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The text and stamp images on this web site are in the public domain. The text of these articles was published in the United States of America in 1922 and earlier. This information is provided for informational purposes only, no warranty of usefulness, accuracy, or fitness is implied or given for this information. Use at your own risk. |
Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News Jan 28, 1911 Volume XXV, Number 4, Whole
Issue Number 1048
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| First half in Jan 28, 1911 issue pages 27-29 - second half in Feb.
4, 1911 issue pages 37-39 - (Stamps of Uruguay from first issue until 1910)
REPUBLICA ORIENTAL DEL URUGUAY By C. A. HOWES. The "Eastern Republic of Uruguay," whose full name has generally appeared on its stamps, is the smallest of the South American republics but has nevertheless loomed large in the eyes of stamp collectors. Its early issues have for years given food for thought and study to specialists, and its later issues, with few exceptions, have been so attractive in both design and execution that they have proved general favorites and made the country popular among all classes of collectors. The first stamps of Uruguay are not common enough to prove a puzzle to young collectors, with their simple inscription DILIGENCIA, but many have wondered on seeing them in the catalogue why they were so labelled. The answer has become generally known at the present day, for the early mail service of the country was carried on by stage-coaches (French diligences) whose routes radiated from Montevideo, and the first stamps were thus appropriately inscribed. Mr. Griebert, in his magnificent work, tells us that these first three stamps were lithographed in Montevideo and issued on October 1, 1856. One die was engraved for the 60 centavos, and thirty-five transfers made to the stone, which printed sheets of seven horizontal rows of five stamps. All these impressions were naturally alike, but to print the 80 centavo stamps, the figures 60 were removed from the stone and 80 substituted by hand, thus introducing 35 minor varieties into this value and enabling it to be plated. The same thing occurred with the 1 real stamp, next printed, only the whole bottom label was removed in this case and a new one substituted which was apparently transferred 35 times from a new engraving. In transferring, the label was irregularly placed so that 35 minor varieties of this value can be detected. A second variety of the 60c, which has had scant catalogue recognition, is given its proper credentials. This has larger lettering, fewer rays around the "sun," and a series of parallel short dashes at the sides instead of the Greek fret. It seems to have appeared about a year after the first type, and was doubtless due to the stone having been cleaned after the other lot was printed and the possible loss of the first die, as this one is an entirely new engraving It is of great rarity. The above three values were the rates, respectively, for single, double and triple letters for inland correspondence. In November, 1857, rates of 120, 180 and 240 centesimos for similar letters to Buenos Ayres were published, and in March of 1858 stamps of the new values appeared. These were inscribed "Montevideo" at the top and "Correo" 'at the sides in block letters. These stamps were also lithographed, the 120 and 180 centesimos in sheets of 78 (13 horizontal rows of 6 stamps each) and the 240 centesimos in a sheet of 204 (17 horizontal rows of 12 stamps each). The first two values have a tête-bêche in the sheet-curiously enough it is number 8 in the top row in each case. The 240 centesimos had something-which was removed. The sheet of this value was made up as follows: a block of 30 transfers (5 horizontal rows of 6) was made from the die; six blocks were then applied to the stone, two horizontally by three vertically; then the top two rows of a block were added below at the left, and the next two rows at the right. Now something was amiss with the 23rd stamp in each block, for it was erased from the stone! Thus there are blanks where stamps numbers 41, 47, 101, 107, 161, 167 and 203 in the sheet should be. It has always been said that the 180 centesimos existed as an error in the color of the 240, and the blanks would seem to prove that such was the case and that the error was discovered and corrected. But the noted Dr. Wonner never believed in the so-called error and Mr. Griebert agrees with him. Yet the above described sheet shows that something once existed! In 1859 prepayment of letters was made obligatory. The same tariffs were kept in force, but a new issue of stamps in one design and of the six values used previously, made its appearance. The lowest four values were issued on June 26, the 180c, on Oct. 19, and the 240c on Nov. 1, 1859. The square design was similar to the preceding issue, but had the lettering in much smaller and thinner Roman type. These stamps are quite familiar to the majority of collectors. They were lithographed as before in sheets of 204 stamps, seventeen horizontal rows of twelve. Mr. Griebert says the 60c and 100c were produced from the same stone by altering the figures, and the same was the case with the 120c, and 180c. Each pair of values, therefore, shows identical minor varieties which do not appear in the other pair or in the 80c and 240c, which were printed from separate stones. A block of 20 transfers was used in making up the stones, so there are that number of minor varieties of type. Evidently the thin figures of value were not distinct enough for practical use, for in 1860 the same stamps began to appear with heavier numerals-what would be called "bold face" in the printing office. The values and colors remained as before, save that the 240c was not included. The stamps were lithographed as usual, but were now printed in sheets having four panes of 48 stamps each, in eight horizontal rows of six. A block of twelve transfers was used this time in making up the stone, so there are but that number of minor varieties of each value. The 120c is found bisected and used as a 60c stamp, probably because of a shortage of the latter value. A change in the currency of the country in 1852 was finally responsible for the new issue which, after nearly two years' delay, appeared in 1864. It will be noted that the new centesimo values (06, 08, 10 and 12) bear the same ratios to each other as the former stamps of ten times their nominal face. The new design was anything but artistic or beautiful. The exact date of issue is in doubt, but Mr. Griebert considers it to have been about the end of February, 1864. The stamps were lithographed by the firm who had done all the previous work for the Postal Department, Messrs. Mège and Willems of Montevideo. The 6c sheets were in four panes, each of 56 stamps (eight horizontal rows of seven), but the 8c had panes of 64 stamps (eight by eight). The 10c and 12c were doubtless similarly arranged, but details seem to be lacking. The 8c sheets had several têtés-bêche, one pane at least having the right half (32 stamps) inverted, giving eight pairs of têtés-bêche down the middle. The 12c of this issue is known cut in two and used for its half value. Changes in the postal rates, by which they were made multiples of 5c, and which were published on Sept. 6, 1865, were responsible for the first surcharged stamps. A new issue was ordered in England, but as it could not arrive in time, the current set was overprinted, without regard to former values, with the new denominations. Thus the 12c became 5c, the 8c became 10c, the 10c became 15c, and the 6c became 20c. The new figures were printed in black over the old figures of value, and thus appear twice on each stamp. The tête-bêche varieties of the 8c stamp were taken into account and the surcharged figures properly placed. Many errors of surcharge occurred, as a glance at the catalog will reveal, but most of them are said to be very rare. For this reason there are many bogus varieties and surcharges in existence which should be guarded against. This provisional issue appeared on January 1, 1866, when the new rates went into effect, but were soon superseded by the new permanent stamps. This new set, which arrived and was issued January 10, 1866, was lithographed by Messrs. Maclure, Macdonald and Co., of London. The four values were first engraved, each stamp separately on its plate, and then transferred to the stone for printing the supply by lithography. The 5c was engraved in a plate of 100, ten rows of ten; the 10c in a plate of 50, ten rows of five each; the 15c in a plate of 35, seven rows of five; the 20c is still unknown. As a consequence of the separate engravings, as many minor varieties exist as there were stamps on the original plates. The most prominent of these are: in the 5c, the "white flag" (no lines in the top of the 5), CENTECIMOS without the initial C and also without the final S, as well as with a small s, and the left side of the arms, below the horse, not filled in; in the 10c, the I omitted, and also an I for the T in CENTECIMOS. The sheets of the 5c contained 100 stamps, as engraved, but the size of the printed sheets of the other values is unknown. The 10c stamp was cut in two and used for its half value, and even the 15c seems to have had one third of the stamp used for 5c occasionally, while the 20c, doubly unfortunate yielded a half for 10c or even a quarter for 5c rates. On Oct. 1, 1866, the 1c stamp appeared, due to the inauguration of this rate for newspapers. It was produced by the same firm as the other numeral stamps, but was lithographed from two different stones apparently, one containing two panes of 72 stamps each, and the other one pane of 176 stamps (sixteen horizontal rows of eleven). Impressions from the two stones can be separated by several minor differences, but in general by the clearness of the first and the blurring in the second, or in pairs or more by the wider spacing (nearly 1 mm.) of the first stone. Evidently the plates or transfers must have been sent to Montevideo, for we find the local lithographers supplying printings in 1868, according to Mr. Griebert, and with new sheet arrangements; thus the 5c is printed in sheets of 190, ten horizontal rows of 19, and the other three values in sheets of 200, ten rows of 20. Both the English and local printings were supplied imperforate and perforated, the first stamps thus treated having come from England in March, 1866. The perforation gauges from 12 to 13 1/2, the larger gauges chronicled (8 to 10 1/2) being trials perforations, according to Mr. Griebert. The spelling of "centecimos" with a second "C" is stated to have been an error of the English engravers. On January 8, 1877, a new and finely engraved set of stamps was issued which had been engraved on steel by the American Bank Note Co., of New York. It omitted the 15c value, but added a 50c and 1 peso. The latter value was not issued until May 1, 1879, because of a curious error. The engravers had