i^kMbI,

mM

§

IS

Hi

StSfS?

mm

7«S$iS*e<a

1«

FIFTY YEARS OF PHILATELY 33

1885, when, on the occasion of my marriage, the collection was

sold to Mr. H. Buckley and the proceeds turned into furniture.

Whilst at the Assay Office I had plenty of spare time (the

office did not open on Saturdays), and started to deal in stamps,

C J. PHILLIPS

and so quickly did the business of stamp dealing grow that in May, 1890, I finally left my comfortable position at the Assay Office, and on 30 June, 1890, moved to London and purchased the entire business of Stanley, Gibbons, & Co.

34 ADVERTISEMENTS

NOW READY.

Entirely Revised and Greatly Enlarged.

THE FIRST VOLUME (COUNTRIES A to L)

OF THE

Third Edition

OF

Album Weeds

By the Rev. R. B. EAREE.

Vol. I. Afghanistan to Luxemburg. About 580 pages, demy 8vo.

THIS Work is an absolute necessity to the careful Philatelist, who is naturally anxious to ensure the absence of forgeries from his collection. As a work of reference, in this particular respect, it stands entirely unrivalled, being com- piled bv one who has acquired a world-wide repute, and whose speciality has for man}' years been the description of forgeries. An immense amount ol labour has been bestowed on this New Edition, so as to still further increase its usefulness. Every endeavour has been made by the Author, in the description of new and dangerous forg-eries, etc., to briny the work fully up to date. Amongst the numerous additions maybe noted an elaborate description of technical terms met with in the course of collecting. This section will be found especially useful for the guidance of the novice or young collector. The illustrations have been con- siderably augmented, and a large and most interesting series of postmarks, specially drawn, together with an index for reference, will be found included. Altogether the Publishers have no hesitation in recommending this publication as a most valuable adjunct to a Philatelic Library, and useful alike to Collector and Healer.

VOL. I.— Price, bound in embossed gilt cloth, 7/6; post-free, 8-

VOL. II. — In the press, ready shortly, price 8/-, post-free. (Orders, PREPAID, can now be booked.)

STANLEY GIBBONS, LIMITED, 39i, STRAND (Opposite Hotel Cecil), LONDON, W.C.

I

THE

hilatelic Record

AND

STAMP NEWS.

VOL. XXI.

JANUARY to DECEMBER, 1899.

Xonfcon : SIR ISAAC PITMAN & SONS, Ltd.

Contents.

	Page.
African, South, Collectors . .	•• 175
Barbadoes Notes	ig6
Birmingham Philatelic Exhibition	6
Brooklyn Exhibition of Stamps	.. 65,85
Calcutta Exhibition	3i
Catalogue for Collectors	147
Catalogues and Prices	137
Collectors, Catalogue for . .	147
Correspondence	24, 189
Death of Mr. Westoby	199
Denmark, ar. sk. blue	29
Echoes from the Mart	208, 232
Editorial Interviews 4, 27, 4	3» 78, 123

Editorial Notes 1, 25, 4g, 77, 101, 121,

145, 157, 160, 181, 193, 209

Ehrenbach, R., Interview . . . . 27

Envelopes of Tonga . . . . 194

Exhibition, Birmingham, Philatelic . . 6

Exhibition, Calcutta

Exhibition, Manchester

Exhibit, Notable Stamp

31

§3) io5> 127, 160 65

Fiasco of the S.S.S.S. Fiscal Notes

Ginn, F. R., Interview Guam Stamps

56 80, 103, 135, 152, 230

50 174

Hamilton-Smith & Co., Interview . . 78

Imperial Penny Postage . . . . 7, 28

India, i^a. Postage Stamp . . 57

India, Our Trade with . . . . 159

Items of Interest 17, 43, 68, 91, 114, 140

Japan, Stamps of, from 1876

Kashmir, More Missing Dies Kashmir Notes Kashmir Remainders

182

55 52 53

Lemaire, Th., Interview

Manchester Exhibition Mexico, R. Frentzel's

Page. 123

83, 105, 127, 160 107

Newfoundland, Notes on Stamps of. . 15

New Stamps for Tasmania. . .. 150

Notable Stamp Exhibit .. ..65,85

Notes on Denmark, 2r. sk. blue . . 29

Notes on Stamps of Newfoundland.. 15

Novelties and Discoveries 13, 38, 76,

99, 119, 200, 220

Our Trade with India . . . . 159

Peckett, W. H., Interview . . . . 4

Penny Postage, Imperial . . . . 7, 28

Periodicals, U.S. . . . . . . 64

Persia, Stamps of 8, 33, 60, 88, 108, 125, 211

Philatelic Gossip 22, 48, 73, 97, 118,

156, 167, 180, ig2, 205, 227

Philately in the Mags. 19, 43, 94, 153,

165, 176, igo, 203, 223

Postal Service, Turkish		58
Prices and Catalogue		*37
Remainders, Kashmir		53
Reviews . . . . . . 23, 71,	116	141
S.S.S.S., Fiasco of the		56
Stamps of Japan from 1876		182
Stamps of Persia 8, 33, 60, 88, 108,	125,	211
Societies in Session	207,	229
South African Collectors		J75
Strange Find		29
Tasmania, New Stamps for		150
Turkish Postal Service		58
Uganda, Stamps of		12
Uruguay, 1866-72, Varieties		171
U.S. Periodicals		64
Westoby, Mr., Death of		199
Williams & Co. ..		143

Peckett, W. H. Erenbach, R.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

4 27

M. Theophile Lemaire

Hamilton-Smith, G. Gwyer, Mr.

H5

78 78

tJ y w i

9-ta

UvvV.Q?^

The Philatelic Record

AND STAMP NEWS.

JANUARY, 1899.

Editorial Notes.

IT is with considerable diffidence that we once more take up the editorial pen after a lapse of some years, with the hope of being of some service, however small, to the philatelic public.

To follow such eminent previous Editors of the Record as Mr.

Maitland Burnett, Mr. W. A. S. Westoby, Major Evans, Mr. M. P.

Castle, and the retiring Editor, Mr. E. J. Nankivell, is no easy task, but we

ft are not unknown to a very large number of the Record's regular

p readers, and hope that we can place some reliance on their

f IKQQ generous aid and support, to enable us to keep up the prestige

which we believe our little Magazine has enjoyed for many years.

The present number commences the 21st volume of the Philatelic Record, and it will be our aim to continue it as much as possible on the same lines as the volumes of the past few years.

Amongst the programme we have in view will be found an excellent article on the much-neglected stamps of Persia, by Mr. C. Forbes, who has been quietly studying this country for some years. This will run through several numbers, and much interesting and hitherto unpublished information will for the first time be given to the philatelic world. An eminent authority on the subject has also promised us what should be an important article on post cards, which we find are now once more coming into favour.

The interviews, with portraits, will be continued, and will include several eminent collectors and dealers, not only in this country, but on the Continent, and also an interview with Mr. H. L. Caiman, of the Scott Stamp and Coin Company, which we secured when he was in London a few weeks ago.

Further than this, we make no promises of any particular articles, but we do promise that we shall use our best endeavours to make the general contents of the Record interesting, not only to the specialist and the general collector, but to all classes of philatelists.

We thank those subscribers who have so kindly given us their support for 1899, and also return thanks for the magnificent way in which the trade have supported us with their advertisements, and hope that this support will be well merited and long continued.

The Philatelic Record.

, At the annual meeting of German Collectors in Magdeburg

niH r*S we n°tice that Dr. Fraenkel made a speech in reply to certain

Uld uerffl n enquiries, which is full of interest to Philatelists. Our readers Mamps. wjjj remember the excitement some years ago with reference to the overprint of the North German design on various envelopes of the different States. The excitement commenced on the publication of Dr. Lindenberg's book dealing with German envelopes, in which he boldly asserted that most of the very rare varieties had never existed in a genuine state, and had, in fact, been manufactured by a Philatelist, who was at that time not only well known in Berlin, but all over the world. In a long and interesting speech Dr. Fraenkel informed his hearers that the Berlin Philatelic Club had now succeeded in obtaining certain valuable dies, from a gentleman who is the son of an Official in the Berlin Government Printing Works.

It appears that this young man's father resided for many years in the same house with the Philatelist (we do not know whether to call him dealer or collector), who was attacked in Dr. Lindenberg's book, and after a lapse of some time the following have now been purchased from him by the Berlin Club, viz : —

i. German Empire, Cliche of the 2^gr. stamp.

2. Ditto. Reproduction of the Provisional (i) Eagle.

3. North German Confederation, Galvano of the igr. stamp.

4. Ditto. Cliche of the 2gr. stamp.

5. Ditto. Cliche of the square diamond embossing used for the over-printed envelopes.

6. Prussia, copper cliche of the 3gr. eagle.

7. Ditto, a similar cliche.

8. Ditto. Matrix of the 4pf. eagle.

9. Ditto. Patrix of the same.

10. Cliche of the iopf. value (eagle).

1 1 . A similar cliche.

12. Galvano of the 4Sgr. octagon.

13. Wurtemburg, die for an envelope (worn out)

14. A die for impressing the pattfc of an envelope (with post rider)-

15. Bolivia, Galvano of the 5c, first issue.

16. Persia, Galvano of the 4 Shahi, first issue.

17. Ditto. 8 Shahi.

What strikes us most in the above list is that amongst these German dies there should have been such things as the Bolivian and Persian. The dies after being purchased by the Club were handed over to the Berlin Post Office Museum, so that they can never again be used for an improper purpose, and we think that the thanks of all Philatelists are due to Dr. Fraenkel and his friends for their noble action in the interests of the pursuit.

« H0SDj+ai There has been considerable correspondence in the Daily

Labels " ■^>ress w^^ reference to the new issue of labels for the benefit of

H. R. H. the Prince of Wales' Hospital Fund. The first we

noticed appeared in Evening News the of November 16th, and was headed

" Hospital Stamps Boycott causes a loss to the Prince's Fund of ^50,000 a

year."

Whether the sum received for the Hospital Stamps last year was really as large as stated we do not know, but we thought that the stamps actually sold only came to something about ^"25,000 or ^26,000.

Editorial Notes.

The cause of the heading was the fact that Messrs. Stanley Gibbons, Ltd., had, in an interview with the representative of the Evening News, stated that their firm could not recognise these labels as postage stamps. In the next number of the same paper there is a reply from Mr. Percy C. Bishop, editor of the Stamp Collectors Fortnightly, in which he endorses Mr. Phillips' point of view, and uses the celebrated word "gumpap," which we believe was coined by himself. For our own part we hope that every one of our readers will buy some of these stamps to encourage the good cause, as they are interesting receipts for money paid for the benefit of Hospitals, but Stamp Collectors must not forget that they have no place in Stamp Albums, as they cannot be used to prepay letters, and have no franking value what- ever.

