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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 - March 11, 1911 - Volume XXV, Number 10, Whole Issue Number 1054 |
| Pages 81-82 Written for MEKEEL’S WEEKLY. LATIN AMERICAN LETTER. By “Merry FOREST.” Argentina. - It will be remembered that in the early 90’s, the U. S. Government transferred the printing of postage stamps from private to national hands. Argentina is about to do the same. It seems that the Compania Sud Americana de Billetes de Banco was paid 1.20 pesos (50c U. S. currency) per thousand for the unicolored centenary stamps, and 2.20 pesos (93c U. S.) per thousand for the bicolored stamps. Of course such exorbitant prices can be accounted for by only two causes - either the Compania Sud Americana hypnotized the P. 0. Department into granting them the contract, or else the principle of protection of infant industries was carried to extremes, for the Compania Sud Americana is, I am glad to say, a native concern of Buenos Aires, Well, the Director of the Mint complained about this, and stated that his Casa de Moneda Nacional could have done the job for 24,000 pesos instead of the 300,000 that was paid. On account of this disgraceful contract there then followed a severe criticism of the government by the Prensa, of Buenos Aires, probably the most influential newspaper in America, and the attack of such a powerful newspaper had its effect, for the next new series of postage stamps will be printed at the National Mint, much more cheaply and on better paper. The design will be extremely artistic as is compatible with the material progress of such a nation as Argentina. In the Revista de la Sociedad Filateli ca Argentina, of December, 1910, Dr. Emilio Diena publishes an interesting article on some mysterious “correo particular” stamps of Argentina. They are very crude labels, very much resembling the Confederate local stamps, with just merely the words “correo particular,” “medio (or un) real,” surrounded by a margin of pearls shaded black on one side. Were these stamps really locals that circulated outside the limits of the post office routes? This seems impossible, for in 1874, the carrying of mails was government monopoly (the stamps were first known at this date). Still it was estimated that in 1875, 300,000 letters circulated without government “intervention.” At any rate the stamps seem to have come forth from the province of Cordoba. It is only there, probably, that any definite information can be obtained. Besides the future issue of stamps printed by the National Mint the Annonce Timbrologique, of January, 1911, states that the Buenos Aires newspapers are agitating for a special stamp commemorative of the centenary of the birth of don Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, President of the Argentine Republic, from 1868-1874. That gentleman ranks among the half dozen great men of his country, such as Beigrano, San Martin, Rivadavia, Rosas, Mitre, Roca. His career is extremely interesting—boy schoolteacher, storekeeper, poet, exile in Chile, editor, politician, government official, soldier, minister to Chile, France, and the United States, and finally President. One of his famous works is a book with the somewhat bombastic title of “Civilisation and Barbarism”—a bitter arraignment of the tyrant Rosas, and a vivid description of the anarchy and desolation into which the Argentina of 1840 had fallen. Sarmiento owes his prominence mainly to the educational system he introduced into Argentina, modelled closely on that of the U. S. A local celebrity of Massachusetts, Horace Mann, seems to have had a deep influence in this matter. The best idea of Sarmiento may be gained by characterizing him as a Horace Greely, Lincoln, and Victor Hugo, all in one, but on a small scale. Sarmiento is the only Latin American Statesman who has had the slightest friendliness or admiration for the United States. This fact will certainly make us Yankees feel more sympathetic toward the proposed commemorative stamp. Chile. - The centenary stamps are printed on a peculiar grayish paper which the American Bank Note Co. seems to have adopted recently, as is borne out by the fact that the same paper is used for the Haiti President Simon stamps. Guatemala. - One of the philatelic thunderbolts of 1910 was the Miguel Garcia Granados stamp. It was stated that as the President of Guatemala was passing through London, he casually happened to drop in on Perkins, Bacon & Co., and in a fit of absentmindedness, ordered the stamp made. It was mostly a joke. However, the joke was premeditated, for according to the official decree published in the Diario de Centro America, of July 30, 1909, the local artist who made the design, don Mariano Colmenares was paid the sum of 300 pesos (merely $18 U. S. currency), which was certainly not the fortune it looks like. From the same paper of August 9, there is published another official decree, which will be a great surprise to philatelists :— “It is resolved that postage stamps destined for official correspondence