transposed the two sides of the coat of arms, making the "quarterings" come on the wrong sides. The error was discovered and the stock burned, only a few specimens escaping. The sheets were of 100 stamps, (ten by ten), and were rouletted, instead of being perforated; a means of separation that seems to have appealed to Uruguay and Chile, for some reason or other. Both the 10c and 20c are known bisected for their half values. The 1c stamp became exhausted, and on November 10, 1880, a lithographed copy was issued, produced locally by Sr. Pena of Montevideo. The sheet had 100 stamps, but they were arranged in twelve horizontal rows of eight, with four extra ones added at the bottom. The stamp is normally rouletted, but can be found wholly imperforate or partly imperforate - horizontally or vertically. Owing to a new rate on letters to Paraguay, Chile and Brazil, a stamp of 7c was issued on August 25, 1881. It was the first portrait stamp of Uruguay, and presented Dr. Joaquin Suarez, President 1843-52. It was poorly lithographed to the extent of a million copies by Sr. Pena, in sheets of 180 (twenty horizontal rows of nine). It was normally perforated 13, but maybe found imperforate or part perforate - horizontally or vertically. Two stamps for newspaper postage next appeared, the 1c on May 15, 1882 for local use, and the 2c on July 1 for foreign use, it having the letters U. P. (Union Postal) on it. These rather neat little stamps were lithographed by Mège and Aubriot in sheets of 100, and each stamp bears its sheet number. They both exist perforated, imperforate or part perforate as before. On March 1, 1883, the President of the Republic, Gen. Maximo Santos, was honored with a 5c stamp bearing his portrait. It was lithographed by the firm last mentioned in sheets of 150, six horizontal rows of seventeen, with three horizontal rows of sixteen beneath, the three end spaces being blank. The stamp is normally perforated, with the usual varieties already detailed for previous values. Again some local productions by the firm already mentioned appeared on March 16, 1883 - a 1c - and on April 1, 1883 - a 2c and 10c. The two low values were not unattractive, but the 10c evidently copied from the Argentine 8c of 1877, was hardly a "thing of beauty." The head was that of the celebrated Gen. Artigas, "Protector" of the young Republic. All three values were lithographed in sheets of 100 (twenty horizontal rows of five) on a thin, transparent paper, though the 1c and 2c come on a thick paper, which is rare. All values are perforated, but can be found imperforate, and the 1c and 2c part perforated horizontally. The 10c was bisected for use as a 5c. In the latter part of 1883 the 5c stamps ran out, and the Administration once more began to surcharge, a habit which has been more or less prevalent since. A stock of the 5c of 1876, which was on hand but had been withdrawn from circulation, was therefore utilized, but with a "habilitating" surcharge because of their having been retired. The stamp was issued Sept. 24, 1883, overprinted "1883 Provisorio" in two lines reading up. The overprint is found inverted (reading down) and also "interverted" - the word and date having changed places. Stamps are also known with either word or date missing, and in pair without surcharge on one stamp. Red surcharges or horizontal surcharges are trial prints and were not issued. 1 cent stamps next ran out, and the 10c of 1877 was utilized surcharged "Provisorio - 1 centesimo - 1884" in three lines. Itt was issued on Jan. 15, 1884, and is found with inverted surcharge. Still the new issue expected from New York failed to arrive, and the 2c ran out as well as the provisional 5c. The first was supplied by the remainders of the 2c of 1882 overprinted "Provisorio - 1884" in two lines and issued on Jan. 25, 1884. It can be found with inverted overprint, in a pair with one stamp unsurcharged, and imperforate. The 5c value had to be supplied by a new stamp. It was lithographed by Mège and Aubriot, as usual, in sheets of 100 (twenty horizontal rows of five). This stamp comes in two types, the first having been issued on Jan. 25, 1884, and the second on April 9, 1884. The most apparent difference between the two lies in the lines of the background and the rays of the "sun," which are much closer together in the first stamp. The second stamp is also on a thin paper. Both stamps were normally perforated, but both can be found imperforate and the second type horizontally imperforate. At last the new stamps from the American Bank Note Co. came and were issued on May 1, 1884. They were in sheets of 100 stamps (ten by ten) and rouletted. Four values bore large figures as a center, and one the arms, but the 7c had a more pleasing likeness of Gen. Artigas than we saw before, and the lOc showed a portrait of President Santos. The 5c of the series was not issued until Dec. 19. M. Jean explains this as follows: This stamp was printed in violet instead of blue, and the Government refused them, sending them back to New York with an order for the blue. The latter were printed, but the engraving company returned the violet stamps with them, and evidently made the Government accept them, for both stamps were issued, the blue ones on Dec. 19, 1884, and the violet ones on Dec. 1, 1886 - perhaps because the blue were used up. The blue stamp is found imperforate horizontally and the 20c bisected for its half value. After three years the 10c stamps ran out, and a new one was ordered of Sr. Godel of Montevideo, and issued October 17, 1887. It was lithographed in sheets of 100, and printed in violet of several shades. It is normally rouletted but occurs imperforate horizontally. On January 1, 1888, the American Bank Note stamps appeared in changed colors, and the 10c in a new design as well. The 5c stamp ran out in October, 1889, and on the 14th of that month the 5c violet was issued for general use with the simple surcharge "Provisorio". One stamp, has an inverted A for a V. Red surcharges are only trial prints. A change of heart had come over the Government, which ordered its next set from Messrs. Waterlow and Sons of London, who produced a series of great beauty. The 2c and 5c were issued December 1, 1889, and the rest of the set on May 1, 1890. The 1c can be found imperforate or horizontally imperforate, and the 5c either horizontally or vertically imperforate. Again the 5c stamps ran out, and the Sc violet of 1886 was surcharged diagonally in red "Provisorio - 1891" in two lines. The surcharge is found inverted, and both normal and inverted on the same stamp; also with date "1391" once on the sheet, and with various letters and figures missing. It was issued on August 19, 1891. Next, the 1c and 5c failed, the former being supplied from the 1c of 1888 surcharged "Provisorio - 1892" - in two lines, and the latter by surcharging the 7c of the then current issue "CINCO - Centésimos - Provisorio - 1892" in four lines. Both surcharges wwere in red and both stamps were issued January 18, 1892. Many errors occurred in each case including inverted surcharge, ordinary and inverted surcharge on the same stamp, double surcharge "Previsorio" (e for o), wrong dates on the 5c, etc. Once more the 1c became exhausted, and the 20c of the then current issue was utilized by surcharging "UN - Centésimo - Provisorio - 1892" in four lines in black. The date can be found with a stop between 18 and 92, and "centésimos" with a circumflex instead of acute accent. The surcharge is also known inverted. At last a supply of permanent stamps arrived from London, in new and tasteful designs, and the surcharges ceased. These neat little stamps, in only four values, were not in use as long as they deserved to be. The 1c and 2c were issued March 9, 1892, the 5c on April 19, and the 10c on December 15. They were printed in sheets of 100, (ten rows of ten) and perforated, though the ic and 2c have been found vertically imperforate and the 5c horizontally imperforate. In 1894 a new supply of the first series of stamps made by Waterlow and Sons was received, but in changed colors and with two new high values added. The 1c was received first and issued on May 15, and the remainder of the set issued on June 2. The numbers printed are given by M. Jean as follows : 1c, 3,400,000
For varieties we find the 1c either horizontally or vertically imperforate and the 5c and 10c vertically imperforate. Somewhat more than a year later the advance guard of another new series, one of the finest productions of Messrs. Waterlow, made their appearance. The 1c showed the full length figure of a gaucho or half-breed, and the 5c a railway locomotive. These two values were issued on October 5, 1895. On December 5 appeared the 2c showing the Solis Theatre in Montevideo, the 7c with a fine steer's head, the 10c with a "gleaner," the 20c with an ocean steamship, and the 25c with a figure which may be Minerva. This last value having the center in black, had one sheet printed with the center inverted and about 40 copies were sold and used before it was discovered. It is said that the remaining 60 copies were destroyed. It is therefore one of the great rarities. Finally on January 1, 1896, the remaining values were issued, the 50c with an attractive head of Mercury, the 1p with the national arms, the 2p giving a view of the old fort of San José, and the 3p having a view of the Matriz or cathedral of Montevideo. All values of the issue exist imperforate, and the 1, 7 and 10c horizontally, and the 1 and 5c, vertically imperforate. They were as usual printed in sheets of 100. The unveiling of a monument to former President Joaquin Suarez (in office 1843-52) was made the occasion of a commemorative set of three stamps issued on July 18, 1896. The centers were in black, the 1c showing the head, the 5c the full statue, and the 10c the monument complete. The three stamps were in different sizes, increasing from the 1c to the 10c. They were engraved by Waterlow and printed in sheets of 100. They were withdrawn on August 26, and demonetized. All three values exist imperforate. The remainders came in handy for another little provisional issue, due to the exhaustion (?) of the 1, 5, and 10c stamps of the regular issue. They appeared on March 1, 1897, each value being surcharged PROVISORIO 1897 in a horseshoe, though the date is below on the 10c. All three occur with inverted surcharges, naturally, and the 5c in pair with an unsurcharged stamp. Thirty thousand of each value are stated to have been issued. Again a new issue was made by changing the colors of the current one, the 1, 2 and 5c appearing on June 21, 1897, and the rest of the set, including the 10c in a new design, on September 26. The 1c and 25c exist vertically imperforate and the 5c both horizontally and vertically imperforate. Mr. Griebert announces the discovery of the 1c printed on both sides. A second commemorative issue was called forth by the fetes celebrating the end of the civil war in 1897, and the current 1, 2, 5 and 10c stamps were overprinted with an olive branch and PAZ 1897 for this purpose. They were issued on the three days September 26-28, 1897, and in the following quantities 1c, 150,000; 2c, 100,000; 5c, 200,000; 10c, 30,000. Of course they are all found with inverted surcharges, and the 5c in pair with an unsurcharged one. On July 25, 1898, a reduction in domestic newspaper rates was made to 1/2c (5 milésimos) per 100 grammes. This necessitated a new stamp, and the remainders of the 1c 1894 were called up on to bear the surcharge "PROVISIONAL - 1/2 - CENTESIMO" in three lines. 