When the two stamps of i/- and 2/6 appeared last year, our publishers, in common with other dealers, dealt in them with an idea that they were to be used during that one year only, in commemoration of Her Majesty's Jubilee, and thought there would be no harm in encouraging a good cause, but there was no idea that it would become an annual affair. By all means let every stamp collector and every one of the public buy this year's issue, but they must bear in mind that they have nothing to do with Philately ; in fact, as The Eastern Philatelist aptly puts it, " they are purely unphilatelic, and hence hardly open to Philatelic criticism."

The Philatelic Record.

Editorial Interviews.

BY THEODOR BUHL. Mr. W. H. PECKITT.

FROM penny packets to penny "Post Office" Mauritius is a far cry indeed, but Mr. Peckitt has accomplished it. We knew Mr. Peckitt in the old days, when he bought " Continentals " (at sixpence a thousand) and cheap sets, to sell at Deptford, by giving them on commission to small shops and to his schoolboy friends. We knew him, as we have known so many of the London dealers ; but we know only one other who has achieved anything like the same amount of success in the philatelic world during recent years, speaking, of course, from a dealer's point of view.

To catch Mr. Peckitt is not an easy matter ; he is always busy, and nearly always " engaged." Many years ago, in the early days of auction sales, a dealer, who is now a prominent member of the trade, remarked that a certain stamp was as rare as the " Dado." To the ordinary visitor Mr. Peckitt is as rare as the Dodo. A few minutes can be spent with him on most occasions, but any "interview " takes time.

However, on a recent morning we called at 440, Strand, and caught Mr. Peckitt disengaged and willing to talk " stamps " and be interviewed.

In reply to our enquiry " When were you born? " he blushingly replied " 1870." The fear of an early stoppage to obtain information for the Hecord prevented us from asking the date, as Mr. Peckitt does not wish to be inun- dated with birthday cards ; but we gathered that our " subject " was born at Deptford.

" How did you first become interested in stamps? " was our next ques- tion.

" I commenced with a small Oppen's Album and a 4^2 d. packet from a dealer, whose name I forget — I believe it was Turner. Afterwards I sold the collection for 4s. 6d."

" And your first efforts as a dealer ? "

" I first dealt at school ; but a year before I sold my Oppen's Album I used to sell penny packets and common stamps through shops."

" For a time you were in partnership with Mr. Calif, I believe ? " " Yes, we had an office in the Strand, next door to my present shop, and dealt as Calif, Peckitt & Co. Mr. Calif had been a dealer for many years." " At that time you did not pay particular attention to rare stamps ? " " No ; the partnership lasted about a year, and it was not until Mr. Calif and I had separated that I commenced to make a speciality of rarities. I prefer rare stamps ; they represent more money and a larger turnover ; but there is more profit on the commoner ones."

" Apart from the ' Post Office ' Mauritius, will you mention a few of the rare stamps that have passed through your hands? "

" I had the 4d. Western Australia, with inverted Swan, twice within six months, and five or six of the 81 paras Moldavia. I bought the " Blest" col- lection for ^"5,000, another general collection for ^5,000, the late Mr. Hastings Wright's collection of English and a collection of Ceylon, only second to that of isaron de Worms. The latter contained ten each of the 4d. and 8d. imperforate." .

@ur portrait Qallery.

MR. W. H. PECKITT.

Editorial Interviews.

"As to the ' Post Office' Mauritius, I believe you have sold the id. one on envelope which you recently purchased ? "

" Yes, and I have since purchased the other two recently discovered in Bombay, and have sold all three of them at about ^"iooo each."

" And now I will ask you a plain question, Mr. Peckitt. How do you find business ? "

" Business at present is very good," said Mr. Peckitt with a smile, "and I have a great opinion of rare stamps, which are constantly getting rarer."

" Do you find any increase in the numbers of collectors ? "

" There are more buyers every day, and the increase is specially marked among the larger and advanced collectors. There is a growing tendency to collect only fine copies and a great demand for unused new issues."

" Do you find a preference for any particular part of the world ? "

"Yes, British Colonials sell better than others; British Guianas, for instance, are very popular,"and there is a great run on Africans, New South Wales, and the various ' Companies ' stamps. West Indians also sell very well, and there is a run on Hong Kong and India and a tendency to buy Straits Settlements."

" I believe you do not publish a catalogue."

" No," said Mr. Peckitt ; "but we publish a price list and sell by it."

Here our subject seemed to think we had asked enough, but we ventured one more question.

" Which do you consider the rarest stamp? "

"Of ordinary rarities I should say the 2 cents Hawaii, first issue; but, of course, as you know, there are many varieties of stamps which are rarer even than the Hawaii or the ' Post Office ' Mauritius, such, for instance, as the Western Australia with the inverted Swan, unused.''''

Having given Mr. Peckitt's opinions, we will now give a short descrip- tion of his business premises. The shop is small, and the little room at the back is still smaller, but it is packed with rows upon rows of books of valuables. Down a few steps, in the cellar as it were, is another room, and adjoining this is a strong room, which contains three large safes and has been specially built for the reception of volumes and parcels of stamps of all kinds. It runs under the pavement and part of the roadway of the Strand. We have omitted to mention that the little room — not the rather dismal strong room — is Mr. Peckitt's sanctum, and that the correspondence is con- ducted both here and at his rooms on the first floor next door.

Our time was up, we said good-day, and thanked our subject for a very pleasant interview. Walking out into the Strand, we stood for a moment with one foot on the pavement and one in the roadway, to make sure that we were really treading on that strong room.

The Philatelic Record.

Birmingham Philatelic Exhibition.

BY TIIEODOR BUHL

Avery interesting exhibition was recently held in the Picture Gallery of Messrs. Graves & Co., in Cherry Street, Birmingham. It was not a very large affair, and only remained open from i o'clock on the 7th inst., until 7 p.m. on the 9th, but during that time it was visited by about 700 collectors and their friends. There was no particular opening ceremony, and when I arrived there a few minutes after 1 o'clock, the business for the moment consisted of placing stamps into frames to com- plete the show. The room was a splendid one for the light, and the only pity is that more space was not available. Nevertheless, the exhibition reflects great credit on its promoters, the Birmingham Philatelic Society, and particularly on its energetic Secretary, Mr. G. Johnson.

Amongst the rarities were Mr. Bernichon's two celebrated Post Office Mauritius from the Legrand collection, and Mr. Mackey's celebrated block of eighty-four 2d. blue Great Britain, without white lines, unused.

From the true philatelist's point of view, perhaps the most interesting exhibits were Mr. Lowe's fine collection of the stamps of St. Helena, which included the rare 6d. without surcharge, and a strip of three of the id. unper- forated, two being with long line and one with short line ; and Mr. W. D. Beckton's 10 frames, containing samples of his wonderful collection of Greece. Another very interesting exhibit was the collection of Uganda shown by Mrs. Tebay. Although only made with the Remington typewriter, these 'abels are very interesting, and many of them should become very rare. Amongs the other exhibits were the following : —

R. Hollick, British Bechuanaland, British South Africa, Sierra Leone,

Zanzibar and Mauritius. C. F. Larmour, entire sheets of India, including the y2, 1 and 2 annas,

first issue. J. E. Sparrow, triangular Capes, unused, including a block of 18 of

each value, and 2 blocks of 8 of the Emerald 1/-. W. T. Wilson, frame of 18 sheets of rarities, including old British Guiana

and scarce Labuan. M. P. Castle, a splendid collection of Saxony, including 13 copies of

the 3 pfennig, and a block of 4 of the rare yi gr., error. W. T. Wilson, Mexico, including the rare 1, 2 and 4 reales of Chiapas. W. Pimm, Tobago. C. H. Coombs, C. F. Tanner, R. Hollick, W. T. Wilson, a frame of

Cape triangulars, including 17 woodblocks. C. F. Turner, St. Lucia and United States. H. F. Lowe, Ceylon. G. F. Jackson, a splendid collection of Spain, which gained a silver medal

at the London Exhibition. Mr. Higginbottom, a frame of Barbados, Cyprus, and a few representa- tive stamps of various countries. E. Loveridge, Tasmania.

The exhibition was visited by many collectors and dealers, who travelled especially from London, Manchester and other towns, and can be fairly called a great success, having been well reviewed by the local press ; and we hope to see many similar exhibitions in Birmingham and other provincial towns, as they tend to increase the popularity of our hobby, and to educate the non- philatelic public.

Imperial Penny Postage.

Imperial Penny Postage.

(From the Daily Telegraph.)

THE Press Association is informed by Mr. Henniker-Heaton, m.p., that in a published list of the places to which, on Christmas Day, the people of the United Kingdom may send a letter for a penny, the important Colony of Natal is omitted. Mr. Henniker-Heaton has the authority of Sir W. Peace, the Agent-General, for the state- ment that official notification has been sent to the Duke of Norfolk, through the Colonial Secretary, of the consent of the Natal Government to the scheme. Aden also has been omitted. Aden Post Office is under the control of the Government of India, and will, of course, be included. The difficulty regarding financial adjustment of the cost between the British Post Office and the Cape of Good Hope is expected to be settled without delay, particularly as Sir David Tennant, the Agent-General, will have the sympathetic assistance of the Governor of the Cape, Sir Alfred Milner, who is now in London. The following is said to be the official list of places which have notified adhesion to the penny postage arrangement :

Aden,

The Bahamas,

British Central Africa,

British East Africa,

British India,

Canada,

Ceylon,

Cyprus,

Falkland Islands,

Fiji,

Gambia,

Gibraltar,

Gold Coast,

Hong: Kong,

Lagos,

Leeward Islands,

Natal,

Newfoundland,

Niger Coast Protectorate,

St. Helena,

Seychelles,

Sierra Leone,

Straits Settlements,

Trinidad,

Tobago,

Turk's Islands,

Uganda, and

Windward Islands.

The Philatelic Record.

The Stamps of Persia.

BY

C. FORBES (Secretary and Librarian, the Central Philatelic Club).

PERSIA, or the land of the Lion and Sun, is one of the most interest- ing countries, especially to a philatelist. The history of its stamps discloses, as regards the first issues, a woeful tale of official incom- petence, bribery and corruption. In a country such as Persia where the word of the Shah is the only law known, nothing is done properly, all the officials, from the highest to the lowest, are openly bribed.

In the early issues the various kinds of paper used, and the indifferent printing of the stamps that caused such numerous varieties, are not due, as many imagine, to speculation, but to the manner in which the work was done. Everything, as the saying goes, was " from hand to mouth ;" no proper print- ing machines were used, nor was any paper stocked for use ; this was bought simply as required ; consequently, we get thick, thin, laid, wove, ribbed and tinted papers, such as greyish-white, bluish-white, and in the later printings we get the stamps printed on coloured papers, such as blue, yellow, etc. Again, as they were printed by hand from the blocks, very few of the stamps printed are actually quite perfect. In other cases, where the impression taken was very poor, the paper was simply turned over and printed on the other side; some also showing traces of finger marks, and so on throughout the whole story.

