced to collect again, secretly at first, but later I wore his antagonism down (to-day, I believe, he is quite proud of my stamps), so that by about 1875 I had a collection of about 10,000 — quite a respectable show for a youngster. In those days, I believe, I should have studied philately if there had been a chair for the science at some university. In 1878 I went into the world accompanied by my stamps, but sometimes money was scarce and I parted with a good many, entires going first. But I always kept certain countries, and these can now be seen in various specialised collections I affect. In the early eighties I came to Manchester, where I have resided ever since. I took part in the founding and putting upon a proper basis of the Manchester Philatelic Society. In the early nineties I began to contribute smaller papers to the philatelic press, and in 1895 Mr. William Brown asked me, after hearing me read a paper on Roumania, to write it up for his journal, the Philatelic Journal of Great Britain. This, after much consideration, I did, in conjunction with my friend, Mr. Beckton. During the years 1896 and 1897 I contributed various articles to the Philatelic Record, and collaborated with Mr. Beckton in his standard work on the stamps of Greece. When Mr. Scott Stokes, in 1897, resigned the editorship of the Philatelic Journal of Great Britain, Mr. Brown offered it to me, and after a lot of pressure, I accepted it in fear and trembling. I can assure you it was hard work to find
Notable gPhilatelists,
Qeo. B. Duerst,
28 The Philatelic Record.
material to fill 20-24 pages per month, yet, in spite of the many worries and weary hours, I still look back with pleasure to those days and nights, which however, I must admit, caused many a grumble from my better half. In 1899 my business, however, became so absorbing and took so much of my attention, that I could not do justice to the journal, and resigned my post ; Mr. Brown not being able to find another editor, the journal passed into other hands. After this I wrote spasmodically for various papers, notably the Monthly Journal and several on the Continent ; but since the new company was formed for the PJiilaielic Record, and which is composed entirely of collectors, many personal friends, my sympathies are naturally centred in its columns, having ever had a strong conviction that the ideal paper was one conducted by collectors for collectors, quite independent of the trade."
Mr. Duerst has been a member of the Dresden Society since 1880 ; he was the founder of the Hanover Society, disbanded only recently ; and is also a member at Manchester, Berlin, &c. His business takes him all over the Continent, and he has often spoken with pleasure of the evenings spent with philatelic friends, of whom he possesses a number in every large town. He makes a practice of always carrying with him a list of philatelic meetings, and it must be something very important to hinder his appearance at them. In his words, " I can truly say I have made many friends everywhere, not friends of a day, but for a lifetime ; and am proud to say that I know personally nearly all the philatelic lights, editors and collectors, with many of whom I am in regular correspondence.
" Well, quite right, you remind me you want to know something about my stamps. My greatest hobby is of course Roumania, which were shown at London in 1897 and 1906, Manchester 1899, and Paris 1900, in all of which exhibitions I obtained medals. Then I have a fair specialised collection of Russia and Russian Locals, one of my old loves. Servia and Egypt have also had my careful attention, which my papers on these countries have perhaps conveyed to the reader. Spain is also one of my favourites, so are Austria (early issues), Alsace- Lorraine, and Chili. I am also a collector of philatelic works, and my library fills a good many shelves. Philatelic curiosities I hunt for anywhere, and my friends cannot give me greater pleasure than by presenting me with some such curiosity, in itself very often of absolutely no value. To give an instance, for a long time I have been looking for Lombardo- Venetian stamps, I. and II. issue, used in the Levant, but so far without result. You can imagine my delight when last year, in Hamburg, I was shown a 5 soldi red of 1858 Lombardo- Venetia, obliterated STAMBULA. At the first glance, of course, this meant the Turkish name for Constantinople ; yet I had my doubts, and at last I came to the conclusion, which proved the right one, that it meant POST AMBULANTE, and not Stamboul. I consider such a freak highly interesting, and it has found a good place amongst my philatelic curiosities.
Forgeries of the "Cantonal" Stamps of Switzerland. 29
The Forgeries of the "Cantonal" Stamps of Switzerland.
By A. de Reuterskiold.
IN 1889 the Societe Lausannoise de Timbrologie published a pamphlet comprising a number of papers read by me at the meetings of the Society, describing the various forgeries of the " Cantonal " stamps known at that time. A second edition, published in 1898, brought this up-to-date ; since then a number of new forgeries have been put on the market, and I have decided to reclassify the forgeries and rewrite the descriptions, so that collectors may be able to see at a glance if specimens in their possession are genuine or not. We will begin with
The Stamps of Zurich.
Genuine.
Lithographed on moderately thick paper, ruled all over with fine red lines, either vertically or horizontally ; these lines are alternately single and double. Down the sides of the stamps are semi-circular ornaments, six whole ones and a half semi-circle on each side, the half being at the top on the left side, and at the bottom on the right side. Each semi-circle has three pear-shaped dots in it, but each half semi-circle has only one such dot in it. The background of the stamp is formed by oblique lines in sets of four ; the number and position of these lines vary in the five types of each value according to the tables given below : —
4 rappen.
Table I. Begin counting from left hand top corner.
1 line, 15 groups of 4 lines, 3 lines. No lines, 16 ,, ,, No lines. No lines, 16 ,, ,, No lines. 3 lines, 15 „ „ 1 line.
2 lines, 15 ,, ,. 2 lines.
I.
II. III. IV.
V.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Table II.
Begin counting from right hand top corner.
No lines, 16 groups of 4 lines, No lines.
No lines, 16 ,, ,, No lines.
3 lines, 15 ,, „ 2 lines.
2 lines, 15 ,, ,, 3' lines.
2 lines, r5 „ ,, 3 lines.
39
The Philatelic Record.
|
I. |
2 lines, |
15 |
|
II. |
i line, |
15 |
|
III. |
No lines, |
15 |
|
IV. |
No lines, |
16 |
|
V. |
2 lines, |
15 |
6 rappen.
Table I. Begin counting from right hand top corner.
15 groups of 4 lines, 2 lines. 3 lines. ,, ,, 3 lines.
„ ,, No lines.
1 line.
Table II. Begin counting from left hand top corner.
16 groups of 4 lines, 1 line. „ ,, 1 line.
„ - 3 lines. 3 hnes. ,, ,, No lines.
Type II. of the 6rap. has a stop after ZURICH, and Types III., IV., and V. have a stop after Cantonal-Taxe.
There are two dots over the U of ZURICH in all the types, though they are not very clear in Type II. of the 4rap., as the U is close to the top line of the frame.
Each corner of the stamp is ornamented with five little square dots forming a cross.
|
I. |
No lines, |
16 |
|
II. |
3 lines, |
15 |
|
III. |
2 lines, |
15 |
|
IV. |
1 line, |
i.S |
|
V. |
1 line, |
16 |
Forgeries.
figure in each
corner,
/. — Stamps bearing the date 1, 8, 4, 3 ; one instead of the crosses of black dots, these, which I shall describe in detail with the figures erased, and the corners filled in with lines and dots in pen and ink.
There are several varieties of as they are sometimes found
/ (a). — No red lines, or vertical red Local Taxe and after Cantonal-Taxe.
lines 1 mm. apart ; stop after
4rap. Table I. No lines, 18 groups of 4 lines, No lines.
,, II. 3 lines, 17 ,, ,, No lines.
6rap. ,, I. 3 lines, 17 ,, ,, 2 lines.
,, II. 2 lines, 17 ,, „ 2 lines.
Postmarks : An imitation of the Zurich rosette in red or in black.
7 (6). — Much too dark, the lines in the groups of 4 in the back- ground being too close together.
4rap. Table I. No lines, 20 groups of 4 lines, 2 lines.
,, II. 3 lines, 20 ,, ., No lines.
6rap. ,, I. No lines, 21 ,, ., 1 line.
,, II. 3 lines, 20 ,, ,, 2 lines.
Postmarks : Red lines and curves.
Forgeries of the "Cantonal" Stamps of Switzerland. 31
7 (c). — Poor imitations, the background having too many lines; no hyphen between Local or Cantonal and Taxe.
4rap. Table I. 2 lines, 17 groups of 4 lines, 3 lines.
,, II. 2 lines, 18 ,, ,, No lines.
6rap. ,, I. 2 lines, 18 ,, ,, 2 lines.
,, II. 2 lines, 18 ,. ,, 2 lines.
There are two varieties of the 6rap. at least ; the 4 in the left lower corner being short and thick in the one, and tall and thin in the other.
Postmarks : Imitation of Zurich rosette without central lines in red ; also correct imitation of Zurich rosette in red.
/ {d). — Of this I have only seen a 6rap. ; there are eight semi-circles on the left side, and seven and two half semi-circles on the right.
6rap. Table I. No lines, 17 groups of 4 lines, 1 line. ,, II. 3 lines, 16 ,, ,, 2 lines.
Postmarks : Red undecipherable marks.
/ (e). — Too light, the background being formed of very fine lines, in groups of 4, set too close to each other.
4rap. Table I. No lines, 19 groups of 4 lines, No lines.
,, II. No lines, 19 ,, ,, No lines.
6rap. ,, I. No lines, 19 ,, ,, No lines.
,, II. No lines, 19 ,, ,, No lines.
Postmarks : Only seen unused.
7 (/). — The 4rap. has no hyphen between Local and Taxe ; both values have a stop after Taxe.
4rap. Table I. 3 lines, 17 groups of 4 lines, 3 lines.
,, II. No lines, 18 ,, ,, 2 lines.
6rap. ,, I. No lines, 18 ,, ,, 3 lines.
,, II. 3 lines, 18 ,, ., 1 line.
Postmarks : Imitation of Zurich rosette in black.
7 (g). — The left hand frame has eight semi- circular ornaments, and the right hand one seven semi-circular ornaments, with an extra half both at top and bottom.
4rap. Table I. 3 lines, 16 groups of 4 lines, 2 lines.
,, II. 2 lines, 16 ,, ,, 3 lines.
6rap. ., I. 3 lines, 16 ,, ,, 3 lines.
,, II. No lines, 17 , ,, ,, No lines.
The 6rap. exists with inscription Local-Taxe, as well as with Cantonal-Taxe.
Postmarks : Imitation of Zurich rosette in red.
No. 2. — These stamps are rare, and are supposed to be essays made in 1843 by the lithographer Esslinger, of Zurich. The top inscription is larger than on the genuine stamps ; the U is very narrow and has no dots over it ; the 6rap. has the dots in all four corners, but the 4rap. has the date 18.43 in the two lower corners.
The Philatelic Record.
4rap. Table I. 3 lines, 15 groups of 4 lines, 3 lines.
,, II. 2 lines, 16 ,, ,, No lines.
6rap. ,, I. No lines, 16 „ ,, 3 lines.
(Earee ioth).
,, II. No lines, 16 ,, ,, 3 lines.
No. 3. — Good imitations, only both half semi-circles have two dots in them ; the 4rap. has no dots in the upper corners, and the date 18.43 in the lower corners ; the 6rap. has five very small dots in each corner. 4rap. Table I. 3 lines, 16 groups of 4 lines, 2 lines. ,, II. 3 lines, 16 ,, ,, 2 lines.
6rap. ,, I. 2 lines, 16 ,, ,, 1 line.
,, II. 1 line, 16 ,, ., 2 lines.
Postmarks : Imitation of the 1849 rosette of Geneva in black.