460,000 of these were issued on July 25, but were naturally insufficient - there being more stamp collectors than newspapers. On August 15, therefore, the 1c of 1895 appeared with the same surcharge. The number printed is unknown. Again they disappeared, and on October 23, the 1c of 1898 was treated in like manner, to be followed on November 6 by the 2c of 1895 and on November 14 by the 5c of 1897. Mr Griebert does not mention the 1/2 on 7c of 1895, but M. Jean gives the date of its issue to November 14, and places the 1/2 on 5c as issued on November 11. The 2c of 1894 was also prepared, but most of them destroyed without being issued. The first two stamps are known with the surcharge inverted. While the permanent stamp was being engraved in London a temporary lithograph was made locally by Sr. Pena in sheets of 100, the first printing being in a rose-lilac and issued on November 19, 1898, and the second printing in purple, issued on March 12, 1899. The stamp was lettered "5 milesimos." M. Jean lists the purple stamp imperforate both horizontally and vertically. The new 5m stamp from London was issued on April 26, 1899, in company with the 5c of the "locomotive" design, which had changed color. The 5m stamp had a view of the monument to Gen. Artigas in San José de Mayo. The stamp was in sheets of 100 like the others, and it exists both horizontally and vertically imperforate. The 5c comes vertically imperforate. On July 1, 1899, the old 1c and 2c of the first Waterlow issue of 1889-90 reappeared in changed colors, and the 10c of 1897 likewise No varieties are reported for these. On April 10, 1900, more changes occurred, this time the 5m of the last issue, with the 7c and 20c of the 1890 issue. The 5c stamp ran low the latter part of 1900, and the remainders of the 10c Suarez issue were used to make a provisional, which appeared on Dec. 1. These were the ones already surcharged "PROVISORIO 1897," the date being cancelled this time by a bar and "1900" appearing at the top of the stamp. Two errors exist, one lacking the bar over 1897 and the other lacking the "OS" of "centesimos." Change being the order of the day in Uruguay, another fine new issue of larger size began to appear toward the close of 1900. The 5c and 10c were issued December 15, and the 1c on December 17, 1900. On February 11, 1901, the 2c and 7c were added; accompanied by the old 25c 50c and 1p of 1890 in new colors. The new designs were in sheets of 100 like the old. The 1c and 2c are known vertically imperforate and the 1c and 5c horizontally imperforate. The 2c comes in two distinct shades. It is said that objection was raised to the continued production of stamps abroad when it could be done locally, so the government decided to give the work to the School of Arts and Crafts in Montevideo. As a result we have a series of hideous lithographic copies of the work of Waterlow, except for new designs of the 5m and 5c stamps, the former showing the statue of Gen. Artigas and the latter a cow. The sheets: were of 100 stamps, and the 1, 2, and 5c occur imperforate. The 1 and 5c also come vertically and horizontally imperforate and the 2c vertically imperforate. The 1c has been used with authority for a 1/2c stamp. Mr. Griebert gives the dates of issue as follows: 5c, May 1; 2c, September 10; 1c September 24; and 5m, December 1, 1904; the 10c, 20c, and 25c on February 13, 1905. Another civil war happily closed was marked by surcharging the 1, 2 and 5c "PAZ - 1904" and using them on October 15-16, 1904. The numbers issued were respectively - 15,000, 56,000 and 8,000, allowing for remainders destroyed. On February 23, 1906, the 5c stamp was issued in a somewhat larger size. This stamp was counterfeited for postal purposes, whereupon the authorities decided to again apply to London for supplies. Meanwhile a new 5c was deemed necessary, and was issued on November 27, 1906, to be followed in July, 1907, by a 7c and 50c in the same design. These were lithographed in sheets of 100 at the same school as before and are fairly creditable productions. The 5c exists vertically imperforate. New supplies of the Waterlow stamps issued previously in December, 1900, and February, 1901, were received and put on sale on November 27, 1907. Another commemorative set in honor of Uruguayan independence was sold to the public on August 23-25, 1908. There were three values, 1, 2, and 5c of large oblong size, typographed by Sr. Antonio Barreiro y Ramos; the central picture shows the cruiser Montevideo (formerly the Dogali, bought from italy) and the gunboat 18 de Julio, both in gala attire. This centerpiece is a half-tone electro. The sheets contained 25 stamps, and 100,000 of each value was issued. The stamps are rouletted and the 1c is known vertically imperforate. Still another set of two stamps was issued August 24-5, 1909, to commemorate the opening of the port of Montevideo. The festivities were countermanded, however, owing to a sad marine disaster at the port on August 24, by which many lives were lost. The stamps were engraved in Buenos Ayres (by the South American Bank Note Co.?) and it is said that 150,000 sets were issued. The paper is watermarked with the script RO (Republica Oriental) in a large horizontal diamond. In the fall of 1909, the 10c stamp of 1905 was surcharged 8c, and the 25c stamp of the same issue surcharged 23c, due to certain changes in the postal tariff. 800,000 of the former are said to have been issued. The last issue has just appeared, being again from the firm of Waterlow, and recent chronicles will give its details.
Postage Due stamps were issued on July 18, 1902. Of these there are said to have been printed a total of 70,000 1c, 500,000 each of the 2c and 4c, and 200,000, 10c. The latter value was used in 1904 for surcharging a provisional 1c issue. These stamps are prohibited from sale to the public unused. |
| page 35-36 - (Uruguay - First issue - Diligencia)
Written for MEKEEL'S WEEKLY. THE DILIGENCIAS OF URUGUAY. By L. A. Micheloni, M. D.
Uruguay lies between the parallels of 30 deg. 5 min. and 35 deg. south latitude and the meridians of 56 deg. 15 min. and 60 deg. 4 min. west longitude, reckoned from Paris. It is south of Brazil and on the east side of the Uruguay River, the latter circumstance accounting for its being called the "Republica Oriental" or "Eastern Republic." Montevideo is the capital, a nice clean city, surrounded on three sides by the great Rio de la Plata. The streets are straight, crossing each other at right angles, and the low houses are built upon terraces, according to Spanish custom. The language, like that of almost all the South American republics, is Spanish; the religion, like that of all colonies of Spanish descent, is Catholic; and the natives, like all results of the intermingling of races, are very intelligent, the women being famous for their beauty. Like all the descendants of the chivalrous Hidalgos, the people are brave and jealous of their rights. Sometimes the fertile fields of the country - fields cold as ice in winter and warm as the heart of a Creole in summer - are stained with blood; but the Uruguaayan is likewise forgiving and he forgets these brothers' quarrels by making a generous peace. The collector should not be disturbed, then, when a new "Paz" set arrives, for the stamps of Uruguay are so beautiful that the most exacting can consider it a case of Honi soit qui mal y pense. One thing the collector should not forget: the currency of Uruguay is much above that of the other republics, for it is the sole country of Latin America which has preserved the gold standard. The current peso of Uruguay is the equivalent of $1.03 in American money. This is well for the collector to know if he wishes to procure unused current stamps. The British pound is equal to 4.70 pesos of Uruguay money and the French 20 franc piece is worth 3.73 pesos, others being in proportion. "Stage Coaches" and "Diligencia." The first stamps appeared in 1856. Up to this time the postal administration of Uruguay did not think it necessary to introduce the useful invention of Rowland Hill. It is true that at that period correspondence was of slight importance, particularly going out of the country. Very few sailing vessels made the voyage between Montevideo and Europe. Correspondence in the interior was effected by means of the diligencias, which were a kind of omnibus or mail coach, charged not only with the forwarding of correspondence but also travellers and their baggage. The lucky inhabitants of the United States, who travel so luxuriously in splendid Pullman cars, cannot easily imagine the quality of comfort which was experienced by the passengers in these famous diligencias. Picture to yourself a large omnibus with room for ten inside and three more beside the Mayoral, as the driver of the equipage was called. The team was made up of six horses, ranged in a triangle: three next the coach, two preceding these and finally the sixth one leading, which was generally ridden by another driver like a postillion. Beside the diligencia rode another man on horseback whose sole function was to stimulate the ardor of the coach horses by an abundant application of the whip. A journey in the diligencia might be tolerable in the spring, particularly when the fresh air of the country fills the lungs of the chivalrous gauchos with the fragrance of the pampa; but during the high temperature of the southern summer or the "dog-days," I assure you that it could not have been very enjoy able; and there is reason to believe that those who had to make long journeys, particularly during the afternoon hours, must heartily have envied the inhabitants of Siberia. The service given by the diligencias was naturally very irregular and could hardly help being so. Sometimes floods on the numerous rivers which traverse the country would carry away the balsa, a kind of wooden raft used for ferrying, and the coach would be unable to proceed; sometimes, because of rains or the roughness of the roads, the coach would upset and the passengers would have to lend a hand to the mayoral in order to right it, if they wished to continue the journey. At that period, therefore, communication was carried on by means of these mail coaches, and the name DILIGENCIA printed at the top of the first stamps of Uruguay indicates that the mail was sent from Montevideo to the other cities of the country by them. These stamps were used solely for the domestic service. Here is the decree authorizing their use, which is found in the Memoria General de Correos, No. 13: - Circular of 14 October, 1856.