The second and later issues, however, being printed abroad, are a great improvement, the designs are very fine, and they are the earliest instances of stamps printed in two colours.

We must admit, to a certain extent, that the designs are a bit gorgeous; still, the whole series forms one of the finest sets of stamps ever printed, and, to a non-collector, the pages of an album devoted to these stamps would attract the eye far more than those of any other country.

There are also no watermarks to puzzle the amateur, but for the specialist the perforations of many of the issues form a study in themselves. Unfortunately, many of the earlier emissions have been forged to a very great extent in the guise of reprints, both unused and with forged cancella- tions ; still, I think if the reader will follow the series of articles carefully, he will have no trouble in detecting them in the future.

It seems to be the established rule for writers to refer to any books or authorities they have consulted.

The writer therefore states that he has made very little use of any cata- logues, lists or articles that have been published in the past on the stamps of this country.

The stamps of Persia, although priced in many cases very low in the catalogues, are extremely scarce, especially the issues from 1875 to 1886 ; in fact, even with the later issues none of the stamps used can be called in any way common, and if they were collected in the same manner as those of the West Indies, the United States, or the British Colonies in Africa, etc., they would be found to be very scarce, and the prices would jump up at a bound from a few shillings to as many pounds.

The postal issues, according to Stanley Gibbons' Catalogue, have up to the present numbered 179 varieties, but according to Scott's Catalogue for ad- vanced collectors, which include many varieties of perforation, etc., not given in other catalogues, the total number amounts to 288.

The Stamps of Persia.

There are, however, many more than this, as there are many varieties of perforations, and a few errors not given in any catalogue, so far as the knowledge of the writer goes.

The population of the country is estimated to be about 9,000,000, but they do not use many stamps, letter writing being chiefly confined to the wealthy classes and business houses.

There are at present about 100 post offices in the country, and when we consider that the total area of the country is about 630,000 square miles, and that there are as many as 13 cities with a population of over 30,000, it can readily be seen, therefore, that only towns of some size have been supplied with postal facilities in any way. Another reason for the scarcity of post offices is that there are no railways in the country, the late Shah being bound not to allow any railways until the end of the present century. This is chiefly for political reasons, the northern part of Persia being under the influence of Russia, and the sourthern part, including the Persian Gulf, under British influence.

The legendary history of Persia begins far back in the mists of time. It is the custom to assume that legend means fiction, but historians are now beginning to perceive that the legends of a nation are often not only more interesting and poetic than what is called its authentic history, but that they really suggest actual facts. No country has more attractive legends than Persia, and, to judge from them, we cannot avoid the conclusion that no nation now existing has such a continuous vitality as the old land of Cyrus and Darius.

The name " Persia" is not known to the people inhabiting the country. The Persians call their land " Eran." This name is evidently from " Ayra," or " Ariya," from which we get " Ivan." The country has been designated by several terms, which are emblematical, such as " The Land of Fire," to denote the worship of fire; "The Land of the Sun," referring to the reverence paid to the sun ; also " The Land of the Lion and the Sun," since the flag of Persia has the device of the sun, in the form of a human face, peering above the back of a lion.

This last device is the symbol of intelligence, light, power, and justice.

Persia is the original home of the progenitors of all the European races, and although the reader may call himself an Englishman, Frenchman, Ger- man, etc., he is, after all (if it were possible to trace back his ancestors), a Persian.

The late Shah, Nasr-ed-deen, came to the throne in 1848, and was a man of excellent motives and decided intelligence, and sincerely desired to improve the administration of his empire, and generally exhibited a clemency hitherto rare in Oriental sovereigns ; but he occupied a peculiar position owing to the situation of Persia, which is the seat of the intrigues of Russia and England, the former power undoubtedly intending sooner or later to extend her sway over Persia ; but we hardly think this will be soon accomplished, for, what- ever the results of the ambition of Russia, enough has been recorded in history of late to indicate the vitality of the Persian race, and to show that even when for a time Persia falls under foreign influence and rule, she has in the character of her people elements that promise again to lead her to assert her supremacy under more favourable circumstances.

The Shah was descended from a Mahommedan dynasty, which has ruled for a great number of years. He was by far the most modest and best disposed prince that has ever ruled in Persia, besides being the most progressive.

The religion of the Shah and the ruling races in Persia is a form of Mahommedanism, the rest of the population being chiefly Armenians, Nestorians, Jews, and a few fire worshippers.

io The Philatelic Record.

The people being — like the English — badly mixed, their language is a mixture of many opposite elements. The Persian tongue is greatly corrupted by words of Arabic origin, and it is impossible to learn the language without some knowledge of Arabic ; there is very little grammar, but in its linguistic smoothness it is somewhat similar to French or Italian.

The literature of the country is extensive, and embraces work in every department of knowledge, and is of greater merit than any other Oriental tongue, the Persian poets, notably " Omar Khayyan " and " Hafis " being greatly admired, both by their countrymen and, through translations, by English readers.

The Persian people are given a fairly good name by travellers. They are more honest and friendly than the Mahommedans of Turkey, and com- pare favourably with Europeans as regards their generosity and kindliness to foreigners. They have, however, a bad habit of procrastination, in that they are willing to promise anything, but seldom fulfil the promises so made.

The late Shah, unfortunately, was assassinated on the ist May, 1896, by a religious fanatic. He was shortly to celebrate his jubilee.

The present Shah, Muzaffer-ed-deen Mirza, was born March 1853.

The country is at present very quiet, and little is known of him.

Although her present area is far less than in the olden times, yet Persia is still a large country, being more than twice the extent of Germany. The climate, although warm, is generally healthy, the soil fertile wherever it is irrigated ; and the progressive tendencies of the present dynasty, com- bined with these advantages, indicate conditions that promise a renewal of the greatness of Persia, when she has emerged from the transitory stage through which she is now passing.

The long-continued existence of the Persians as an active race, offers a strong belief that she has yet before her a prosperous future.

It was in 1868 that the first Persian postage stamp was created, on the proposition of a Khan, Mirza Ali Amine Dauleah, Chief Secretary to the Shah and Controller of the so-called Postal Department.

It was proposed that a deputation of Persians were to be sent to Paris on a visit to the Minister of Posts to make arrangements for a European postal system.

They brought back with them 16 copper-plate dies, in moveable blocks of four, to represent four different values. These were to be used for the printing of the stamps. They also brought a quantity of perforated proofs. These proofs were perforated 12^ to 13, in various colours and shades, and on different varieties of paper. They chiefly consisted, however, of the two-shahi green.

These stamps were never used or issued for any kind of postal service.

The plates were used for printing all the various after-printings of these stamps which followed.

It was not, however, until 1870 that anything further was done in the matter, when the Shah gave orders that stamps were to be printed from these plates.

No decrees were ever published or authorised. The commands were given verbally, the word of the Shah being law.

Not having, however, any machinery for printing these stamps, they were done sometimes one by one, and at others in strips of four ; they were all printed by hand by a local printer in Teheran, from the copper-plate dies, and are consequently very poor impressions.

They represent the arms of Persia, composed of the lion of the Ivan, holding in his right hand a scimitar of the Khorassan, and half surrounding with its tail the sun of Darnis, shining in the rear.

The Stamps of Persia. n

Paper : Thick white wove, sometimes yellowish, and finally bluish. It is said that the blue paper was employed exclusively for the printing of the four shahi, but this was doubtful.

Total number of this issue 22,000, printed in four colours, as follows : —

3,000 1 sh. Violet (shades)

5,000 2 sh. Green ,,

8,000 4 sh. Blue ,,

6,000 8 sh. Carmine and Vermillion.

These stamps were used in Tabriz, Meana, Zingan, Casveen, and Teheran. Of the 22,000 stamps, hardly one quarter were used, as it was soon dis- covered that there were no means of cancelling them ; consequently, they could be used several times.

Another reason for their being discontinued, was that the contract for the stamps having been given by the Shah to a Persian who was ordered to print them by hand, from the dies furnished to him, it was found that he had printed an enormous quantity over the number required, which he retained for his own benefit.

(To be continued).

12 The Philatelic Record.

The Stamps of Uganda.

By THE EDITOR.

IN looking through the collection of the stamps of Uganda, exhibited by- Mrs. Tebay at the Birmingham Exhibition, we notice certain varieties which are not noticed in Stanley Gibbons' new Catalogue.

Of the first issue (which is made by an ordinary Remington Type- writer, and consists simply of the letters " U.G." in the upper right and left hand corners, with numeral in centre, and a border in straight lines) there are several varieties. In every case the border consists of five lines on each side and seven lines at the top and bottom, and all the used specimens, with the exception of those hereafter mentioned, are cancelled with a plain cross in pen and ink. The varieties we allude to are as follows : —

5c. on yellowish paper instead of white.

15c. variety, with a horizontal line between the third and fourth lines

of the right hand border (this appears to exist on every copy of the

15c). Of the 30c. Mrs. Tebay shows a specimen which, instead of being

obliterated with an ordinary cross, is cancelled "May 12th, G.R.B."

in two lines, with a line between them. There is also a pair of the 30c. with the letters U.G. printed three

times on two stamps, the second U being over the G of the first

stamp, and the second G being almost over the U of the second

stamp. Of the second issue of 1896 with "V. 96. R.," Mrs. Tebay has a 20c.

on part of original, and also a quite unknown variety of the 10c.

with the letters U.G. much larger than in the original issue, and

printed in black instead of mauve.

The 5c. and 20c. are found cancelled with various initials, instead of the ordinary cross, and there is also a specimen of the 10c. which has been altered, by pen and ink, into 15 ; the 5 being written over the O. Further, there is a 5c. with the words " Parcel Post " written across in pen and ink. Of the 1897 set, we notice a pair of the 4 annas used on part of original, together with one of the ordinary 2^ annas of British East Africa.

Although primitive in style, these stamps should soon rank amongst the rarest of our modern Colonials, and we are delighted to see that such an earnest collector as Mrs. Tebay has been able to accumulate such an interesting collection of them.

British Empire,

British South Africa. — The £1 of the

re-engraved type has appeared.

Canada. — Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. have sent us a specimen of the 8c. of the redrawn type, with figures of value below.

A dhesive. 8c. orange yellow.

The Imperial Postage Stamp of 2C. has appeared, and is an oblong in black and red with a map of the world. We will illustrate this in our next number.

A dhesive. 2 cents, black and carmine on white.