abroad be surcharged with the word “Gobierno” operation which will be immediately effected by the Direccion General del Ramo on the necessary denominations of the present series, as soon as a written authorization has been given out by the Ministerio de Fomento indicating the number and value of - the stamps.” Have these official stamps actually been issued? Haiti. - In the session of October 21, the Legislative chamber of the Republic of Haiti adopted the following decree submitted by President Simon :- “Beginning with the 30 December, 1910, two stamps will be issued for franking foreign and interior parcels, 5c de piastre, violet, with the arms of the republic, and 12c de piastre portrait of President Simon on black background in a medallion. There will also be is-sued (1) wrappers (arms of the republic) for interior use 1c green, 2c red, 3c yellow, 4c blue, for exterior use 1c green-yellow, 2c carmine, 3c blue, 4c yellow, 5c lilac, 6c apricot, 7c brown; (2) envelopes (portrait of President Simon) for exterior 5c blue, black background in medallion, 2c red, black back-ground in medallion. All contradictory regulations are annulled. – Illustriertes Briefmarken Journal, February 18, 1911. Uruguay. - According to the Buenos Aires Herald of January 24, a South American Postal Congress was held in Montevideo early in January. It was definitely decided to create an international post office bureau for South American Republics, a sort of clearing house which would arbitrate on disputes, publish postal guides, statistics, etc. Spanish, of course will be the official language. The organisation and care of the bureau is entrusted to the Uruguayan postal authorities. It seems that Bern is going to have a bitter rival. The Postal Congress also passed resolutions in favor of extending the parcels post and the money order service. El Eco Postal states that a special stamp commemorative of this Congress, of the 5c denomination, was issued on Jan. 6, which was printed by the Compania Sud Americana in two colors to the number of 200,000. The Post Office Department has also asked the “Escuela de Artes y Oficios” of Montevideo to make a sketch for the design of a new series of official stamps in order to avoid the surcharging of the ordinary stamps as is done today. Venesuela. - From the Revista del Circulo Filatelico de Cuba: A new issue will be ordered by the Ministerio de Fomento destined for interior and foreign postage. These stamps will be printed on special paper in special inks to avoid cleaning; with the dimensions 25 x 21 mm. and the form, value and the following colors :— 5c, Gen.Francisco de Miranda, laurel border, green 10c, " " " " " " red. 15c, Gen. Rafael Urdaneta, " " gray. 25c, " " " " " " dark blue. 50c, Liberator Simon Bolivar, " " magenta. 1b, " " " laurel border, intense yellow. All other stamps will be demonetized except the 25c centenary stamp. Considering that the official stamps are almost exhausted, the Ministro de Fomento is authorized to get ready a new issue of stamps in the form actually in use but with following colors :- 5c green, 10c red, 25c dark blue, 50c magenta, and 1b intense yellow. The national shield which the stamps will carry in the centre and the word “official” will be always printed in black. Signed by the constitutional president, J. V. Gomez, November 23, 1910. From El Eco Postal: “In the daily Nuevo Tiempo we read the following: Stamps. - A new issue of stamps has been decreed: postage stamps with the busts of Bolivar, Miranda, and Urdaneta, and ‘instruction tax’ stamps (does this mean that Gibbons’ Venezuela Nos. 206 - 13 are revenue stamps used provisionally for postage?) with the busts of doctor Vargas, doctor Cecilio Avila, doctor Miguel José Sanz, General A. Guzmán Blanco, Andrés Bello, General Paez, Great Marshal of Ayacucho, and the Liberator.” General. - Mr. Ewen in the February 4 number of Ewen’s Weekly shatters the old theory that the Waterlow perforating machine gauged irregularly from 12 to 16. It now appears that there are at least six different machines gauging regularly 13 1/2, 14, 14 1/2, 15, 16, and irregular 14 with about 40 holes gauging 12 1/2 and 13 1/2. This will be a staggering blow to collectors to have to make up six different sets of all the Water-low issues of Guatemala 1902, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, etc. It might even be suggested that the Waterlow company be petitioned to destroy or sell off all their perforating machines except those gauging 14. The company would earn the everlasting gratitude of collectors by such an altruistic and impractical act. United States. - In concluding this letter I wish to point out an interesting discovery in regard to the new water- marked paper of the current United States stamps. I happened to observe that the “U” and the “S” of the “U. S. A.” in the watermark of the very paper on which this letter is typewritten, had exactly the same shape and size as the new single lined “U” and “S” on the postage stamp watermark. My paper happened to come from Senator Crane’s mills in the Berkshires and it suddenly struck me that he must supply the paper used for the postage stamps. I inquired at the P. 0. and found that I had conjectured rightly. Senator Crane’s mills also supplies all the paper used by the State department and Consular Service. |