With the object of avoiding useless loss of time and other difficulties for persons who have to send correspondence to the interior by the Diligencias, it has been arranged to have letters franked at the respective agencies in the same manner as is now done at the General Headquarters. The circular is not very clear and does not explain by just what means the franking was to be done, but it is known that it referred to the use of the "Diligencia" stamps. As these stamps were solely for the interior service many have supposed that they should be considered merely as local stamps. But it must be remembered that Sr. Atanasio Lapido, who had charge of the mail coach service, was also the General Director of Posts, appointed by Government decree. There is no doubt that the issue of these stamps had a fully official character; and it may be taken as established that they were issued for use on October 14, 1856. The stamps are rectangular in shape, the word DILIGENCIA at the top, the value at the bottom, and in the middle the sun within a circle. This image of the sun upon the first stamps of Uruguay is not only a tribute to the day-star, which makes the soil of this magnificent country so rich and fertile, but it is also a symbol adopted previously in the national flag, together with the colors blue and white as representing the sky. The "Diligencia" stamps were never obliterated with regular rubber cancelling dies. They were sometimes cancelled by a cross or a stroke or two made with a pen, but as a rule they are found attached to their covers in clean condition. They were never used for fiscal purposes. There were three values, 60 centavos, blue or indigo, for single letters.
Each plate contained 35 stamps in five horizontal rows of seven stamps each. Dr. Wonner, who honored me with his friendship, once had an entire sheet which I saw in his magnificent collection. It was a sheet of the 80c green - a philatelic gem of very great value because unique. Unhappily Dr. Wonner died a few years ago at Montevideo and his splendid collection passed into the hands of a merchant who failed to appreciate the value of this rare block, and who cut it up to dispose of piecemeal! Scientific philately has lost, in the illustrious Dr. Wonner, an element of great worth. He was an expert of the first rank and the only one, perhaps, who thoroughly knew the stamps of Uruguay, for he had made a profound study of them. He was extremely well versed in the entire postal history of Uruguay. These first stamps are distinguished from a second type of the same design by the greek fret ornamentation in the two side borders. They were printed by the firm of Mége & Aubriot of Montevideo, and in spite of their having been produced from lithographic stones the design is very finely executed for that period. The "Diligencia" stamps are very rare and their market values, according to the prices obtained for them in Uruguay, are very much higher than those given in any catalogues. When the stamps of Uruguay are better known and sought for these stamps will be considered as rarities indeed. The "Diligencia" Second Type. 60 CENTAVOS, BLUE. This stamp really exists. If there was a doubt in part about the existence of this stamp it must be attributed to the fact that all the "Diligencia" stamps are very scarce, although the catalogues give them comparatively insignificant values, lower even than some simple variety of watermark or perforation in English colonials; and that there are very few outside the country, so that the necessary material for studying them is lacking. We must be thankful to Stanley Gibbons that for the first time he has put it in the catalogue. The "Diligencia" second type differs from the first type in the border ornamentation at the sides. Instead of having the Greek fret there is a double row of short vertical dashes. I, myself found a magnificent copy of this stamp, color deep blue, among some old letters of 1837; and after keeping it for some time, in my own collection, it was sold to Dr. Louis Goldsack, of Mendoza, Argentina. My friend, Sr. Gerardo Matturro of Montevideo, possesses a copy in clear blue on the original cover, found by him in the correspondence of the De La Torre family of San Jose, Uruguay. Dr. Wonner owned two copies. I saw in Montevideo, a used copy in the collection of my friend Sig. Remigio Sciarra, who is now in Genoa. Sig. Sciarra without doubt possesses one of the finest collections of Uruguay in the world. All the varieties of engraving, shades, original covers, are there represented. This special collection of Uruguay received the grand gold medal at one of the Italian expositions, some years ago. I do not have any doubt that this stamp is also represented in the wonderful collections of Mr. Charles Lathrop Pack and Mr. George H. Worthington. But the stamp in question is a great rarity, and I do not believe that there are a dozen more existing in other collections. This type is further distinguished from the first type by the fact that the sun has only 67 rays with the contour indented in the form of ten scallops, while in the first type the sun has 105 rays which all terminate at the circumference of the central circle. As before noted, the first type has the Greek border at the sides while the second type has two parallel lines broken up into twenty small dashes. The Second "Diligencia" Issue. Dr. Wonner in his book, The stamps of Uruguay, published at Montevideo many years ago, says that between Aug. 9, 1857, and Nov. 1 of the same year, a few copies only of a lithographed stamp were in circulation. There seems to be no document concerning them and only several cancelled copies, beside some which were kept in his office by the late Sr. Prudencio Echevarriarza, Director of Posts from 1858 to 1865. Dr. Wanner says that he obtained a very few of these copies for his collection after the death of Sr. Echevarriarza. The stamps are spoken of in M. Moen's Timbre-poste (No. 5, 1863). Dr. Wonner says in his book that he saw one in 1866 at Montevideo in the collection of Senorita Castellanos, which was later sold to Sr. de Vasconcellos. The stamp was removed by this young lady from a letter addressed to her father, Dr. Castellanos, President of the Senate, who died, in 1866. I saw Sr. de Vasconcellos about a year ago in Paris, where he was Minister of Brazil. I forgot to ask him about this stamp and I regret it, for I learned afterward with great sorrow that he had died at sea while on a voyage. His collection which was famous in South America, will naturally remain in his family. In an article which Dr. Wonner published in the Boletin de Correos and in the Montevideo paper El Siglo (No. 3236, Oct. 5, 1875), which can be seen in the National Library in that city, under the heading Estudios de Correos, he writes: 'There were also placed in circulation for a few days two other values with the inscription 'Diligencia,' 180c green and 240c red, for letters of double and triple weight, according to a circular addressed to the secondary offices; but these stamps were withdrawn from circulation a few days later." The opinion of Dr. Wonner, the first authority on Uruguayan stamps, would seem to establish the fact that these other two values had been printed for the foreign service and that they formed part of a series with the 60c in the second type, which had already appeared. The opinion seems to hold more weight if one takes into consideration that the stamps of 180 and 240 centavos, although larger, bear a certain resemblance to the 60c second type, i.e., the word DILIGENCIA is above and the rays terminate in scallops. The fact that these stamps were replaced several days later by the issue of Nov. 1857, the three stamps with the inscriptions MONTEVIDEO and CORREOS, indicates that the error in placing DILIGENCIA upon stamps franking letters sent by packet boats and not by stage coach had been recognized; and in this instance there is a similarity to the famous Mauritius stamps which were withdrawn from circulation because they bore the words POST OFFICE instead of POST PAID. It is very obvious that clearer information on these stamps cannot be given, and it may be well to make known the following fact which demonstrates the difficulty of giving exact dates. In the memoir published in 1881 by the Philatelic Society of Montevideo, one reads on page 5 "A study upon the stamps of Uruguay was begun by two of our colleagues, but the absolute lack of information in the archives and the libraries has put a stop to the work." The "Diligencia" stamps of which Dr. Wonner's hook speaks are almost square in shape, DILIGENCIA above, value below, in color on white paper - 180c green and 240c red. At each side are seven oblong "balls" and the sun in the center has the rays terminating in a scalloped contour. I possessed some of the 180c green which came from the collection of
Dr. Wonner - those which he obtained from Sr. Prudencio Echevarriarza,
Director of Posts from 1858 to 1865. I got them after the death of Dr.
Wonner. The other stamp of 240c is identical with the 180c but printed
in red. I have seen it in Montevideo but I have never possessed it.