No. 4. — Very poor forgeries ; the half semi-circles in both side borders are at the bottom, and there are no vertical lines in the side frames.
41-ap. Table I. 1 line, 15 groups of 4 lines, 1 line.
(Earee 8th).
,, II. i line, 15 ,, ., 3 lines.
6rap. ,, I. 3 lines, 15 ,, .. No lines.
(Earee 16th).
,, II. No lines, 15 ,, ,, 3 lines.
Postmarks : Imitation of the Zurich rosette in red and in black, the latter much too small. This forgery was made in Zurich about 1865.
No. 5. — Exactly similar to forgeries / (/), but with the figures in the angles erased and replaced by a background of vertical and horizontal lines with a black dot in the centre, surrounded by four more or less triangular projections.
41-ap. Table I. 3 lines, 17 groups of 4 lines, 3 lines. ,, II. No lines, 18 ,, ,, 2 lines.
6rap. ,, I. No lines, 18 ,, ,, 3 lines.
., II. 3 lines, 18 „ ,, 1 line.
Postmarks: Imitation of Zurich rosette in black. In all the above forgeries of the 6rap., except Nos. 7 (c), 7 (g), 2, and 3, the inner curl of the 6 runs into the body of the letter, instead of running down, more or less according to the type, parallel to the upright portion.
No. 6. — Very coarsely lithographed ; the red lines are equi-distant, about J mm. apart ; the half semi-circle at the top of the left side contains two dots, the one at the bottom of the right side a comma and part of a dot ; in the 6rap. there is no hyphen between Cantonal and Taxe.
4rap. Table I. No lines, 17 groups of 4 lines, 1 line.
(Earee 6th).
6rap.
(Earee 7th)
, II. No lines, 16 ., ,, 2 lines.
6rap. ., I. No lines, 17 ,, ,, No lines.
,, II. No lines, 16 ., ,, 3 lines.
Postmarks : Four concentric circles in black ; a diamond formed of parallel lines in blue.
Forgeries of the "Cantonal" Stamps of Switzerland. 33
No. 7. — This forgery is at once recognised by the fact that it has two stops after ZURICH.
4r.ap. Table I. 3 lines, 16 groups of 4 lines, 2 lines. (Earee 13th).
,. II. No lines, 17 ,, ., No lines.
6rap. ,, I. No lines, 17 ,, ,, No lines.
(Earee 13th).
., II. No lines, 17 ,, ., No lines.
Postmarks : Imitation of Zurich rosette in red or in black.
No. 8. — Forgeries No. / (c) with angles corrected.
4rap. Table I. 2 lines, 17 groups of 4 lines, 3 lines.
(Earee 9th).
.. II. 2 lines, 18 ,, ,, No lines.
6rap. ,, I. 2 lines, 18 ,. ,, 2 lines.
(Earee 8th).
., II. 2 lines, 18 ,, ,, 2 lines.
Postmarks : Imitation of Zurich rosette in red and in black ; the arms of the cross only 3 mm. wide ; also P.P. in a circle in black.
No. 9. — Better class of forgery made in Zurich in the seventies by the same firm who had previously made No. 4.
4rap. Table I. 1 line, 14 groups of 4 lines, 3 lines.
(Earee nth).
., II. No lines, 15 ,, ,, No lines.
6rap. ,, I. 3 lines, 14 ,, ,, 1 line.
(Earee 9th).
,, II. No lines, 15 ,, ,., No lines.
Postmarks : Imitation of Zurich rosette in red and black, the latter much too small ; full sized ditto in red or in black, but without the ball-shaped ornaments in the angles ; double lined circle in black, 18 mm. in diameter, with Zurich at top and date in centre.
(To be continued).
A Note on Griqualand West.
IN his " Notes on the Stamps of Griqualand West," in the twenty- fourth volume of the Philatelic Record (vide pages 223 and 248), Lieut. F. H. Napier, R.N., arrived at the conclusion that in the case of stamps having the large G in red, the overprint was applied to the sheets of the stamps of the Cape of Good Hope in one setting of one hundred and twenty, which he termed " Setting A," the several types being arranged in accordance with an accompanying diagram ; further, that the same setting was applied to sheets of the One Penny, but in black. It is true that Lieut. Napier had not been able to identify blocks overprinted with " Setting A " as belonging to
34
The Philatelic Record.
either of the upper panes of the Cape stamps ; but for reasons stated by him it is highly improbable that the setting was one of the two hundred and forty. However, in the same Notes, Lieut. Napier men- tions that there were distinct traces of another setting, his " Setting B," which was also applied in red to at least two values, viz., the One Shilling and the Five Shillings. It will be remembered that the prin- cipal evidence consisted of a block of thirteen of the Five Shillings, belonging to Mr. Doming Beckton, which clearly does not belong to " Setting A," and certain specimens of the One Shilling and Five Shillings overprinted with types, including Type Vila., which do not occur in "Setting A."
Recently Mr. Yardley has shown us an interesting horizontal strip of three stamps of the One Penny value, illustrated below, which, as in
the case of Mr. Doming Beckton's block of the Five Shillings, does not belong to " Setting A," neither does it belong to the later setting (Lieut. Napier's " Black Setting "), which was applied in black only to the One Penny, Four Pence, and Six Pence.
It will be observed that the overprint of the left-hand stamp of this strip is Type Vila., one of the varieties of the " Setting B," and the overprint of the stamp on the right is Type IV., while that of the middle stamp is Type lib., a variety which it will be remembered occurs only once in " Setting A," namely on the forty-seventh stamp of the left pane, its immediate neighbours, i.e., the forty-sixth and forty-eighth stamps, being each overprinted with Type III.
The discovery of this strip is an addition to our knowledge of " Setting B," whether that setting be an independent setting or, which is highly improbable, only the upper portion of a setting of two hundred and forty, of which " Setting A " was the lower portion ; moreover, it establishes the co-existence of Types IV. and Vila., and is therefore strong confirmatory evidence of the genuineness of the specimens of the latter type in red, described in Lieut. Napier's Notes.
It may be mentioned that while the Cape Stamps of Mr. Yardley 's strip are of the coarse printing on which " Setting A " is found, the overprint is more akin to the clearer printings of the " Black Setting."
Lowden v. Ewen.
35
Lowden v. Ewen.
In the Kings Bench Division, before the Lord Chief Justice, and a Special Jury.
To those who devote some portion of their time and money to the collection of postage stamps, there is special interest ! in the action for alleged libel brought I by Mr. John Stuart Lowden, stamp dealer, of Villiers-street, Strand, against Mr. H. L'Estrange Ewen, also a stamp dealer and editor of a publication named Ezoen's Weekly Stam-p News. Mr. Low- den, who at the time of the alleged libel was trading as F. Moore & Co., at Vil- liers-street, complained of certain state- meats in defendant's paper. Mr. Ewen pleaded in defence justification, and that what he wrote was fair comment and in the public interest. The main point of the action was whether a number of postage stamps, used and unused, and convng principally from South Africa, which were sold by plaintiff, were forged or not. Messrs. W. R. Russell & Co., and Messrs. Pardy & Son, the printers and publishers of the paper, were also joined as defendants.
Mr. C. E. Gill, K.C., Mr. Gerald Hohler, K.C., and Mr. W. S. M. Knight (instructed by Mr. T. P. Haseldine) were for the plaintiff ; while the defendants were represented by Mr. Clavell Salter, K.C., and Mr. W. Compton Smith (in- structed by Messrs. Hicklin, Washing- ton & Passmore).
In opening the case, Mr. Gill said that the plaintiff was a young man of respect- able parents, who was twenty-seven years of age, and who for six or seven years had been carrying business as a stamp dealer. He bought a business in Villiers-street, Strand, from Messrs. F. Moore & Co. The defendant was a rival stamp dealer, and a young man of con- siderable enterprise. He desired to extend his own business, and apparently to des- troy that of plaintiff. The course he em- barked on was very likely to accomplish that end. Also, he desired to set him- self up as the one and only authority on the subject of foreign and colonial stamps and of forgeries. Mr. Ewen, for the purposes of his business, published a paper, and in that the libels complained of appeared. It was described as a jour- nal for stamp collectors, and as the oldest weekly stamp paper in Europe. As
a matter of fact, counsel remarked, it was established in 1897. That was typi- cal of the extraordinary exaggerations the defendant indulged in. He would seem to regard the colonial stamp market as peculiarly his own ; to think that he was to exercise control over it, and also that if a question of genuineness arose, he was to be consulted.
The stamps at issue in that case were " surcharged " with the letters " C.S.A.R.," which meant Central South African Railway. Those letters were placed on the Transvaal stamps which went into the possession of the company. That became of interest to collectors, who, having the ordinary Transvaal stamps, were desirous of possessing the " sur- charged" ones. Mr. Lowden obtained a number of unused "surcharged" stamps from a Mr. Rosenstein, and of used ones from a clerk in the Crown Agent's Office. The offence Mr. Lowden committed was that he was able to get these stamps from sources he would not disclose, while Mr. Ewen did not seem to have had the same facility. Because the printing of the " surcharged " letters was not always exactly mathematically the same, the de- fendant got the idea that the surcharges were forgeries, and he commenced to at- tempt to ruin plaintiff. The first state- ment complained of appeared in a supple- ment to Ewen's Stamp Weekly. It was headed, "Transvaal ' C.S.A.R.,' " and ran : —
From various sources during the past fortnight or so we have been offered unused sets 01 these stamps, but in all cases the overprints were forged. We, therefore, warn our readers to be extremely careful in purchasing any of these stamps. The forgeries have even been offered at auction. We shall be pleased to give an opinion on any of these stamps at id. each, minimum charge, 6d.
When Mr. Lowden saw that, Mr. Gill went on, he instructed his solicitors to write and demand an immediate with- drawal and apology, as he thought he possessed the monopoly of those stamps. Mr. Ewen replied, stating he saw no reason to change his opinion, but that he was willing to publish a letter from Messrs. Moore & Co. (plaintiff's trade name), stating their proofs of the
36
The Philatelic Record.
genuineness of the stamps. It, said counsel, was a pretty cool request that one dealer should give his sources of supply to a rival. In the next number of Ewen's Weekly the matter was again refered to, and the letter from plaintiff's solicitor was also printed, while it was stated that " his (plaintiff's) stamps un- doubtedly bear forged surcharges." In the result plaintiff's business was affec- ted, and some clients asked for the return of their money. Then came what coun- sel said was really a violent libel, and which he contended was published maliciously for defendant's own purpose, and in order to crush a rival dealer. It appeared in Ewen's Weekly Stamf News of October 18th, 1905, and was as follows : —
More About the " C.S.A.R." Forgkkies. — We have received a second letter from Mr. Moore's solicitor, threatening us with the imme- diate issue of a writ for libel unless we apologise and contradict our present statements concerning him and his goods ; but the large amount of unfavourable correspondence which we have received from customers of Mr. Moore, and the large proportion of forgeries that have recently been sold, compels us, in the interests of stamp collectors generally, to run the risk of a libel action, and publish the further facts which have come to our knowledge.
We are not alleging that Messrs. Moore & Co. make the forgeries, but if they have effected their recent sales of stamps, believing the stamps to be genuine, they stand confessed of gross incompe- tence, and deserve to be avoided by all collectors who do not wish to become the victims of ignorance. It is in Messrs. Moore's favour that they put the stamps in the shop window, and were not afraid to let people see them.