| Page 83 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. - W. C. Stone informs us that the Illusttrated London News of March 4 has a full page of illustrations of stamps from the collection of King George V. - H. E. Deats sends us a clipping from tthe Trenton State Gazette giving details of state convention of assistant postmasters, where resolutions were adopted asking that the color scheme of various denominations of postage stamps be corrected by a dissimilarity of color, with distinct figures, to be permanent, when established, so that employes may become familiar with stamps of all denominations. - In the Scientific American for Februarry 25, is a lengthy illustrated article entitled “Automatic Stamp Slitting and Coiling Machines,” by Thomas D. Gannaway. We do not have the space in which to reprint the article, which is quite technical, but nevertheless of interest to those who are collecting stamps of this character. - Clipping from F. C. DePuy. - Mr. L. Harald Kjellstedt of Scranton, Pa., has been appointed a member of the Committee of Honor of the Philatelic Section of the International Exhibition at Turin, Italy, 1911. This exhibition, which opens next October, has been organized in commemoration of the establishment of the kingdom of Italy. The philatelic exhibition will be housed in the Palace of Graphic Arts, a fireproof and well lighted building. - From the “joke” column of the Chicago Tribune - News: “A lady who possesses one million postage stamps, wishes to enter into matrimonial relations with a philatelist. Address ‘Millionairess,’ care of this paper.” - If any of our subscribers can favor uss with their copy of the issue of the WEEKLY for Jan. 7, 1911, we shall appreciate the courtesy very much. We need a few additional copies. - If any of our subscribers have unfilleed orders made out to L. W. Hudson, will they please communicate the facts to this office? - Clippings are acknowledged with thankss from F. C. DePuy, D. B. Calder (2), and Harry W. Peyser. - The regular March meeting of the N. E.. P. A. and A. E. S., consolidated, will be held at the B. P. S. club room, Tremont Bldg., Tuesday evening, March 14, at 8 P. M. - The stamp collectors of Hudson County,, N. J., have organized a stamp club, to be known as the Hudson County Stamp Club. J. Froelke of Jersey City is the secretary-treasurer. |
| Page 83 A. M. TRAVERS ARRESTED. A. M. Travers, who was acting third assistant postmaster general for a year prior to the appointment of James J. Britt, was dismissed from the service March 6 and later placed under arrest charged with violating the postal laws, which provide that no officer of the P. 0. Department shall sell any postage stamps for more or less than their face value. Travers is charged with receiving several thousands of dollars from the sale of stamps, though the clippings at hand make no mention of the kind of stamps in question. It is thought that the “rag” papers figure in this transaction, though definite information is not at hand. We shall give this matter extended notice next week. |
| Page 83 CANADA CORONATION SET. E. A. Smith of Halifax, N. S., informs us that in some official information just issued mention is made of the intention of the P. 0. authorities of Canada to issue a coronation set. Particulars will be awaited with interest. |
| Page 83 COMMUNICATIONS. (We do not hold ourselves responsible for the views expressed by our readers. Our columns are always open for communications of general interest. - Ed.) To the Editor: In reply to the article in your column concerning registered envelope, submitted by C. E. Fisher, will say the Post Office Dept. Rules covering new method of despatching registered mail say that the return receipts shall be securely attached to the back of registered letters with wire clips, and if the receipt becomes detached from the letter, it shall be destroyed as waste paper, as it is impossible to get the receipt back with the proper letter without too much search. But the Regulations also say any clerk who delivers a registered letter or parcel shall carefully examine it to see if a receipt is requested and in that case (that is, if the receipt is lost) he shall make out a new one and have that signed and returned to the sender. So evidently in the case of Mr. Fisher, the registry clerk in his own post office was at fault. R. J. WAGNER. Fostoria, OHIO. |
| Page 83 HUSSMAN ACTIVITIES. On Saturday, March 18, the 13th auction sale of the Hussman Stamp Co. will be held, and the catalog just out offers no less than 1512 lots. An immediate application will enable WEEKLY subscribers to procure a catalog in time to enter their bids. Two large “Bargain Lists” are being sent out by this firm. Hundreds of bargains are offered, in very attractive form, and the firm is very desirous of placing a copy in the hands of each reader of the WEEKLY. A post card will secure a prompt reply. (Advt.) |