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| page 29 - (United States - Postal Savings Bank - issues)
P. S. B. DEVELOPMENTS. As all mail pertaining to this new institution including the correspondence between the department and postmasters must be prepaid, additional values (other than the 2c) are required for heavier mail, including especially the shipment of P.S.R. cards required for making deposits. Three new denominations have been added, thus making a set of four values. These are uniform in design, differing in color and numerals. Collectors will require so far five stamps, as follows: Wmk. double lined letters:
Wmk. single lined letters:
The probable scarcity of the 2c stamps with the old watermark is very
apparent, especially in view of the large numbers used in place of higher
values. Collectors will do well to give this stamp immediate attention
as the first printing will not last long. Unused copies may be rarities
in a short time, blocks may he unknown unless some one is especially fortunate
not to mention plate numbers, which will be splendid property. -
Phil. Gazette.
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| page 29 - (United States - official mail stamps, official mail stamped
postal stationary)
STAMPS INSTEAD OF FRANKS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17. - A measure was introduced in the Senate today by Senator Guggenheim, that, in the opinion of postal experts, will go far toward reducing the existing deficit in the post-office department. It was drafted by Postmaster General Hitchcock, after long consideration and discussion with officials of his department and other departments, and with members of Congress. It provides that the postmaster general shall furnish official postage
stamps, stamped envelopes and wrappers for use by all officers of the United
States and other persons authorized to transmit mail matter free of postage;
and after July 1, 1911, no such officer or person shall transmit any matter
by mail without prepayment of postage by means of the proposed official
stamps.
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| page 30 - (Hawaii - follow up to Jan 7, 1911 issue on 1853 Hawaii reprints)
EDITORIAL. Value - The WEEKLY has published in two installments, in the issues
of January 7th and 14th respectively, a noteworthy contribution from Henry
J. Crocker of San Francisco. The articles were a rejoinder, as was told
in our preface to them, to criticisms expressed by Major Edward B. Evans
in Gibbons Stamp Weekly on Mr. Crocker's article that appeared in the issue
of the WEEKLY of October 15th, 1910, on the so-called reissues or reprints
of the 5c and 13c, 1853 type of Hawaii. Major Evans' arguments were made
at length and while it would have been preferable perhaps, it was not thought
necessary to reproduce the text that calls forth the reply. Mr. Crocker
has presented his evidence in rebuttal in so mannerly and logical a way
that an understanding of the points at issue is gained by careful reading
of his conclusion. We presented Mr. Crocker's finding with the assurance
that he was fully capable of maintaining his position as taken originally.
Mr. Crocker's standing as an expert in all that pertains to Hawaiian philately
is paramount. For years he has pursued his researches with a zeal that
made him an admirable figure philatelically and his discoveries have been
received with confidence and commendation; his name has become an honored
one in the highest circles of the world through the intelligence and persistency
of his inquiries into Hawaiian philatelic circumstances. His attainments
as a student of Hawaiian stamps have been proved by results some of which
were so well presented in his great work on Hawaiian numerals. Mr. Crocker
has many friends who regard him as the highest authority on Hawaiians and
they find their belief in his philatelic scholarship and ripe judgment
confirmed by his latest compilation which it has been our privilege to
present.
page 30 - (United States - Secret Mark - 'H' found in Franklin's hair on the 1 cent 1909-1908 Washington-Franklin issue) Take a Look - Sumner Gary, Akron, Ohio, writes: "I suppose that you remember the death mask stamps of Serbia; the woman on King Edward's face, etc., - here is something on the one-cent of the present issue, United States. It is nothing remarkable but somewhat interesting, withal; you will notice a fancy H in Franklin's hair and the 'letter' becomes more accentuated by holding the stamp up to the light, face towards you. The darker the shade of the stamp, the more plainly does the H show." A test confirmed Mr. Gary's discovery; at first a little imagination was of assistance in making the letter plain but with practice, the letter was to be seen without any mental suggestion. The two vertical standards of the "H" are slightly curved; and the shading effects that make the letter are in the upper half the head.
page 30 - (United States - EFO - Two cent Washington of 1908-1909 with purple streak down the middle) A Purple Streak - A correspondent in Pierre, South Dakota, describes a two-cent stamp of the current issue that "seems to have a streak of purple through the center of the stamp." He says: "It is probable that some other coloring than the usual found its way into the plate and that the printing from it passed the inspector's eyes. There are four stamps in block with the same peculiarity in the print, or rather, were, as the oddities are in the hands of different collectors now in the city of Pierre." While we have been told by color mixers that compounded inks sometimes play strange pranks or become "obstinate" and resolve themselves into their component parts, as it were, we cannot say that this somewhat vague theory is to account for the oddity described.
page 30 - (Italy - Plebiscito Meridionale issue) Which - Two weeks ago when occasion was had to refer to the two stamps
of Italy, inscribed, "Plebiscito Meridionale," - popular vote of the south,
- the portrait that they bear was said tto be that of Count Cavour, first
premier of the kingdom of Italy. The two stamps were first described in
Ewen's Weekly Stamp News of December 17th, which made extended reference
to the rich historical suggestions of the stamps, which were said to bear
the likeness of Cavour. Mr. Ewen's paper makes a specialty of new issues
and is about as near infallibility in its information in this regard as
one could ask. A reader, who, no doubt, has received the stamps in question
writes to say: "They actually portray Garibaldi, and much more characteristically
than on the earlier stamps of 1910." The European stamp papers seem to
be divided in opinion between Cavour and Garibaldi. Ewen's in later numbers
adheres to the Cavour description and other papers following the lead,
perhaps, likewise name Cavour. Then again, reliable journals nominate Garibaldi;
and so the case rests for the moment. A decision from which there will
be no appeal will soon be made; and then, no doubt, we shall hear how the
mistake came to be made.
page 30 - (United States - Burned mail - albino postal stationery envelope) The Paper That Came - H. S. Poole sends a memento in the form of a copy of the WEEKLY dated November 19th, 1910, that was delivered to him January 9th, 1911. The paper is in its mailing wrapper around which twine is wound; if the cover were removed the paper would fall to pieces as the edges of the folded paper are burned away. The paper was in a fire somewhere and evidently was "saved" by a heroic rescuer. Mr. Poole sent the paper in an albino envelope on which he wrote "stamped envelope" and indicated the uninked impression. The postmaster endorsed the envelope "0. K." and it was regularly delivered.
page 30 - (Parnassus Penflip defends collecting foreign stamps) Parnassus Speaks - Parnassus Penflip writes: "Your night telegram telling
of the dastardly attack on philately by a pusillanimous paragrapher to
the effect that his idea of nothing to do is to collect foreign postage
stamps awaits my attention. As I am engaged on an important literary work,
I must be brief in repelling the puerile parry of this egregious egotist;
my time is valuable and the increased cost of living makes it incumbent
upon me to devote myself to the profitable side of my vocation, and under
this specification writing for your paper is not included, - verb sap.
How can the grub that makes the slur on fair philately be expected to soar
to those empyrean heights where the elect foregather, the abode of those
of exquisite perceptions such as who collect postage stamps? How can the
base plebian appreciate the aristocracy of intellect? Indignation chokes
me and I can but hiss my malediction at him." Parnassus intimates that
if we would show a more lively and substantial appreciation of his literary
labors, he would allow us to use his name as one of our contributors, "thereby
increasing our circulation an hundred-fold in the polite centers of philately
the world round." We shall think it over. Meanwhile we call Parnassus Penflip's
notice to the following description of a new and meritorious pocket magnifier
for stamp work that we find in an esteemed contemporary. The Leitz Aplantic
Triplets are combined according to calculations after Steinheil to effect
full correction of spherical and chromatic aberrations without any sacrifice
of angural aperture."
page 30 Our Special - We pay tribute in this number to the philatelic fullness of Uruguay, a country rich in early philatelic fascinations and strong in later stamp achievement. The stamps of Uruguay are the delight of the specialist and the favored of the general collector. The popularity of this South American republic is unwavering and the stamps long have been in active demand; and Uruguay deserves the attention that is given it.
