THE

LondonPhilatelist: THE MONTHLY JOURNAL OF

THE PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON.

VOL. VIII. DECEMBER, 1899. No. 96.

The Philatelic War Fund.

ONEsubject alone engrosses the mind and thoughts of every

patriotic man and woman within the vast realms of the
British Empire — the terrible and hitherto unfortunate
campaign that we are engaged upon in South Africa. It
is now patent to all that, in true British fashion, we had not
fully calculated either the difficulties or the nature and
extent of the field of operations, while we had singularly
underestimated the numbers, arms, and fighting efficiency
of our adversaries. We have, as a nation, announced our
intention of going right through with this sad business,
and even were our initial declarations not binding on our
national honour and consistency, there would be, at the
present juncture, no other alternative short of a confession of failure that
would jeopardise our empire, and seriously compromise the position of Great
Britain as a first-class Power. It is therefore abundantly evident that we
have, at all costs, to continue this war, and prosecute it until it is successfully
concluded. The enormous total of casualties that has already accrued fore-
shadows a further colossal amount of suffering to our brave defenders and
their wives and families, and it is clearly evident that vast sums of money
will be required if we are to do our duty towards our brave defenders.
There have been, and will be again, many calls upon our generosity; we
may have subscribed to our local fund, we may have sent the Lord Mayor
a donation, we may have bought tickets for patriotic entertainments, or
helped to swell the collection in our churches; but despite all this there
is still room for an especial appeal to Philatelists. It has been already
abundantly demonstrated how a generous rivalry has arisen between great
bodies of associated traders, the daily Press, the theatrical world, and many
 318 THE PHILATELIC WAR FUND.

other classes as to who shall show the greatest amounts or the greatest
approach to unanimity in support of the national funds for the sick and
wounded. There can be no body of men or women to whom such an
appeal, at such a time, can have greater force than to Philatelists.
Great Britain, with Natal, Rhodesia, the Cape Colony, British Bechuana-
land, and the great African companies, Canada, and united Australia, are
waging a war for the dominion of South Africa against the Transvaal, the
Orange Free State, and (alas!) a considerable portion of the Dutch inhabit-
ants of its own colony. The recapitulation of these names, familiar to us
collectors as household words, is eloquent testimony to us all of the strength
of the bond that unites patriotism and Philately. Without " Great Britain
and Colonies," how vastly inferior would be the interest in stamp collecting;
and we cannot more fittingly exemplify our feeling of pride in our great
empire, whose symbols we collect, than by making a supreme effort to put
it into a practical form.
Let us all show that Philately is a pursuit that imbues its student with
broad views as to our great empire, that it enlarges our sympathies, renders
us cognisant of, and intimate with, our great dependencies the world over,
and that it tends to make us one and all in touch and sympathy with our
kinsfolk in every sea. Let us rise to the occasion, and show that we are
no petty accumulators of coloured labels, but that we are content to collect
stamps, not only for their intrinsic merits, but rather that we absorb with them
a broad and sympathetic view of the globe, and the keenest interest in all
our race scattered across its surface.
We have seen not long since in a London daily paper—conceived upon
utterly false premises—an opinion that in the' pursuit of Philately the writer
had discovered that " human folly could no further go." We have now as
a class a magnificent opportunity to refute the narrowness of this mis-
judgment. Let us show that our "folly" broadens our sympathies with
our brave colonies and their defenders, and that Philatelists will be in the
forefront where their country's honour and welfare are concerned.
In our judgment, no such opportunity has ever occurred in this country
for Philately to make a leap in public estimation as is now afforded. In-
dependently of the good cause, the announcement of a great " contribution
by the Philatelists of Great Britain " would do more to raise the status of
stamp collectors or dealers than anything that could possibly be conceived.
In the words of our national poet, Rudyard Kipling, let us all " Pay, pay,
pay!" and support in cash or kind—with generous effort—the great Phila-
telic Sale that is to convey to the British public the patriotic feelings of
British Philatelists.
 [ 319 ]

Philatelists' War Relief Fund.

WEgladly insert the following important communications,

to which we also elsewhere refer. It will be seen from
these letters that it is proposed to raise a Philatelic
War Fund by contributions of stamps, literature (or
cash as we gather), from all sections of collectors and
dealers throughout Great Britain. The medium of
disposal of these gifts is to be by public auction in London, and we under-
stand that there will be no deduction whatever from the aggregate of the
sales, owing to the generosity of the auctioneers. The proposal for this
auction has been warmly espoused by the London Philatelic and other
Societies, and by the leading dealers, and we earnestly hope that the
provinces will readily respond to the call, with the result of a substantial
donation to the War Relief Funds. Such a consummation cannot, however,
be attained without the zealous and loyal co-operation of all sections of
Philately, and in so good a cause we certainly expect it.
We should wish to see a commanding sale full of fine and choice stamps,
a crowded attendance, and patriotic bids. We strongly advise that prac-
tically every stamp be provided with a hinge on which the words " Philatelic
War Fund, 1900" should be printed, and we should like to see a handsome
well-illustrated and artistic catalogue that would sell widely for the benefit
of the Fund, and would constitute an interesting souvenir in years to come.
There is no collector or dealer who cannot spare some stamps, and we trust
that the response throughout this country will be such as to show that
Patriotism and Philately are united in all our hearts.
The following influential Committee has been formed, with full powers
to add to their number:—Messrs. W. B. Avery, W. Brown, M. P. Castle,
E. Ehrenbach, F. R. Ginn, M. Giwelb, Gwyer, Gordon Smith, W. Hadlow,
Leslie Hausburg, W. Lincoln, E. J. Nankivell, Oliver, W. H. Peckitt,
C. J. Phillips, E. H. Selby, H. A. Slade, B. W. K. Smith, J. A. Tilleard,
H. J. White; with Messrs. W. Bull and H. R. Oldfield as Joint Hon. Sees.

" To the Editor of the 'London Philatelist'

" DEAR SIR,—At a meeting of the Philatelic Society, London, held on
the ist of December, 1899, the following resolution was passed :—
"'The Society cordially approves the suggestion that stamp
collectors resident in the United Kingdom should be invited to
present postage stamps for sale by auction, the proceeds of such
auction to be handed over to one of the War Funds, and that a
Committee be elected to make all reasonable arrangements, with
320 PHILATELISTS' WAR RELIEF FUND.

power to invite the co-operation of other Societies and of the

leading collectors and dealers and any others interested in Philately,
and that such Committee should also have power to add to their
number any person or persons whether members of this Society or
not.'
" A Committee has been formed in accordance with such resolution, and
in co-operation with many of the provincial Societies and with the leading
collectors and dealers.
"The Committee has made arrangements with a well-known firm of
auctioneers to conduct a sale by auction of all stamps given to the
Committee, and such sale will be free of all expense, so that the entire
gross proceeds may be available, and these will be divided between one
of the Mansion House Funds and the Daily Telegraph Fund. It is proposed
to append to the Catalogue a list of the names of all the contributors.
" We inclose copy of a circular which is being sent to collectors, and are
requested to invite your co-operation and support in making this scheme as
widely known as possible.
"All gifts of stamps should, if possible, be sent to the undersigned,
care of The London Philatelic Society, Effingham House, Arundel Street,
Strand, W.C., on or before the 25th January, 1900.
" Yours faithfully,
"WALTER BULL, )
-HERBERT R. OLDFIELD, \J°™t Hon. Sees.

Under the Auspices of the Philatelic Society, London.

PHILATELISTS' WAR RELIEF FUND.

" Circular No. i.— To Philatelic Societies. December, 1899.

"At a meeting of the Philatelic Society, London, held on the ist
December, 1899, the following resolution was passed:—
"' The Society cordially approves the suggestion that stamp
collectors resident in the United Kingdom should be invited to
present postage stamps for sale by auction, the proceeds of such
auction to be handed over to one of the War Funds, and that a
Committee be elected to make all reasonable arrangements, with
power to invite the co-operation of other Societies and of the
leading collectors and dealers and any others interested in Philately,
and that such Committee should also have power to add to their
number any person or persons whether members of this Society
or not,'
 PHILATELISTS* WAR RELIEF FUND. 321

" A Committee has been formed in accordance with such resolution, and
numerous promises of support have already been received.
" It has been suggested that the leading provincial Philatelic Societies
should be requested to form local committees to work their own districts,
and we have been directed to invite the co-operation of your Society, and
to inquire whether you would be willing to take steps to form a committee
in your district for the purpose of obtaining gifts of stamps.
" We inclose for your information copy of a circular which is being sent
out by the Central Committee.
" Yours faithfully,
" WALTER BULL,' 1> Joint
T . . Hon.
„ cSees.„
" HERBERT R. OLDFIELD, J

"Circular No. 2.— To Philatelists. December, 1899.

"DEAR SIR OR MADAM,—A Committee has been formed under the
auspices of the London Philatelic Society, acting in conjunction with other
Philatelic Societies and many of the leading collectors and dealers, for
the purpose of inaugurating a special subscription from Philatelists for the
War Relief Fund.
" Collectors generally throughout the United Kingdom are invited to
contribute gifts of stamps (in collections or otherwise) or other articles
connected with Philately, which will be sold by public auction, and the
proceeds divided between one of the Mansion House Funds and the Daily
Telegraph Fund.
"Arrangements have been made with a well-known firm of philatelic
auctioneers to conduct an auction sale, which will be held early in February
and will be free of all charge whatever, so that the entire gross proceeds can
be handed over to the Funds.
" All gifts of stamps should be sent, if possible, before the 2$th January,
1900, to the undersigned, care of Philatelic Society, Effingham House,
Arundel Street, Strand.
"It is proposed to append to the Catalogue a list of the names of all
the contributors.
"The Committee hope that this scheme will receive the support of
collectors and dealers all over the kingdom, and will result in the addition
of a substantial sum to the War Funds.
" Yours faithfully,
" WALTER BULL, ^ Joint Hon. Sees."
" HERBERT R. OLDFIELD,
 TheCollectors'CatalogueQuestion.
A PAPER READ BEFORE THE PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON, ON DECEMBER IST, 1899.

BY M. P. CASTLE.