| Page 84 EDITORIAL. Good Work - At the St. Louis County, Missouri, Postmasters’ League meeting held recently, the following resolution was adopted and after having been signed was sent to the Postmaster General: “We the undersigned committee of three appointed by the Postmasters’ League of St. Louis County, Missouri, would suggest that the Post Office Department issue an embossed-stamped envelope for register first-class letters, for the postmasters to sell to the public, to be used in place of the ordinary envelopes, which, often are not strong enough to carry the contents.” The Third Assistant Postmaster General in acknowledging the receipt of the resolution said that “the interest manifested in the service by submitting it is appreciated.” Of the resolutions from sources, competent or otherwise, that are received by the post office department, this one, at least, is worthy of favorable consideration. The United States should provide the safe and convenient qualities that are combined in the linen-lined envelopes for registry service of many other countries. |
| Page 84 New Postals in Sheets - The new postal card, profile head of Lincoln to left, red on white, three by five inches, “designed primarily for index or library purposes” but “available for use of any purchaser preferring a small card” will be issued in sheets of eighteen cards, when desired in that form, for facility in printing announcements upon them. The sheets are two cards wide and nine long and are packed in cases containing 4,500 cards each or 250 sheets and requisitions must be made for that quantity or multiples of it. While the department says that “purchasers of cards in sheets should be advised that to be valid for postage they must be cut to regulation size,” collectors of freaks should not be imposed upon by buying at fancy prices abnormal sizes of the cards that may be manufactured from these uncut sheets. In days past, when it was not known generally that the cards could be obtained in sheets for printing purposes, there was some market for “oddities” fashioned this way or that from the sheets. |
| Page 84 Repeated - A reader who writes evidently with some concern on the subject of removing revenue stamps from old documents is advised that this question has been discussed periodically in our columns in the past. In 1906, Henry W. Wolseley, Esq., Chicago, had the kindness to write: “In reference to the question as to the effect of not putting a revenue stamp upon a deed or other documents requiring such a stamp under the United States Revenue Laws, I call your attention to the fact that such laws provided for a penalty against the person failing to stamp such a deed or document, and also provided that an unstamped deed or document should not be admitted in evidence in any court of justice. Under the doctrine of state rights most, if not all, of the courts of the states of the union held that congress could not determine what was or was not admissible in evidence in any courts except those of the United States. Consequently, the state courts generally gave the same legal effect to unstamped documents as to those properly stamped, and deeds were recorded as freely without as with stamps affixed. Therefore the lack of a stamp did not affect the legal effect of any document except in the District of Columbia, or when offered in evidence in the United States courts. During the Spanish war, I know of documents having been recorded in this country without a stamp affixed. The reasons for the decision of the state courts may be found at length by referring to the forty-seventh volume of the Illinois Reports, pages 310 to 318.” |
| Page 84 Casually - According to the ruling of the revenue commissioners themselves exemption from taxation was allowed on instruments executed and delivered prior to that date when the first internal revenue act took effect, so far as related to stamp duties, October 1, 1862, even though they may have been recorded afterwards. The act of June 30th, 1864, provided that any instrument subject to stamp duty, issued unstamped after October 1, 1862, and prior to August 1, 1864, could have the appropriate stamp affixed in the presence of the court, register or recorder. After August 1, 1864, any document unstamped or not sufficiently stamped could be legalized in the government’s eyes by the payment of the proper stamp and a penalty of fifty dollars; and when the amount of the stamp duty exceeded fifty dollars, interest on said duty at the rate of 6% a year was levied from the day on which payment was forfeited. Under certain conditions, this penalty was remitted. |