Ceylon. — Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. kindly send us the R2. 50c. of this country in a new colour. The design is the same as hitherto, but the stamp is now printed in lilac on a bright brick red paper. The watermark is crown C.A. , and the perfora- tion 14 all round.

A dhesive. R2. 50c. lilac on brick red, Crown C.A., Perforated 14.

Cyprus. — It is reported that a new set with value in English currency will appear shortly.

Fiji.— Mr. W. A. Hull has furnished us with a list of perforations which were not included in our Oceania Catalogue, and very few appear in any of the recent dealers' catalogues. As these stamps are printed and perforated at the Government Printing Office, Sydney, they will doubtless show from time to time all the perplexing varia- tions of " denticulation " which characterise the stamps of New South Wales. Owing to the comparatively small number of Fijian stamps used, it will become increasingly difficult as time goes on to complete sets with the various perforations, so it would be well for collectors to be on the look out, and gauge all their copies lest a rare combination should be inadvertently exchanged away as a supposititious duplicate. — A ustralian Phila- telist.

Type of 1880. V.R. engraved. Adhesives : id. blue, perf. 10 x 12. id. ultramarine, perf. 11 x 10. 4d. mauve, perf. n. 2d. green, perf. 10 x 12. 2d. pale green, perf. n x 10. is. (Queen's Head) pale bistre, perf. n x 10.

Current Types. Jd. slate, perf. 11, 12, 11 x 10. id. lilac-rose, perf. 11 x 12. 2d. green, perf. 12, 11 x 12. Sd. blue, perf. 11. is. bistre, perf. 11.

id. black, perf. 11, 12, 10 x 12, 11 x 12. id. deep iilac-rose, perf. 11, 12, 12 x 11. 2jd. brown, perf. 11 x 10, 12 x 11. 6d. rose, perf. 11.

Great Britain. — Our publishers have the one penny Government parcels with the sur- charge inverted.

A dhesive. Id. lilac, inverted, surcharge Government Parcels

in black.

New South Wales. — Some more varie- ties of perforation have to be chronicled. —

Australian Philatelist.

AdJiesives. gd. brown and black, wmk. N.S.W. and Crown (II),

[pert. 12 iod. lilac „ „ „

i2jd. red and black ,, ,, ,,

10s. on white paper, perf. 11.

New Zealand. — DAmi des Timbres announces the issue of a registration enve- lope with a stamp of 3d., of the type of 1874, the words "Registration Fee" being printed at the left, and threepence on the right, in thin capitals. The stamp is on the flap, but we are not told the colour of the paper Envelope, 3d., ultramarine.,

South Australia. — Here also the list of perforations must be added to. Adhesives. is. brown, perf. 12J, 12J x 11J, 11J x 12J 2s. 6d. lilac, perf. ij, 12^, 12J x n£, 11J x i2§.

Western Australia. — It is announced that the colour of the 2d. has been, or is to be, changed from grey to orange.

14

The Philatelic Record.

Foreign Countries.

Austria. — Mr. Rudol Friedle has discovered two very interesting specimens of Austrian Provisionals, being half of the iokr. brown of 1858 used as 5kr. Both are on the original covers, and were posted by the agent of the Danube Steam Navigation Company in Neu-Verbasz on the 5th and 6th March, 1859, and addressed to the agent of the Company at Klein-Stapar.

Provisional. Half of iok., brown, of 1858, used as 5kr.

Brazil. — By a decree the 100 reis, violet, journal stamp was transformed into a postage stamp of 200 reis, the figures 200 appearing twice, that is to say, once across each figure of 100, with the date 1898 between them, obliterating the word "Jornaes." The stamp was issued on the 29th October last. A dhesive.

200 reis in black on ioo reis violet journal stamp.

It is also reported that the 50 reis blue and black has been cut in half, and each part used as 25 reis.

China.— Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. have sent us 5 values of a new set, apparently manufactured by a European or an American firm, the execution being much finer than the previous issue. We will illustrate them in our next.

Adhcsives, 4c. pale brown. S c. salmon. 20 c. chocolate brown. 30 c. lake red. 50 c. green.

They are all perforated 15.

Johore.— Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. have sent us specimens of a new design, with a portrait of the present Sultan, in an octagonal frame. The second colour given is the value, which appears in native and European characters in the lower corners. Adhesh/es. ioc. green and black, perf. 14 25c. green and violet, perf. 14. 50c. green and carmine, peif. 14.

Mozambique.— According to a Brazilian contemporary the Mozambique Company have issued a set of stamps in commemora- tion of some centenary. They are the ordinary issue of the Mozambique Com- pany's stamps of 1894, surcharged in three lines, " 1894— Centenario. da — India," with a line above and below. The complete set, from z\ to 300 reis, has been thus surcharged; but we are not told the colour of the overprint.

Adhesives (Mozambique, current issue, surcharged in per/. ii\). (a) Numerals of value in black. 2^r. olive yellow. 5r. orange, ior. red-lilac. I5r. brown. 2or. grey. 25r. green. 5or. blue. 75r. carmine. 8or. pale green, ioor. brown on buff. i5or. brown-rose on rose. 20or. blue on blue. 30or. blue on bright buff.

(b) In carmine. 5oor. black, iooor, violet.

Peru. — Messrs. Williams & Co., of Lima, have sent us specimens of the new post- cards, with the words Correos del Peru in ordinary capitals, with a line underneath followed by the words, Tarjeta Postal, then the word Senor, and three lines for address, with different views in the lower left-hand corner. The usual directions are below the last line, which, by-the-bye, is double, one being thicker than the other. The stamp consists of a head embossed in white in oval, above which is the date 1899, and the value below. The value and the views are in each case printed in the same colour, and although they are dated 1899, we have a specimen posted to ourselves, and used, on November 22nd, 1898.

Post Cards.

1 centavo. black and violet on white

2 centavos, black and pink on white.

4 centavos, black and brown on white.

It is stated that the 5 cent " deficit " of this country was used for a few days in Lima as an ordinary 5 cent postage stamp, some being with, and some without, the surcharge "Expendio."

Of the 30,000 specimens of the 1 centavo unpaid letter stamp , surcharged Franque. November, 1897, there were four sheets (400 stamps), with the surcharge inverted.

Of the 1 cent of 1896, printed in Prussian blue, which is the ordinary colour of the 2 cent, there was only one sheet of 100 stamps.

Uruguay. — Here we have two more pro- visionals, showing that there is evidently still a scarcity of £ cent, stamps. The sur- charge is thesame as those already chronicled, but this time it is printed in red on the 1 cent of 1896, and on the 7 cent of 1895. Provisionals, ic. in red on ic. of 1896, lilac and black, £c. in red on 7c. of 1895, green.

Notes on Stamps.

15

Notes on the Stamps of Newfoundland.

From the Weekly Philatelic Era.

In my notes of Oct. 15th, in speaking of the Newfoundland 3c. type A23, 1 made the state- ment that there had never been a re-issue of this stamp. This statement has been contra- dicted with the assertion that three re-issues of it are known to have been made. Although the writer making the assertion did not designate what the three re-issues were, nor why they should be considered re-issues, I presume the three stamps referred to are the lilac-gray, lilac and violet-brown varieties of type A23. *

If I correctly understand the term re-issue in its philatelic sense, not one of these three stamps nor any shade variety of type A23 which to my knowledge exists can be termed a re-issue. Webster's definition of a re-issue is "a second or repeated issue," but this definition cannot be accepted in the special field of philately. If it is, then each separate printing of a current stamp, with its slight variations in shades, is a re-issue. Under this definition the 2c. carmine of 1890 could be properly termed a re-issue, as well as the ic. dark blue of 1894 and 2c. carmine-lake and carmine, triangle I, of the same year. This could be carried on until the number of stamps properly designated "re-issues" would be almost legion.

The term " re-issue," for use in the field of philately, should convey a definite and specific meaning in distinction from " re- print " and "regular issue." A re-issue, thus differentiated, possesses four distinctive characteristics, each of which must be present before a stamp can correctly be termed such.

First, a "re-issue" must be of Government origin, and receivable for postage in distinc- tion from a reprint, which may be of either Government or private origin, but is not receivable for postage.

Again, a re-issue must be issued after the stamp of which it is a re-issue has become obsolete, and, in distinction from a regular issue, it must not be the current stamp of its kind for regular use.

The four distinctive characteristics, briefly summarised, are : 1st, Of Government origin. 2nd, issued after the original stamp has be- come obsolete. 3rd, Receivable for postage. 4th, Not the current stamp of its kind for regular use. The distinct line which it is necessary to draw between re-issue and regular issue makes the fourth characteristic absolutely essential, as, in the ordinary sense of the term, many regular issues in current use are re-issues, and possess all of the first three characteristics enumerated above. The £d., id. and 2^d. of the Gibraltar 1898 set just issued are examples of this. These three stamps cannot, however, be correctly designated re-issues in the specific meaning of the term in the field of philately. [» NOTE.— The type A23 refers

They are regular issues for current use, in which an obsolete type and, approximately, colour also has been reverted to. They vary, however, to quite an extent in shade from the corresponding stamps of the 1886 issue, and their proper place and designation is a part of the regular issue of 1898. Mr. Luff so chronicles them in the last A.J. of P. From the four distinctive characteris- tics which I have enumerated as essential to a re-issue, we can draw the following as the definition of the term re-issue in its philatelic sense.

A re-issue is a second issue by a Govern- ment of a stamp (if desired for definiteness this could read " postage or revenue stamp") after it has become obsolete, and while re- ceivable for postage, is not a regular issue for current use. In offering this definition, I lay no particular claim to originality, as I have based my conclusions upon certain stamps which have been listed as re-issues, and this classification is generally accepted as the correct one. I refer particularly to the re-issue in 1875 by our own Government of the 1869 series. Consider this re-issue, and it will be seen that the stamps possess each of the four characteristics which I have designated as essentials in a re-issue. The Newfoundland 1894 re-issue, Scott's Nos. 63, 64, 66, 67 and 68, also possess these four characteristics, and these two examples, it seems to me, give a correct premise from which to establish the exact philatelic mean- ing of the term re-issue.