IN approaching once more the question of an issue of a Catalogue

for Collectors by Collectors I am conscious of two distinct
disadvantages. In the first place, much has already been said
and written hereon, and it may be difficult to advance any
novel arguments, although per contra it can be urged that
a question such as this, on which every member is capable
of expressing an opinion, may be deemed an eminently suitable peg for
the purposes of debate. It is therefore possible that, as so often happens
when a contention is thrashed out in debate, some practical result may
be attained. The second and—speaking personally—more important point
is, that after having given much thought to the question I find so many
aspects, both for and against, that I am not yet prepared to support any
proposal for the issue of a Collectors' Catalogue, and that therefore I am
reduced to review the situation, and make my remarks partake rather of the
summing up of the judge than of the arguments of the advocate. These
confessions of weakness may well excite the query as to why I should
therefore raise the subject at the present juncture. I have, however, or at
least conceive that I have, sufficient reason for bringing the matter before
this Society.
It is well known that the Collectors' Catalogue has not wanted advocates
in the philatelic Press for many years past, and this desideratum, under the
style and title of the Normal Katalog, has been long held to be a much-felt
want in philatelic circles in Germany. There appears to have been latterly a
distinct recrudescence of this feeling. In several of the Continental journals,
Belgian, French, and German, I have—since the question was last discussed
here—read long and able articles, all advocating the issue of such a catalogue.
No one has, however, yet been found to put a bell on the cat! I should here
perhaps explain that the catalogue advocated in the forenamed journals is
a list of the prices, and not an exhaustive philatelic one. This brings me
inferentially to the second of my reasons for reading this paper. It will
be within the recollection of all members that last season we were indebted
to Mr. E. J. Nankivell for an interesting paper, in which he advocated the
preparation of a Standard Catalogue—without prices—by the Society.
After a full debate it was decided that, however excellent in theory was
the author's project, in execution it was impracticable. This paper was
copied into many journals and its object advocated by not a few; but
in scarcely any case were the arguments quoted that were used against
it in discussion, and consequently a somewhat misleading view of this
 THE COLLECTORS' CATALOGUE QUESTION. 323

Society's action was adopted in some quarters. For myself, I confess to

having written distinctly and plainly against the proposal, not on the ground
of objection to the idea, but wholly and solely on account of its utter
impracticability. I even used, in fact, the word "presumptuous," but in this
sense only, that the Society should not be asked to endorse a proposition
of such magnitude and importance unless accompanied by some practical
scheme for putting it into execution. It is one thing to come down to these
rooms with a red-hot project, and it is quite another to carry out the work.
The one means a few hours' exertion for the writer; the other, months,
perhaps years of work for other people. It is for this reason, as much
as any other, that I hesitate to advocate even the modified form of cata-
logue that I propose to treat of. Mr. Nankivell's proposal was, I believe, to
issue a Standard Catalogue which should give all the varieties that a
specialist could imagine, and which should be of the character of the Mede-
and-Persian laws. The greatest attempt yet made in this direction is the
Catalogue for Advanced Collectors of the Scott Stamp and Coin Company,
but it must be adjudged very far from a success on the Mede-and-Persian
line. Under the editorship of two very able men, helped by a host of others,
their catalogue has lingered on for many years, nor is it complete now.
It is in many ways worthy of the highest praise, and commands our respect
as the most complete and exhaustive universal catalogue yet issued, but I am
confident that even its authors would not claim for it that mathematical
exactitude which is conveyed by the word " standard." My own experience
of the Advanced Catalogue—and I believe the same may be said as to that
of other collectors—is that in almost every country whose stamps I am well
acquainted with there is much to correct and a great deal to add. The only
country whose stamps can be treated with any reasonable degree of finality
is one's own—on both sides of the Atlantic. It is clear, therefore, on this
last hypothesis that the preparation of a " Standard " catalogue would require
sub-editing by the component groups on indigenous soil, a _ practically
impossible theory if world-wide. The whole philatelic leisure of a dozen of
our best students would be absorbed for several years—and where are these
twelve apostles ? The reproduction of the plates, of the different surcharges,
of the watermarks, and of the stamps themselves, involving many thousands
of illustrations, if done in accordance with this Society's preceding works,
would, in my opinion, have alone cost certainly nothing less than .£1,000,
and most likely double that sum. Cut bono? The sale of such a book
would be limited in the extreme; it would be suitable, eminently so, for
the library of a Philatelic Society, but would be far beyond the wants of the
ordinary collector, with the result that this Society would be involved
in an enormous outlay, of which nine-tenths would be gone for ever. This,
in my view, is a reproduction of the principal arguments against the former
proposal, and in my humble judgment they are absolutely conclusive. I have
referred to them at fuller length than I intended, because I wish that when
others read and copy the papers read in these rooms they may be reminded—
which they occasionally need to be—that this Society is prepared always
to carefully weigh any project put before it, and that it does not decline
to accept such without good and solid reasons.
324 THE COLLECTORS' CATALOGUE QUESTION.

When Mr. Nankivell first brought forward this question I believe that
there were members who were prepared to support him under the idea
that he advocated the' inclusion of prices in his catalogue. I think I am
not divulging any confidence when I say that there are members of this
Society, well capable of a mature judgment, who still believe that the
issue of a priced catalogue by collectors—even if not by the Society—
would be a most desirable object. It is this feeling that, more than any
I have previously mentioned, has made me desirous of a second time
testing the opinion of members as to the issue of a Catalogue for Collectors—
but with prices. There are, as I have said at the outset, so- many pros and
cons hereon that I hesitate where to begin, and may perhaps fittingly
marshal the two opposing forces in array. I should, however, premise
that in one important particular I cannot be judicial in my views. I do
not think that, however necessary it might be to issue a Collectors' Priced
Catalogue, such a work should officially emanate from any one Society.
The Philatelic Society of London, as the oldest body of collectors, has
also a reputation that it must endeavour to live up to, and I am assuredly
of opinion that were it, either unaided or officially in conjunction with
others, to take up the question of prices, it would inevitably lose caste
in the eyes of the world. I am therefore strongly of opinion that this
Society should not undertake such a work either now or hereafter. In
good truth, it would not be a " Standard" of prices if issued by any one
body, but rather a pious opinion. If anything is to be achieved in this
line, it must be by cosmopolitan effort.
I may now briefly enumerate the

ARGUMENTS FOR A COLLECTORS' PRICED CATALOGUE.

(1) The fact that no independent price list has yet been issued.
(2) The knowledge that all existing price lists being those of dealers,
their interests are necessarily more consulted than those of collectors.
(3) That by issue of a Collectors' Catalogue the true and permanent
value of stamps would be better established, and collectors would be
encouraged and increased in number.
(4) That a large source of revenue might be obtained by the issue
of such a catalogue.
*?•
Other arguments no doubt could be adduced.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST.
(1) That the existing numerous Dealers' Catalogues already well cover
the ground.
(2) That those who issue a price list should be prepared to sell at those
prices.
(3) That in order to be a "Standard" the catalogue would require the
joint work of all the leading countries of the world.
 THE COLLECTORS' CATALOGUE QUESTION. 325

(4) That the standard of appreciation would be found hopelessly

divergent in these different quarters of the globe.
(5) That this catalogue would, however carefully prepared, require to be
regularly revised and reissued in the near future.
(6) That it is impossible to price every variety and condition of stamp
—and that the mere pricing of the normal varieties would not be an
adequate reason for the issue of such a work.
(7) That the preparation of the lists and of the illustrations, and the
issue of the book in several languages, would involve a large amount of
expense and labour that would be difficult to procure, and still more difficult
to recoup.
(8) That, admitting the existing price catalogues are not all that is to be
desired, collectors would better employ their time and money in endeavouring
to get the Dealers' Catalogues improved, than in entering into competition
therewith.
Again, here there are without doubt other reasons that could be brought
forward.
It is obviously beyond the scope of a paper that is simply intended to
induce debate—upon a subject of general interest—that I should endeavour
to expatiate at length on all the heads that I have recited. I will rather
content myself with a general resume of the more vital points, leaving the
details to be elaborated in the discussion that follows.
Assuming that this price catalogue were to be seriously contemplated,
I conceive that the first step would be an international congress, that would
be clearly needed to settle general principles, and to ascertain that there
were no vital or fundamental points of difference, such as would prevent
international co-operation. It is obvious that the initial expense of sending
delegates—say two—from each leading country to meet, possibly in Paris
or Berlin, would be not inconsiderable. The first question to be discussed
by those so assembled would be what should be priced, and the second
on what basis the values should be estimated. As regards the former,
it seems to me clear that it would be entirely impracticable to price all
the smaller varieties, such as the unofficial perforations, the very scarce
shades, the inverted surcharges, etc. Take, for example, two stamps of
widely different classes: the 6d., brown, New Zealand, no watermark,
imperforate, and with its several pseudo-official perforations, or the 20 c.,
Empire France, imperforate, with its different papers and many shades.
How could anybody decide the universal market value of all these,
unused and used ? To my mind the extent of the pricing would have
to be confined to the more important varieties, and to those stamps that
are known to change hands with such sufficient frequency as to afford a
basis of calculable value. These issues could, of course, be supplemented
by valuable footnotes, giving ranges of assumed values as a general guide,
but it would be of doubtful utility to the purchaser of, say, any of the rarest
varieties of the two forenamed stamps—taken as samples only of a very
numerous class. As to the second point, the arrival at an agreement of a
universal average collector's value, the question bristles with difficulties.
326 THE COLLECTORS' CATALOGUE QUESTION.

In the case of many of the used stamps there would be no insurmountable

obstacles, e.g. a practical world-wide valuation might be made upon such
stamps as 4 and 6 rappen Zurich, is. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick,
Ceylon octagonals, imperf., 18 kreuzers Wurtembergs, or commoner ones,
such as Great Britain id., black, or the lower values of most countries. In
the instances of separately engraved stamps, varying greatly in impres-
sion, only a general note would have any value to the collector.
The case for the unused stamps stands, however, on a different basis.
In many countries there is a considerable proportion of the unused stamps
that so rarely come into the market—notably in mint condition—that their
selling value practically depends upon the place where they are brought
to light, and on the possibility of finding a suitable or a well-to-do collector
willing to pay a price really commensurate with the rarity of the specimen.
Such being the case, how would our suggested Congress of Collectors fare
when they had to decide the values of many of the Great Britain, German,
or Australian stamps in mint unused state? The majority of the members
of the congress would not believe in the attainment of the prices paid
for special rarities in fine condition by a select few collectors in each
individual country—prices only paid because the supply is extremely
limited—in fact, barely equal to the demand; they would probably insist
in cutting down these prices to an absurdly low figure. On the contrary, as
the great majority of the voices behind these delegates would be those of the
owners of'used stamps, there would be a tendency to keep the used stamps
to a fair if not full level. Were these conditions to obtain, we should in turn
be in the presence of one of the chief drawbacks to the Dealer's Catalogue,
i.e. the keeping low what he wants to buy, and the retaining high what
he has to sell—commercial principles truly of buying in the cheapest and
selling in the dearest market, which would assuredly, to some extent
insensibly, also influence the authors of the Collectors' Catalogue.
The question of condition, whether used or unused, would have to
be considered very carefully in order to decide what was a "fair average
copy" and what would be the difference in value between such and a
"brilliant copy," mint specimen, or "cabinet piece." There are many and
exceeding difficulties in the way of the Philatelic Arbiter of Prices. No
" Standard " Collectors' Price Catalogue would have any extended sale that
represented the views of one section of the community only, and therefore
to make its influence commanding it must have a cosmopolitan authorship.
Given all this—and it is much—within two or three years, new issues,
fluctuations, discoveries, wars, " slumps," or " booms" would render a vast
proportion of the prices obsolete and a new edition necessary. This, however,
might be produced by correspondence and exchange of views, but with
much labour.
There is yet another and important point to consider. The Dealers'
Catalogues represent to a considerable extent the basis upon which they
are disposed to sell their wares. What would the Collectors' Catalogue
represent ? The price at which they are willing to buy—not to sell. It is,
however, the seller who usually makes the price, and, to be logical, the
concomitant feature of the Collectors' Catalogue would be the foundation
 THE COLLECTORS' CATALOGUE QUESTION. 327