| Page 84 As to Slaves - One of the interesting questions as applying to the revenue law was developed after the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation. During slavery, manumission was impossible; likewise gifts to slaves. Nevertheless, there were many slaves who were held in bondage in name only and some of them acquired property through their earnings. As they were disqualified from holding property in their own names it was customary for these slaves to select white persons in whom they reposed confidence to hold title absolutely, without any declaration of trust, nominating these white persons as custodians. When slavery ceased to exist, the freedmen became capable of acting in their own behalf and consequently, proposed to have their property conveyed to them and confirmed by deed. No consideration passed and naturally only a nominal one was expressed in the deeds. After deliberation, it was ruled that inasmuch as no sale prompted conveyances of the kind, the final effect of such deeds was that the grantee was vested with no additional property rights. They merely confirmed the equitable title that pre-existed. Under these circumstances, it was decided that no revenue stamps were necessary on these documents. |
| Page 84 In England - The new contractors for the Great Britain issues are now supplying the stamps and as the Stamp Collector of Birmingham, says, it will follow, in all probability that very minor differences in shade and perforations will be discovered. A few “dots of colour and uninked spots” have already been reported. We learn that the current King Edward stamps, one penny, which are to be issued in coils or reels of one thousand stamps for use in the automatic machines will be sold at an additional cost of two pence. |
| Pages 84-85 In Answer - In view of the many inquiries that have been made about precanceled stamps by our newer readers, we shall reproduce the latest circular, detailing the “conditions governing the use of precanceled postage stamps,” as follows “Precanceled postage stamps will be accepted in payment of postage on mailings of transient second-class, or third or fourth class matter in lots of at least 2,000 identical pieces, under the following conditions: 1. The persons desiring this privilege must file an application with the postmaster at the office of mailing, showing: (a) The class and character of the matter to be mailed; a sample to be submitted to the postmaster, if practicable. (b) The total approximate number of identical pieces to be mailed. (If the pieces of matter are not identical the patron will be required to make a separate application covering each kind of matter.) (c) The period during which the total number of pieces are to be mailed. The postmaster should forward the application, with an appropriate recommendation, to the Third Assistant Postmaster General. Attention is especially directed to the following provision of law: ‘All postage * * * at post offices shall be accounted for as part of the postal revenues; and each postmaster shall be charged with and held accountable for any part of the same, accruing at his office, which he has neglected to collect, the same as if he had collected it.’ (R. S., Sec. 4051; Sec. 373, P. L and R.) Postmasters will be held responsible for abuses that arise at their respective offices in connection with the use of precanceled postage stamps, and for any loss of revenue resulting from failure to exact full prepayment of postage at the rate prescribed by law, by stamps securely affixed and properly precanceled. Great caution should, therefore, be observed in recommending the granting of the privilege. 2. The name of the post office and State (together with the name of the station, if mailed at a station), and two parallel heavy black lines, one above and one below the name, must be printed across the face of each stamp. 3. Stamps may be precanceled only at the office of purchase, under the supervision of the postmaster or a sworn employee of the post office. 4. Regulation canceling ink, furnished by the Department, must be used in the cancellation of the stamps. 5. Postmasters should require the mail matter on which precanceled stamps are used to be presented for mailing in such manner as to permit of easy inspection. 6. Authority of the Department for the use of precanceled postage stamps does not carry with it any allowance by the Third Assistant Postmaster General, nor necessitate an allowance by the First Assistant Postmaster General, for the expense of precancellation. It is expected that this expense will be met by the present resources of the post office, or that the patrons to whom the privilege is extended, in consideration of the convenience and advantages afforded them hereby, will arrange for the precancellation, and will follow the suggestions of the postmaster in respect to the wrapping, separation (into States, counties, etc.), and manner of mailing the matter. 7. Precanceled postage stamps may not be used without special authority in each case having been obtained from the Department. Any irregularity in connection with the use of precanceled postage stamps coming to the attention of any postmaster, whether occurring at his office or at any other post office, should be promptly reported to the Third Assistant Postmaster General. Postmasters must keep a record of the name of the patron, the number of pieces and class of matter mailed, and the period during which the mailings take place, so as to be able to furnish that information promptly upon call from the Department. This circular supersedes all previous instructions and conditions concerning the use of precanceled postage stamps.” A. L. LAWSHE, 3rd Assistant Postmaster-General. |