To return briefly to the question of re- issues of the Newfoundland 3c. type A23. Unless there exist distinct varieties of this type, of which I have no knowledge, there has never been any printing of it save as a regular issue for current use ; neither has there been any issue of it since the type became obsolete. All the shade and colour varieties which I know to exist were simply changes of colour, more or less pronounced, in different printings of a coloured stamp. I do not see how they can be termed re-issues. The 3c. lilac-gray, No. 69, was issued about 1894, and replaced the 3c. slate as the current three cent stamp. It was in use until replaced, about 1896, by the 3c. lilac, which was in turn replaced by the 3c. Cabot. The lilac-gray was not listed until the 1898 catalogue appeared last fall, and for some time the 3c. lilac was quite generally looked upon as the lilac-gray. For instance, the provisionals were at first generally listed and spoken of as ic. on 3c. lilac-gray, while, as a matter of fact, remainders of the 3c. lilac were used for the surcharge. There is a marked difference in shade between these two stamps, just as much in degree as to Scott's Catalogue. Editor P.R.]

i6

The Philatelic Record.

between the dark blue and ultramarine of the U.S. ic. '94, and there is an equally marked difference in paper and gum, par- ticularly noticeable in the latter, which, of the lilac-grays is whitish and of the lilacs thick and yellowish. Last winter it began to be understood that the 3c. lilac was not the stamp listed in the catalogue as lilac- gray, and in February, in the Supplementary Catalogue of the Boston Stamp Book, the stamp was listed as an 1898 re-issue, and continued to be so listed.

That this stamp was issued as early as 1896 I know, because I was shown in the office of one of the largest stamp firms in New York City portions of a sheet purchased by the firm in Newfoundland in the summer of that year. The most striking variety of this type is the violet-brown, and regarding

it I have not yet been able to obtain all the definite information I desire. The stamp itself indicates that it is of the same printing as the lilac, and its scarcity indicates that the lilacs outnumbered it twenty to one.

In the large lot of used 3c. A23, embracing all shades which I have examined during the past ten months, I found the lilacs and violet-browns in about the same proportion per thousand, but unused there seems to be but very few of the violet-browns to be had, while the lilacs are comparatively common.

I cannot account for this striking colour of A23, unless it was due to a mistake or else a trial or emergency colour. In any event, they seem to have been sent on to the general post office and very quickly used up postally. It and the lilacs were apparently in use at about the time.

George S. McKearin.

Our Monthly Packets of New Issues.

No. 1, price One Shilling (postage extra).

The January Packet contains : — ■SEVERAL VARIETIES all unused.

No. 2, price Five Shillings (postage extra).

The January Packet contains : — SEVERAL VARIETIES, all unused.

These packets are on sale until January 31st (unless the supply is previously exhausted), and are supplied only to Subscribers to the Philatelic Record and Stamp News. Similar packets will be on sale every month, and may be subscribed for in advance for the year (January to December inclusive), at the following rates : No. 1 packet, 12s., postage extra ; No. 2 packet, 60s., postage extra.

The subscription to the paper (5s. per annum) is extra. — Buhl& Co., Ltd., 11, Queen Victoria St., E.C.

Items of Interest.

17

Items of Interest.

It is announced that Russia will shortly issue a fresh set of stamps, to include a new value of 6 kopec.

Amongst the big collections to be disposed of this season will be the United States envelopes of Mr. Wm. Thorne, of New York, to be sold by the Scott Stamp & Coin Company, or, to be more accurate, as we notice that the sale was announced for December 8th, they have probably by now been disposed of ; much to our regret, we have not seen the catalogue.

The following paragraph from Lima, Peru, appears in the Melita Philatelist, published in Malta, and we think it is as well to publish it in the event of any of our readers being offered this collection at some future date : —

" One of the principal collectors in Lima is an Italian business man. He values his collection at £ 1,000, and it certainly makes a magnificent show ; but on close examina- tion, many of the rare varieties turn out to be rank forgeries ; in most cases he was aware of this at the time of purchase. He is not averse to them as space fillers, and thinks he will be able to hoodwink some- body on his return to Italy in a few months, as he formed the collection with the intention of ultimately selling at a profit. As he is a large buyer, he is greatly in demand amongst several local dealers whose wares are not always above reproach. This is rather an unique specie of collector."

Another paragraph from the same paper is also worth reproducing : —

"To the knowledge of the writer, fully ^250 worth (nett) of stamps were sold to a few collectors in Lima at good prices during the past week, shewing that this is rather a fair market, if not a sure Philatelic klondyke when properly supplied. The highest price realized, ^28 for a beautiful pair of Argentine 1864 15c. blue, certainly warrants this state- ment."

The Government of Finland is offering for sale the remainder of the stock of old stamps which have become demonetised.

We regret to hear that Mr. J. J. Casey, of New York, is disposing of his well-known Philatelic Library, thereby giving an oppor- tunity of purchasing books which it may be almost impossible to obtain again in the future ; in fact, it is unlikely that a similar opportunity of obtaining valuable Philatelic literature will ever occur again. We hear that the catalogue is now ready for the printers.

It appears that the cutting in half of a higher value to allow each half to be used separately has not been entirely confined to stamps. According to Herdman's Miscellany it was a custom in some of the small South American countries, until a few years ago, to cut both silver and copper coins into equal portions to represent fractions of the original coin, and as such they were current. The 8 real piece and the 1, 2 and 4 real were all thus utilized.

Until further orders the ordinary Postage Stamps of Hawaii are to be available for postal purposes, not only in the Islands, but for any correspondence between the Islands and the United States, so that they really become, in a sense, United States Provis- ionals.

An American dealer advertises the 50 St. Louis, plate No. 1, Die B, for the modest sum of ^300. Rare stamps are apparently not cheap in the States.

It is stated that the whole stock of the service stamps of Hawaii, of 1897, nas been sold to an American firm at face value, the total amounting to about £1000. We take this information from an American contem- porary, and publish it with all reserve.

From the same paper, L 'Annonce 7im- brologique, we take the information that the newspaper stamps of the United States have been obsolete since July last, and that the postage for large parcels of newspapers has been paid in cash from that date with- out any stamp being used.

It is reported that Ceylon will, in the month of December, issue a new stamp with surcharge "One penny" to commemorate the introduction of the imperial id. postage.

We are glad to see that Mr. J. B. Moens has again been elected president of the Bruxelles section of the International Phila- telic Society by 14 votes and 2 blanks out of an attendance of 16 members.

An easy way of distinguishing a forgery of the first Chilian unpaid letter stamps from the genuine is the date of the post mark. The genuine stamps are all dated from the 1st of October to the 31st December, 1894, whereas all the forgeries that have been seen up to the present bear the dates 22.5.94 an(i 7.94.

The perforation of the originals is gener- ally 18 x 15, whereas in the forgeries one finds 18J x 15J and 19 x 15^.

The Philatelic Record.

The idea of the union of philatelic societies seems to be spreading, and we are now pleased to announce that all the Belgian soc.eties have been formed into one under the title of the Federation des Philotelistes Beiges. The initiative was taken by the Societe Philateli- que Anversoise and the Club des Collectionneurs. These two latter societies alone consist of 220 members, about 200 of which reside at Antwerp, thus making the Antwerp society one of the largest in the world in point of membership.

It is a pity that the daily papers do not employ some authority to write for them when they wish to give any information on philatelic matters. Another instance of the nonsense which is foisted on the public regarding philately appeared in the Sun of December 1st ; amongst the other inac- curacies being a statement that one collec- tion was sold under the hammer for ^10,000.

From the annual report of the Birmingham Philatelic Society we gather that there are now no less than 241 members, and the value of the exchange packet for the year was ^38,625 16s. 2d., of which the large sum of ^5,437 was sold.

An interesting article on the envelopes of Holland, by Mr. J. M. Ente van Gils, commenced in the December number of Die Post. It is remarkable how many varieties of a simple and much neglected envelope can be found if one commences to study the subject, and we find that there are three different shapes alone of the first issue. The article should prove interesting to those who make a study of entires.

We hear that with the month of January a new paper is to appear in Lima, to be entitled The Peruvian Philatelist. Phil- ately is evidently making rapid strides in the Spanish speaking States of America.

The following names have been added to the committee of the Paris Philatelic Ex- hibition of 1900 : — MM. J. M. Andreini, L. A. Beausar, F. Breitfuss, LeonBrummer, H. L. Caiman, H. J. Duveen, E. Huybrechts, P. Ohrt, W. H. Peckitt, H. Schafer, A. Straessle-Cottet, C. Wehner, and Carl Willadt.

M. Marcel Pouget discovered a phil- atelic curiosity of Sierra-Leone by accident the other day. When the change in the postal rates necessitated the creation of a 2^4 pence postage stamp the postal author- ities first used the stock of ]/z penny and 2 pence stamps, and when these had been used up they began to employ one half of the 1 penny and one half of the 4 pence stamps cut diagonally and pasted together so that it appeared like a stamp of two colours. The cancellation B 31 must cover the two halves without break in order to show its genuineness.

M. Maury's correspondent at Mauri- tius writes that the sale of surcharged stamps at the post-office was the cause of riots, and that the police had to quell the disturbance raised by stamp collectors who fought for a place near the stamp window. As a consequence the Governor ordered the surcharged stamps to be taken to the Treasury and deposited there. It is now thought that the large commemora- tive 36 cents stamp of the Queen's Jubilee will be re-perforated so as to make two stamps of each, worth 18 cents apiece ; at the same time the large stamp will be retired from circulation.

During the past few months the postal authorities of the Argentine Republic have been employing a method similar to that of the Tunisian officials for replacing postage due stamps which do not exist in either country. The amount to be collected on letters, postage on which was insufficient or not paid at all, has been attached in ordinary postage stamps perforated with the letters " C Y T," which stands for Correos y Telegrafos. These stamps are being used in a number of post-offices, and are said to be authorized by the Government although no announcement has been made officially, according to the Revista Postal.

It is reported by the daily Press that Princess Charles of Denmark is, or has been, an enthusiastic collector.

As it appears there are still numbers of the obsolete New South Wales stamps in the hands of persons who are unaware of their demonetisation, it has been decided to rehabilitate them for the present.

We regret that a .prospectus of an ex- hibition of postage stamps, to be held in Calcutta by the Philatelic Society of India, during the Christmas week, reached us too late for our last number. Sixteen classes are announced for competition, and a large number of medals. The Committee include such influential philatelists as Mr. C. Stewart Wilson, Lady Collen, Surg. -Major Harris, Messrs. E. S. Gubbey, C. F. Larmour, and many others, including the Secretary, Mr. P. Alwyn Selfe.

Since 1873 a mass of unclaimed corres- pondence has been accumulating in the " dead letter office," at Santiago, Chili, which it is estimated exceeded 4,000,000 letters, postcards, and packages. It is extraordinary that the postal authorities have not dealt with them before and returned them to the writers, as is done in most countries. Now that the mass has become too great for storage, orders have been given to burn them wholesale, only such letters as appear to contain coin or bank notes being opened. Already about 4,375dols. in large and small sums have been recovered, and over ^22,000 in bank drafts out of date. The proceeds have been deposited in the Treasury to await claimants.

The Model Stamp Dealer.

By Gardner R. Kennedy. {From the Eastern Philatelist).

Generally speaking models are unmiti- gated bores. I hope that this series of opinions will not receive a similar con- demnation, Of course my ideals may be mine alone ; nevertheless, I trust that my descriptions of what, to me, would be models, will appeal to some of the readers of the Eastern Philatelist as quite the proper thing.