of a philatelic co-operative store, where the stamps would be on sale (or

return !) at the quoted prices. The dealers would also naturally resent pur-
chasers fixing their own prices, and would hang together and keep to their
own prices. I need not dilate more upon all these dragons in the path of
the Standard Catalogues, but now briefly refer to the considerations which
seem to call for the work.*
There can be no doubt that dealers have themselves to thank for the
general want of confidence in the catalogues of to-day as regards pricing.
As regards philatelic work, the leading Dealers' Catalogues are monuments
of conscientious and scientific accuracy, and are rapidly approaching a
condition when, as handbooks, they will hardly be susceptible to improve-
ment. Even as touching the prices there has been considerable ameliora-
tion of latter days. A few years past the way that certain unused stamps
in large and important classes were kept down, frequently to a tenth of
their value, was nothing less than a scandal, and even now it is a matter
of general knowledge that, while many of the commoner unused and a good
proportion of the used stamps have not a real cash value of half the quoted
price, on the other hand many of the rarer used and very many of the
unused, if really fine, are worth double their quotations. Beyond this,
dealers are actuated mainly by the replenishment or denudation of their
own stocks, and are naturally guided by this knowledge, which may mean
that because, say, Messrs. X. and Co. have to-day in stock 100 I c. Socotras,
they will catalogue and unload them to collectors at five shillings each ; but
when their stocks become exhausted the catalogue price would still " lie
low" for buying-back purposes, possibly to a large extent from the original
buyers. Until the stock was replenished intending buyers of Socotras would
be informed that the stamp was epuise, until in due course it was fully
gathered in again, when Socotras would jump up to thirty shillings, and so
on again usque ad nauseam. There is also legitimate ground for grumbling
in some cases at what are called " catalogue copies" of stamps. For
instance—to note an actual recent case—I saw myself the first issues of
Baden sold at about 150 per cent, above his own freshly issued catalogue
prices by a certain dealer. Would this dealer buy from the collector at the
latter or the former figure? In many instances the "catalogue copies"
mean that they are mediocre specimens, and that " very fine are rather more."
The prices quoted should be for fine only, and "not very fine" should be
" rather less." Broadly speaking, there can be no doubt whatever that, the
catalogue is mainly issued by the dealer for his own especial benefits, aims,
and ends. It is intended, to a large extent, to keep up what he has
* In the course of the long and interesting debate that ensued after my paper, one speaker
pertinently remarked that he had never heard any paper read before the London Society that
so bristled with matters of contention or debate. There can be no doubt as to this, and I even
fear that I have omitted several points that would also admit of prolonged discussion. One of these
is—and a most important point for our Congress of Collectors to settle—wlial should 01 should not be
admitted into the Standard Catalogue. The question of stamps known only imperforate—unused,
those prepared for issue but not circulated, bisected stamps, Jubilee issues, and many others, would all
call for earnest and detailed consideration. The brunt of the work of the S. S.S.S. would, in fact,
fall upon the shoulders of the compilers of the catalogue. The mere fact of the admission of a
stamp or pseudo-stamp in a catalogue that aimed at being an international standard would give it
a status, irrespective of price, that could not be lightly and unreflectingly conceded.
328 THE COLLECTORS^ CATALOGUE QUESTION.

to sell, and to keep down what he wants to buy; and in so far as these
conditions are fulfilled it acts in diametrical opposition to the interests of
the collector. There is, however, an important aspect that the dealer
should not overlook—the question of stability and confidence. The process
by which a dealer evolves a fortune in hard cash by the sale of stamps is
necessarily a slow one, and in the vast majority of cases it is a lifetime before
a dealer can transmute all his stamps into coin of the realm. If, therefore,
by undue and unfair fluctuations and concealment of values he unsettles the
market, he is seriously injuring his future prospects. In the case of stamps,
that are certainly no necessity of life—scarcely even a luxury, and practically
the purest of superfluities—it is of the deepest moment to all concerned—
collector and dealer alike—so to handle them philatelically and financially
that people may be made to feel, fragile and superfluous as is the postage
stamp, it is yet endowed both with a scientific interest and a realisable
value, which shall always make it a favoured acquisition.
On whose shoulders the Price Catalogue of the almost dawning twentieth
century shall rest it is not for me to say. Whether the collectors should put
upon themselves this arduous task, or whether they should take counsel with
the trade and concentrate their energies upon improving and consolidating the
existing lists, I should be loath to decide. Of this, however, I am sure: It
is quite impossible that stamp collecting can continue to exist on its present
basis of vastly increased intrinsic value unless there is some degree of
permanence and solidity imparted to the market prices. It is with a view
to the attainment of this object that so much has been written about the
Collectors' Catalogue and that I have also ventured to Jay before you—at
a greater length than I had foreseen—some of the aspects of the question.
I am aware that this paper is not philatelic, but it is obvious that the
bed-rock of Philately is the confidence that creates the collector, and
therefore I feel, and feel strongly, that we shall all of us be advancing
the interests of this Society in seeking to attain to a just and honest
standard of prices for our collections.
 [ 3^9 ]

PhilatelicNotes.
NOTE.—The co-operation of Philatelists is invited in order to make these columns of a varied
and interesting nature.

"BRITISH ISLES."
WITH regard to the subject of the change of colour that took place in
the penny stamps, I have recently had the opportunity of examining
a great many dated copies through the kindness of Mr. Firth, and am now
in a position to enlarge somewhat upon the letter published in the London
Philatelist for October on this subject.
Firstly, I must withdraw the suggestion of May, 1855, for a "Large
Crown" penny. On comparing with other similar postmarks the copy in
question appears to be more likely to be 1856. In any case it is not distinct
enough to claim as a record.
To return to the change of colour. From examining used copies I have
come to the conclusion that " blueing" disappeared finally about the end
of March, 1857. This is more or less borne out by the fact that the last
sheet at Somerset House which shows any traces of it (from Plate 59 of
Die II.) was approved (and therefore printed before) February nth of this
year.
Investigating after this date, I have copies as follows :—
1. Hull AP. 2. 1857. Pale pink, but with a tinge of brown in the
2. Hull AP. 3. „ More pink, less brown. [colour.
(3. Bradford AP. 4. „ Orange-brown, evidently an older stamp.)
4. Liverpool AP. 8. ,, Similar to No. 2, but slightly more rosy.
5. Leeds AP. 9. „ As last, but paler.
After this the shade is practically constant in about thirty copies up
to the middle of August, with the exception of a slight deepening in shade
as time goes on. I have a few odd copies which do not fit in, but these are
probably survivors which had been kept before being used.
A distinct step is marked by a copy used at Huddersfield, August 2Oth,
1857, which is an intermediate shade, fairly dark, but without the strawberry
tinge, followed by the appearance of carmine at Hull, August 29th, 1857, the
colour then settling down for the rest of the life of the stamp.
The majority of the stamps used between August 2Oth and Septem-
ber 2Oth were still pale pink, but it is difficult to say how far this is due
to the stamps used by the public lagging behind those being issued at
the post offices.
Mr. Ewen mentions a bright red on white paper, March 2Oth, 1857.
I have not yet come across a stamp of this batch.
The earliest known date of a carmine with perforation 16 is given in
Ewen's Catalogue as January 4th, 1858 ; the earliest I have yet found is
 33° PHILATELIC NOTES.

January i6th. No date is given for this variety in the Britisli Isles.
In Mr. Wright's 1894, paper it is given as February 24th.
To trace the various colour-phases through which the penny stamp
passed will require very careful investigation, and the stamps examined must
come from many different sources, so that the foregoing remarks, which
I half fear are immature, must not be looked upon for a moment as final.
Later on I shall hope to accumulate and study used specimens, showing
the dates, and may be induced to place on record the results, if I consider
them sufficiently interesting, and what is still more important, sufficiently
definite, to merit it. c p DENDY MARSHALL.
November igtfi, 1899.

[Mr. Dendy Marshall has kindly forwarded for our inspection the stamps
— numbered i to 5 — referred to, and they are unquestionably dated as
quoted by him.—ED.]

NEW SOUTH WALES.

THE list of the dies recently destroyed in Sydney is thus given in the
A ustralian Philatelist:
"DESTRUCTION OF OBSOLETE DIES AND PLATES.
"Under the authority of the Colonial Treasurer the Government Printer has
destroyed all the postage stamp dies and plates not required for the production
of current stamps. The destruction was effected by means of an emery wheel in
most cases, by which the face of the die or plate was ground flat. In some few
cases the plate was hammered out.
" The following is a list of the dies and plates destroyed:—•
" 1838.—Embossed lettter sheet. Steel die.
" 1850.—Sydney View, 2d. Copperplate. (This plate had already been rendered
incapable of producing impressions.)
"1851.—Laureated, id., ad., and 3d. Steel plates. (These also had been
effectively placed hors de combat^)
" 1854-6.—Diadem and Square, id., steel plate; ad., 2 steel plates; 6d., 2 steel
plates; 8d., steel plate; and is., steel plate.
" 1856.—Registered stamp. Two steel plates.
" 1862.—Queen's Head, 2d. Steel die and several electroplates.
" 1864.—Queen's Head, id. Steel die and several electroplates.
" 1867.—Queen's Head, 4d. Steel die and electroplate.
"1872.—Queen's Head, 6d. Electroplate (steel die preserved).
" 1876.—Queen's Head, is. Electroplate (steel die preserved).
" 1888.—Centennial, id., 2d., and 55. Steel dies and electroplates.
" 1891.—Postal Union, 2^d. Steel die and electroplates.
"There were also destroyed a number of electros, copperplates, &c., used in the
production of the obsolete wrappers, stamped envelopes, and post cards; the dies
and plates of the Telegraph Stamps of 1871, and the die of the first embossed wrapper
(id., oval). There were also similar dies to the last mentioned for 2d., 6d., and is.,
none of -which were put to use in embossing stationery for. issue.
" Only the dies and plates of stamps actually in current use are now extant, and
consequently there can be no more reprints."
 [ 331 ]

OccasionalNotes.
—_M£A*«M

THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

THE following is taken from the Australian Philatelist of October, and
is confirmatory of our note as to Colonel Williams in our last issue :—
" The President of the Sydney Philatelic Club, Colonel W. D. Williams, who is
officer in command of the Army Medical Corps, embarked for the Transvaal on
Saturday (28th inst.) with the New South Wales contingent.
" Colonel Williams will be sorely missed from the club meetings, which he attended
with most commendable regularity, and his place in the presidential chair will not be
easily filled. We sincerely hope that he will see more of peace and Philately than fighting
and surgery, and bring home more stamps than payments of shells in his pocket.
May he reach the Transvaal capital in time to preside over the first meeting of the
Johannesburg Philatelic Society after the close of the war ! Perhaps he may even be
consulted as to the design for the new British Transvaal stamps.
"Be merciful, Colonel, and do not advise a fresh series of 'V.R.' Transvaals with
all the varieties of type, inverted surcharges, and errors that marked the previous
issue."

ACTION AGAINST A FOREIGN STAMP DEALER.