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| page 30-31 - (Cinderellas - Dickens Memorial and Muskoka Hospital labels)
NEWS GLEANINGS. Under this heading we desire to publish all the news from the various philatelic centers. Correspondents' names will be given unless prohibited as we desire to give full credit for services rendered. - James Hedden, 210 N. Y. Life Bldg., Minneapolis, Minn., Wade Hampton, Bangor, Mich., Weldon Graham, 841 Nelson Av., Chicago, Ill., and M. B. Keene, Vallejo, Cal., are reported by Frank H. Davis as withholding approval selections and no settlements can be effected. - In renewing his subscription John Wills, 5 Tremont St., Newburyport, Mass., offers back numbers of the WEEKLY (four or five missing) from 892 to 1046 to anyone desiring them sufficiently so to pay transportation charges. This generous offer will doubtless be accepted by a sufficient number of patrons to cause Mr. Wills to think that the offer is appreciated. - An unusually attractive batch of clippings is at hand from F. J. Fellows of N. Y. City. It consists of no less than seven and two of them we shall publish in their entirety. Two clippings make illustrated references to the Dickens Memorial and Muskoka Hospital labels. Neither of the designs are quite clear enough for us to reproduce. The Rhode Island Philatelic Society receives an extended notice in a Providence paper, its early history being commented upon very favorably. This society is. nearly twenty-six years old and will fittingly observe its anniversary in February. - H. P. Weills writing to the Toledo Stamp Co. from the Owyhee Hotel,. Boise, Idaho, requested stamps on approval but neglected the very important detail of giving a reference. A letter sent the party in this connection was. returned marked "Unclaimed." We cannot too strongly urge upon dealers the necessity of securing satisfactory references in every instance. Better sure and safe rather than over-anxious about making a sale. - The leading article in Mr. Poole's. department last week was inserted
in error and the managing editor desires. to relieve him of all responsibility
as regards comment on the Postage Stamp.
page 31 - The office of the WEEKLY was recently favored with a call from A. B. Jacobs of San Francisco. Mr. Jacobs en route east visited several stamp centers and expressed himself as particularly pleased with the reception accorded him in Chicago. - We have received many excellent price lists hut in accordance with our rule are not referring to them in detail, believing it best for us to treat all our advertisers alike. Those who have requested publicity for their lists will appreciate the fairness of our position. - In F. W. Reid's advertisement of January 14 occurred an error in price. Western Australia 202 was priced at 5c where it should have been 50c. - Clippings acknowledged with thanks from :- W. G. Nightingale, J. H. Massey, Fred Goshert, L. J. Hebel, J. Rausch, A. M. Krug, Hugo Kuenstler (4), W. G. Pingree, Raymond Seaman and Perrin & Co. - The Ararat Stamp Co. sending in their adv. copy this week desires us to state that the rumor circulated in N. Y. City in connection with the firm's selling out its business is absolutely without foundation. The manager, Mr. Mozian, with ten years of active dealing in the metropolis of America has no thought of retiring. - The advertising space on page 1 formerly taken by the United States Stamp Co. will reflect a business change of great importance. The Philadelphia Stamp Co. has purchased the stock and good will of the company referred to and Wm. T. Clement, former proprietor of the United States Stamp Co., is to be the assistant manager of the Philadelphia Stamp Co. - There was an important omission from the Hussman page advt. of last
week. The lowest middle column "box" neglected to name the two stamps catalogued
$21, and sold for $5. We will repair the damage to the best of our ability
by stating that the offer was "Columbia, 1904, 5 and 10 pesos."
page 31 - (Canada - issuance of new definitives delayed until Coronation) - It is reported that the new Canadian King's heads will not be issued
until the Coronation takes place.
page 31 - (Colombia - possible forgery of 1894 1 centavo issue) - The C. E. Hussman Stamp Co. reports that the Columbia Republic 1894
Garzon 1c black, advertised by them in last week's paper, may not be the
genuine article and specimens have been sent to Mr. Luff for his O.K. Orders
for the stamp will be held pending the receipt of results of Mr. Luff's
examination.
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| page 31 - (L. A. Michaloni, M.D. - biography - Uruguay specialist)
L.A. MICHALONI, M. D. By WILLARD O. WYLIE. The writer counts it a rare privilege to have a personal acquaintance with the subject of this sketch. He has known Dr. Micheloni for several years and the meeting of the Boston Philatelic Society, Tuesday evening, Jan. 17, gave him an opportunity of again meeting him and of presenting him to the members of that Society. Dr. Micheloni has been known in the philatelic world for a number of years as collector, author, society member and dealer, but his interest in philately is one of recreation and this sketch will show that he has no intention of making it his life work. Dr. Micheloni is a native of Uruguay, having been born Jan. 12, 1878. That he was interested in local philately is evidenced by the fact that he served the Uruguay Philatelic Society as its secretary. He graduated from the University of Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1895 and from the Escuela Superior de Comercio of the same city in 1899. Our friend is quite proud of the fact that he has received the degree of M. D. from the George Washington University of Washington, D. C., class of 1909, and in continuation of his studies shortly after went to Italy where he has taken a post graduate course, remaining there for a year and a half. While in Washington, his name occasionallv appeared in the WEEKLY as a dealer, but while abroad he has given but little attention to stamps. The doctor has now returned to the United States and has taken up his residence in New York City. He proposes to become a citizen of the United States and feels that there is no country that offers quite the opportunities that are offered here for one who desires to make a name and fame. He is an artist of no mean skill in drawing and painting, having won first prize and high honors in the Italian School of Art of Montevideo 1904-1907. He is also interested in fencing and is a member of the Fencers Club of New York. He has won several trophies in this country and abroad and some years ago held the championship for South America. Dr. Micheloni speaks Spanish, Italian, French and "some" English. We use the word "some" advisedly. It was contained in one of his recent letters, but we can assure our readers that they need have no fears as to understanding anything that he might say to them. We consider it a great privilege to write this word concerning one whom we have learned to know and respect, and it is very appropriately written for a number of the WEEKLY devoted to the stamps of his native country. While we have said little concerning Dr. Micheloni's stamp treasures, it may be taken for granted that they are particularly rich in the issues of Uruguay, as will be well understood by one who comes at all in contact with him. As he enters upon his life work in this his adopted country, we bespeak
for him a large measure of happiness and prosperity and in this wish his
many friends will join heartily.
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| page 31 - (United States - Postal Savings Bank - may be overprinted
- 'Postal Savings Official Mail")
PROVISIONAL P. S. B. STAMPS. Mr. Steinmetz gives us some very important information in reference
to higher values of the Postal Savings Postage stamps which are to be issued.
It is proposed to utilize the 50c and $1 of the current regular postage
stamps, and the $2 and $5 remainders of the 1902 Series, with an overprint
"Postal Savings Official Mail" in four lines, as provisionals awaiting
the preparation of new dies and the supply will be limited accordingly.
The necessity for these high values is easily perceived, when it is taken
into consideration that the postage on the heavy blank books and stationery
for the use of the Postal Savings Banks will have to he accredited to the
branch of the department which controls the banks. There will also be voluminous
correspondence between the banks and headquarters, as well as the mailing
of bonds, etc. - Phila. Stamp News.
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| page 31 - (Boston ? Philatelic Society - anniversary)
B.P.S. ANNIVERSARY. The anniversary celebration of the B.P.S., to be held Feb. 17-18, will bring together many well known philatelists. Among others, Fred J. Melville, president of the Junior Philatelic Society of London; Henry N. Mudge, president of the A. P. S.; F. R. Cornwall, of the A. P. S. board of vice presidents; George H. Worthington and Charles L. Pack of Cleveland, O.; H. E. Deats of Flemington, N. J.; John N. Luff, ex-president of the A. P. S.; Wm. C. Stone, ex-president of the A. P. S., and J. S. Rich of New York, will be present It is expected that delegations of visiting philatelists will be in
attendance from Chicago, New York, Springfield, Providence and other cities.
It will be a notable occasion.
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| page 31
A GREAT AUCTION BUSINESS. The C. E. Hussman Stamp Co. of St. Louis, although a comparatively newcomer in the auction field, have held no less than eleven successful sales. It is rather a difficult problem handling properties in such a manner as to be satisfactory to sellers and buyers, but the Hussman Co. will gladly welcome a careful scrutiny of its auction business, believing that it can serve its clients with satisfaction. At least one sale is held each month and catalogs will be mailed upon
request. The Hussman Co. has contracted for large space in this paper for
1911, and collectors should watch the last page for special announcements.
(Advt.)
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| page 32 - (New Issues - United States, Australia, Brunei, Costa Rica,
Cuba, Eritrea, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Romania, Russia, Salvador, Sweden)
Chronicle of New Issues
Any information regarding new issues will be gratefully received and acknowledged. Address HENRY A. KIDDER, 17 Addison St., Arlington, Mass. Letters calling for a reply should contain a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot give applicants the addresses of our correspondents. UNITED STATES. - Frank B. Eldredge reports the following new precancels: No. 329, Providence, R. I., inverted; type IV.
Arthur F. Stone sends us specimens of the current 1c and 2c stamps precancelled St. Johnsbury, Vermont, reading up in two lines between three thin rules. Mr. Stone informs us that during the Christmas season the post offices at Barre, Montpelier, and St. Johnsbury, Vt., all used precancelled stamps on their holiday packages. The St. Johnsbury office had precancelled stamps of all denominations from 1c to 15c inclusive, and used all but some of the 2c stamps before Christmas came. As only a small number of the higher denominations were precancelled there ought to be good finds for collectors. Herman W. Boers sends us a specimen of the 2c envelope with cracked die, as described in No. 1046 from specimen submitted by Mr. Eldredge. Scott's Circular notes the finding of the 30c Interior Department on the soft porous paper of the American Bank Note Co. This has been hitherto unrecorded. Wm. Howard Stackpole sends us a specimen of the current 2c envelope which has received so much ink in printing that both front and back are so smeared with color as to leave nothing visible but a ragged and much restricted profile of Washington. This profile, by the way, has very little resemblance to the Father of his Country, and might pass for most, any bruiser with a small head. AUSTRALIA. - Ewen's Weekly prints a letter from the Acting Secretary to the Postmaster General, dated at Melbourne, Nov. 17, 1910, stating that the matter of the overprinting of the postage stamps had been already considered, and that the Postmaster General had decided that the stamps be not overprinted. The Australian Philatelist says that penny postage will be established in all the states of the Commonwealth May 1, 1911. Victoria is now the only state that has penny postage. BRUNEI. - Champion's Bulletin reports having seen two new dollar values in the current set. Adhesives. $5 red on green.