The article, Mr. Gill concluded, reeked with malice, and the man who wrote it was trying to destroy his trade rival or discount any reputation he might have.
Mr. John Stuart Lowden, in reply to Mr. Hohler, said he was now managing director of the West End Stamp Com- pany (Limited), of 20, Villiers-street, Strand. The clerk in the Crown Office was named Harry Dresch, and he brought witness handfuls of used stamps. Mr. Rosenstein, an official in the Central South African Railway, supplied the un- used ones. The used stamps were worth their face value, and unused ones half as much again. All the stamps he had came from the same sources, and the "sur- charges " were perfectly genuine. As a result of the articles in Ewen's Weekly, stamps were returned to him, and in two cases he refunded sums of ^5. His busi- ness was much affected, and ultimately he had to close the shop. Then he formed with others the West End Stamp Com- pany.
Cross-examined by Mr. Clavell Salter : The object of " surcharging " stamps was to prevent pilfering in the railway com- pany's office.
How do you account for unused " sur- charged " stamps being in the market
properly? — Interested persons can get hold of them by paying the money in for them.
Witness said he dealt with Mr. Rosen- stein for about one month, and bought about 50 unused stamps of various values from him. Mr. Rosenstein did not give any address. He came to the shop to buy stamps and to exchange others. Mr. Rosenstein's own statement that he was in the employ of the Central South Africa Railway Company was the only proof witness had that it was a fact. Witness went on to say that he bought some Somali stamps from Major Johnston, of the Bengal Lancers. Some of these he sold, and they were returned to him on account of the alleged forgery of the " surcharges." The mone}'' was refunded.
His Lordship : May I take it that it is the custom of the trade to return the money at once if any question of for- gery is raised? — Yes.
Replying to further questions by Mr. Clavell Salter, witness said he did not trade as Stuart & Co. or as Low, of Acton. He had traded as J. Loudoun, of Buxton-road, Mortlake, and used the name F. Mcore up to a year ago.
Were you a witness at the Old Bailey in September, 1903, against a man named Waterhouse, who was charged with sell- ing a quantity of Government Parcel stamps obtained from the Admiralty, where he was employed? — Yes. Water- house was defended and acquitted.
Did you say your name was F. Moore? — Yes.
Did you say you had been engaged in the stamp trade, but did not know that those stamps were not for issue to the public, and that you got £1 each for them?- — Yes.
Did you buy 130 penny, 170 twopenny, 20 one shilling, 40 or 80 sixpenny, and 10 ninepenny of these Government Parcel stamps? — Yes.
Did Waterhouse on one occasion sell you an entire sheet of 240 penny stamps? — Yes.
His Lordship : Were they marked O.H.M.S.? — No. They were overprinted " Govt. Parcels."
Were the entries in your books for these stamps simply, "Received £2 10s. ; paid out 17s."? — Yes.
And the same would be the case with the stamps you got from Rosenstein? — Yes.
You did not ask for the address cf either Waterhouse or Rosenstein? — No.
Counsel went on to read further ex- tracts in regard to the trial of Water- house at the Old Bailey, in one which witness was reported to have said to a detective named Ward that he was a fairly honest mail.
Mr. Salter : Since then you have been in a case at Bow-street?— Yes.
Low den v. Ewen.
37
Were you convicted of selling indecent photographs? — I was fined ^20 and ^5 costs. 1 was convicted of selling photos of Millais' picture, "Hath and Psyche," and I maintained then, as I maintain still, that it was not indecent.
Re-examined by Mr. Gill, witness said that Waterhouse" told him that he ob- tained the Government Parcel stamps from a friend who had to despatch par- cels, and who substituted ordinary stamps, which he bought, for the ones with the over-printing.
Mr. Harry Dresch, a clerk in the Crown Agents' Office in Whitehall, gave evidence to the effect that he sold Transvaal stamps with the surcharge "C.S.A.R." to plaintiff. There was no objection to his having them, as they were his perquisites. He had also sold plaintiff some Somali stamps. During 1905 and half of 1906 he sold thousands of stamps to Mr. Lowden.
Mr. Clavell Salter (cross-examining) : How did you come into communication with Mr. Lowden? — He was the nearest stamp dealer to our office. Witness sold plaintiff stamps marked " C.S.A.R." ranging in value from ^d. to 5s. •
Mr, T. K. Foster, an engineer, and a collector of postage stamps, said that in 1904 and 1905 he visited plaintiff's place of business from time to time. He was present on several occasions when Dresch brought in stamps, and bought some himself. He noted the "surcharges" very carefully. They were certainly not forgeries, but there were two different prints.
This closed plaintiffs case.
Mr. Clavell Salter said the defence was that known as " fair comment." What Mr. Ewen contended in substance, and he did so upon the strength of in- formation which would be placed before the jury, was that he considered it to be not only his right, but his duty, as pro- prietor of a respectable trade journal, to write what he did. The first article in Ewen" s Stamp Weekly had no refer- ence to Mr. Lowden. As to the Trans- vaal stamps, they would hear from ex- perts that many of those were indisput- able forgeries. There were some 5s. Transvaal stamps which purported to be impressed with the letters " C.S.A.R." Mr. Ewen said that as a matter of fact it was known that no stamps of that value were marked by the railway company in that way. Then, again, the system of " surcharging " by the company was only in operation from February to October, 1905, and there was no second printing. Mr. Ewen had no difficulty in saying that a considerable proportion of the stamps in circulation were not marked with the genuine die. A large number of the forgeries were traced back to Mr. Lowden, and then Mr. Ewen
thought it his duty to write the article which was the subject of that action. The hearing was adjourned.
Thjrsday, February 7111.
The first witness called for the defence was Mr. Oswald Marsh, of the firm ot Ccates & Marsh, stamp dealers, who said, in reply to Mr. Compton Smith, that he had examined the book of stamps sent by plaintiff to the auctioneers. He pointed out the differences of the print- ing of the letters "C.S.A.R." on various Transvaal stamps. He believed there was no second printing. On one occasion he called at Mr. Lowden's place of busi- ness and saw some unused " surcharged " stamps. Plaintiff asked him if he would like some used ones. He said he would, and then plaintiff stated that he had some offered him by a friend at Portsmouth. Later on witness called again, and was shown four sets of " surcharged " stamps, the values being ^d. to 5s. He drew Mrr Lowden's attention to the fact that the " surcharges " differed from those he had first seen. Plaintiff informed him that they were of a second printing, and showed him a list of quantities printed in both series. Witness believed the "surcharges" to be forged. From his experience he had never known stamps " surcharged " with the second type come from any other shop than plaintiff's.
Cross-examined by Mr. Gill : He had no connection with Mr. Ewen's business. He was one of the signatories to Ewen's Colonial Stamp Market (Limited), and was the secretary until the summer of 1904. He then went into business for himself, devoting himself particularly to colonial stamps.
How many colonial stamps are there? — Oh, about io.,ooo.
And hoAV many postmarks are you familiar with? — About 50,000. There were a great many colonial stamps which had had "surcharges" on them from time to time.
Is it not possible for dealers from time to time to purchase unused "sur- charged" stamps? — It may be.
Witness denied that the plaintiff had a monopoly in the Transvaal C.S.A.R. stamps, for at the time in question he himself had obtained fifty, most of which he had bought from clients in South Africa, while he thought he had seen as many as 100 in Mr. Ewen's possession. He was of the opinion that some of the stamps offered by the plaintiff bore forged postmarks, for the type of mark was different from that on the genuine stamps.
What is the object of forging a post- mark?— There might not be a used stamp in stock when one was required by a customer.
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The Philatelic Record.
The dealer would then step behind the screen and use the hand stamp and pad? (Laughter.) Is that what you mean? — Such a thing might be done. It would more likely be done beforehand. Wit- ness had no recollection of settling the article containing the alleged libel with Mr. Ewen.
Mr. Herbert L'Estrange Ewen, one of the defendants, in reply to Mr. Compton Smith, said he was managing director of Ewen's Colonial Stamp Market. The business was carried on at 32, Palace Square, Norwood, but there was no shop, everything being done by correspondence. His paper had a large circulation in England and the Colonies. He had been dealing in stamps for the last twenty years. Since 1897 ^ had devoted him- self almost exclusively to colonial stamps. He had followed the Transvaal C.S.A.R. stamps very closely. The 5s. value was never over-printed that he knew of, and he never saw a second print. If there had been one he would have seen it, or it would have been reported to him. The C.S.A.R. stamps ceased to be used about the middle of October, 1905. He found out early in that month that there were C.S.A.R. stamps on the market with a second overprint. The first article he wrote was not specially directed against the plaintiffs, as he had seen stamps with forged overprints coming from other quarters, and had received communica- tions about them. There was a row of used C.S.A.R. stamps which he saw in November, 1905, in plaintiff's window. The first was of a penny value, offered at is., and he thought it was genuine. The "surcharge" on another penny one marked at the same price was un- doubtedly forged. Witness described other stamps in the window, the sur- charges of which he said were forged, as were the postmarks in some cases. The prices asked were exceedingly cheap, and far below the real value. In fact, they were one-fifth of the prices at which he himself was selling. The origin of C.S.A.R. stamps sold with the second type of overprint was always traced to plaintiff's shop.
Cross-examined by Mr. Gill : He recognised forged "surcharges" and postmarks on stamps in plaintiff's win- dow, and drew the attention of a police- man to the fact.
As an expert? — No. I tried to make him understand it, but could not. (Laughter.) I thought it might be alleged that I was never there.
Oh ! Was that the state of your mind ? You thought that unless you spoke to somebody it might be said you were not there? — Yes. It was a stray thought which occurred to me at the time. (Laughter.)
Did you get your face glued against the window? (Laughter.) — No. The stamps were fairly close up to the glass. Witness got his knowledge of postmarks through constantly seeing them. He had been purchasing Transvaal C.S.A.R. stamps since April, 1905, and had ob- tained between one and two thousand of them and of Orange River Colony stamps. They came from various corre- spondents in South Africa and in this country.
When did you first have unused C.S.A.R. stamps?— In the early part of 1906.
How many did you purchase? — On one occasion 118 in a sheet.
What? You heard your counsel yester- day— how can they be in the possession of anybody properly? — The accountant from the railway company who had the ordering and distributing of them told me that he gave a certain number to his friends. They might come that way, or the goods clerk might put ordinary stamps on invoices instead of the over- printed ones.
By his Lordship : Unused halfpenny stamps "surcharged" "C.S.A.R." he had sold for 15s. Without the "sur- charge " they could be obtained from the post-office for ^d.
Mr. Gill : Was not the position of affairs in October that you, the Colonial Stamp Market, did not possess these stamps while the plaintiff did? — I knew plaintiff had a few forgeries for sale. 'Witness said he got the "surcharged" stamps before plaintiff did. They came from a Mr. Maunder, who, he under- stood, obtained them from the Crown Agent's office. When Maunder went away for his holidays Dresch got them and sold them to plaintiff. Anybody who could not recognize such poor forgeries of overprints and postmarks as he had given examples of would be grossly in- competent.
By his Lordship : When he wrote the article complained of, he thought there were forged stamps coming into the mar- ket in increasing numbers, and he con- sidered it necessary to call attention to it, as there was a danger of people being taken in.
The hearing was adjourned.