MR. FRANZ REICHENHEIM writes to inform us that he purchased
through a gentleman from a stamp dealer, Herrn Loewe, of Berlin,
early in 1895, a Basle pigeon stamp, unused. At the London Exhibition in
1897 this stamp was marked by one of the judges as "forged."
Mr. Reichenheim subsequently submitted this stamp to a German expert,
who gave his opinion that it was not a forgery, but a "proof." He then
returned the stamp to the dealer, and applied to him to furnish him with
a genuine specimen therefor, or refund him the amount he had paid for it,
but the dealer declined absolutely to entertain his application.
Mr. Reichenheim then placed the matter in the hands of his solicitors,
Messrs. Fritz Scheef and Dr. Gerstenberg, of Berlin, who, in December,
1898, brought an action before the court, but were nonsuited under Article
349 H G B, that a purchaser must ascertain any defect of goods contracted
for within six months of purchase. Notice of appeal was given on the
following counts : That the above Article 349 did not refer to the matter in
dispute; that the object of the deal should have been a stamp, and a "proof"
cannot be considered as such; and that therefore the dealer had not de-
livered the article contracted for, but something else. The result being that
the Appeal Court in November, 1899, found for Mr. Reichenheim, and
entered judgment against the stamp dealer for repayment of the amount with
five per cent, interest and costs.

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE MANCHESTER PHILATELIC SOCIETY.

PRESENTATION TO MR. G. F. H. GIBSON.
THE Annual Dinner of the Manchester Philatelic Society was held at
the Grand Hotel on Wednesday, November 22nd. The President
took the chair, and a large gathering of members and friends were present.
 332 OCCASIONAL NOTES.

An innovation was made this year again in regard to the menu; this con-
sisted of a photograph, in which the Honorary Secretary, in sporting costume,
was worked in, looking at the rock of Gibraltar, in which a block of four
of the second one shilling unused was let in. This menu proved very
appropriate in view of the presentation which, quite unknown to the
Honorary Secretary, was about to be made to him in connection with his
services to the Manchester Exhibition, at which his exhibit of Gibraltar
was complete in blocks of four, with the exception of the stamps above
referred to.
After the toast of " The Queen," proposed by the Chairman, had been
duly honoured, Mr. Gibson gave " The Continued Success of the Manchester
Philatelic Society," asking the guests to bear in mind that this was the
annual social evening of the Society, and if they wished to see the serious
side of the Society to come to a meeting held every Friday, when they
would see the members engaged upon the consideration of some abstruse
point affecting the science. Mr. Gibson went on to ask, " What was the
importance of such questions as ' The better housing of the working
classes,' ' The relation of capital to labour,' or ' Bimetallism,' in com-
parison with the knowledge how to classify the stamps of Greece ? What
was the peace of Europe compared to the compilation of a correct colour
chart contemplated by the Society ?" The toast was drunk with all the
old enthusiasm.
Mr. Duerst then arose, and said that there had been a very strong desire
amongst the members of the Executive Committee of the late Exhibition
to make a small presentation to Mr. Gibson for the manner in which he
discharged the arduous duties of Honorary Secretary, and in consequence
a meeting had been convened by the late Mr. Petri, at which the matter had
been put in train, and upon Mr. Petri's death he had taken over, at the
request of the members, the active part of the work in connection with
the presentation. Mr. Duerst paid a high tribute to Mr. Gibson in regard
to the manner in which he discharged the secretarial duties, pointing out
that whenever one went to the Committee-rooms and it was found that
Mr. Gibson was not there, he had only just left, and that if anyone waited
for a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes he was sure to be there again.
Mr. Duerst also emphasised the courtesy extended by Mr. Gibson to all
he came in contact with, he answering their questions, whether important
or trivial, in a manner showing that he had as to the former a full grasp
of the situation, and as to the latter in a manner which impressed the
questioner with the really serious importance of his question.
Mr. Duerst then handed to Mr. Gibson a gold stop-watch (semi-hunter),
bearing the following inscription: " Presented to G. Fred. H. Gibson, Esq.,
in recognition of his untiring efforts as Honorary Secretary of The Inter-
national Philatelic Exhibition, Manchester, 1899, by the members of the
Executive Committee."
Mr. Gibson, rising immediately and speaking under visible emotion,
thanked the members most heartily. He incidentally referred to the
financial part of the Exhibition, which, bearing everything in mind, he
considered eminently satisfactory; at the same time he remembered that
 OCCASIONAL NOTES. 333

the Exhibition had cost the Manchester Society members £i$o, the greater
part coming from the members of the Executive, and when these gentlemen
were willing to dip their hands into their pockets again in order to make
the very handsome presentation he felt that he had earned their confidence,
which was the best thanks of all.
The members gave him musical honours, with the usual incidentals; and
the rest of the evening was devoted to conjuring, shadowgraphy, songs,
ventriloquism, etc. Mr. A. H. Harrison rendered " The Sons of the
Empire," a collection confined to the members present realising £10 for
the War Fund. A special word of thanks is due to the arrangements made
by the Dinner Committee (Messrs. A. H. Harrison, Gee, and Oxley) and
to Mr. Cook, who designed the menu.

THE JUNIOR LONDON PHILATELIC SOCIETY.

UNDER this title is announced, '" for young Stamp Collectors and
Beginners all over the world," a new society to which we cordially
wish success. Nothing is better for collecting than the enlistment of fresh
recruits. The President is Mr. Fred. J. Melville, and the Vice-President
Mr. Henry Schneider. Committee:—Mr. F. Harry, Mr. H. Atfield,
Mr. Tiddeman, Mr. F. Clayton, Mr. Davis, Mr. J. Wilkie; with Mr. James B.
Melville as Hon. Secretary and Treasurer (16, Lydon Road, Clapham, S.W.).
Mr. Chas. Nissen (of Charles Nissen and Co.) has consented to act as Hon.
Counterfeit Detector, 106, High Holborn, W.C.
Mr. Melville has written us explaining the object of the Society, which
is to extend a knowledge of collecting amongst boys, notably those at
schools, and adds: "Among our methods for introducing new members will
be by giving free lectures on 'Stamp Collecting: An Introduction to the
Hobby,' illustrated by lantern views. The tickets for these lectures will
be sent to the schools in the various districts, and the head master will be
asked to present them to all the stamp collectors in his school."
Our own experience, recently confirmed, is that the boys who collect at
school vary from 20 to 50 per cent, and there should therefore be a wide
field for the new venture, if properly managed.

NEW PHILATELIC SOCIETIES.

PHILATELY is nothing if not cosmopolitan, and the seed seems to be
sprouting in varied soils. Several new societies have sprung up in
France during the last year or two, the latest addition being that of Besancon.
An important addition to our ranks is the Philatelic Society of Egypt,
founded- by MM. Cantel Bey and Colucci in co-operation with an in-
fluential group of collectors of good social position. The seat of operations
is Cairo, and as an initial fund of £ too has been subscribed to procure a
suitable locale, it is clear that the new Society is launched under most favour-
able auspices. M. Henri Cantel Bey, Sub-Director of the Ministry of the
Interior at the Egyptian capital, is to be the President, and we have had
in this country ample evidence of his philatelic ability and fitness for the
96*?
334 OCCASIONAL NOTES.

post. The list of the foundation members includes many names of well-
known and influential men in Cairo, hence there should be every reason to
anticipate a complete success for the Philatelic Society of Egypt. We also
note with pleasure that Cardiff has started a Society, whose meetings will be
found recounted in this issue.
*
THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE.
WEhave received the eleventh year-book of this important institute, a
volume of some 400 pages, handsomely illustrated, and clearly setting
forth the enormous ramifications of this great corporation. There are no
less than twenty-six sections, ranging from music, with a membership of
!>933> to Philately—the latest adherent—with ninety-two. It is eminently
gratifying to find Philately in such good company, and we gratefully re-
cognise the important and elevating influence of such a conjunction upon
the general public. It is therefore to be desired that all Philatelic Societies
of the English-speaking races should help the Brooklyn Institute in their
splendid endeavour to raise the scientific status of Philately. Donations of
books for the library are needed, and have been given already by the London
Philatelic Society and other bodies; such to be sent to Mr. Carberry, the
energetic Secretary of the Brooklyn Institute.

THE LATE MR. TRIFET.

THE Boston Philatelic Society kindly send us the following further
particulars about Mr. Trifet, which we are sure will be read with
interest:—
Ferdinand Marie Trifet, born in Paris, France, September loth, 1848,
died in Boston, Mass., September 2Oth, 1899. He was the son of Baron
Alexander Trifet, an eminent physician and surgeon of France, who was
knighted by Napoleon III. for distinguished researches in medicine and
surgery, and was also decorated with the medal of the Legion of Honour.
Mr. Trifet came to Boston in 1865 and entered into the periodical and postage
stamp business, and has resided here since that date. He published the
Stamp Mercury in the sixties, one of the first philatelic journals in this
country, and was looked up to as a philatelic expert and one of the fathers
of Philately. Of late years he conducted a very successful music business,
being probably the largest publisher of sheet music in the United States.
He was greatly interested in military and Masonic matters, holding a
commission as lieutenant in the Massachusetts Militia as far back as 1875.
He was a member of the Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company, and
had held the position of adjutant in that organisation. He was a Knight
Templar and thirty-second degree Mason, and had held many important
Masonic offices, at the time of his death being High Priest of St. Andrew's
Royal Arch Chapter. He was a man of strict integrity and a warm and
true friend. Few realised the refined feeling and tender heart contained
under his quiet exterior, but those who were intimate with him knew and
best appreciated his many sterling qualities. Mr. Trifet leaves a wife and
daughter to regret his loss.
 [ 335 1

New Issues.
N O T K S O F N E W , A N D V A R I A T I O N S O F C U R R K N T , ISSUES.
(Varieties of Obsolete Stamps, and Discoveries, will be found under "Philatelic Notes.")
We do not profess to chronicle everything, but, with the kind help of correspondents, are desirous that
all the important novelties may be included. Speculative stamps—i.e. those not really required for
postal purposes—will be considered on their merits, and Jubilee issues will not be chronicled.
Members of the London Philatelic Society, and other readers generally, are invited to co-operate with us
in making the cohimns as interesting as 'possible. Our foreign readers can especially help us in
this direction, by sending copies of any official documents relative to changes in the current issues,
or early intimation of any new issue, accompanied, when possible, by a specimen ; such information
will be duly credited to the correspondent, and, if desired, the specimen promptly returned.
Address: EDITOR " LONDON PHILATELIST," EFFINGHAM HOUSE, ARUNDEL STREET, STRAND,
LONDON, W.C.