COSTA RICA - Mr. Schachne has received the new cards of last year which are from the Amer. Bank Note Co. and while being similar in appearance, show much improvement in both design and impression. The stamp is similar in shape but smaller and the head faces to right. The headline is curved like the former 2c card but is without border. Post Cards. 2c blue on pale buff.
CUBA. - Referring to the envelope item from Mr. Tellez, printed in No 1046, Philip Wolff favors us with further information regarding the envelopes issued in the current set. There are three denominations, 1c, 2c and 5c, and as there are two sizes of each denomination, it follows that there are six major varieties. The envelopes come in two sizes, 172 x 97 mm. and 240 x 106 mm. The contract for these envelopes was given to Waterlow & Sons because the American Bank Note Company would only produce profile figures, not full face as required by the Postoffice Department. ERITREA. Champion's Bulletin reports another value of the new set begun last year. The design is similar to that of the 25c already chronicled except, that the sitting figures at the side are replaced by conventional ornaments. There are also other striking differences in the design, but the general effect is much the same. Adhesive. 15c black. NEW ZEALAND. - Mr. Schachne reports the receipt of the current letter card on blue paper instead of pale green. Letter Card. 1d carmine on blue. NICARAGUA. - The C. E. Hussman Stamp Company sends us specimens of the 2c on 3c orange red, and 5c on 20c brown, mentioned in No. 1044, and the new double lined surcharges chronicled in Nos. 1046 and 1047. ROUMANIA. - The London Daily Telegraph says: "The fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the University of Jassy have been arranged for the middle of May next. A special series of stamps has been prepared by a Roumanian artist, and the printing will be done in Berlin. During the last few years Roumania has placed stamp-printing orders in Paris, New York, and London. Now the German city gets its turn in the new commemorative series. The ordinary regular stamps of Roumania are printed at the Government printing works at Bucharest. "In addition to the national emblems, the new stamps will bear the inscriptions 'Jubileul Universitate Jasi' and 'Roumania,' and the following distinctive, subjects :- 1b, Prince Couza and Princess Elena.
"To most stamp collectors the recent activity of Roumania in the issue of commemorative stamps must seem excessive. In 1903 the country began these tactics with the belated issue of a series commemorating the opening of the new General Post Office in 1901. In 1906 a new set celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the kingdom, a further series marking the forty years' rule of the Prince and King, being issued in November of the same year, 1906." RUSSIA. - Offices in the Levant. - Ewen's Weekly has received entire sheets of the Dardanelles stamps and note that there are no errors or even type varieties. There is however a broken letter, the small "d" in "Dardanelles" being broken so as to look almost like a "u" with a dot over it. This is only of importance in proving that the setting for the low values consist of ten types duplicated, arranged as in the other Levant surcharges, the broken type variety being No. 10. It occurs in the two top panes as Nos. 10 and 20 and in the two lower panes as Nos. 10, 20 and 25. A sheet of 100 of the 20 para has been found with overprint "Dardanelles" inverted, but in its correct position at the top of the stamp. This is the only inverted variety which has occurred in the Jubilee issue. There are no errors or type varieties on the Beyrouth stamps. SALVADOR. - Champion's Bulletin chronicles the full sets of the new official and postage due stamps; the designs are the same as the regular adhesive, except the additions of the legends "Oficial" and "Franqueo Deficiente," as the case may be. Official Adhesives. 2c green and black.
Postage Due Adhesives. 1c brown and black.
SWEDEN. - Champion's Bulletin chronicles several new stamps from this country, including two postage stamps of low value, in the type of the 4 ore described in No. 1011, and three official stamps in the type described in No. 1034. Adhesives. 1 ore black.
Official Adhesives. 1 ore black.
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| page 33 - (Original Gum)
WITH THE BOY PHILATELIST. Edited by BERTRAM W. H. POOLE, Route 2, Box 40, Pasadena, Cal. We propose to insert upon this page matter that will be of interest to the boy collector. Some two thousand boys are now on our mailing list and it is our desire to come closely in contact with them in such a manner as will he most helpful. Any information desired will be cheerfully rendered through these columns. Do not submit stamps for examination. ORIGINAL GUM. A correspondent in San Francisco asks if I consider the value of an unused stamp is much reduced if it has no gum. Well, there is no denying the fact that original gum is an important factor in determining the value of an unused stamp though, personally, I would never refuse a nice bright looking copy of a scarce stamp without gum if I could purchase it at a considerably lower figure than a similar specimen with gum. But if a stamp has gum it is important that it should have original gum, or "o.g." as we philatelists are fond of putting it. That is it must have the gum originally applied by the manufacturers at the time the stamp was produced. Various sorts of adhesive matter, or "cement" as it was once called, have been used at different times, varying from the thick, evil-tasting mucilage found on the old British stamps to the almost tasteless substance now used on most modern stamps. At one time dextrine, or potato starch, was the adhesive matter most generally used but now-a-days gum arabic, mixed with a little glycerine, has taken its place. Of course, no unused stamp without gum can properly be termed "mint,"
and there are times when original gum, or some trace of it, is absolutely
essential in distinguishing between the genuine issue and reprints of certain
stamps.
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page 33 A SMALL COMPETITION. A philatelic navy would certainly include a weird assortment of vessels
ranging from the primitive native boat shown on the stamps of British New
Guinea and Papua to the modern ocean liner shown on the 10c Pan-American
Exposition issue. How many stamps show pictures of boats of any sort? Here
is a small competition for readers of this page. To the reader sending
the most complete list of stamp designs in which a vessel forms a part
we will award an unused current 1sh Papua stamp and to the sender of the
second best list a 6d Papua. The following simple rules must be observed
:- (1) Readers must not be more than 20 years of age; (2) only one list
can be sent by each competitor; (3) where several stamps exist in a set
all the same design only the issue should be given thus, British New Guinea,
1901 and Papua 1907; (4) surcharged stamps may not count as different varieties;
(5) lists must be posted by Jan. 31st; (6) and letters should be sent to
B. W. H. 'Poole, Box 40, Route 2, Pasadena, Calif., with "Navy" written
on back of envelope.
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| page 33 - (Watermark detector)
A HANDY WATERMARK DETECTOR. Having used for some years what might be termed a home-made and self-invented scheme for the detection of watermarks, which is cheap, simple and should be common, I thought there might be some of the younger generation of collectors who would like to know about it. Procure a sheet of black vulcanite or hard rubber, say 6 x 8 inches, from any electrical supply house and a small bottle of benzine from the drug store and you have all necessary apparatus. Lay the stamp face down on the sheet of rubber and moisten with a few drops of benzine and nearly any ordinary watermarks will appear at once. There is no need of a camel's-hair brush for applying the benzine, as a few drops extra will not injure the stamps in any way. One peculiar advantage of using this plan is that stamps on sheets can
be examined without removal by simply turning the stamp back over the edge
of the sheet.
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| page 33 - (South Africa - 1910 - 2 1/2d - George V issue)
AN INTERESTING STAMP. We wonder how many of our readers have seen the 2 1/2d stamp just issued by the Union of South Africa. It is a large, handsome label and commemorates an historic occassion - the opening of the first Parliament for United South Africa. The four British colonies forming the Union are the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, the Transvaal, and the Orange Free State and the arms of these four states are shown in the four corners of the stamp. In the center is a portrait of King George with "Union of South Africa" above and "Unie van Zuid Afrika" below. The latter inscription is the Dutch equivalent of the first. The word "postage" is also shown in Dutch ("postzegel") and the date "1910" commemorates the year in which the Union became an accomplished fact. This stamp means that we shall soon want a new page in our albums for before long it is anticipated that the separate series of stamps for Natal, Cape Colony, the Transvaal and Orange River Colony will be superseded by one general set for use throughout the Union.
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| page 33 - (Crete - 1900 1 drachma issue - picturing Talos - a giant
from Greek mythology)
AN ANCIENT LEGEND. One of our Denver readers writes as follows :- "My collection now numbers about 1500 and I have written under each stamp the name of ruler or president whose portrait appears and also the meaning of any other design as far as I know them. What do you think of this idea? Can you tell me the meaning of the design on the Idrachma stamp of Crete - Scott's type A6." This idea appears to us an excellent one. Our correspondent has the instincts of a true collector in wishing to know all he can about his stamps. The pleasure of collecting is increased ten-fold when one knows the history or meaning of the pictures shown on postage stamps. The figure shown on the Crete stamp referred to is Talos. According to ancient Greek mythology Talos was a brazen giant whom Hepaesbus, the god of fire, had given to Minos, King of Crete, to act as the island's guardian. The old story tells us that he walked around the island three times a day and frightened away intruders by throwing huge boulders at them. On the stamp he is depicted in the act of throwing a stone. Some intruders were brave enough, or foolish enough, to land in face of the warning of the stones and these Talos would seize, hold to his breast, and jump in the fire with them and stay till they were burned to death. His vulnerable point was his foot in which a vein, supposed to run from his head, was closed by a nail. He met his death by losing the nail, which fell out, according to some writers, or was shot out by an arrow, according to another version.