| Page 85 THE STAMP MARKET. By SENEX. It may only be fancy, but possibly the 14-on-9 atts Siam is going up; anyhow, it is interesting to watch whether the number of quotations for these surcharges show any signs of decreasing. Supplies of the satang values of 1910 are coming on, and by this time each denomination has its more or less settled price; here again it is interesting to watch for the figure at which the prices shall settle down, and to be able to detect signs of possible scarcity in any direction. A mint copy of the 12c Chili, 1905 has been recently offered for 2s 6d, and of the 1 peso for 20s. The 40c Peru, 1907 will have to be 3d apiece, if a quotation seen for these, per dozen, is any criterion in the matter, but the 4c 1909 is cheaper. The 7c Hayti, green, 1907, is available now in some quantity. Possibly the 8c and 10c Pan-American “have a future before them,” as the saying is. Possibly, too, the 5c value has got his foot on the same ladder, leaving his brother, the 4c value, somewhat lower down. Austria Levant 1908, the 2 and 5 piastres, are becoming more readily available. The 2 piastres is a royal-looking stamp, and usually seems to contract an acceptable cancellation. Some stamps take badly to a postmark: a dark-coloured stamp may not suffer much, a light-coloured stamp may suffer more. The 50c Mexican pictorial should be found to sell; it is not over cheap, but in a mixed lot one has a chance of discovering specimens of the scarcer and dearer shade. The 1 peso Argentine 1899, is perhaps getting a trifle out of date by this time, most collectors of some five or ten years’ standing already possessing it, yet it is still a good stamp to sell where it happens to be a new-comer. I hear that 700 reis Brazil 1906, is obsolete, and since I see two wildly differing quotations for this stamp the rumour is probably true. The 50c Straits of 1892, does not seem so frequent a quotation as it once was. The 3d multiple Jamaica should be a good purchase at the moment; the 6d and is values seem also in good demand. Prices seem to vary somewhat for the 6c black Argentine 1900; this stamp and the 12c olive should go up some day. A rising stamp is probably the 5s Cape of 1902. Postmarked copies of British Guiana, 60c and above seem to be scarce. Possibly one of the events of the future may be some sort of a famine of high values; these certainly do not seem to be employed to the extent that they once were. Exchange correspondence may often bring these sorts to one’s door, an advantage which allows of their being gathered in one’s and two’s. The percentage of good copies in each hundred-lot seems to depend sometimes on whether they have been gathered in a hot or cold climate. It is a mercy that torn heavily cancelled copies have a market - at a certain price - otherwise some of us would find ourselves saddled with heaps. Don’t gather too many copies of the sorts that everybody already has, unless you have a ready outlet for them in quantity. Out-of-the-way sorts are likely to disappear soonest. - Stamp Collectors Fortnightly. - W. A. Kain submits a J. W. Scott Co. eenvelope upon which are two 1c Canadian stamps, cancelled in proper form and showing the N. Y. City postmark. Mr. Kain thinks that reciprocity cannot be far distant. |
| Page 85 OUR SUBSCRIPTION LIST. There never was a time when the subscription list of the WEEKLY was in such good shape as it is today. It is strong and vigorous, due to the campaign that we have been waging for new subscriptions. These have been received in such a manner as to fairly overwhelm us with work in properly caring for the same. When our official relations with the A. P. S. were severed our total subscription loss was 650, but this has been more than made good and the quality of subscription material has been of a character that counts for the stability of stamp collecting. We welcome these hundreds of new subscribers and promise them many good things through our columns in the next few months. THE MANAGING EDITOR. |