BRITISH EMPIRE. Junction, and Altrincham Railway, differing,

BRITISH EAST AFRICA.— The M. J. calls however, in no important particular from
previous issues. The most striking altera-
attention to a copy of the 3 annas of 1891 tion is in the control numbers (running from
surcharged in manuscript "J anna" and 3001 to 4000), the figures of which are
initialled "A.B," which is stated to have 5j mm. high instead of 4j mm. as hereto-
been purchased and used in Mombasa about fore.
" 2d., dark grey-green (somewhat similar to the previous
1890-1. issue but one, but darker); perf. 12 ; still with outer guide
Our contemporary states that this stamp lines ; stamps further apart, the sheet before us (numbered
3001 to 3025) measuring [Link]. X 6in. horiz., whilst our
was chronicled in October, 1891, on the sheet of the last issue (Nos. 2001 to 2025) measures only
6^ in. X 5^ in. (approximately).
authority of Le T.-P., but its authenticity
has since been denied. "It is interesting to note that the old trans-
fers which were used in preparing the litho-
BRITISH HONDURAS. — The Metropolitan graphic stone for printing the 2nd and 3rd,
Philatelist mentions that this country is out and we believe also the 1st numbered
printing, are no longer in use (the first
with a few high values conforming in design issues of the M.S.J. & A., 1891-3, were
to the lower denominations of current set. unnumbered and are shrouded in mystery).
.This may probably be the new combined We do not recognise on the new sheet any
stamp, " Postage and Revenue," expected. of our old friends, the type with the broken
Y, that with the small M, etc. The title of
Adhesives. 50 c., graen and red. the Company is now neatly and regularly
$2 „ blue. inscribed on each stamp. M.S.J. & A.
$5 ,, black. stations are situated at Altrincham, Tim-
CEYLON.— The Metropolitan Philatelist, perley, Brooklands, Sale, Stretford, Old
Trafford, Knot Mill, and Oxford Road,
in its list of newly issued colours, mentions Manchester.
a 15 c., blue, which we have not noticed "We have also received a specimen of
before. the 12th Issue of the Metropolitan Railway
Adhesive. 15 cents, colour changed to blue. (Nos. 6601 to 7200), the same in every way
as the majority of the nth Issue. We say
GOLD COAST.— The Ph. J. of India has majority as the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th sheets
received a new one-penny envelope with the appear to belong to a different printing.
stamp in rose, of the type of the current " First sheet, 6001 to 6060, dark rose,
and to 4th sheets, 6061 to 6240, pale pink, surfaced
adhesive. Envelope, id., rose. paper.
5th to loth sheets, 6241 to 6601 (and also the new
GREAT BRITAIN. —To those of our readers issue), dark rose again.
who do not see Mr. Ewen's Weekly Stamp " It seems to us that the only safe way to
News, and are interested in Railway Letter collect Metropolitan Railway Letter Stamps
Stamps, we commend the following ex- is to get one specimen off each sheet of
60 (which lasts perhaps two weeks). Within
tract :— the last week or two we have received the
" A new issue of Railway Letter Stamps is following on letters (* denotes that the
about to be made by the Manchester, South official who has charge of the cancelling
336 NEW ISSUES.

department has no sympathy with stamp rendered this stamp useless. But, as it is
collecting) :— stated that there are some half a million in
6007, 6036, 6049, 6o£o, source unknown.
6019, Great Missenden. stock, the easiest way of quitting them would
6059, dark rose, Aylesbury (town).
6065, pale rose, Amersham.
be by the aid of a nice surcharge.
6071, 6080, pale pink, source unknown.
*6o88, pale pink, Kilburn (quite spoilt). LABUAN AND NORTH BORNEO.—Referring
6125, pale rose, Wendover.
6197, pale pink, O.C., Rickmansworth.
to the issue of surcharged stamps noted on
*6278, dark rose, Northwood. page 274, the M. J. now informs us that
6307 , Stoke Mandeville.
6348 , Harrow. while only 1,000 copies of each value were
6361 , Waddesdon Manor.
6486 , Source unknown. sent out, 10,000 of each were retained for
6500 , Chesham. sale at the office of the North Borneo Com-
6603, New issue, Chorley Wood.
pany in London.
"From Willesden Green came No. 5317, This sort of business does great harm to
perf. 10, so that the 9th Issue is not yet
exhausted all along the line. We describe Philately, and it is astonishing that stamp
these two new issues at some length, as collectors (we hardly like to say Philatelists)
several readers have expressed disappoint- are found to purchase such rubbish, little or
ment that we have referred so little of late no better than the Hamburg Locals of our
to these very interesting stamps. This is
not our fault; no one is a more enthusiastic earlier days.
collector of them than the Editor of this The Metropolitan Philatelist mentions a
paper; but it means the expenditure of new 4 cent value for both Labuan and North
considerable time and trouble to get on the Borneo, design a monkey. Colours respect-
track of new issues and fresh information,
and we have had little spare time of late ively :—
Adheswes. 4 c., yellow, btovm, and black.
to devote to them. Since writing the above 4 c., green and black.
we have received stamps Nos. 5164, 5833
and 4894 from Wembley Park, Ouainton NEWFOUNDLAND. — Smith's Monthly
Road, and West Hampstead stations re- Circular informs us that an official notice
spectively. dated the 8th ult. states that on January 2nd
" The London and North Western Railway
has also had a new printing of Letter Stamps, (why not January 1st?) the remainders of all
numbered 130,001 to 135,000, but we have the Cabot issue, as well as all stamps issued
not yet seen a specimen. before 1897, will be destroyed.
" Later (Thursday). Following have come
to hand :— NEW SOUTH WALES.—Messrs. L. L. R.
" 5196, Swiss Cottage (not fine, letter torn in half).
5733, Pinner.
Hausburg and W. H. Peckitt send us the
5739, Finchley Road." current gd. with a distinct double surcharge.
Adhesive, gd. on iod., red-brown; perf. n.
Levant.—The M. J. informs us that the
surcharge " 40 Paras *' on the 2ijd. Envelopes NEW ZEALAND.—We have received from
exists in two distinct types; the earlier of Mr. L. L. R. Hausburg also specimens of
the two is smaller than the second and some of the values of the current set locally
in thinner letters. The length of the word printed, perforated ilj, and we gather that
" Paras " is about the same in both, but the all the values are so appearing. We hear
total height of the figures and word is not also of the intended issue of Unpaid Letter
quite 8 mm. in the earlier and about 85 mm. Stamps.
in the latter.
The difference between them is stated to QUEENSLAND.—The Aiistralian Phila-
be too great to be accounted for by heavy telist chronicles the new 5d. value with
inking and spreading of the impression. numerals in all four corners. The figures
are stated to be separately engraved by hand,
GRENADA.—The long-delayed issue of and to show marked variation in shape and
the |d., type 1895-6, has lately been an- Size. Adhesive, sd., violet-brown ; new type.
nounced, and now several journals report a
2d. value of this design, colour lilac, value STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.—Our contempo-
in brown. raries mention a $5 stamp of the current
Adhesives, id., lilac, value in green. bicoloured series.
2d. „ „ brown. Adhesive. $5, orange, name and value in red.

INDIA.—The Metropolitan Philatelist is Perak.—We cut the following from the

responsible for the statement that the pages of the M. J.:—
i anna 6 pies stamps have been withdrawn, "The following is a newspaper cutting
as the changes in the postal tariff have that has been sent us relative to the Service
 NEW ISSUES. 337

stamps. We do not quite understand why announced to take place at the commence-
the term 'beastly' should be applied to the ment of the new year. The high values
current type, and we may add that we have are to be in relief, and we trust that
not seen any double impressions of the
'Service' surcharge, and should be inclined the whole series may be an improvement
to regard them with some suspicion. upon the present.
" ' The Service stamps introduced by the
Perak Post Office will cease to be used BELGIUM.—The 10 centime stamp in car-
after the 3Oth instant. The stamp originated mine, it is now reported, will not be issued
in this way: Parcels posted from one part until next year, and the date seems not to
of the State to another on purely Govern- be definitely fixed. The I franc is to be
ment service were charged five cents a lb.,
and to obviate the necessity of keeping a changed to green, and there seems some
supply of postage stamps by heads of de- chance of the Sunday coupon being sup-
partments, some of the five cents Perak pressed.
stamps were surcharged ' Service,' and were
issued for use by Government offices free of FRANCE.—The French philatelic journals
charge, but on the condition that an account have various rumours as to the impending
was kept of parcels despatched in a special new issue. There are to be probably new
book, which had to be produced at the post
office each time a parcel was being forwarded. stamps next year on the occasion of the
The first lot of stamps surcharged was on Exhibition, the set consisting of values 10,
the five cent, blue, with the springing tiger, 15, 20, 25, and 30 centimes. The presumed
and when the supply of this stamp was design represents the figure of the Republic
exhausted the beastly Tiger Head had to sitting, holding a tablet in the hand with
undergo the surcharging operation. We
understand the blue stamps surcharged were the inscription, " Droits de 1'homme," a
few in number, and consequently will in- shield surrounded by laurels bearing the
crease in appreciation by collectors. It is indication of the value of the stamp. We
said that every care was taken by the Govern-
ment printing office that the surcharges were have not heard authentically that either this
to be uniform and no mistake made, as in design or the one for the higher values is
the days of the Straits Settlements stamps, accepted.
when the number of surcharges and errors
was legion. With all the care bestowed, we GERMANY. — Several of our contempo-
hear that there are double impressions on raries give particulars of the new stamps,
some of the later issues, and these are now and Le Timbre-Poste illustrates the 10 pf.
in great demand, and command fabulous and I mark.
prices.'"
It appears that the four lower values are
VIRGIN ISLANDS.—Information supplied to appear with Head of Germania ; the next
by Messrs. Cameron and Co. is to the effect nine values with crowned and armed figure
that the two errors in the sheets of the id. of Germania holding an olive branch in her
stamps, and another which is stated to have right hand, and the four higher values have
existed in the 4d., were removed from the pictures representing scenes in the history
sheets when discovered, and destroyed by of Greater Germany.
order of the Secretary of State for the The colours of this set are given as
Colonies. follows :—
Adhesive*. 3 pfennig, brown.
EUROPE. 5 green.
JO red.
20 blue.
AUSTRIA.—Bosnia. — The M. J. has re- 23 black and orange on yellow.
buff
ceived some fresh varieties in shades and 30
40
}f
ii carmine on white.
perforations. 5° violet on buff.
80 )f carmine on reddish.
It is stated that some of them are prac- i ma k, carmine.
z ma its, blue.
tically identical in colour by artificial light, 3 » violet.
though quite different by daylight. 5 . carmine zmd black.

Adhesives. i nov., pearl-grey; perf. io£.

25 reddish purple ; pert u£.
HUNGARY.—As with the Austrians, the
1 ptarl-grey new set is announced for Jan. ist next.
2 deep yellow
3 green
5 red AMERICA.
10 blue
15
20
brown
olive-green
COLOMBIAN REPUBLIC.—Messrs. Bright
and Son send us a pair of curious pro-
The long - heralded new issue in the visional s called into use through the civil
currency of heller and krone is officially war in this country.
966
338 NEW ISSUES.