Friday, February 8th.
Mr. Sidney Nott, of Blackheath, reply- ing to Mr. Compton Smith, said that in 1905 he had some Transvaal C.S.A.R. stamps from Mr. Lowden, ranging from ^d. to 5s., on sale or return. He offered them to a Mr. Field, who sent them back, and he then returned them to Lowden, saying they had been returned to him (witness) as forgeries.
Mr. Charles Gordon Temple said he was studying to be an accountant, and
Louden v. Ewen.
39
was a collector of postage stamps. He knew Mr. Lowden from going to his shop for about three years before 1905. Witness did not know plaintiff then as Lowden, but as Frank Moore. In con- versation he found that he had previously dealt with plaintiff as Stuart & Co., Isle- worth, and also that letters were ad- dressed to him as Low, of Cumberland Park, Acton. Plaintiff signed cheques as Londoner. He bought a set of Orange River Colony C.S.A.R. stamps from Lowden, for which he gave 30s. Another set he paid £1 for, and two sets of Trans- vaal stamps cost 30s. each. Plaintiff told him there were two printings of Transvaal C.S.A.R. stamps, one at Johannesburg and one at Pretoria, which accounted for the differences in the type. What he knew about the C.S.A.R. stamps he learned from Lowden. After he had returned certain Transvaal and Orange River C.S.A.R. stamps to plaintiff the latter subsequently admitted that he had found out that seme of the " surcharges " were wrong.
Cross-examined by Mr. Gill : He had no transaction with anyone named Low, but he had several with Stuart & Co., with regard to whom he had no sort of complaint to make. When the question of the genuineness of the C.S.A.R. stamps arose he took some of them to Messrs. Stanley Gibbons & Co. and to Mr. Nott, who refused to give an opinion on them. He took the stamps to defendant after he had seen the alleged libel. Mr. Ewen had none of those stamps for sale to the public at that time.
Except Mr. Ewen, who said that the " surcharges " . on those stamps were f orged ?— Nobody has actually said that they were forged — that is too definite a statement to make, but two or three people said that they did not like the look of them.
Witness did not remember say to Mr. Lowden that Ewen had a worm in his brain about these stamps. He would not swear that he did not say it.
Was Mr. Lowden a friend of yours, as you say in one of your letters, until you had your interviews with Mr. Ewen? — Certainly he was.
Re-examined by Mr. Clavell Salter : He believed it was a fact that Stanley Gibbons & Co. did not deal in or recog- nize Government stamps at all in their catalogue.
By his Lordships : Up to the appear- ance of the alleged libel he had no reason to doubt plaintiff at all.
Mr. Charles J. Smith, Mr. H. M. Hansen, and Mr. Thomas Cresswell, amateur collectors, testified to buying Transvaal C.S.A.R. stamps from plain- tiff, and returning them owing to doubts of the genuineness of the "surcharges."
Mr. Henry Maunder, living at Mexton I Park, and a Civil servant employed in ! the Paymaster-General's office, said he had had extensive dealings in stamps for 25 years past. From March, 1905, to the end of October of the same year he I received a number of unused Transvaal C.S.A.R. stamps from correspondents. These he disposed of to Mr. Ewen and to stamp clubs. From correspondents he received between four hundred and five hundred stamps. The stamps became curiosities, and their price rose when the overprinting was discontinued. Of that he took advantage, and sold what stamps he had. He had never seen a five shil- ling Transvaal stamp with the overprint C.S.A.R., and he never saw an overprint inverted. He saw a five shilling stamp, purporting to be overprinted with the letters C.S.A.R. in plaintiff's window, but had seen one nowhere else.
Witness was handed a quantity of C.S.A.R. stamps, and declared that in a considerable number of cases the over- prints and postmarks were forgeries.
Cross-examined by Mr. Gill : It was true that Mr. Ewen got used Transvaal C.S.A.R. stamps through him from the Crown Agent's office. When he was away on his holiday Dresch got them. Witness had nothing to do with the Crown Agent's office except buying stamps from the clerks there.
What are you in the Paymaster-Gene- ral's office? — An examiner.
What do you examine? — Accounts. Do you carry on a business in stamps there? — No.
Do you import stamps for sale? — Yes, but I carry on that business from my private house.
These used Colonial stamps come from the Crown Agent's Office? — Yes.
Do you import large numbers of stamps? — No. I am a collector, not a dealer. Every collector is, in a sense, a dealer, as he has to sell what he dees not want. Witness went on to say that he bought Colonial stamps for one-third of their face value, and sold them at about 50 per cent, over face value.
You got the best price you could ? — I got as much as Mr. Ewen would give me, but he did not pay me as much as I wanted. (Laughter.)
By Mr. Clavell Salter : In 1905 a set of ordinary used Transvaal stamps would be worth about is. If "surcharged" with the letters " C.S.A.R.," the price would go up to 15s. or £1. The "sur- charging " of unused Transvaal stamps would raise the price of a set from the face value of 3s. to about £4. He con- sidered that the forgeries of the over- prints and postmarks on the stamps he had examined were not clever, and were easy of detection.
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The Philatelic Record.
Mr. F. H. Oliver, of the firm of Bright & Son, stamp dealers, of 164, Strand, said he had considerable experi- ence with the Transvaal C.S.A.R. stamps. He never saw more than one genuine type of printing, and he did not know that there was a second type until shown it by defendant's solicitor on some stamps a few weeks ago. All the surcharges in this second type were, in his opinion, forgeries.
The hearing was adjourned until Monday.
Monday, February nth.
Further evidence was called for the defence.
Mr. Edward Denny Bacon, a member of the council of the Royal Philatelic Society, living at South Croydon, was examined by Mr. Clavell Salter. He said that he had made a special study of postage stamps for thirty-five years, and was a member of the expert committee of the Philatelic Society. That commit- tee considered the genuineness or other- wise of stamps submitted to them, and coming from all parts of the world. He was employed to mount the Taplin col- lection of stamps in the British Museum, which was worth ^100,000, and was now mounting a philatelic library for Lord Crawford. He had carefully considered the marks on the stamps in the present case, and declared that a number of them were forgeries. He had never seen a genuine second print of the C.S.A.R. Transvaal stamps, nor had he seen one of the 5s. stamps with the " surcharge."
By his Lordship : He had no connec- tion with the present case before being asked to give evidence.
Mr. John Potter, assistant principal clerk in the Crown Agent's office, pro- duced an album showing Somaliland stamps overprinted O.H.M.S. There was no genuine overprinting of those stamps except that shown in the album.
Cross-examined by Mr. Gill : Maunder was not connected with the Crown Agent's office, and the men from whom he said he got the stamps were not clerks, but messengers, and would only be able to get the stamps which went into the waste- paper basket.
By Mr. Clavell Salter : Dresch was a* boy copyist, supplied by the Civil Ser- vice Commissioners. He was in the de- partment which opened letters and parcels which came into the Crown Agent's office. As such he would be entitled to obtain Colonial stamps.
By his Lordship : There was a good deal of competition for the stamps which came into the office, and any one could take them from the waste-paper basket, or if they were left about loose. The messengers could get them from the clerks.
Mr. Oliver was recalled and ques- tioned further by Mr. Clavell Salter as to the prices of stamps at issue in the case. He said that in October and November, 1905, a set up to is. of ordi- nary Transvaal used stamps would be worth 6d. to is. qd. If a similar set was " surcharged " with the letters '' C.S.A.R.;53 the value would be about £3. A set of ordinary Transvaal unused stamps would be worth 2s. and 3s. The "surcharge" "C.S.A.R." would raise the price, he would say, to' about £10. If the set contained a 5s. stamp it would be worth another £2.
After speeches by counsel the case was adjourned.
Tuesday, February 12TH.
In summing up, his lordship said the jury had to consider whether or not the substantial allegations made by the defendants were established to their com- plete satisfaction. The statement of the plaintiff was that the defendant acted entirely maliciously towards him, and with an idea of ruining his business. There was another question which the jury would have to consider. If they found in favour of the plaintiff, he would certainly be entitled to substantial damages. Defendant had asserted, not only through his counsel, but by the evidence which he had called, that the statements which he made were true, and that he was justified in making them.
It was a very unfortunate thing, his Lordship continued, that there should be people who, when the face value of a stamp was a few pence, would give those ridiculous prices of which they had been told, because there was some "sur- charge " on it. Speaking generally, the letters, "O.H.M.S." or "C.S.A.R.," were letters that could be printed on all sorts of stamps. Unfortunately, the craze of collectors was such that four, five, six, and ten times the face value of those stamps was given, because of the "'surcharges'' on them. Therefore, it would pay anybody in the market to get surcharged stamps, and it was the more important that honest people, not mali- cious people, should inform the public of the true state of affairs.
After a consideration lasting about three-quarters of an hour, the jury re- turned a verdict for the defendants, stating that the stamps in the case bore forged marks, and that the article by Mr. Ewen was fair comment.
Mr. Compton Smith : I assume that the jury have found that the justification is proved.
His Lordship : The jury have said what they find. I think it is judgment for the defendants, and it is quite sufficient.
Judgment, with costs, was entered accordingly.
New Issues
es.
41
The earliest information as to New Issues will be much appreciated by us, and will be duly credited
to the correspondent, or firm, sending it. Our foreign subscribers can materially
help us in this direction. When possible, a specimen should
accompany the information, and be addressed to
Frei
H. Gibson, Fairfield, Crumpsall, Manchester,
The British Empire.
Antigua. — The Monthly Journal learns that the |d. and 2tjrd. have been seen printed in single colours upon multiple CA paper ; it is not known whether they are yet on sale.
A dhesives.
Wmk. CA and Crown multiple.
£d. grey-green.
2M. ultramarine.
British Guiana.— The Monthly Journal chronicles the undermentioned changes of colour, all, we imagine, upon multiple watermark paper.
Adhesives. Wmk. CA and Crown multiple. 2C. rose.
4c. light brown and violet. 5c. ultramarine. 6c. grey and black. 12c. ochre and lilac.
British Honduras. — Here also the Monthly Journal lists some novelties, though so far, we believe, only " specimen " copies have been seen.
A dhesives.
Wmk. CA and Crown multiple
ioc. lilac and emerald green.
25c. lilac and orange-brown.
50c. grey-green and carmine.
id. ,, carmine.
2d. ,, ultramarine.
5d. ,, black.
Brunei.— Following close upon the over- printed set, we gather from various sources that a permanent set has been prepared for this Protectorate.
The stamps are in two colours, and are of pictorial design. Values, etc., as follows:
Adliesives. ic. grey-black and light green.
|
2C , |
, brick-red. |
|
3C 4c. 5C 8c. |
, brown. , lilac. , blue. , yellow. |
|
IOC. , |
, dark green |
25c. light blue and light brown. 30c. violet and black. 50c. green and dark brown. 1 dol. orange-red and grey.
Cyprus. — Mr. W. H. Peckitt informs us that he has now received the 10 paras we chronicled in December.
Hong Kong.— The 4c. and ioc. are to appear in colour upon white paper as below.
IfSpira!
Adhesive. 4c. red. ioc. ultramarine.
Jamaica. — Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. send us the new Jd., printed all in green. This and the id. are of a slightly different design to that of the 1903 stamps ; in chroni- cling the latter in November last, the old type was shown in error.
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The Philatelic Record.
A dkesive.