I take the dealer first, because the entire fabric of the stamp fraternity is built upon him. Doubtless there would be postage stamp collecting if there were no dealers, but necessarily this collecting would be haphazard and unsatisfactory. This is a patent enough fact to all, — it is beyond argument.

In our gallery of models, the dealer, then, must occupy the first niche. And to me the primary qualification which he must possess, is neatness. Closely allied is good taste.

You know how much you appreciate a clean, neatly marked approval book or sheet, with stamps carefully placed and with at least a passable arrangement of colours. In an inverse ratio is your regard for the same stamps "slapped on" any- way, paper on the back, prices marked and remarked until the real one is a de- batable question, sheets or books dirty and creased, — you know how it seems.

When a dealer has an office it is even more necessary that he be careful in this respect. Counter books with unused copies, oddities, and what - not stuck around the margins, boxes of loose "stuff" scattered around, — these things are not found in the office of " the model stamp dealer."

Next, he should have a good knowledge of stamps themselves. This seems at first glance to be a qualification which all possess. But stop and think ! How many of the dealers you know are, to any degree, philatelists ? Are not many content to be merely good business men ? — to have a small knowledge of the stamps they sell (so be it that they sell them), and to de- pend upon others, — other dealers, col- lecting friends, and occasionally a clerk for information as to the goods they are handling ? This should not be so ; but so it is.

Following after some carejulness any accuracy. Of course it is nice to pick up a stamp underpriced ; but it isn't so nice to find a stamp you want carelessly marked 'way over value, especially if you have bought it without reference to a catalogue. Then the shoe pinches a trifle. Neither is it satisfactory to send in a want list and have it filled with a wrong watermark or with the perforation you don't want tucked in either through carelessness or on the supposition that if you don't get what you asked for you will take what you are sent.

The model dealer should be thoroughly honest. He will not work off damaged copies on a beginner, just because he is "easy." He will not use his knowledge of a coming very hearty slump in a certain direction to work off all he has on his " friends " at a stiff price. There are other things he will not do that I will refrain from mentioning, or else this article " won't do " either, I fear.

He should be enterprising to get what his customers desire ; he should be quick in executing their commissions, and his correspondence will be answered in a reasonable time, especially letters en- closing stamps for sale. It worries a man to send his property to a dealer and then not hear from it for, it may be, weeks.

He must be a social man. The brusque dealer may sell his goods, but he makes few friends, and about as few customers who will buy of him if they can find what they want elsewhere.

He should be an earnest promoter of the welfare of his local society, but not obtrusive at the meetings, especially with endeavours to sell. " Too much dealer " in stamp societies is a bad thing, and tends to drive away the real collector.

Lastly, he won't be unduly puffed up when he reads this catalogue of his merits ; and if he is the other kind, — and we know his name is at least several, — he will not be vexed, but will turn himself in his ways, and endeavour to be as nearly as may be, that really rare surprise, — The Model Stamp Dealer.

Curious Methods of Delivering

Letters.

(From the Junior Stamp Collector.)

We all know how interesting it is (at least to stamp collectors) to read of the various ways in which letters are delivered, and of

20

The Philatelic Record.

the men who deliver them ; but what I propose to speak of now is, the places where there are no postmen, or where the most primitive modes of delivering letters are used.

I will first consider an island, compara- tively near home, though it possesses a population of some seventy odd souls, has no regular method of communication with the rest of the world. I allude to the lonely island of St. Kilda, which is situated about 50 miles north-west of the Outer Hebrides.

When an inhabitant of this place wishes to communicate with a friend living in some other part of the globe, he often proceeds to put his letter in a bottle or tin box in the cavity of a piece of wood (which is formed somewhat in the shape of a boat), together with a coin with which to frank the letter, and a request that whoever picks it up will forward it to its destination. A hatch is then nailed over this, upon which is cut the words, "Please open." The whole is then tied to a bladder made from a sheep's skin and consigned to the waves when a north- westerly wind is blowing.

If the wind is propitious, the letter usually reaches the Hebrides in about five days ; but should it drift in a northerly direction, it finally lands in Norway. However, it is said that four out of every six letters posted thus reach their destination safely.

Travelling across Europe, we find that the dweller on the southern slopes of the Cau- casus Mountains who expects a letter from a friend living on the plains, sends down his dog in charge of a tax collector or pedlar, with instructions that the missive is to be placed in a little pouch in the ring of the dog's collar. This done, the dog is let loose, and proceeds home with the mail to his master.

In Turkey, it is said that the sacks con- taining the ietters for distribution lie for weeks at a time in the office, waiting in fact until the local Cadi finds it convenient to hand them over to the lowest bidder who will undertake to deliver them within a certain number of days to the Cadi of the town for which they are destined. This the man chosen (who is usually a mountaineer) promises to do " if Allah wills." But should he think fit to visit his relatives for a few days the people have to wait for their letters until he has finished his little holiday.

We read that in the Corea a very primi- tive mode of carrying the mails is still adhered to, viz., the delivery by ox waggon, which is said to be the slowest method of locomotion to be found.

In China the letters of a mandarin are delivered by a special courier, who is some- times accompanied by a military escort. M. V. C. Nuttall.

The Question of Colour Standards.

The question of a standard colour nomen- clature in catalogue and album manufacture has long been a mooted one. And this is

small wonder when the Standard Cataloguers will persist in using such terms as "lake" and "stone" as the final designation of colour. The "lake" Newfoundlands, so called, might be green or brown, and still be " lake "; and the stamps of Thurn and Taxis, which are called stone by the cataloguers, should be, according to other standards, a kind of bluish-gray, which they certainly are not. These are only random examples of almost universally bad colour naming.

Take for example the English term "azure," usually applied to a bluish-gray paper, interspersed with black "thread" particles, The colour name clearly is mis- leading and irrelevant.

But perhaps the greatest difficulty which cataloguers experience may be found in the colours ranging in the spectrum between blue and red, involving such shades and tints as lavender, purple, mauve, magenta, maroon, lilac, etc.

It is a generally accepted fact that colour cannot be described except in terms of itself, and that shades and tints may be determined and defined only from a genetic standpoint. That is, we may tell how a hue, tint, or shade may be made by the blending of definite proportions of certain standard primary colours, and defining their combination with stated proportions of white or black; but we cannot tell what a colour is like. It is merely like itself.

A very complete and practical system of instruction in colour is now in force in our public schools, and one of the instruments used by the instructors is the "colour wheel," which mechanically produces by the whirling of primary colours on a graded disc in proper proportions, the various hues desired. Tints and shades are further de- duced by the adjustment of proportions of white and black respectively. Each child is likewise provided with a small top containing all the necessary mechanism for the same interesting work, and is taught to distinguish colours by the proportions of their com- ponents. These small tops cost, -perhaps, ten cents each, and ought to be within the reach of the average collector.

Would it not be a good scheme, then, for the cataloguers also to buy a top or a colour wheel, which is likewise comparatively in- expensive, and then by experiment to arrive at some genetic scheme for colour distinc- tion ? An accurate knowledge of the exact colour of every stamp in existence could then be had. Some very interesting facts, at any rate, would come out in colour study of this sort. — Eastern Philatelist.

How to encourage Small Collectors.

At the risk of quoting too much from our esteemed contemporary the Eastern Philate- list, we cannot refrain from reproducing the following extract, which refers to the advance- ment of stamp collecting by encouraging boys and girls at school to spend their pocket

Philately in the Mags.

21

money in that direction. For ourselves we find that most boys collect stamps at some time of their schoolboy career : —

"The best scheme, that we know of, would be to give away to school children in cities (and adjacent towns) where dealers are located, small packages of stamps illustrating geographical facts. We have discussed this plan with educational people, public school instructors, and the like, and have received universal encouragement. Of course the envelopes enclosing the stamps would be in- scribed with the name of the local dealer and would inevitably lead to closer acquaint- ance, and gain to him, as well as to philately at large, in the end."

Foreign Postmarks on British Stamps.

We learn from MekeeFs Weekly that at the meeting of the Chicago Philatelic Society, on November 3rd, Mr. J. M. Andreini exhibited his collection of British stamps with American cancellations. Among his latest additions Mr. Andreini has acquired British stamps with postmarks of Kingston (Jamaica), Peru, and Mexico, and his col- lection includes obliterations from almost every part of America.

Looking back about fifteen years, more or less, we remember such things being com- paratively common. We ourselves have had many letters from Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and other South American States, franked with English stamps, in the days when the postage was one shilling for each half-ounce, when the local governments had no system of their own, and British post offices were established in Lima, Callao, San Juan, St. Thomas, and other towns. Such a collection must be interesting, from a Phila- telic point of view, if for no other reason than because it reflects the past postal history of certain countries, a history which in itself is unique, and will always remain so. Hence- forth we have "Imperial penny postage." As

we wrote many years ago, this Imperial penny post is only the forerunner of what is sure to happen, the universal penny postage. Reminiscences are rather out of place in a. Philatelic Magazine, but we cannot help contrasting the old with the new. Some years ago a letter from the West Indies or South America was a rarity, the postage, as already mentioned, was one shilling per half- ounce, and we have paid many hundreds of these shillings, and multiples of them, for letters to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Barbados,, Nicaragua, and any number of other places. Now, instead of a rarity, the average 2^d. letter takes up too much time ; but what will it be in the future ?

Stamp folk must not imagine that the, consistent study of stamps or that specialism is wholly the growth of the last five or ten years. The nigh-class philatelic magazines of twenty-five years ago contained exhaustive, special articles and various complete lists of, for instance, tobacco, spirit, etc., stamps that are but little collected to day. — MekeeVs. Weekly.

The man who gives away a few varieties o^ stamps on every possible occasion to encour- age possible collectors does more practical good to philately than he who writes articles proclaiming the pleasures of philately. — MekeeFs Weekly.

According to a newspaper, the local post- office handled a letter from the Philippines on which the postage amounted to $8.56.. As the package was sent by a soldier stationed there, it was carried at the rate of two cents an ounce. It weighed twenty-six pounds and twelve ounces and was prepaid by 107 eight cent stamps, the highest denomination that Uncle Sam has in his newly-acquired, colony. — MekeeFs Weekly.

- • n n«

'Ulk-^nnnll.i.ilnllln

Scientific Philately.

The Curator of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences has sent us the following interesting letter : —

" 174, Montague Street,

" Brooklyn-New York, Nov. 2SI/1, 1898.

" The Philatelic Record,

" Messrs. Buhl * Co., Ltd.,

"it, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.