The values are 50. and ioc., the former This time it is four values of the Official
red and the latter blue, both on yellowish stamps that have been operated upon, viz. :—
paper. The design is similar to the earlier Officials, 3 c., dark blue, surcharged with a Wheel.
issue: Arms in centre, "Correos" at top, and 13 c., lake ,, ,,
26 c., carmine ,, ,,
" Republica Colombia" in curved band under- loo c., violet „ - ,,
neath, with values in figures and words at
URUGUAY. — The Australian Philatelist
bottom. They are printed in panes of ten
gives a list of current types changed in
(two rows of five each), and there are several
colour.
types of each value, ungummed.
It includes a 3 mils., purple, which, we
Both specimens franked a letter to Messrs.
believe, we have not yet chronicled.
Bright and Son, and we reproduce a copy of
Adliesive. 3 milesimos, purple.
a letter from these friends' correspondent:—
" These stamps were made and issued here VENEZUELA.—The American Journal of
(Cartagena) on the 8th November. As this Philately is the first to announce some
country is in revolution since the 2oth October provisional stamps for this country, and
last, and there is no communication with the
interior of the Republic, it hasn't been informs us, on the authority of a corre-
possible to obtain from the capital (where the spondent, that "recently, owing to a short-
Government has the deposit of stamps) the age of certain values of the Official stamps,
current issue of Colombia, and consequently the 50 centimos and i bolivar Officials were
the General Post Office disposed to issue
these provisional stamps. surcharged with new values, respectively
" The small seal with the three stars is put 5 and 25 centimos."
at the Post Office as authenticity, and no The surcharges are stated to be in two
stamp is good without the seal. colours, and some tetes-bdche also have been
" These stamps will be scarce in a few
months, because they have only issued 5,000 seen. The surcharge consists (so we are
of each value, and if another issue is told) of the date " 1899" at the top of the
necessary they will be different either in stamp, and the value in each lower corner,
colour or in paper." with " C M S " between.
Adhesive*. 5 cent., red on yellowish ; imperf. It does not surprise us to hear that most
10 „ blue ,, ,, „
Both surcharged with a small Seal in blue ink. of this very interesting issue is held by
Boyaca.—A specimen of the stamp chron- officials of the Post Office Department.
icled in our last has reached us from Messrs. Official Stamps.
Whitfield King and Co. It seems generally 5 c. on 50 c., yellow and black ; carmine surcharge.
25 c. ,, i b.. violet and black ,, ,,
the opinion that this stamp has been sup- (Variety : Tlte-becke of the latter.)
pressed owing to the portrait of Mendoza
5 c. on 50 c., yellow and black; violet surcharge,
Perez having been used. 25 c. ,, i b., violet and black ,, ,,
(Variety : Tlte-tiche of the 5 c.)
ECUADOR.—-Some, if not all, of the new
designs have appeared as " Officials." The OTHER COUNTRIES.
M. J. chronicles four values surcharged
" Oficial" as follows :— CUBA.—The Metropolitan Philatelist in-
Official. 2C., black and orange, forms us that "the error in the 10 c. Special
loc. „
20 c. ,,
,,
,,
Delivery of Cuba has been changed. The
5° c. „ ,, portion containing the word 'Immediata'
was the only thing altered in the original
SALVADOR.—According to the Aiislralian
die. Probably the impressions will show
Philatelist some remarkable objects have
that a change has been made in the engrav-
come from this Republic.
ing. This necessitated a new transfer roll,
Stamped envelopes of the 1896 issue are
and, of course, also a new plate. The old
adorned with adhesive stamps stuck over the
one will be de'stroyed. As it is not probable
impressed stamp in the upper right-hand
that the supply of these stamps sent to Cuba
corner, and a small circular device in black
will be recalled, it may take a very long time
is struck in the centre of the stamp.
Stamped Envelopes. 5 c., orange, over i cent., rose.
before a further supply of Special Deliveries
12 c., green ,, 15 cents. will be needed for the island. One hundred
13c, carmine ,, 15 cents.
thousand have been sent there, and this is
The American Journal of Philately an- a considerable number of a stamp so little
nounces several more varieties with the used. There is not the slightest doubt there
Wheel surcharge. are over 90,000 of them on hand in Havana,
 NEW ISSUES. 339

in spite of the large orders received from lectors. What could the postal authorities
stamp dealers." be thinking about ? A series of twelve stamps
for the miserable little island of Guam,
DUTCH INDIES AND POSSESSIONS.— while they consider five values sufficient
Several of our contemporaries mention that to supply the wants of the magnificent
island of Cuba ! We trust every collector
certain values of the new issue of the will immediately write to the President,
Netherlands have been surcharged for use Postmaster-General, and Cabinet, the Sena-
in the Colonies and Possessions. tors, and the members of Congress of their
From the Metropolitan Philatelist we district to stop such a disgrace before it
is made known to the intelligent portion
take the following. of the inhabitants of the world by means
Surcharged " NED. INDIE" and value :— of stamp albums and catalogues."
Adhesive*. 10 ., grey-lilac,
blue. MACAO AND TIMOR.—The provisional
yellow-brown,
yellow-green. stamps mentioned on page 309, to be issued
25 ., carmine and blue. on January 1st next, have already reached
50 ., bronze-green and red-brown.
-2\ gld., brown-lilac. this side, and specimens of all the values
Surcharged " Curacoa " and value :— have come to us from Messrs. Whitfield
Adhesives. 25 c., carmine and blue. King and Co.
i.50 gld. on 2.50 gld., brown-lilac.
SAMOA.—As was to be expected, the
Surcharged " Suriname," but without addi- remainders, or perhaps we had better
tional value :— say current stamps, have been surcharged
Adhesives. 50 c., bronze-green and red-brown.
I gld., bronze-green. "Provisional GOVT" in two lines.
e
i §'d , brown-lilac. We mentioned the 2d. value in our last
GUAM.—The new supply of stamps is number, and Messrs. Whitfield King and Co.
stated to be on its way out. send us the id. and following list of values
We reproduce the following from the and colours of surcharge :—
^Metropolitan Philatelist:— Adhesives. £d., green ; surcha
id., red-brown
" Guam is a small island, containing 200 2d., yellow
square miles arid probably 100 white in- 4d., blue
5d , red
habitants. There cannot possibly be any 6d., marone
postal service in the island, and the only IS., rose
25. 6d., mauve
use for stamps is for forwarding letters to
the United States or the Philippines.
" Newspapers there are none, so that five SARAWAK.—Mr. W. H. Peckitt sends us
or ten cents stamps would be ample for two stamps in new colours, the 4 and 10 cents
all postal requirements. of the 1889 type, printed in carmine-rose and
" The other values that are to be sent blue respectively.
out are superfluous, but the Special Delivery
is simply ridiculous, and well calculated to Adliesives. 4 c., rose-carmine ; type 1889.
10 c., blue ,,
make the postal authorities of the United
States the laughing - stock of intelligent
people the world over, and should be sup- TUNIS.—MekeeFs Weekly Stamp News
pressed at all hazard. The poverty of Spain states it is reported that the perforating of
and Portugal has been the excuse for the the postage stamp with a large " T," to repre-
large number of colonial issues of these sent Postage Due stamps, will shortly be
countries, but no such excuse will answer discontinued, and a special issue of Postage
for the United States of America. Leaving
us the choice between ignorance and avarice, Due stamps may be expected before very
both equally galling to American stamp col- long.
 [ 340 ]

Philatelic Societies' Meetings.