Wmk. CA and Crown multiple.
Jd. dull green.
Leeward Islands. — We see the follow- ing chronicled, from specimen copies, in Der
Philatelist :—
Adhesives. §d. green. Wmk. CA and Crown multiple. 2\&- blue. ,, ,,
Malta. — The single colour stamps gradu- ally arrive ; Ewen's Weekly states that the id. value has been printed in carmine, though it has not been issued yet for postal purposes.
Adhesive.
id. carmine. Wmk. CA and Crown multiple.
New Zealand. — A 2d. Postage Due
stamp of the current type is just to hand.
Adhesive.
Unpaid Letter stamp.
2d. red and green.
Queensland. — The gd. value is the latest to appear with the new watermark.
Adhesive.
Wmk. Crown and A. Perf. i2§ + 12.
od. brown and ultramarine.
Sudan.— Mr. W. H. Peckitt sends us a 4mill. printed in pale blue and brown.
Adhesive.
Wmk. Star and cresent multiple.
4m. pale blue and brown.
Foreign Countries.
Denmark.— Mr. W. T. Wilson is the first to send us the 20 ore with the new portrait. The other values are not expected just yet.
&U '
Adhesive. 20 ore indigo.
German Empire. — On looking through a list of the issued Colonial stamps on watermarked paper in E wen's Weekly, we have to add the following : —
East Africa. i5h. Watermarked. South-West Africa. iopf. Watermarked. Offices in Levant. Jp. Watermarked.
ilP-
5pia. 25pia.
Offices in Morocco. 5c. Watermarked.
Guatemala.— Mr. W. H. Peckitt sends us a specimen of a new denomination, a i2^c. We illustrate the design : —
Japan. — The Bazaar, Exchange and Mart mentions two alterations in colour, as below : —
Adhesives. 1 sen. fawn. 5sen. yellow.
Holland. — As in Roumania this country is starting the Charity Stamp business. Still we must be thankful it is only a modest set of three to chronicle. The stamps are to benefit The Society for the Prevention of Tuberculosis ; they are of the facial denomi- nation of 1, 2, and 5c. , and were sold from December 23rd to January 3rd at double face value. We are indebted to the Monthly Journal for the following description : —
' ' The design is a peculiar and complicated one ; its most prominent feature is the indi- cation of the postal value, in large type, in the centre ; above this is a Crowned Shield, bearing the Arms of Holland, and below is a scroll inscribed 'nederland.' At each side is foliage (with bunches of grapes) forming four circles enclosing a Star or Sun at upper left, a Bird pecking a bunch of grapes at upper right, a Fountain rising
New Issues.
43
from an office inkstand at lower left, and an Ear of Barley or bearded Wheat at lower right, on a dotted ground in each case. Surrounding the picture is a frame, in- scribed on three sides — ' amsterpamshe '
at left, ' VEREENIGING TOT BESTRIJDING DER '
at top, ' tuberculose ' at right ; it should be noted that the engraver seems to have forgotten the first ' i ' of ' bestrijding,' and had to squeeze it in over the tail of the 'j.' The date, ' dec. 1906,' is in the upper part of the picture."
A dhesives.
ic. red. Perf. 12A.
2C. sage-green. ,,
5c. slate-violet. ,,
Honduras. — Ewen's Weekly states that two values of a new set for 1907 have just been issued. We are without particulars of design, etc., but have no doubt that we shall be able to illustrate a specimen shortly.
A dhesives.
ic. green. 6c. violet.
Perf.
Nicaragua. — Eiven's Weekly mentions that the 10c. light-brown has been seen re-engraved with the imprint: " Waterlow & Sons, Limited, Londres," at foot in lieu of " American Bank-Note Company."
Adhesive. ioc. light brown. Re-engraved.
Panama, Republic of.— Messrs. Whit- field King & Co. send us the new 2c. carmine, with portrait in black. They have also received the ic, 5c, 8c, and ioc , overprinted "Canal Zone" in black. A dhesives. cc. carmine and black (Fernandez de Cordoba). Surcharged " Canal Zone " in black, ic. deep green and black. 5c. blue and black. 8c. black and purple, ioc. black and violet.
Paraguay. — We hear of one value of a new pictorial set — a 1 peso, oblong, with view in centre.
Adhesive. ip. rose and black. Perf. nh.
Salvador. — The 100c. is the latest value to hand of the Official stamps. Adhesive. Official stamp. iooc. Prussian blue.
United States. Philippines. — MekceVs Weekly adds an Express Delivery stamp to the recent set.
Adhesive.
Special Delivery stamp.
20c. blue.
Notes and News.
Manchester Philatelic Society.
The 251st Meeting was held in the Geographical Society's Rooms on Friday evening, January 25th. The President in the chair. Mr, J. K. King was elected an Ordinary and Messrs. W. A. Rockliff and H. L. Watts Corresponding Members. Mr. G. L. Campbell read a Paper on "The Uses of Philatelic Literature," dealing more particularly with the forma- tion of a Library. He dealt with the methods of binding, classifying, arranging, cataloguing, and indexing the various volumes, and gave lists of the various works necessary, in his opinion, for the libraries of a moderate and an advanced collector, respectively. Mr. J. R. M. Albrecht showed a series of Mulready Caricatures.
Mr. Gee presided at the Meeting on February nth, when Mr. Munn gave a Display with Notes of the Stamps of the United States from 1870-igoo.
The Elementary Discussion on Jan. 18th was opened by Mr. Abbott, his subject being Zululand, and the one on Griqualand on February 15th by Mr. Beckton.
Priced Catalogue.
Messrs. Hagen & Co., Ltd., send the company's priced catalogue of the stamps of Australia, New Zealand and South Sea
Islands for the year 1907. As the catalogue does not purport to be a complete list of all stamps and varieties issued but only of such as the firm have for sale, it does not admit of any criticism at our hands. To such as are particularly interested in this important group the price list will be welcomed as an index of market values ruling in the Antipodes.
By Order of the Crown Agents for the Colonies.
" British Guiana : 1890-91, 8 cents lilac and green-black, 75,016 unused speci- mens in mint sheets of 60 each, in their original packets of 50 sheets each (75,016).
Messrs. Ventom, Bull & Cooper are instructed to offer the above stamps (being the entire remainder of this value, now withdrawn by order of the Government) in one lot, at face value, but in the event of no bids being forthcoming for the whole parcel, the Auctioneers are empowered to invite bids for any portion of same, provided the highest bidding is of sufficient import- ance to warrant a Sale, in which case the remainder of the stamps will be destroyed. The highest bidder shall, subject to the following conditions, be the purchaser."
No bid was made for the above lot.
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The Philatelic Record.
The Scottish Philatelic Society: Junior Branch.
The monthly meeting of the above Society was held in Dowell's Rooms, Edinburgh, on the evening of Saturday, 2nd February, when nearly thirty members were present ; Mr. Walker, the President, in the chair. From 7 to 7.30 there was an active interchange of duplicates, during which the Hon. Secretary paid to members present their Sales from the November packet. The minutes of the meeting held on 5th January last were read and approved. Mr. C. P. Rugers and Mr. F. C. Henderson were elected members, making the total membership 85. The Secretary reported the Sales from the Packets in circulation, which were considered very satisfactory. He also reported that Mr. Ernest Hegin- bottom had very kindly offered two displays for next Session, and that Mr. Leicester Paine, Secretary of the Travellers' Club, had been good enough to promise to send for the March meeting his unique Exhibit in the London Philatelic Exhibition. Both offers were cordially accepted. He also stated that the Senior Society had kindly allowed the members of the Junior Branch access to their library, and gifts to the library from Mr. John Humphries were intimated. Visiting members to the next meeting of the Senior Society were then appointed. The display of the evening was provided by Mr. Ernest Humphries, who read some notes on the Postage Stamps of Cape Colony and British East Africa, and exhibited a very fine collection of the Stamps of these Colonies and of Nigeria, the collection being especially strong in blocks of triangular Capes, the scarce issues of British East Africa, and the high values of Southern Nigeria. Mr. Humphries was awarded a hearty vote of thanks for the Display, which was much appreciated and admired. Further dona- tions to the Prize Fund were intimated. Mr. Frank Chalmers, Hon. Sec, 24, Bruntsfield Gardens, Edinburgh.
New Zealand.
The Australian Philatelist states that the letters N.Z., both large and small, are to be found on the same sheet of the first issue of New Zealand postage dues.
What o'clock?
The result of the voting of the Fellows of the Royal Philatelic Society, London, upon the hour of meeting was announced at the meeting on February 7th, and resulted in a large majority in favour of six o'clock. This is in conformity with the opinion we ventured to express in these columns last month, and as the motion when put to the meeting was carried unanimously, we hope the change will be found producrive of good. At this meeting the first lady Fellow was elected in the person of Miss Cassells, a lady well known to her brother Fellows, and whom we congratulate upon the honour.
A New Departure.
The January number of our contemporary, the Philatelic Journal of Great Britain, pub- lished by Messrs. P. L. Pemberton & Co., makes the following announcement : —
"As most of our readers are aware, this number of the Philatelic Journal of Gnat Biitain, commences a new volume, and also inaugurates a new departure. Some months ago, we decided to exclude all dealers' advertisements but our own, at the same time providing subscribers with a little more reading matter. For some years past most of our advertisers have had most satisfactory returns from their advertise- ments ; this being the case, the reason why we have decided to publish only our own advertisements should not be far to seek."
Junior Philatelic Society: Manchester Branch.
The sixteenth ordinary meeting was held on February 7th. Mr. Bernstein presided, and there were thirty members present. Messrs. W. F. Johnson and J. Shaw were elected members. Mr. J. G. Homer gave a paper on the stamps of Hyderabad. He said : The country was one of the largest of the Native States of India. The Nizam shares with two other Princes the privilege of a salute of twenty-one guns. The first stamp consists of a native inscription en- closed in a shaded framework with the date 1283, i.e., 1866-7, when the stamps were ordered. But there is no proof positive that they were in use before September, 1869. In 1871 two further values, ^ anna and 2 anna, were issued. These are known as the skeleton type, as they are merely an outline when compared with the next issue. They were engraved locally on copper by hand, each stamp on the plate being different. Later in 1871 stamps of a more elaborate design appeared, and are still in use. The colours have varied very much, especially the J anna. Mr. W. W. Munn i gave a display with notes of the stamps of j Belgium. The first issue appeared on July 1st, 1849, two values, 10 and 20 cen- J times. A ic. stamp was issued on June 1st, j 1 861 ; this was at first allowed to frank ! letters, but an official decree was issued ! restricting its use to printed manner only. i From 1893 the stamps have been issued with a label with the inscription ' ' not to be delivered on Sunday," which can be de- tached if the sender wishes the letter to be delivered. The idea was to lighten the work of the post office on a Sunday.
The Lindenberg Medal.
The jury have awarded this coveted prize this year to M. L. F. Hanciau, a well-known writer, and one who was associated for years with the great M. Moens in his stamp business, and the author of most, if not all, of the famous series of bibliographies emanating from that noted establishment.
Notes and News.
45
Lowden v. Ewen.
The Special Report of this case appearing in our columns this month, is taken from the Daily Telegraph, to the proprietors of which our acknowledgements are duly tendered.
Opinions Differ.
Concerning the recent New Zealand Exhibition Commemoration Stamps, we extract the following from two of our contemporaries.