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| page 33
OUR EXCHANGE COLUMN. To popularize this page with the boys we offer to insert offers to exchange stamps at the very low rate of 5c per line. A few rules are necessary :- The exchange is open only to boys under 20; count seven words or fraction to the line; have copy reach us Saturday; no prices can be quoted; write plainly your name, address, the stamps you have and what you want. For our own information write your age. Here is a sample advertisement: John Doe, Boston, Mass., desires match and medicine stamps for British Colonials. |
| page 33 - (The Collecting Spirit)
THE COLLECTING SPIRIT. About the first thing a boy attempts to collect is birds' eggs. He will climb the tallest tree, wade the deepest mire, and go to the most dangerous and difficult place, in spite of parental warnings or game laws, to obtain a coveted specimen. The next fever will be the collection of rocks, woods, postmarks, stamps or coins. It is an easy step from post-marks to stamps, and as coins are not so easily found they are soon given up in the preference for stamps. Of course, his first stamps are United States. He ransacks every old garret and worries his grandfather to distraction in his quest for old stamps. He pastes them down in an old memorandum book which he proudly calls his stamp album. At first, his mother helps him arrange them in his album, but after the passion has gone on for a month or two, she grows tired, ceases to help him, and begins to wonder when it will stop. But the boy's interest never flags. In fact, he has only just begun. He is an expansionist now and the United States gets too small for him; likewise his memorandum stamp album. He is a "globe-trotter," speaks as easily and understandingly of an Oil River Protectorate as he would of a United States issue of 1894. He now buys stamps and sells them to other boys, who look to him as an authority on all questions of the genuineness or identity of a stamp. He gets all the latest stamp catalogues, journals and papers, understands all grills, perforation, watermarks, surcharges and forgeries and is now beginning to see that the world is too large a field and after he has his first thousand stamps, that they begin to cost money. One of the hardest trials for a young collector to bear is the fact
that no one else sees the value of his collection. At last, when the sterner
problems of life crowd out his youthful joy, he gives up his cherished
collection and begins his battle with life. He never sees, however, a new
stamp but that his memory does not turn back to the time when he was a
boy stamp collector.
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| page 33 - United States - 1898 propriety revenue blue changling, 1879
secret marks, Canada - 1902 20cent Queen's head imperforate, unknown 201
cancel on Jamaica 1871-1872, Congo 1894 issues)
QUERIES AND COMMENT. Edited by C. E. SEVERN. Our readers are cordially invited to ask the editor for any information desired concerning stamp collecting. Should a personal reply be desired kindly enclose postage. Address, C. E. Severn, 721 Oxford Bdg., Chicago, Ill. W.M.M. :- This reader says: "After a lapse of nearly ten years, I have
again taken up my collection. I was very much surprised to find that in
Scott of 1911 the one-cent blue, proprietary is not listed. I have such
a stamp; the color is almost the same shade as that of the documentary
series. Kindly give me the status of this stamp." Undoubtedly, your stamp
is a changeling, as the one-cent proprietary, 1898, was never issued in
blue. It happened occasionally that the contents of the package on which
the one-cent proprietary stamp paid the tax effected a change of color
chemically; the reaction, changing green to blue is a common one and easily
effected. (2) The current thirteen-cent (until recently) is the same design
as the rest of the issue.
M.W.B. :- The difference between the 1873 and 1879 issues, 1, 3, (5), 6 and 10c is in the paper which in the 1873 issue is hard and thin and with a slightly glossy surface in many cases, while the 1879 issue is on a soft and porous paper. On page 7 of the issue of January 7th, 1911, something is said of these papers under "Secret Marks on U. S. Stamps." (2) The very small variations that you note as existing on the one and five-cent, respectively, of the Guy set, Newfoundland, are not found on all the stamps of these denominations; stamps that are produced by lithographic process are apt to show minor differences such as your sharp eyes have detected. T. :- Many months ago, or, to be exact in August, 1910, the following inquiry was received: "Have you ever heard of the Canadian 20 cent bistre, in imperforate pair, 1902, queen's head, as having been actually sold at the post-office or is it a proof?" We sent the inquiry of our correspondent to an authority who now writes us; after apologizing for the delay due to an oversight, he says in effect that while in each issue, practically, of Canada from 1859 downwards there are imperforate varieties in existence, yet such stamps do not seem to be generally accepted as unquestioned issues. They are not without recognition however and in the Catalogue for Advanced Collectors these imperforates have place. It is believed that the imperforate stamps of some of the issues were really sold at one office for a short time. Of the particular stamp nothing is known by our informant; and he does not say that the 20c, 1902, is or is not a proof impression. In fact, as he is unable to base his statements on official information, he is cautious in saying anything definitely. Any information on the subject from our readers would be welcomed. A reader wishes to know where the cancellation "201' on a four pence
brown orange, Jamaica, 1871-2, was used? We do not find any account of
it and so, the question is referred to our readers.
R.P.M. :- The Belgian stamps may be had with the label at the top, of
course, if the sheet is torn so as to accomodate it there; again, it easily
could be left at top and bottom.
F. :- The designs on the 1894 issue of Congo have been described as follows: View of settlement of Mahadi, 5c;
(2) The subject of perforations was dwelt upon in the boys' department
recently.
B.M. :- "Novelty" is a word sometimes used to take the place of "new issue." (2) We suggest that you give collecting a thorough trial before you begin to think of dealing in stamps. |
| page 36 - (Stamp market prices from new Stanley Gibbons catalog)
THE STAMP MARKET. By SENEX. The new Gibbons Catalogue awakens memories. One can remember when the 6d Tasmania was a stamp easily accessible in some quantity, but of late the sources of supply seem to have dwindled somewhat. Time was when the 5d pictoral was gathered by some in preference to the 6d, but the catalogue reverses that verdict. One can remember buying the is Gold Coast, of 1884, in goodly numbers; likewise the 1s green and black, of 1898, but since those "good old days" these things seem to have soared beyond reach; they have doubtless become "absorbed," and art only to be met with in odd copies here and there. In the early dawn of this century, Sierra Leone Queen's Heads could be bought per dozen or per hundred, 2d to 1s values; this also is an old memory and an incident which we may not expect to be repeated. But the 13c Seychelles is an old favourite; its price in the catalogue of 1905 is the same as it is today. New things are ever coming to the fore, and many of them give promise of profitable gathering. Perhaps, New Zealand 1907-9, reduced size series, are worth attention. And in some lists the majority of the middle values of the West Indies are either absent or are described as penmarked; here seems another 'land of promise." Siam is worth studying all through, together with such items as the stamp journals afford with regard to numbers issued, etc. The same may be said of Panama and Canal Zone. Papua has its enthusiastic gatherers. Some collectors may have been on the lookout for the triangular Ecuadors of 1908; these may come presently. Of Hyderabad Services there seems to be a more abundant supply; the 2 annas green Service, of 1909, sells fairly freely. I notice that Reunion pictorials, 20c, 25c, 35c and 45c, are on sale, used; this is good, but one would like to see the same values of other pictorial French colonials. Middle and higher values of German Morrocco seem good selling wares on the Continent. Nicaragua 1903, values above 10c, seem among the rarities. The lower values are good sellers. Gold Coast King's, 2d, 3d and 6d values, seem to be going up, though very gradually and slowly. The 6c Columbus of U.S.A. is a rising stamp, more costlier as the years go by; so is the 2c Canada Jubilee. Possibly the 50c Hong Kong, multiple, may become less accessible presently. The 20c Philippines of 1906 seems to he accumulating rather more rapidly than some of the other values. The 2s 6d British King's Head, as also the 5s value, are wares in demand; prices seem higher than they were. It looks as if the 4c, 10c, 24c Argentine, 1910, were rather less plentiful than the denominations round about them. The current 2 1/2d Gold Coast does not seem much in evidence. Is it going to be one of the "odd" values? The 8c Malay States is a good stamp. The 15c Mauritius, blue, on chalk paper, may possibly be worth attention, since it should be dearer presently. Perhaps the 12c black is really a 'better" stamp - in the sense of its being somewhat scarcer - but it would probably be a difficult matter to gather any quantity of them. Where stamps are gathered for immediate sale, present prices must of course be one's sole guide, hut where one can afford to put away any promising parcel for a year or two, the future prospects of the stamp must seriously he taken into consideration - Stamp Collectors' Fortnightly. |
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