neither the attraction of penny blacks, two cents

Birmingham Philatelic Society. pinks, nor any other impressions of Her Majesty
could prevail to draw them from herself. At the
Hon. Secretary — Mr. G. JOHNSON, B.A., 208, Eirchfield meeting last Thursday evening there was a very
Road, Birmingham. good attendance of members, and the President
occupied the chair. It was proposed and carried
DEC. 7. Display with notes, " Mexico," by unanimously that *' This Society desires to express
Mr. W. T. Wilson. its sorrow at the death of Mr. W. A. S. Westoby,
The following were unanimously elected mem- one of the oldest Philatelists, and one who has
bers :—Messrs. C. R. Cor6eld, L. P. Hernandez, contributed so largely by his indefatigable literary
E. Tautz, J. M. Minwala, W. Ackland, J. M. labours and research to our information and know-
Bartels, D. Agemian, F. E. Remfry. ledge on the subject of Philately ; and whilst
Mr. W. T. Wilson then showed his superb acknowledging with gratitude the great value to
collection of unused Mexican stamps with used us of the same, we also desire that our sympathy
copies on originals in the case of those varieties should be conveyed to the surviving members of
which are much rarer used than unused, such his family, in their sorrow for the loss of him
as the 1865 issue. who was held in the high esteem of all Phila-
It was a great treat to all those who were telists, not only on account of his labours in a
present, and showed the immense possibilities congenial pursuit on their behalf, but also for
there are in this extremely interesting country and his personal kindness and courtesy to all those
the great rise there will be in prices when the who had the privilege and pleasure of his ac-
relative rarity of many of the earlier issues is quaintance." Mr. Cartwright was requested to
recognised. communicate the above resolution in due course.
A large amount of very interesting information Mr. Way having drawn attention to the new work
was given, which we trust, for the good of entitled The Bristol Royal Mail, compiled by
Philately, will at no distant date be accessible our esteemed Postmaster, Mr. R. C. Tombs, it
to all students of this country's stamps. was unanimously decided that a copy of the same
The chief points touched upon were naturally should be placed in the library. "Brazil" being
the difficult ones: (l) the arrangement and re- the subject for the evening, the chief display was
arrangement of the plates, as shown by the made by Mr. T. C. Cartwright, of about 400 stamps
different spacing between the horizontal rows of on fourteen well-filled sheets ; every issue was
the 1856 issue ; (2) the sub-consignment numbers represented, from the early figures to the more
of the 1864-7 issues ; (3) the reasons and neces- recent newspaper stamps surcharged for letter
sity for the surcharge of town and district names postage use. Attention was drawn to the
on all the issues down to comparatively recent Southern Cross issues, one of which is described
years. in some of the catalogues as being "redrawn."
The sales from the July and August packets Mr. Cartwright suggested that " retouched " would
have been very good ; ^183 55. 6d. was bought be more correct, as, judging from the specimens
off one sheet in July B, while over ^20 was before them, it would be seen that the work in
bought off several other sheets in the same packet. each was the same—only that the lines in the one
Those for December are very good indeed apart were deeper and more clearly defined—thus in-
from actual value, although that is very satisfactory, dicating, as in our own early issues, "retouching "
being over ,£1,000 each. rather than "redrawing." The subject for the
next meeting, on the 2ist inst., will be "Hong
Kong and the Straits Settlements."
The Bristol and Clifton
Philatelic Society.
Cardiff Philatelic Society.
THE fortnightly meetings of this Society were
held as usual in the last month, but the attend- THIS Society was formed on the 6th Nov., the
ance of members was so small that no business following officers and committee being elected : —
was transacted, and the interesting subject and President — WALTER SCOTT.
display of "Great Britain," in which some of Vice-Presidents —
the members are very strong, was of necessity £. W. SHACKELL, j.p. ALDERMAN W. J. TROUNCE.
deferred to another occasion. The cause of this Hon. Secretary — W. A. JUTSUM.
lies in the fact that the actual presence of our Hon. Treasurer — G. N. THORP.
much-loved Queen in this our ancient western Hon. Librarian — Mrs. GROVES.
city was of far greater import than the study of Committee —
her effigy, and philatelic eyes were more interested J. L. EVERETT. G. E. PETTY.
in the living original than in Dies I and 2. They J. T. MILBURN-. W. H. RENWICK.
were also relieved from the anxiety of looking for B. ROWLANDS.
forgeries, whilst preparing to receive her in person, The President gave an interesting address on
as becomes the most observant of her subjects, the advent of postage stamps, interspersed with
in all parts of her empire. No wonder, then, that his reminiscences.
 PHILATELIC SOCIETIES' MEETINGS. 34i
A vote of thanks was passed to the London The Secretary is willing (on similar terms) to
Philatelic Society for the gift of several volumes receive lists of entires "wanted," or that mem-
of the London Philatelist. bers desire to dispose of, stating best prices.
[We welcome this new accession to our ranks. Care must be taken to describe if in "mint" con-
—ED.] dition or whether the cards, etc., are soiled,
broken, or badly postmarked. It may be men-
THE second meeting, held on the I2th Dec., was tioned at once that mixed lots of recent issues are
presided over by the President, who gave a paper offered from is. per 100.
on " The Stamps of Great Britain," and exhibited B. W. WARHURST, Secretary.
his fine collection, which comprised specimens of 15, [Link] SQUARE, CHELSEA, S.W.
almost every known variety in an unused state.
One stamp in the collection is believed to be the
only one of its kind known—the Jd. of 1870 in
green colour, imperf., plate 20.
Several other members displayed their collec-
Herts Philatelic Society.
tions of English, and a very pleasant time was
spent in examining them. A GENERAL meeting was held at Anderton's
Mr. J. L. Everett presented Vol. II. of the Hotel on December 5th, 1899, at 7 p.m. Present:
London Philatelist to the Society, for which he Messrs. W. Simpson (in the chair), W. A. Bois,
was thanked. W. A. Boyes, L. E. Bradbury, R. Frentzel, F. R.
The Stamps of Uruguay will be studied at the Ginn, J. W. Jones, E. A. Mardon, E. J. Nanki-
next meeting; paper on them by Mr. G. E. Petty. vell, J. O. Sell, C. R. Sutherland, A. G. Wane,
Secretary's Address— H. A. Slade, and one visitor.
371, COWBRIDGE ROAD, CARDIFF.
The following were elected as ordinary mem-
bers :—Erland A. Clark, M.A., D. Field, F.
G. Powell, C. Tait, and F. Wilcox. At the
Chelsea "Entries" Exchange. conclusion of business Mr. Edward J. Nanki-
vell displayed his unique collection of stamps
{Late Second Section of Clifton Stamp Exchange Club.) of the British Occupation of the Transvaal,
prefaced by a lucid description of the series
surcharged " V. R." Mr. Nankivell stated that
A NEW Exchange Society is announced. only one dangerous forgery existed, that there
This Exchange is for the purpose of distribut- were but two differences of perforation, and
ing among its members post cards and covers in that the inverted surcharges were accidental and
an "entire" condition as officially issued with not numerous. He added that the error "Trans-
impressed postage stamps, either unused or used. vral" was the rarest stamp of the series, and
Used picture cards and envelopes with adhesive advised collectors of unused to take nothing but
stamps thereon, also stamped telegraph forms, absolutely mint specimens. The Chairman
though not forbidden, will only be circulated if
of special interest or few in number, so as not to passed a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Nankivell
for his courtesy and for the entertainment afforded
increase the postage of packet on its rounds. to members, and also thanked Mr. Marks for
Torn or soiled pieces of covers are not desirable bringing his collection of the same country for
and may be withheld by Secretary.
Members may send to address below, by the display.
H. A. SLADE, Hon. Sec. and Treasurer.
25th of each month, up to 100 " Entires" in two
covers containing thirty to fifty each, or three
lots (150) every two months. Every piece should
be lightly numbered in pencil on the left side to
agree with the printed list giving net cash prices. Manchester Philatelic Society
The packet will be sent out six to eight times President — W. DORNING BECKTON.
in the year, depending on the number of members
who wish to see it, the circuit being constantly
varied so as to ensure an early inspection for all THE second meeting of the session was held at
in turn. Members receiving packet must send it the Grand Hotel on Friday, October 2oth. The
on to the next name on postal list by REGISTERED President occupied the chair, and there were
Parcel Post within fifty hours of its receipt fifteen other members present.
(Sundays excluded), and will be held responsible The President alluded to the loss which the
in case of loss if not duly registered, or for Society has sustained by the death of Mr. Petri,
damage done to contents while in his or her one of the Vice-Presidents, and proposed the
possession. A fine of 3d. per day may be following resolution, which was seconded by
imposed if not forwarded in due course. Mr. Abbott and adopted by all the members
Annual subscription of one shilling is due on standing:—" That the members of the Manchester
joining, and renewable on 1st of January, or in Philatelic Society, being deeply moved by the
July if the member joins between July and death of Mr. Ernest Petri, who has for several
November. Twelve coveis with printed forms years been one of their Vice-Presidents, and feel-
for the uniform inclosure of the entires will then ing that they have sustained a serious blow by the
be sent. Extra covers supplied at 6d. per dozen. loss of one who ever worked for the welfare of
Postage for return of lots will be charged in the Society which he had so much at heart, beg
settlement, and a commission of 5 per cent, on to tender to his mother and sisters their sincere
the balance due to members. This will only sympathy in their bereavement."
affect those who do not see the packet or do not Messrs. Joseph Brooks, Eliot Levy, and
take from it to the extent of the sales from their Dr. Corns were elected ordinary members, and
lots. Cash due will be sent with returns within Mr. S. S. Harvey a corresponding member of the
seven days of arrival of packet. Adverse Society, and it was unanimously agreed that
balances to be paid to Secretary before the return Mr. E. D. Bacon and Major Evans should be
of lots. asked to become honorary members.
342 CORRESPONDENCE.
Mr. Nathan Heywood read a paper on '' The troubles might be overcome by the appointment
Coins of the Postmasters," which were tokens of a joint committee of experts in the colour trade
issued between 1649 and 1672, and again during and Philatelists, who, after compiling a well-
the Napoleonic wars, in consequence of the defined list of colours and avoiding all such elastic
scarcity in the country of small change. Mr. terms as apple-green, sky-blue, stone colour, etc.,
Heywood exhibited a very fine collection of might obtain specimens of colour of reliable purity,
those emanating from post offices in England have them ground in varnish, made into printing-
and Ireland. ink, and then printed. By this means a consider-
able approach would be made to the desired end.
THE third meeting took place on Friday evening,
November 3rd, when the President took the chair, THE fifth meeting was held on December 1st.
and nine other members were present.
The President occupied the chair, and ten other
Mr. Joseph Ingleby was elected an ordinary
member. members were present.
Mr. A. H. Dearn was elected an ordinary
Three short papers were read, the first being
member of the Society.
by Mr. G. B. Duerst on " The Postal Service on
Mr. W. K. Skipwith read a paper on the
Lake Constance," in which he stated that steamers
stamps of " Uganda," illustrated by his collection
belonging to five countries — Austria, Baden,
of the issues of this country.
Bavaria, Switzerland, and Wurtemberg—ply upon
the lake, each being provided with a letter-box in G. FRED. H. GIBSON, Hon. Sec.
which letters may be posted for delivery in any KERSAL, MANCHESTER.
one of these states at a fee equivalent to a penny,
and in any other part of the world at the usual
rate. The total postage fee may be made up of
stamps of any or all of the different countries, and
SuburbanStampExchangeClub.
it is therefore no uncommon thing to find letters
bearing stamps of all the five. JUNE packets have returned from circulation, and
Mr. North called attention to a variety in the accounts were submitted without delay. July
Swiss stamps of 1862-78, and in one case in the sheets are expected to be ready for distribution
issue of 1854-62, but amongst all that he has by about the middle of December. Sales for the
examined only eight specimens have been found. Tune account were as follows : —
It consists of a triangle of colour in the lower £ s. d.
portion of the shield, which in most cases is June A packet, 91 2 3
perfectly white. ,, B ,, 79 4 II
The third paper was by Mr. E. T. Roberts on „ C „ 57 18 i
the first issue of Brazil. Two hundred and twenty-nine sheets, aggregate
value .£1,794 135. ?d., were received by Nov.
AT the fourth meeting, on November I7th, the 2ist, and made up into four packets and circulated
President again took the chair, and was supported by Nov. 26th. The great features of contribu-
by fifteen other members. tions for this month were Europeans and a large
The resignation of Mr. J. R. Hesketh was number of obsolete issues unused in mint con-
accepted. dition ; these were offered at prices much below
In the absence of Mr. M. W. Jones his paper catalogue. Philatelists wishing to add to their
on " Stamps and their Colours" was read by the collections at reasonable cost cannot do better
Hon. Secretary. After pointing out that the than join a good exchange club ; large selections,
difficulty of properly naming shades arises from which can be looked over at leisure, are provided,
the fact that there are no standards of colour as and non-contributors can always see packets, as
there are of weights and measures, and also buyers are as needful as sellers. Copy of rules,
because from circumstances often unavoidable the with full information, can be obtained on applica-
colours of printing-ink are liable to constant tion to the Secretary, H. A. Slade, Ingleside,
change, the writer suggested that many of the St. Albans.

Correspondence.
SECTION ON PHILATELY full report of the work accomplished by the
OF THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE OF ARTS Section on Philately, its constitutions and by-
laws, for the year ending May, 1899, may be had
AND SCIENCES. by addressing a letter to the Secretary of the
Section on Philately, Mr. John D. Carberry, 1125,
To the Editor of the "London Philatelist." Putnam Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y., and inclosing
DEAR SIR,—Under separate cover, I am send- unused stamps of your country to the equivalent
ing you, with my compliments, copy of the Year of 14 cents in American money, to defray the
Book of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and cost of postage and wrapping.
Sciences, containing a report on the work of the As no doubt a large number of persons would
Section on Philately, up to May, 1899. In this appreciate a copy of this valuable book, I would
report will also be found a list of contributions of be glad if you would insert the inclosed item in
stamps from some of the Governments. A large the columns of your next issue.
number of contributions have since been received, Yours very respectfully,
including a very handsome one from our own JOHN D. CARBERRY, Secretary.
Government as well as a complete set of Austria. 174, MONTAGUE STREET, BROOKLYN, N.Y.,
This work, neatly bound in cloth, containing a Nov. zTtfi, 1899.
 [ 343 ]

The Market.
NOTE.—Under this title will be inserted all the information that may refer in any way
to the financial aspects of Philately, e.g. ike sales or values of stamps, the state
of the Market, Trade publications, etc.