" Gentlemen. — The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences — a public institution of the highest standing and reputation among scientific societies the world over — has estab- lished a department known as the ' Section on Philately,' merging with it as a founda- tion the Long Island Philatelic Society of Brooklyn, having for its object, in the words of its Constitution, ' to promote and encou- rage the study of Postage and Revenue Stamps, the establishment of a Philatelic Library, and the formation of a permanent collection of the stamps of the world for the Institute.'

" Thus, for the first time, so far as we are able to learn, Philately has been recognized by a great scientific institution — a recogni- tion which philatelists have been seeking for years — and takes its place among the arts and sciences, acknowledged by the trustees of a great institution as being worthy to be classed among them.

" With a view to establishing a permanent Philatelic Library for the Institute for the use of philatelists who desire complete information on the subject, we would thank you very much if you would send regularly to the Curator copies of the Philatelic Record.

"The Scott Stamp and Coin Company, Limited, were the first to generously respond to our call for philatelic literature, by pre- senting us with a complete set of bound volumes of the American Journal of Phila- tely from its beginning. If you are willing to present the section with any bound volumes of the Philatelic Recoid, or other literature, the gift would be most acceptable, and highly appreciated. The names of con- tributors to the library and institute collec- tion will appear in the handsome Year Book of the Institute. All literature and stamps intended for the section should be sent to the Curator at above address.

"Thanking you in advance for any courtesy you may be able to extend to us, I am,

"Very respectfully,

"John D. Carberrv,

" Curator." Private address of Curator, 1206, Bush- wick Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Philatelic Societies.

CENTRAL PHILATELIC CLUB.

A Special meeting of the members was held on Thursday, 17th November, at 8 p.m., for the election of a committee to make arrangements with reference to the Exchange packets and other important business.

After some discussion a proposition was put to the meeting that the new committee were to consist for the present of five members, the said committee when elected to have power, if necessary, to add to their number, also to fill up any vacancies that may occur during their term of office.

The following gentlemen were elected to serve as officers on the committee : Messrs. W. L. Dracachis, F. B. Carr, H. Atherley, D. Thomson, and T. Nops.

The Committee were then empowered to draw up a revised set of rules both general and for the Exchange packets, and after their meeting, and decision, to report progress at the next general meeting, to be held on Monday, 5th December.

Monday, Nov. 14th, was a special night for members and their friends of the Central Philatelic Club, a smoking concert having been organized by the management of the Imperial Club, to which all members of the Central Philatelic Club were invited free.

The concert was a great success, the large reading room, which was specially fitted up for the purpose, being crowded. It is pro- posed to hold further concerts of a similar nature during the winter season. Future dates will be duly announced.

At the next meeting the Secretary, Mr. C. Forbes, gave a few notes, with display, on the Stamps of " Persia."

Applications for membership and all enquiries respecting the Club to be addressed to the Secretary, Mr. C. Forbks.

" International Philatelic Union."

PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS.

Jan. 18 — Display and Paper, " Persia,"

Mr. C. Forbes. Feb. 15 — Display and Paper, " Fiscals,"

Mr H. Thompson. Mar. 15 — Display, " Servia,"

The President, Mr. H. R. Oldfield. Apl. 19— Display, Mr. Joselin. May 17 — Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers, and Paper or Display, to be announced.

Stanley Gibbons' Priced Cata- logue, 1899.

Part I. British Empire. Although only a few days have elapsed since we were favoured with a copy of the new edition of Gibbons' Catalogue, we have heard it very much criticised, but such criticism has been entirely confined to the prices, and not to the book as a catalogue. Looking upon it as a catalogue, and not as a priced list, we must unhesitatingly pro- nounce it to be a considerable improvement on the previous issue. There are many more pages, but the paper being thinner, it still makes a handy pocket volume. Amongst the new features are illustrations of the stamps of Great Britain, which, by the courtesy of the officials, now appear for the first time after many years ; but what strikes us most are the interesting and copious ex- planatory notes, not only in Great Britain itself, but in many of the Colonies. We observe that the more or less blued paper of the early id. and 2d. Great Britain is now ascribed to action caused by the colouring matter and the paper, and the authors dis- miss the old theory of the gum, with the laconic remark that the " gum has nothing to do with it."

Heligoland appears to be especially well written up, and the same may be said of all the stamps of India surcharged for use in native States, which appear to be entirely rewritten, and many hitherto unchronicled varieties added. The same applies to the native States, such as Bamra, Bhopal, and Cashmere, the difference between the dies 1 and 2 of the first issue of the latter country now being illustrated. We notice that the small surcharge, " British East Africa," on the high values of India, are not cata- logued, the authors remarking that, as far as they know, "these were not issued for postal purposes." We think there is a mistake here, as we have ourselves seen them on entire letters, showing that they undoubtedly paid postage ; and from corre- spondence that has been shown us it is stated that they were an issue of November 10th, 1895. In Morocco Agencies surcharged on Gibraltar we find that the 40c. is inad- vertently omitted.

In New Brunswick we notice a paragraph which is distinctly new to us, namely, that the 3d., 6d., and 1/- first issue were re- printed in 1890; and the same remark ap- pears with the four first stamps of Nova Scotia.

There are hundreds of similar interesting notes, which we have no space to quote here. Throughout the work the surcharges are splendidly illustrated, and but for a few slight errors, that must creep into a work

of such importance, we have no fault what- ever to find with the book.

When we come to the question of prices, opinions appear to be very much divided. In many cases important reductions have been made, especially in used stamps, but there are also corresponding increases in others. We have it from the publishers themselves, that the prices are the actual figures at which they sell the stamps at the time of the publication of the catalogue, and, with hardly an exception, every stamp is in stock. Those who complain mostly of the reductions are dealers who sell under cata- logue, but we do not see why anyone should complain at Messrs. Gibbons offering their stamps at the prices at which they are prepared to sell them. Nothwithstanding any reduction that may be in the new catalogue, the market value of the stamps is just the same as before the catalogue ap- peared, the only difference, to our mind, being that those dealers who have been in the habit of giving large discounts off cata- logue prices, will be compelled to reduce the discount thus offered, the effect being to make the catalogue a more reliable guide than formerly,

We repeat that, to our minds, the market value is not in the least affected. Amongst important reductions, we notice the id. Ba- hamas, imperf. , unused, has been reduced from 17/6 to 10/-, and the Barbados 5/- rose, from 60/- to 40/-, the latter appearing, to us, to be rather below its market value.

Africans, generally, are " up " rather than "down," especially the Company stamps, and yet there are some which we should not mind purchasing at the new catalogue prices.

We may refer to the book again in our next number when we have had time to further study some of the details, but, on the whole, we consider it satisfactory.

A Magazine for Beginners.

Amongst the many philatelic journals received by us, we have more than once noticed The Junior Stamp Collector, which is published in Birmingham, and is intended for the small collector who is not yet up to the stage of specialism or fancy varieties. The December number contains the follow- ing paragraph : —

"If only more would realise that the "Junior" collector of to-day is to be the advanced collector and specialist of to- morrow, and if dealers would do more to discourage speculators and encourage begin- ners, then philately in general would make much better progress. One who gives a helping hand to recruits is far better than he who introduces into the philatelic circle a speculator who may spend a fortune. "

Duty on Stamps at the Cape.

To the Editor of " The Philatelic Record."

Dear Sir, — I notice in the Philatelic Record of October that a Cape Town corres- pondent advises to send stamps in small parcels in order to avoid having to pay duty. For such very dangerous proceedings there is fortunately no further cause. I received lately a large parcel of stamps from an English dealer to select from, and the Customs office wanted me to pay £g duty. I strongly protested, of course, as such a charge had never before been imposed upon me. After some correspondence and ex- planations, I received the enclosed letter, which you may, with any part of this letter you choose, publish in the Philatelic Record for the information of fellow collectors and dealers. I am, dear Sir,

Yours faithfully, A. A. Andrews. 'Graaff Reinet, Oct. 28, 1898.

" Duty Charged on Postage Stamps, &c. " Sir, — With reference to your letter of the -21st instant, I have the honour to inform you that it has been decided to admit postage stamps free of duty, under item No. 80 of the Customs Union Tariff, as ' engravings or lithographs.' " I have the honour to be, Sir,

" Your obedient servant,

"J. W. Honey, "for Collector of Customs. "" Customs House, Cape Town, Sept. 27, 1898. "Mr. A. A. Andrews, Graaff Reinet"

The Album Question.

To the Editor of '" The Philatelic Record."

Dear Sir, — I beg to thank you for your letter of 18th October, with sample album sheet and copy Philatelic Record for March, 1897. I take the Record always ; it is an excellent magazine.

As regards the Album, I am hoping to be in London early next year, and (though I want new albums badly) I do not propose doing anything until I have a look round at home.

It is a huge mystery to me why some philatelic publishing firm does not bring out catalogued albums for fairly advanced collectors. The Imperial is splendid as far as it goes ; but it misses the needs of a general collector, say, often thousand stamps. Something more elaborate is needed, and it should be provided soon. Mr. Skipton's British Empire Album showed the way, but I hear that has stopped. Plain albums are capital for the pure specialist ; but how am I, for instance, to fix up twelve or fourteen thousand stamps in plain albums ? The Imperial stops short at standard varieties. Yours faithfully,

W. Corfield.

Calcutta, gtk November, 1898.

Notices.

Subscriptions. — The Philatelic Record and Stamp News will be sent post-free to any subscriber at borne or abroad on receipt of 5s. Subscribers' remittances should be sent to the Publishers, Messrs. Buhl & Co., Limited, ii, Queen Victoria Street, London, England.

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Advertisements must be received not later than the 15th of the month for publication in the next issue.

All letters for the editor should be addressed: The Editor, Philatelic Record, care of Buhl <S* Co., 11, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.

ateiic Kecori

AND STAMP NEWS.

FEBRUARY, 1899.

Editorial Notes.

rHE " slaughter of the innocents " appears to be the principal philatelic topic this month. It was started by Mr. C.J. Phillips in the Monthly Journal, with a warning note to auctioneers as to the way stamps are often described, the cause of the article being the many absurdly low prices at which valuable stamps were " knocked down'' at the ... p . sale of the collection of the late Grand Duke Alexis Michaelo- , vitch of Russia. It was taken up by Mr. Castle in the London

n . ,. Philatelist, who returns to the charge in the January number.

p ' Mr. Castle's arguments are Mr. Phillips' arguments, and they consist of a plea, or a warning — whichever you like to call it — to the auctioneers to improve the descriptions in their catalogues, and to publish those catalogues earlier. As to the latter point, we believe every one of the six London auctioneers transgresses at some time or another, some much oftener than others ; but as regards the former it is much more a case of the individual ability, knowledge, or carefulness of the cataloguer. We will give you a little true story that has happened this season. A few months ago a lot was purchased at a certain auction for £\ 17s. 6d. The purchaser kept it a month or two, and not knowing what to do with it, or for reasons best known to himself, he gave it to the same auctioneers to be included in a future sale. This was duly done, and this time he bought it in for 34s. ! ! Now comes the sequel. Without disclosing anything of the above, he gave it to another firm of auctioneers, who included it in one of their sales, and it was bought by an eminent dealer for £\6 10s. ! ! Remember it was only a block of four stamps, and it could not have improved by being bandied about for several months and during three sales. Now who will account for this ? While our readers are pondering we will provide another true story of prices and descriptions, also quite recent. In a certain auction catalogue appeared the following two lots : —

Austrian Italy : 1861, 5 and 15 soldi, unused, with part gum,

latter clipped - - - - - 2

Baden : 1862. perf. 13^, 3kr. rose, unused and fine with part

gum (see photo) - - - - 1

Both these lots were purchased by an agent, on behalf of a collector, at very low prices — 7s. for the first lot and ns. for the second, making a total of 1 8s. ; not dear, you will say, when the Baden alone would have been very cheap at jQi to £,i.