The Australian Philatelist says: — "The designs of the stamps, as seen on proofs shown us by Mr. Van Weenen, are really excellent, and reflect great credit on the engraver. Had the printing been equally satisfactory the stamps would have com- mended themselves, but unfortunately the latter is such poor workmanship that the effects are spoiled and the labels are held up to ridicule. The ^d. and id. values were issued on the ist November, the 3d. on the 7th, and the 6d. on the 16th."
We will now turn to Alfred Smith & Sons' Monthly Circular:— "This Colony, with little regard for its dignity, has issued a set of 'stickers' to help pay for its Exhibition. The design is attributed to one L. J. Steel, of Auckland, and the engraving to W. R. Bock, of Wellington, who between them have managed to produce four of the sorriest labels it has ever been my lot to record.
J penny, pale green (Te Arawa).
1 ,, pale red [Maori Art).
3 pence, pale blue and brown (Land- ing of Cook).
6 ,, green and rose (Annexation
of Neiv Zealand) . ' '
The First Stamps of Luxemburg.
It is said that when about the year 1890, the late notorious G. Foure sold his Luxemburg collection to a Berlin dealer, he threw in two "matrices" of the 10c. black These were regarded as of no use, and were handed over to a friendly Belgian dealer. The Deutsche Brief mar ken-Zeitung contends that such a man as Foure must have made some use of these dies, and that the greenish-black stamps of the "fraudulent printing" must, therefore, be attributed to him. The reasoning is hardly convincing, and no attempt is made to explain how two genuine mother-dies of the one stamp could exist. — The Monthly Circular.
India.
1882-1886 Issue. Under the heading of " Papers for Moderate Specialists " Mr. Pemberton commences an interesting article on the above named country in last month's Philatelic Journal of Great Britain. We make the following extract : — This issue consists of eleven denominations, each in a different type. It is interesting as marking the assumption by Her Majesty the late
Queen Victoria of the title Empress of India. This change is shown on the stamps by the substitution of the name India for east india. This set is capable of great results for the collector who is fond of marked gradations of shades. Two distinct sets can be made up showing early and late printings. In the case of the ^ and 4a. the earlier shades are the deeper, but in the case of all the other values the exact reverse is the case.
The principal specialists' varieties are the £a. and 2a. double printed (both these varieties were actually issued).
The 1 rupee, printed in grey, was forged to a great extent, and large numbers were used on correspondence. I remember that when I was in Manchester in 1890-92, I frequently found these forgeries amongst stamps taken from the correspondence of large business houses. It was no doubt for this reason that the colour was changed in 1892 to carmine, with green centre.
The 2ijrAs. on 4AS. 6 Pies (1891).
This stamp was required when the postal rate to England was reduced to 2^d. There is a well-marked variety of the surcharge, which is not generally known, but which is well worthy of catalogue rank. In this the foot of the letters " As " is on a level with the fraction bar in "J," whereas in the ordinary type it is always exactly level with the foot of the large " 2." Though I have known of this variety for nine years, and have examined thousands of specimens, I have only found two. From this it seems possible that the error occurred in the earlier sheets only, and was afterwards corrected. The copy illus- trated below is dated 25th March, 189 r, which was three months after the stamp was issued. Besides this variety, speci- mens may be found with portions of the figures or letters missing, but I cannot say whether these are due to broken type or to defective printing.
The Mart.
By Messrs. Puttick & Simpson, at their Galleries in Leicester Square, on January 15th and 16th, 1907. '•&»
£ s. d. Great Britain : 1847-54, 6d. violet, octagonal, ^tM
a pair, in mint state 11 o o
1870, i|d. rose-red, the error " O.P.P.C." 180 1865-67, is. green, Plate 4, a block of four,
mint £0170
1880, 2s. brown, overprinted " Specimen " 1 o o 1882-83, wmk. anchor, 5s. rose on bleute, a
pair and a single, telegraphically used 1 18 0
46
The Philatelic Record.
£ s. d.
£i brown-lilac on bleute 3 5°
£5 orange, unused in mint state, but
slightly creased 526
Another, used 1 14 o
1883-84, 10s. cobalt, overprinted " Speci- men " o 17 o
10s. blue, and 1891, £1 green, mint .. 1 11 o 1887, 3d. brown on orange, mint . . . . 1 12 o
1891, £f green, mint 140
Army Telegraphs, 1895, £5 lilac and green,
mint 200
China: Wei Hai Wei, 1898, 2c. red, a fine
block of four, unused 1 10 o
5c. red, a fine block of four, used ..220
India : Service. 1867-73, ^a. blue, Die 2, a
very fine block of four, mint . . . . 10 10 o Puttialla, 1892-99, 4a. olive, the error with " Patiala" omitted, used together with the normal type on entire original ..200 Service. 1892, 1 rupee green and car- mine, block of four, mint .. ..130 British Bechuanaland : 1888, 2d. lilac, with value in red, a pair, one is the rare variety with small curly-footed " 2 " 1 16 o British Central Africa : 1892-93, Three Shill- ings on 4s. grey, mint 160
1895, no wink., £25 blue-green, unused ..28 o o Cape of Good Hope : 1861, 4d. red, error.no
margins, and repaired in left corner. . 19 10 o 1863-64, triangular, 4d. slate-blue, a fine
unused pair 240
Northern Nigeria : 1900, 10s. green and
brown, mint 276
Orange River Colony : 1900, 6d. carmine, a pair, one is the very rare error with- out figure of value, mint .. .. 7 15 o
A similar pair, but used 700
5s. green, without stop after " V," mint 476 2§d. blue, a block of four, mint . . ..400 3d. blue, with second diagonal over- print, mint 150
2d. mauve, with inverted overprint,
mint 220
6d. carmine, an entire pane . . . . 32 o o Southern Nigeria: 1902-04, £1 violet and
green
Another, telegraphically used Zululand: 1888-92, id., 2d., 4d., 5d.,and9d.,
mint
5s. carmine, very fine
1894-96, £x purple on red, mint
Another, used
£5 black and purple on red, used Fiscal Postal, is. carmine and lilac, on
piece of original
United States: 1861, 10c. green, premiere
gravure, unused
1869, 2C brown, a fine pair, without grille 3c. blue, without grille, unused 10c. orange, and 12c. green, mint 24c. purple and green, mint 24c. purple and green. 30c. blue and
carmine, and 90c. carmine and black 0180 30c. blue and carmine, a fine block of nine . . . . . . . . . . ..1160
90c carmine and black, good colour, fine 100
Another, unused 180
The 1875 re-issue, 2c. brown, mint .. o 18 o
10c. orange, mint 170
24c. purple and green, mint . . ..150
30c. blue and carmine, unused .. ..120
90c. carmine and black, mint
Nevis : 1883, |d. in black on half of id. lilac
a pair, unused
St. Vincent : 1866, no wmk., compound perf.
id. rose 650
1881, 4d. on is. vermilion, unused.. ..10 o o
Tobago : 1879, 5s. slate, mint 1 18 o
is. orange-brown, error, a block of six,
mint o 18 o
British Guiana: 1875, 6c. blue, perf. 15, mint 160 New Zealand: 1863-66, wink, star, perf., 2d. blue, Plate 2, retouched, very scarce, with a normal copy for comparison. . 330 1871, wmk. star, perf. 10 x i2§, 2d. ver- milion, pair, one is retouched. . .. 3 17 6
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4 |
15 |
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3 |
10 |
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0 |
16 |
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2 |
0 |
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1 |
12 |
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1 |
10 |
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3 |
5 |
|
1 |
12 |
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3 |
in |
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1 |
O |
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0 |
10 |
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0 |
11 |
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0 |
14 |
.. 2 15 O
6 5
By Messrs. Ventom, Bull & Cooper, on January 24th and 25th, 1907.
£ s. d. Great Britain : 1883, £5 orange, a fine, ver- tical corner strip of four, each over- printed " SPECIMEN " .. ..500 1883, "3d." in carmine on 3d, lilac, and " 6d." in carmine on 6d. lilac, both
imperf., mint 5 o o
"I.R. OFFICIAL," 1885, is. green, un- used 0120
1885, 5s. rose on blued paper, overprinted
"specimen" 1 10 o
1889, is. green, mint .... ..150
1 901, is. green and scarlet, mint .. 300
Austria: 1867, iskr. brown, variety, printed
both sides 220
Austrian Italy: 1st issue, 5c. yellow-buff,
mint 2 15 o
France : 1872-75, error, 15c. bistre on rose,
unused 3 15 o
Zurich : 4 rappen black, with horizontal red
lines 880
6 rappen black, unused 200
Ceylon: 1861, 8d. yellow-brown, unused ..400 1885, provisional, ioc on 36c. blue, unused 2 10 o 5c. on 24c. purple-brown, unused, but
rubbed . . 2 10 o
5c. on 32c. slate, error, surcharge in- verted 1120
1888-90 provl., 2c. on 4c. rose, surcharged
"TWOTWO,"mint 200
China: Amoy, "Half Cent "in blue on 4c.
brown 3 12 6
"POSTAGE DUE," the rare type on ic.
rose 300
British East Africa: 1891 provisional, hand- stamped in dull violet, " 1 Anna AB "
on 4a. brown 7 15 o
Value and initials in MS., 1 Anna AB. on 4a. brown, overprinted "INLAND REVENUE," and fiscally used .. 010 o Nyassa: 1901, ior. black and green, isor. black and orange-brown, and 3oor. black and green, all with centres in- verted, mint 2 14 o
Transvaal: Surcharged V.R.I., 5s. slate,
block of four, mint 240
Barbados: 1870, wmk. large star, rough
perf., is. black, mint 200
1878 provisional, id. on half 5s. dull rose,
a very fine unsevered pair . . . . 10 5 o Fiji Islands: 1874, 6d. carmine-rose, over- printed with Roman V.R., unused .. 210 o 1875, 2d. in black on 6d. carmine-rose,
with Gothic V.R., slight tear . . ..140
A further instalment of the Hetley Collec- tion was offered by Messrs. Glendining & Co. at their Galleries, on January 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 1907.
£ s. d. Ceylon: 1855, wmk star, imperf., 6d. on
bluish: 1857-9, 2d. green, unused ..100 1857-9, wmk. star imperf., 5d. chestnut,
unused 2150
6d. deep claret, unused 900
6d. brown, unused 140
8d. deep yellow-brown 14 5 o
gd. lilac-brown 3150
iod. orange-vermilion, unused .. . . o 19 o is. gd. yellow-green, unused ... .. 1 15 o 2s. blue, with light postmark . . ..200 1857-8, no wmk., imperf., id. lilac on
bluish, mint .. . ." .. . . 4 19 6
1861, wmk. star, clean cut perfs., 5d. chestnut, two shades, unused. . ..130
Rough perfs., 4d. rose, and gd. bistre- brown 180
8d. yellow-brown 200
is. gd. green, mint 200
1862, perf. 13, 5d. deep rich brown, mint 8 10 o 6d. brown, two shades, unused . . . . 1 14 o
1863-7, 2d. emerald green, mint . . . . 1 12 o 1872-80, perf. 12I x 14, 2r. 50c. lilac-rose,
very minute tear 1 18 o
Notes and News.