WE have received from the Scott Stamp and THE following paragraphs from Mekeefs Weekly
Coin Co., Ltd., the most imposing auction cata- are amusing evidence of the American keenness
logue that it has yet been our fortune to behold. for a new issue that will sell:—
Six full pages of autotype illustrations, 147 pages of " From the tenor of an article in the Tribune,
matter, and 3,321 lots bespeak something out of collectors have themselves to blame for the
the common ; and such indeed is the case, the coming embarrassment of stamps from Guam.
sale being that of Mr. F. W. Hunter, who has Governor Leary is represented as having had life
long been known to possess one of the finest made miserable by their insistent demands on his
general collections in the States. Many of the first small stock. He has now ordered a variety
rarities have been sent over to this country for and quantity of specimens that will meet all
inspection by our leading dealers and collectors, orders from dealers and colJectors.
and the sale is of great importance. Should its " The plan evolved was to retain the cash sent
results be satisfactory it will undoubtedly have an until a requisition for a large supply of stamps
important effect in future upon the dispersal of could be forwarded to Washington, and upon
collections—although for the matter of that it is their arrival to fill orders. As Captain Leary
abundantly evident that really good collections worked upon the proposition its possibilities en-
command a ready sale anywhere—pace those of larged, and instead of ordering only the one, two,
Baron von Roseneck, Mr. William Thome, and and five cent denominations, he included the
Mr. M. P. Castle, all the sales of which have entire list, up to and including the $i value and
been announced within the past four weeks. The the special delivery stamp. His schedule was as
sale of the Hunter Collection is to be held from follows : i cent, 15,000 ; 2 cents, 75,000 ; 3 cents,
January loth to i8th (six days) and will doubtless 5,000; 4 cents. 5,000; Scents, 15,000; 6 cents,
attract a large attendance. The collection is par- 5,000 ; 8 cents, 5,000 ; 10 cents, 10,000; 15 cents,
ticularly strong in the Provisional issues of the 5,000 ; 50 cents, 4,000; f I, 3,000 ; special de-
United States, including some varieties which are livery, 5,000.
practically unique. It contains a large number of "The order amounts to about $11,000 worth of
rarities of all kinds, prominent among which are stamps, at face value, sufficient to last Guam's
the following :—United States : Baltimore, Brat- four or five hundred white people for twenty years,
tleboro, New Haven, St. Louis, 5 and 10 c. (three and stamps of the fifty cents and one dollar de-
of each); 1851, imperforate, 24 and 90 c. ; 1869, nominations sufficient for a hundred years."
15, 24 c. (pair), and 30 c. with inverted centres; The italics are ours, and save us any further
many rare Carriers and Local Stamps. Confederate comment!
States : Provisional Issues: Greenwood, Macon, * * *
Knoxville 10 c , Pleasant Shade, Tellico Plains,
etc. Argentine Republic, 1864, imperforate, 10 WE have heard from several sources that yet
and 15 c. ; British Guinea, 1850, circular, 2 c. another great American collection is to be broken
rose, 12 c. blue; 1856, 4 c magenta, 4 c. blue, up—that of Mr. William Thome, of New York.
paper coloured through ; 1862, Provisional issue, Mr. William Thorne is a member of the London
2 and 4 c. and sheet of the I c. ; Buenos Ayres, Philatelic Society, and a gentleman well known
1858, 5 p. ; Canada, 1851, 12 p. ; Ceylon, 1857, to most of us on this side of the Atlantic, and it
4 and 9 p. : Finland, 1866, 10 p. error ; France, is sincerely to be hoped that he does not mean to
1849, I fr. vermilion and tlte-beche pairs of issues sever his connection with Philately, but only to
of 1862-74; Great Britain, 1840, i p., V.R. can- condense his collecting energies. The collection
celled ; Hawaii, 1581, 5 and 13 c. uncancelled ; is a very fine one, including rarities of all
Mauritius, 1848, I and 2 p., early impressions ; countries—in fact, a large general collection, some
Nevis, 1867, I sh. on laid paper, fine unused countries being specialised — notably those of
copies of the 4 and 6 p. lithographed and of the Australia. The Metropolitan Philatelist adds
6 p., 1882; New Brunswick, 1851, 6 p. (can- hereon :—
celled) and i sh. ; 1861, Connell; Newfoundland, " Perhaps the most important item of news is
1857, 2, 4, 6 p., and I sh. scarlet-vermilion, half the sale of the celebrated Thorne Collection of
of the i sh. used as 6 p., and two copies of the stamps, one of the best in the city. The fortunate
6J p. uncancelled; Nova Scotia, 1851-3, I sh. purchaser is the New England Stamp Company,
dull violet; Oldenburg, 1858, J and 2 g. un- and the price $50,000, which should represent
used ; Roumania, 1858, 54 and 108 pa. on a cash profit of nearly twenty thousand and
covers ; St. Vincent, 1881, 4 p. on I sh. ; Saxony, fully twenty years of pleasure in its accumulation.
1850, 3 pf., two copies ; Sierra Leone, 1883, 4 p. Certainly there is no other form of amusement
unused ; Spain, Madrid, 1853, 3 c. ; Switzerland, which realises so large an amount of unalloyed
fine Basle, double Geneva, Zurich, 4 r. (six copies), pleasure with such magnificent cash profits. Of
Valid, etc. ; Turk's Islands, 1873-9, i sh. violet course it is not to be expected that every collector
and numerous rare surcharges, including two in- can make an equally large amount of money, but
verted ; Tuscany, 1851, 2 s. ; 1852, 60 c. ; 1860, there is little doubt but that the same painstaking
3 1. ; Two Sicilies, 1860, J t. both types; perseverance, combined with a small amount of
Western Australia, 1865, 2 p. lilac, error. cash, will realise an equal, if not greater per-
344 THE MARKET.

centage of profit. Stamps have been cheaper We should assuredly think it more in consonance
than they are now, but they will never be as with a European Government's standard of in-
cheap again, and considering the great boom tegrity to burn its old stock of stamps than to sell
in all mercantile business there can be little doubt them at hundreds and thousands per cent, over their
but that now is the time to buy, and all purchases original face value. It is, moreover, a most dan-
from reliable dealers made within the next six gerous precedent, and invites a practice that would
months cannot fail to show big profits." be highly prejudicial to investors in current unused
* * * —and they are many.
MR. PAUL KOHL, of Chemnitz, who has now * * *
achieved a position inferior to no one on the SINCE our last number sales have been held
Continent, announces the acquisition of the well- by Mr. W. Hadlow and Messrs. Ventom, Bull,
known and important collection of Baron Otto and Cooper.
von Transeke Roseneck. From all report this * * *
collection is very valuable, ranking among the MR. W. HADLOW'S sale of November I4th
greatest accumulations of the world, and we shall and 15th. A good catalogue of very useful lots.
anxiously await the detailed list that Mr. Kohl The prices realised may doubtless reflect the
has announced. present state of the market, taken on the whole.
* * * Of the nineteen stamps photographed, presumably
MR. E. VERVELLE, of Paris, an old and some of the best, the following are the results:
esteemed acquaintance of many collectors here, Brazil, with italic figures, 180 reis, used, £2
also announces his acquisition of a very large and £l I2s. ; 300 reis (2), used, £2 6s. each ;
collection of French and Colonial stamps, num- 600 reis, used, and very fine, £$ 125. 6d. ;
bering some 12,000 specimens. It is said to Colombian Republic, 1859, 10 c., yellow, a
consist of unused, used, blocks, pairs, and in fact tlte-beche pair, unused and mint, 2is. ; 1861,
a veritable comble de bonhettr a la franco-is ! 2\ c., black (4), used, all fine, 375., 365., 355.,
# * * and 355. respectively ; 1862, 20 c., red, with good
MESSRS. YVERT AND TELLIER, of Amiens, margins, used, £4 45. ; I peso, lilac on white,
have just issued their new Catalogue for 1900— unused, £2 ; and the same stamp on bluish, used,
how unfamiliar seem the figures ! This has grown £2 • St. Lucia, one shilling on is., orange, used
to quite a compendious work, some 700 pages and fine, 555. ; Grenada, :88i, wmk. broad-
clearly printed and excellently illustrated. The pointed Star. 2jd., claret, superb pair, unused, in
principal feature of interest lies, however, with mint condition, 525. ; Uruguay, 1857, 180 c.,
the stamps of France and Colonies, which are green, used and superb, 285.
listed very fully, even to pricing lined back- The sale of the nth December was mostly of
grounds ! and occupies one-fourth of the whole the wholesale order, and we fail to notice any-
contents. It is an excellent list, and reveals the thing particularly worth recording.
hand of a thorough student of French stamps. * * *
As usual some of the prices in the general section, MESSRS. VENTOM, BULL, AND COOPER'S sale
which is by no means exhaustive, reveal once more of November 23rd and 24th. Many of the lots
the absurdities that accompany universal pricing in this sale were of the collector's, though doubt-
of unused and used by one firm ! less desirable, order. We notice the following:
* * * Great Britain, id., black, an unused horizontal
ANOTHER Government has entered upon the strip of 12, with side margins and full gum,
stamp dealing business ! It has been known to three or four creased, £ll ; 8d., brown-lilac, a
many Philatelists that the Saxon Post Office De- very fine unused pair, mint, £4 155. ; Gibraltar,
partment has for some years past been disposing 1st issue, complete, unused, with gum. £3 125. 6d.;
of its surplus stock at various prices above face Parma, 1854, 5 c., yellow, a superb horizontal
value—according to supplies—and we have our- strip of three, 425.; Chamba State, on Indian,
selves, in years gone by, added to our collection I a., 2 a., Service, J a. and 4 as., and J a.
from this source. It would appear, however, that Envelope, all with error "STATE," unused, 635. ;
Vapptiit vient en mangeant, as the new prices Japan, 1875, J sen, grey, Plate IV., an entire
announced in various Continental magazines are unused sheet in mint state, ^5 5s. ; Johore, on
on a vastly increased scale. The stamps on sale Straits, the error "TWO CENST," on 24 c., green,
are fortunately few as to variety. The 3 pfennig used, £2 35. ; Lagos, 2s. 6d., olive-black, unused,
of 1851—the green one—not the red one of 1850, 633.; a stock book of several thousand useful
which would give many of us a shock !—is now stamps,^55 ; another, ^23 ; a collection of 10,701
retailed by the Saxon Government at 15 marks. stamps, £110.
As this stamp is catalogued at IDS. to I2s. 6d., The sale of Dec. 7th and 8th consisted largely
according to shade, the Dresden officials are not o1 stock books, wholesale lots, and collections, all
absurdly cheap. The stamps of the 1856 issue, exceedingly useful lots, but hardly needing special
head to left, are thus offered : — report in these columns. Collections of 2,844 an^
Marks.
1 gros., rose . . . I 2,280 sold respectively for ^32 and £37.
2 ,, blue . 2 * * *
3 ,, yellow . . 3 MESSRS. VENTOM, BULL, AND COOPER an-
5 ,, vermilion . . 10 nounce the sale of the second portion of Mr. Emil
which are practically current catalogue quota- Tamsen's collection on January gth and loth,
tions. The 2 gros. is, however, the commonest, the Cape, Mauritius, and Transvaal being fine.
while the ^ gros. seems to have been '' sold out " * * *
at the post office. It is a pity the officials have MESSRS. PUTTICK AND SIMPSON announce the
not also the 10 gros., which would grace many a sale of the stock of Messrs. Harry Hilckes and
collection in mint blocks of four ! The 1863 set of Co., Ltd., on January l6th and I7th. There is
embossed stamps is also on sale, but at wholesale an enormous number of stamps to be dispersed,
rates, and also one or two envelopes, which are to affording a good opportunity for the replenish,
be positively given away at prices up to 305. each ! ment of trade stocks.