| Page 86 Chronicle of New Issues and Varieties Edited by Henry A. Kidder 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. - George S. Chapman has shown us the current 2c envelope, with the laid lines at right angles with the envelope instead of diagonally placed. J. U. Perkins favors as with a copy of the new filing post card, previously chronicled. Frank B. Eldredge reports the following new precancel: New York, N. Y., 1909, 1c, inverted; Type III. AZORES. - According to Champion’s Bulletin, the postage due stamps of 1904 have been surcharged “Republica” in red on all values, except the 50r, which is in green. BAVARIA. - We have received from Mr. Schachne the 10 on 10pf card dated last year, with the left hand portion blank and separated by a perpendicular ruled line. Also the letter card with new date. Post Card. 10 on 10pf carmine on buff, ‘10. Letter Card. 10pf carmine on blue, ‘11. BRAZIL. - Mr. Schachne sends us a new letter card of exactly the same design, etc., of the 1907 issue 200 reis. Letter Card. 100 reis bright red on white. BOSNIA. - H. F. Metz has shown us the 6n of the 1906 issue, perf. 6 1/2 at top and left and 12 1/2 at right and bottom. MALTA. - The New England Stamp Co. has shown us the 2 1/2d stamp in a single color. Adhesive. 2 1/2d bright blue. NEWFOUNDLAND. — Last week we noted Ewen’s Weekly as stating confidently that the Guy stamps had been engraved by Waterlow and would hereafter be printed by that concern. Upon this point, A. C. Roessler writes: “While not official, all indications point to the fact that the new Guy stamps are not prepared by Waterlow. I believe Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. to be the printers. The stamps were originally lithographed by the latter Company, and the new set is on the same paper and has the same perforation and size as the Mexican Centennial set, which was engraved by Brad-bury, Wilkinson & Co.” We have now presented the two opinions and await a complete sheet for verification. NYASSA. - The Schweizerische Pisilatelische Nachrichten reports that the stamps of Nyassa have been surcharged "Republica," like the stamps of Azores and the mother country. PANAMA. - Emil J. Rail also sends us information regarding the new 1/2c stamp. PHILIPPINES. - Theodore Siddall writes us as follows : A dangerous counterfeit of the rare 2-cent Philippine Republic stamp of 1898 has just made its appearance. The stamp selected for imitation is the 2-cent red with the lined background under the triangle. The color is well imitated, but a shade lighter than most of the genuine The paper is a trifle thicker, but the perforation is correct. The fake has a more clear-cut appearance than the genuine, but there is one difference by which it is easy to detect the counterfeit. In the genuine the top angle formed by the junction of little arcs that form a ring around the white circle inclosing the triangle is in the centre of the stamp, directly over the apex of the triangle, and pointing to the down-stroke of the second “R” in “Correos,” In the counterfeit this point is about 2 millimeters to the left of the apex of the triangle, and points to between the two “R” ‘s of “Correos.” I have not seen any canceled counterfeits of this edition. Uncanceled copies of the genuine are rare. Only beginners need to be warned against the ordinary fake of the rare 2-cent stamp of this issue, which are made by ruling in the lined background, and sometimes by painting in a groundwork with red ink. The rare and corn-mon types of the 2-cent stamp with “Correos” at the top are two entirely distinct stamps, of different engravings, though they look very much alike. SWEDEN. - Two more values have been added to the official stamps chronicled in Nos. 1011 and 1034, according to Champion’s Bulletin. Official Adhesives. 1 ore black. 2 ore yellow orange. |
| Page 87 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 be most helpful. Any information desired will be cheerfully rendered through these columns. Do not submit stamps for examination. HOW TO EXCHANGE STAMPS. A beginner, who would like to take advantage of our exchange column, asks for advice as to the best methods of mounting and pricing stamps for exchange. The stamps should be neatly mounted and arranged in alphabetical order on sheets or in small books. That is simple enough but the matter of pricing presents a little more difficulty and must in a large degree, depend on circumstances and mutual agreement. Supposing A wishes to exchange stamps with B, they might do so (1) on a cash basis or (2) on the principle of catalogue value for catalogue value. If they agree to a cash basis then each prices his stamps at about what he thinks they are worth and if A purchases $10.00 worth and B $8.00 worth then A will naturally have to pay B $2. in cash to balance the deal. If catalogue value for catalogue value is agreed upon some particular catalogue must be specified and both A and B will price their duplicates at the quotations given in that catalogue. Then if B takes $5.00 catalogue value from A’s stamps A must return the complement by removing stamps to the same amount from B’s duplicates. A MAURITIUS CONUNDRUM. H. J. F. asks how the 9d magenta stamp of the 1859 issue of Mauritius can be distinguished from the 1d stamp of similar design and color of 1862 (Scott’s No. 21a) when unused. It simply can’t be done my friend. The stamp bears no indication of value though it was originally issued in 1859 as a 9d label. A 9d stamp of the Queen’s head type was issued in 1860 so The magenta-colored Brittania stamps were withdrawn from use. In November, 1862, there was a shortage of 1d stamps and these old remainders were temporarily issued to serve as 1d stamps. As a rule used