47
1885, wmk. C.C., perf. 14, 10c. on 16c. lilac
30c. on 36c. blue, inverted surcharge,
unused
Wmk. C.A., perf. 14, 5c. on 4c. lilac-rose,
5C. on 8c, and 5c. on 16c, all mint . .
5c. on 24c, purple-brown. .
1890, 5c. on 15c, olive-green, vertical mint
pair, lower stamp showing variety,
revenue omitted
1903, single wmk., set from 2c. to 2r. 25c,
mint
Hong Kong: 1863-71, 18c. lilac, unused 96c. yellow-brown, slightly thinned Perf. i2§, 4c. grey, two shades . . 1877, wmk. C.C., perf. 14, 16c. yellow; 1880, 48c. brown, both mint 16c. yellow; 1880, 5c. ultramarine, 10c. mauve, 48c. brown, all mint 1876, 16c. on 18c. mauve ; 1877, 16c. yel- low, fine unused copies
1880, wmk. C.C., 5c. on 8c. orange, 5c. on 18c. lilac, ioc. on 16c. yellow, 10c. on
24c. green, unused
1882, wmk. C.A., perf. 14, ioc. blue-green,
unused
1890, Chinese surcharge each side of stamp; 20c. on 30c. grey-green, 50c. on 48c. violet, both mint Chinese surcharge on right hand side of stamp ; 20c. on 30c. grey-green, and 50c. on 48c. violet, pair, right hand stamp normal variety, mint .. Chinese surcharge double ; 50c. on 48c.
violet, mint
1898, wmk. C.A., $1 on 96c. grey, variety, Chinese surcharge on left and right sides of stamp, and another copy with double surcharge on left side, both
mint
India: 1854, §a. indigo, superb unused block
of eight, with side margins of sheet. .
ia. red, superb unused block of eight,
with side margins of sheet ia. red, variety with pointed bust,
unused
2a. green, superb unused block of eight, top corner of sheet with margins i860, no wmk., perf. 14, 8p. purple on bluish 8p. purple on white, mint block of forty with marginal inscription
1865, wmkd., perf. 14, 8p. lilac, complete quarter sheet, with full margins and inscription, in fine mint condition . .
2a. brown -orange, complete quarter sheet, with full margins and inscrip- tion, brilliant mint, rare
1866-7, 6a. 8p. slate, mint block of twenty, with marginal inscription
1868, Die II., 8a. rose, mint pane of forty, with marginal inscription
1873, Die II., i|a. blue, complete quarter sheet, with marginal inscription, su- perb mint
1874, ir. slate, mint block of twenty, with marginal inscription, scarce .-
1882-8, wmk. star, ia. 6p. sepia, two mint
sheets with margins
4a. 6p. yellow-green, mint block of
thirty, with part margins 1892-5, 1, 2, 3, and 5 rupees, mint block of six of each value from corner of sheet, with margins
1866, Official, 2a. purple, unused ..
2a. purple, pin holes
Aug., 1866, Service, no wmk., 8p., mint . .
8a. carmine, part mint sheet of 80, but three ot the stamps are torn and mar- gins damaged
8a. carmine, another part sheet with marginal inscription, in superb mint condition
A complete half sheet (160) of the same stamp, but three of the copies are damaged
8p. purple, mint block of four, with side margins of sheet . .
£s. d.
1 4 o I o o 1 18 o
1 12 O
2 l6 O
i 19 O
240
0 IO O
1 10 O
I 15 O
l6o I 12 O
I 14 O 5 0 0
260
i 7 o
280 1 16 o 1 16 o
4 10 o
5 15 o
1 8 o
2 10 o
7 15 o
4 12 6
5 15 o
160
4 7 6
1 11 o
1 15 0
3 12 6 2 15 o 120 1 16 o
600
5 10 o
900
200
£ s. d.
1867-73, wmkd., 4a. green, complete quar- ter sheet (80) with marginal inscrip- tion, brilliant mint 1 11 0
1874-82, (O.H.M.S.), 8a. rose, fine mint
block of 40, with margins .. .. 1 13 o Persia : 1881, lithographed, 25c. dull green,
mint 55o
Egypt : 1872-5, 10 paras grey-lilac, vertical strip of three, two of which are tete- beche ; and ipias. bright red, vertical tete-beche pair, all mint . . . . o 16 o
2pias. yellow, mint block of four, one
stamp being tete-beche, scarce piece 1 12 o 2§pias. purple, superb mint block of six, one stamp being tete-beche, very
scarce 200
Gold Coast: 1875, wmk. C.C., perf. i2§, id.
blue, mint 100
4d. mauve, unused; and 1883, wmk. C.A., Ad. olive-yellow, mint .. ..130
1891-4, 5s. and ios., mint o 17 o
20s. green and red, lightly pen cancelled 150
1898-1900, 2d., two mint blocks of twelve 220
Lagos : 1874, is. orange, value i6Jiiim., mint 1 10 o
1884-6, 5s. blue, mint 500
Seychelles: 1893, 3c. on 4c, a horizontal strip of twelve, one stamp showing the variety, double surcharge, and the end stamp on right side of strip
without surcharge 8100
Argentine Republic: 1864, wmk. R.A., im-
perf., ioc. green, a grand copy .. 6 15 o
15c. blue, superb 600
New Brunswick: 6d. yellow-green, vertical
strip of four, very lightly marked ..550 Nova Scotia: 1851, is. cold violet .. . . 6 15 o is. cold violet, used on original . . . . 17 10 0 United States of America : 1851-60, imperf.,
ioc. blue-green, mint 100
Perf. 15-15!, 5c. deep brown, Type A,
unused 130
ioc. sreen, 12c. black, mint, 24c dull lilac, 30c orange, unused . . ..120 1867-8, with grille, 90c blue ; 1869, 90c
black and carmine 180
1869, ic, 2c, 3c, 6c, ioc, 12c, 15c, with frame, 24c and 30c, all unused, some
mint 220
90c. black and carmine, unused, but off
centre 110
1893, ic to $5, mint set 2 17 6
1894-5, no wmk., ic. to $5, mint set . . 1 16 o Confederate States: Athens, 5c purple,
Type II 1 10 o
Baton Rouge, 5c green and carmine . . 4 10 o Another copy of the same stamp on original, Postmark dated Oct. 1, 1861 376 Charlestown, 5c blue, very fine unused
copy o 15 o
5c + ,5c. envelope, white paper, with emblem of the South. This is quite a unique piece; Mr. Luff thinks the second 5c may have been printed at a subsequent date to the issue of the
envelope 800
Mobile, 5c black, a very fine copy on por- tion of original 300
5c blue, superb copy on original, Post- mark dated Sep. 25, 1861 .. .. 140 Memphis, 2c pale blue, unused, and 2c blue, used and rare, and Fredericks- burg, 5c blue, very fine unused copy o 18 o 5c red, on white wove paper, very fine horizontal pair on original, scarce in
pairs 300
Nashville, 5c carmine, and Charleston,
5c blue 090
50 carmine 150
5c violet-brown 200
New Orleans, 5c brown on bluish, pair on original (one slightly torn), and a fine single used copy and unused on white pap-r, 2c red (2), 2c blue (2), and 5c brown (2), shades .. .. o 14 o
Petersburg, 5c red 1 10 o
Tellico Plains, 5c red, unused . . . . 6 10 o
Fiji Islands: Oct., 1874, 6c green .. ..400
12c carmine-rose .. .. .' . ..150
Roman V.R., 2C blue 150
48
The Philatelic Record.
12 6
£
6c. yellow-green 4
i2c. carmine-rose, unused . . . . 3
Very fine used copy of the same stamp 1 1875, Roman V.R., 2d. in black on 3d. (6c.)
green
Gothic V.R., 2d. in black on 3d. (6c.)
green .. .. 3 5
2d. in red on 3d (6c.) green . . . . o 16 2d. in black on 6d. (12c.) rose, mint, but
three perfs. missing 2 5 <
2d. in black on 3d. (6c.) green . . ..191
2d. in red on 3d. (6c.) green, unused .. 3 15* ■ 1
A further instalment of the same collec tion was offered on February 5th and 6th by Messrs. Glendining & Co., Ltd. Spain: 1852, imperf., 6r. greenish blue, block of six
1853, imperf., 2r. vermilion, slightly cut. . 1852, City of Madrid, ic. bronze on entire,
and 1854, thin paper, 6r. blue, block of four
1854, thick bluish paper, ir. pale blue . . 1864, 19c, three horizontal pairs, and five
single copies, shades, mint Japan: 1871, imperf., 48 mons brown, un- used sheet 100 mons deep blue, ditto 1872, 5 sen blue-green, ditto, but two
stamps damaged
1 sen blue, block of eighteen, and a block of twenty, and 1 sen deep blue, block of twenty, mint
19 o
8 o
9 0
Native laid paper, £ sen brown, hori- zontal strip of three, mint, the centre stamp showing variety, upper charac- ter on left defective
1873, thin native laid paper, 2 sen pale yellow, very fine unused block of twenty
4 sen pale rose, horizontal strip of four, and 4 sen rose, block of fifteen
1874, 2 sen yellow, Plate 3, 5, 8, n, and 16 (2), all unused
British South Africa: Dec, 1890, £2 rose- red, used on small piece of entire . .
£5 green, scarce
Another copy on small piece of entire. .
£10 brown
£10 brown, unused
Dominican Republic: 1865, imperf., laid paper, A real black on pale green, un- used ■
1 real black on yellow, unused Grenada: 1863-79, wmk. star, rough perf, 6d. rose and 6d. vermilion, both mint 1871, is. mauve, error SHLLIING Nevis : 4d. rose, two shades, both used 1861, perf. 13, similar lot, but brighter
copies . .
6d. grey-lilac, unused
6d. grey-lilac, two used copies . .
6d. grey-lilac; 1867, is. yellow-green,
and is. blue-green
is. green, unused
1867, perf. 15, 4d. deep orange, two unused copies
£s. d.
Correspondence.
3 o
0 o 6 o
1 o 5 o
11 o
12 O
13 o 16 o
13 o 16 o
Origin of Envelopes.
To the Editor of the " Philatelic Record."
Dear Sir, — With reference to your " Origin of Envelopes " in your January issue, will you allow me to point out that although the Mulready envelopes were issued on 6th May, 1840, stamped envelopes were only issued in January, 1841. I have the Circular to Postmasters enclosing the two sizes of the id. pink on thread paper, and the id. stamp in its new colour of red- brown and the 2d. blue with lines added. I have also the Circular with the envelope 2d. blue embossed.
I enclose a small envelope with an unused id. black stamp fastened to half its width on the flap of the envelope, the other half to be moistened and so to seal the envelope, an invention to fasten the envelope before the gummed flap was thought of.
On the inside of this envelope is printed " No. 318, May 28th, 1840. Registered by Henry Tuck, 138, Aldersgate Street, London."
I have also the specification of James Bozardu's Patent, dated as early as 1839, for the use of a stamped or engraved label, and he suggests affixing by a wafer, one half to seal the letter.
I find Captain Basil Hall wrote Rowland Hill, 31st December, 1840 : " It strikes me, too, that a great convenience might be added to the envelopes if there were put a small lick of the gum which is used for the stamps at the angle where the wafer or wax is put ; so that an envelope might be closed without the trouble of a wafer on the double ' toil and trouble' of a seal. I can
easily see how one hundred or any number of envelopes might have this small touch of gum applied to them at the dash of a brush. Everyone now uses envelopes, which save a world of time, and if you were to furnish the means of closing the letter by an adhesive corner a still further saving of time would take place."