specimens can be identified by the postmarks. Those used as 1d stamps have a cancellation consisting of “B53” between bars while those used as 9d stamps bear an obliteration of bars without any letter or numerals. Stamps bearing other post-marks, unless clearly dated, cannot be assigned with certainty to either issue, nor, as I pointed out before, can unused specimens be apportioned to either 1859 or 1862. THE “NAVY” CONTEST. I must congratulate the numerous entrants in this competition for the general excellence of the lists sent in. many of the best being from boys of less than 14 years of age. I am afraid the rules were hardly comprehensive enough with the result that there was a good deal of misunderstanding as to what constituted a different design. One boy took the rules to mean he was only to give a list of “Naval” stamps he had in his own collection, while another competitor sent me a truly wonderful list of nearly 3,000 varieties. Where the same design was used for several issues it could only count once but many of the lists sent in included each design in all varieties of perforation paper and watermark. I find that there are roughly about 350 stamp designs showing boats or vessels which can be regarded as different. As the fairest way of judging the merits of the papers sent in, I made a list of these and used it as a guide. The result is that the first prize goes to Richard A. May (aged 14), 34 Adams Street, Dorchester, Mass., for his list of 236 varieties, and the second prize is awarded to Donald M. Halsted (aged 12), 98 Hancock Street, Brooklyn, N. Y., for his list of 191 varieties. There were at least a dozen competitors whose lists were only three or four points behind the second prize winner. The only boy who showed any originality in writing his list was Louis Jordan, who wrote as follows: “I herewith submit, most respectfully, my report of all vessels along the Atlantic coast, both those under my personal command in the album, and those in the reserve fleet and on detached duty in the catalogue. Will the Department kindly bear in mind that I am sixteen years of age, thus having four more years of active duty. I mention this fearing lest I be retired before reaching the age limit.” To this competitor I have awarded a small consolation prize. CORNER LETTERS. Richard Talbot asks what is the meaning of the different letters in the corners of the British stamps of 1858 and 1864, why they are different, and why only one variety is given in the catalogue. When adhesive postage stamps were first introduced into Great Britain in 1840 the great fear of the authorities was that they might be successfully counterfeited, which would, of course, mean a great loss to the revenue. To guard against forgery a special watermarked paper was used, and as an additional safeguard it was decided that letters should be placed in the lower angles, these differing on each stamp in the sheet. The sheets consisted of 240 stamps arranged in twenty horizontal rows of twelve each. The stamps in the top row were lettered AA, AB, AC, etc., to AL; those in the second row BA, BB, BC, etc., to BL; and so on to the twentieth row which was lettered TA to TL. Thus by these letters the position occupied by any particular stamp on the sheet can be readily ascertained. The letter in the left-hand corner denotes the row and that in the right-hand corner the number of the stamp in the row. By these means we can tell that a stamp lettered, say, EG was the seventh specimen on the fifth row of the sheet. Later on, in 1858, letters were added in all four corners, those in the upper angles being the same as those in the bottom corners but in reverse order. That is, if the letters at the bottom were GB, they would be BG in the top corners. This system was retained for all values issued from 1858 to 1887 with the exception of a few denominations of the 1881 set. Stamps with different corner letters are not regarded as distinct varieties by the general collector nor, indeed, by specialists unless an attempt is made to reconstruct the plates. SHORT REPLIES. W. R. (Centralia, Ill.) - The stamp you have postmarked “Tarbes” must be a French stamp for Tarbes is a French town, of some 26,000 inhabitants, noted for its fine horses. The other mark you mention is a registration mark and shows the stamp came off a registered letter. R. H. (Syracuse). - (1) Corner stamps are not as a rule of more value than others unless they are imperf., and thus have extra large margins, or unless the attached margin bears a plate number, etc. (2) I believe, the postmasters of some countries will supply collectors with current sets, but as these can be obtained at such a small advance over face value from stamp-dealers it is hardly worth a collector’s while to attempt to import them himself. The cost of money-order and registration fees both ways would probably be greater than the profit asked by the dealer. R. D. D. (Silver Lake). - The Hungarian newspaper stamp you mention is a precancel. |
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