So you see the envelope mentioned by you was not very well known.
To show how wonderful the now regarded as ordinary manufacture of envelopes was considered I enclose a specimen postmarked 28 July, 1851, the wording inside of which is: "Manufactured by steam machinery 2,000 per hour at the Great Exhibition of Industry, Section 5, North-west Side, by Waterlow & Sons, 65-68, London Wall, London." — Yours faithfully,
Plain Anchor.
"Morocco Agencies" on Great Britain: 3 Pesetas on 2s. 6d.
To the Editor of the "Philatelic Record."
Dear Sir, — I have a specimen from the top row of the sheet which shows an inter- esting error, the second " E " in " Pesetas ' ' being half a millimetre, at least, taller than the normal— thus : PESETAS.
In addition to this peculiarity the E in question has a very blurred appearance, and appears to have taken the ink badly, as the white letters and design underneath show plainly through the overprint. It will be interesting to see if this discrepancy will be rectified in the second printing. If so this variety will be worth looking for. — Yours faithfully, J. Howard Roskilly.
THE
Philatelic Record.
MARCH, 1907.
Editorial Notes.
THE new system of distinguishing and advising registered corres- pondence which came into force on the 22nd of last month, brings the Postal Authorities of this country in accord with those in force abroad for a considerable period of time. The decree is dated 22nd January, 1907, and paragraph 1 reads as Falling follows:—
into Line.
" On the 18th of February will be introduced into " this service the international system of distinguishing registered " postal packets by means of registration labels bearing the letter R, " the names of the offices of posting, and serial numbers."
These labels are adhesive in character, and are attached to the letters or packets when handed in at the Post Office for registration, and special facilities are afforded to firms and individuals in the habit of despatching registered packets in large quantities.
The present seems to be a favourable opportunity of reviewing very briefly the devolution of the system of registration in force in this country, and in doing so we have been materially A Mode assisted by the inspection recently, through the kind- ness of one of our subscribers, of a very interesting collection of the registered envelopes of Great Britain, mounted to illustrate the historical, rather than the philatelic, side of the study.
By this we mean that the envelopes themselves were not by any means complete in their various sizes, or in the errors, but for all that the collection was made very much more interesting by reason of other things it did contain, which are seldom found in a collection of this character — such, for instance, as the original decrees issued from time to time, and other interesting matter ; for example, a piece of the original green string used for tying round the letters in early times. The various decrees were followed in each instance with a specimen of the envelopes issued in pursuance of it, and consequently the various cards
50 The Philatelic Record.
upon which the whole was mounted teemed with interest from the commencement, and never became tedious. We heartily congratulate the owner upon the possession of a collection of registered envelopes, which we should think is nearly unique, and although, as we have said, so far as the envelopes themselves are concerned, not assuming to be complete, yet far and away transcends in interest a mere accumulation of the envelopes themselves.
Previously to the introduction of uniform penny postage all
letters containing, or supposed to contain, coin or jewellery were
registered gratuitously by the Post Office, but when
Dismissa o ^e penny postage came into operation it was considered
ow an 1 tQ ke impracticable to continue the service, and with the sanction of the Treasury it was dropped. As the number of letters containing valuables increased, the depredations also increased in about (rather under than over) the same ratio, and the system of registration was reintroduced on January 6th, 1841, the fee being fixed at 1/-. The public, however, did not avail itself of the protection thereby offered, probably owing to the charge being so high.
In October, 1841, Lord Lovvther, P.M.G., therefore proposed to the Treasury to use his powers under 3 and 4 Vic, c. 96, sec. 39, to establish compulsory registration of letters supposed to contain coin or jewellery, and to charge is. per letter. The matter was referred to Rowland Hill, who concurred, but thought the charge too high, and suggested 6d. A Special Committee was granted, and as a somewhat natural result nothing very much seems to have come of it, the fee remaining fixed at is., with voluntary registration. It was inconsequence of the divergence of opinion between Lord Lowther and Rowland Hill, and to the latter's advice on this subject to the Treasury crossing the strong wish of the Postmaster- General, that led, more than any other single circumstance, to Rowland Hill's dismissal ; and though Lord Lowther remained Postmaster- General, as much as three years after this his plan of high-feed com- pulsory registration was never carried into effect.
In 1848, the fee was reduced to 6d., and in August, 1862, to 4d., when compulsory registration was applied to all letters passing through the London Office supposed to contain coin or valuables, and in the following year it was extended to all inland letters falling within the same category. It was not until January ist, 1878, that official registered envelopes were issued. In 1855, registered letters were enclosed in a green paper wrapper, upon which the following notice was printed in black ink : —
" The Postmaster is requested to take special care in the delivery of '• the inclosed (sic) registered letter to the party to whom it is addressed, " taking a receipt for it upon the above form, which is to be cut off and " carefully preserved in his office ; the remaining portion of the form is " to be sent back to London bv the first post with the returned Letter " Bill.
" Inland Department,
"General Post Office."
Editorial Notes. 51
From July 1st, 1858, this green wrapper was superseded and each
registered letter was tied up with green tape, in accordance with a
decree dated 1858. About the nth of April, 1870, the
Thf s green tape was superseded by green twine, probably to
ue ines* effect an economy. It is doubless from this tying up
the letters with green tape or twine that the practice of marking
registered letters with blue pencil lines drawn across the envelopes
arose ; this distinguishing feature being introduced at the same time as
the official envelopes in January, 1878. In fact, the decree above
mentioned shows a specimen of an envelope and how it was to appear
when tied with green tape, and the effect to the eye is the same as the
blue lines on the registered envelopes of to-day except that the colour
is green.
By the same decree, dated 17th December, 1877, authorising the issue of the official envelopes the registered fee was reduced to 2d. Paragraph 4 reads : —
" Registered Letter Envelopes bearing a 2d. stamp for the payment " of the registration fee will be sold at all post offices and by rural " messengers. To begin with, envelopes of the following dimensions " will be supplied — 5|ins. X 3iins. and 6ins. X 3|ins. — these will be " sold for 2^d. each or 2s. 2^d. for a packet of 12 — Registration fee being " included in the prices. Three larger sizes will be sold hereafter, and " due notice will be given of their dimensions and prices."
Paragraph 5 : — " The postage must be prepaid by affixing the necessary stamps ; the impressed stamp which the envelope bears represents the registration fee only."
For the registered envelopes first issued the die of the 2d. envelope was used, but it was quickly superseded by the familiar circular
registration die in April, 1878.
On the 13th of February, 1902, the combined registered and postal medallion was issued under decree of 21st January, 1902, setting out that it had been decided to substitute for the present Enve™ e medallion (value 2(L) on Registered Letter Envelopes ope* a brown medallion (value 3d.), denoting a registration fee of 2d. and postage id. When the envelopes are used no adhesive stamps as a rule will be necessary, but in cases when a registration or insurance fee of more than 2d. is paid, or the postage is more than id., stamps to the value required must be placed on the envelope immedi- ately to the left of the medallion.
52 The Philatelic Record.
Notable Philatelists.
Hilmer DjurHng,
mR. HILMER DJURLING, the editor of Svensk Filatelistisk Tidskrift since January 1904, the official organ of the Swedish Society, is young in years but few have done more for national philatelic interests in Sweden. Mr. Djurling was born in Stockholm in 1881. After completing extensive business studies and after mercantile and banking experience, he is now correspondent of one of the largest banking institutions in Stockholm.
Mr. Djurling became a member of the International Philatelists Union in Stockholm 1895 and was for six years its Secretary. It was through his wisely directed efforts to preserve the national aspect of the Swedish philatelic activity that the merger of the International Union with the Swedish Society took place early in 1904. This merger gave to the national Swedish Society a strength and solidity that few societies in larger countries can equal.
Mr. Djurling has an extensive collection of European stamps in excellent condition and is specializing the issues of his native country. He collects used stamps only, acting on the principle that true philately consists in the collection and study of used postage stamps, and although this is not the principle accepted in this country there is one well-known collector residing in the North who puts its tenets so strongly into force as to entirely ignore unused stamps in his collection.
Among the many foreign visitors to the London Exhibition last year the subject of our sketch was at the same time perhaps one of the youngest and most popular. He figured as a member of the General Committee and has done much active work as Librarian of the Swedish Society since the year 1904, being particularly interested in that still, we fear, neglected branch of our hobby — philatelic literature.
In conjunction with Mr. L. Harold Kjellstedt he has written a German-English-French-Swedish Philatelic Dictionary, and with Mr. Rud Krasemann an Edition in German of his Society's great work, " Sveriges Frankolecken 1855- 1905."
Notable Philatelists.
Hilmer Djurling.
54 The Philatelic Record.
The Minto Fete Philatelic Exhibition.
By Wilmot Corfield.
THE Philatelic Exhibition, brought together at the invitation of the Managing Committee of Her Excellency Lady Minto's Charity Fete in Calcutta, has had an experience probably unique in the history of Philately. At short notice of only a few days a meeting of the Society was held, a committee formed, and an appeal issued to philatelists, both in England and India, to send in exhibits ; it was dated the nth December last, and met with a very generous response. From that date to the 22nd January we were busily occupied in receiving stamps and arranging them in frames while we anxiously waited the action of the Fete authorities in providing proper accom- modation for our accumulated exhibits. Then the end came. It was within a few days of the day of opening, and we found ourselves provided with a very indifferent tent (perfectly empty), badly lighted, and quite unsuitable for our requirements. We met and unanimously decided to withdraw our Exhibition from the Fete, which was accordingly held without a philatelic display of any kind.
Our withdrawal has been thoroughly justified by subsequent events that I need not enlarge upon, and the Secretary to the Fete Committee (Colonel Crooke-Lawless) wrote me officially that he quite understood our action and considered we were perfectly justified in the course we took.
The Fete being ended, we found ourselves in the temporary possession of a magnificent exhibition of stamps with nowhere in which to show them. We also realised that the hot weather was rapidly setting in, when the fact that the thing known as O.G. makes itself alarmingly unpleasant ; and further, that the stamps with us had been lent for the Minto Fete only. Our position was at least a peculiar one, and only one way out of it presented itself. We decided upon the return of the exhibits to their owners, and the presentation of a recommendation to the Philatelic Society of India to organize a Calcutta Exhibition on its own account next cold season.
It remains to be seen what fruit the recommendation will bear. The stamps for the Minto Fete Exhibition are now on their way back to their generous owners. The moral of the affair is that a great Philatelic Exhibition must be run by those who understand stamps, and that there must be no preponderating lay element in the manage- ment in a position to vitally affect for the worse the success of the undertaking.
The Minto Fete itself was splendid, and the suffering and the sorrowful will benefit to the extent of several lakhs, as the result of the ten days or more of revelry during which its progress dominated Calcutta.
Calcutta,
21st February, 1907.
British Post Offices in the Levant. 55
— The —
British Post Offices in the Levant.
By I. J. Bernstein.
A paper read before the Manchester Philatelic Society on February 22nd, 1907.
PHILATELY of to-day no longer consists of obtaining as many different stamps as one can beg, borrow, or steal, and pasting them in a book ; but in the judicious study of the stamps, their origin, their manufacture, and the various causes that called them into being. It is fortunate for our hobby that such is the case, because the mere