26 The Philatelic Record.

Now for the other side of the picture. The stamps never left the auctioneer's possession. For private reasons the purchaser did not clear the lots in sufficient time to satisfy the auctioneers, so that exactly ten weeks later they were again offered for sale by the same auctioneers, in whose possession they had been ever since, and this time they appeared in the catalogue as one lot, and described as follows : —

Austrian Italy : 1861, 5 soldi red, and 15 soldi brown, unused with gum, but latter clipped ; and Baden, 1862, perf., 13^-, 3kr. rose, unused, damaged - - 3

And the lot was knocked down for five shillings. Somehow in the interval the 5 soldi Austrian Italy had regained the other part of its gum, while the Baden had lost it, in addition to becoming damaged. Why they were put together in one lot, with the best stamp last, is not for us to discuss here. The original purchaser is supposed to pay 13s. 6d. difference, whereas some- one else gets a lot at less than one quarter its value at his expense, and not through his fault.

# # *

Just as we go to press the startling announcement reaches us from a re-

~ , liable source that the United States Post Office Department

have decided to sell the remainders of the newspaper (periodi-

Stflmnnefllpr* cal) stamPs from * cent to $IO°-

* Remainders have been sola by Governments on many

occasions, and we see no harm in that, provided these remainders are sold

en bloc to a dealer or to one individual, leaving it to him to retail them at his

leisure, just as the Leeward Islands, the Fiji, St. Helena, and others were

disposed of ; but our reason for using the word " startling " is that they are

to be placed on sale in some of the large cities, and at five dollars per set. A

certain number of sets are to be on sale, of which the public will be advised,

after which the plates will be destroyed, so that it appears there is even a

possibility of reprinting.

The Attorney-General of the Department has decided that it is lawful for the Postmaster-General to sell these stamps for less than face value, in fact he can sell them for any price he likes, as they are obsolete.

Those who have purchased these sets at face value (about ^35), and even those who have purchased at the more modern prices of from £10 to ^20, must feel much annoyed at such a procedure, as the price can do no good to the U.S. Post Office, or to the stamp dealers, or to any collectors except the limited number who will purchase a set because it is cheap. The dealers are not likely to buy many, as it is known at what price they can be bought. We have to thank the Weekly Philatelic Era for much of this information.

Our readers may have noticed that we have not chronicled many of U S and Snanish *^e provisionals for the various ex-Spanish Colonies. The Colonies reason is that we find and hear of so many varieties from all

quarters that the matter has got a little bit confused, so we are making up a complete list, that is to say as far as we can make it so, and we want our readers to help us by sending us specimens or information of everything philatelic pertaining to the Hispano-American War. We want United States with surcharges for Cuba, &c, Cuban stamps with U.S. surcharges, Cuban, Porto Rico, and Philippines, with " Habilitado," or other surcharges ; in fact anything provisional of these Colonies of recent date, and we shall return any stamps and our thanks to those who kindly help us.

ur portrait Qaller^.

MR. ROBERT EHRENBACH.

Editorial Interviews. 27

Editorial Interviews.

BY THEODOR BUHL.

MR, ROBERT EHRENBACH.

LMOST everyone who reads the philatelic journals has heard of Mr. Robert Ehrenbach, who has been one of the most prominent and energetic collectors for many years. We have had the honour of his acquaintance, both in England and Germany, from the very first moment that we took an interest in philately ; in fact, Mr. Ehrenbach was the first collector that called on us when we started business nearly twenty years ago. He has collected in various ways, and has written many important papers and articles on different philatelic sub- jects, always showing the keenest insight into detail. As an instance we may mention the recently-published article on the first issue 2sk., Denmark, in the London Philatelist, which created much discussion amongst the mem- bers of the London Philatelic Society and caused His Royal Highness the Duke of York to make personal researches on the subject. Like most busy men, Mr. Ehrenbach, who is in the shipping trade, is not easy to be inter- viewed. The late Editor of the Record succeeded in writing an interview and obtaining Mr. Ehrenbach's photograph (which we give away with this number), but unfortunately the notes were lost, and it therefore fell to our lot to repeat the dose.

Mr. Ehrenbach formerly resided in the North-West of London, but now lives at Addlestone, in Surrey ; but we found him one recent morning at his City offices, very much occupied but still willing to spare us a few minutes.

In answer to our first question, our subject informed us that he was born in Bradford in 1858, but he shares Mr. Peckitt's objection to give the exact date.

Our next question was, " When did you first collect stamps ? "

" I started as a school-boy, and have kept it up ever since."

" When did you first take up philately seriously? "

" When I was about 18 or 20. I then had a general collection, but preferred used stamps."

" And when did you commence ' specializing' ? "

" My first ' specialist's ' collection was Australians, which I started when I was over there in 1886."

" And that you sold by auction ? "

" Yes ; in 1891 or 1892. I sold a few of the best things privately, and the remainder realised about ^1,400 under the hammer."

" And after that ? "

" I collected old German States, used and unused, which I subsequently sold for ^6,000."

" At that time, I believe, you had another collection running ? "

" Yes, unused Europeans, one of each ; and I then started specializing in several European countries, such as Austria, Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium, and Russia."

"There was to have been another country?" we enquired, with some hesitation.

28

The Philatelic Record.

" You refer to Portugal, I suppose," said Mr. Ehrenbach. " I bought a fine lot of Portuguese stamps in Lisbon, and, as you know, they were stolen while I was travelling in Morocco."

" And what do you collect at present ? "

" South American States : Buenos Ayres, Brazil, Uruguay, and Dominican Republic."

" I believe you have a number of the 4 and 5 pesos of Buenos Ayres ? "

"About 20," said Mr. Ehrenbach, carelessly, without any remorse or sympathy for the poor collectors who cannot even get one of these rarities.

" And how about your collection of Columbia and States ? "

" I sold that recently."

" And now, what is your opinion of the future ? "

" I believe they will start to boom Brazil, and one or two of the hitherto neglected countries."

That was all ; but Mr. Ehrenbach, who is an active member of the London and many other Philatelic Societies, is seldom wrong.

Imperial Penny Post.

IN addition to the colonies mentioned in our last number, the Imperial Penny Post has now been extended to the following : — Ascension, Barbados, Bermuda, British Guiana, British Honduras, India, Malay States (Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johore, and

Pahang), Niger Territory, Sarawak. The Australian Colonies, Cape Colony, British North Borneo, and British Bechuanaland have not yet joined.

A Strange Find.

It was stated recently that an important discovery of stamps had been made at the General Post Office in the department occupied by the secretary and his chief officials. The story was to the effect that while the premises were being overhauled and placed in a state of repair for the new secretary, the men came upon a great num- ber of stamps, many of them of com- paratively ancient date — 1841 for example. Amongst them were a number of the black penny variety so dear to the heart of the juvenile philatelist, and now becoming somewhat difficult of acquisition. There

were, it is said, other varieties of equal interest ; also some Mulready envelopes. One authority placed the value of the stamps at several thousands of pounds. Yesterday afternoon our representative made a special inquiry on the subject at the office of the chief of the stamps department. The only information, however, which the officials would furnish was, " We have no communication to make on the matter." At the same time no denial was given to the specific statement that an important dis- covery of stamps of considerable value had recently been made.

Notes on Denmark. 29

Notes on the 2 Rigsbank Skilling (Blue) Stamp of Denmark,

EMBODYING A COMMUNICATION FROM THE PRESIDENT,

Read by the Hon. Secretary at a Meeting of the Philatelic Society, London, on the 25TH November, 1898.

From the London Philatelist.

I HAVE the honour of being entrusted with a communication from our President on the subject of the 2 Rigsbank Skilling (blue) stamp of Denmark. It will be in the recollection of members that in the course of last season a paper on these stamps was read by Mr. R. Ehrenbach at a meeting of the Society, having for its object the consideration of the question of the types and varieties which were said to exist, and the possibility of " plating " the stamps.

Various points of distinction were described, and in regard to the marks to which attention was called in certain of the stamps, it was stated that they were " caused probably by the engraver's tools," while suggestions were made as to the probable mode of the production and setting-up of the plate.

Although a large number of the members who heard the paper read did not agree with the deductions formed by the author, it was felt that an interesting question had been raised which called for further investigation, and the paper was subsequently criticised by Mr. E. D. Bacon in the London Philatelist for April of the present year.

The whole question is obviously one which depends upon the precise methods employed in the manufacture and production of the stamps, and our President thought that it might prove of interest to members of the Society if some authoritative information could be obtained on the subject.

Accordingly, taking advantage of the opportunity afforded by his visit to Denmark in the early part of September last, his Royal Highness caused inquiries to be made from the postal authorities in Copenhagen.

Owing to the temporary absence of the official competent to give the desired information, our President, before returning to England, prepared and left for the consideration of the official referred to a series of questions, having for their object the elucidation of the matters upon which the ques- tion as to " types " most largely depends.

The questions so propounded, with the answers which have recently been received, are : —

Questions as to the first stamp of Answers.

Denmark — the 2 Rigsbank Skilling (blue). Issue 1851.

1. Was more than one original die 1. In the manufacture of this stamp

used ? In what manner was the die one original die only was used. It

made or engraved ? And what was engraved on steel, material was used for the purpose ?

30 The Philatelic Record.

Questions, etc. Answers.

2. What method was employed in 2 and 3. From this die a matrix reproducing impressions for making was produced in plaster for making the plates ? the plates. From an examination of

3. What process was used in manu- the Plates> which are preserved in the facturing the plates from which the General Post Office m Copenhagen,

stamps were printed ? there 1S no doubt *hat te,n of these

matrices were joined together in one

block (in five rows of two stamps

each), and that the plates were cast

on the block by stereotype process.

Ten of the plates so produced — in

type-metal (a composition of lead,

tin, and antimony) — were used to

make the printing plate. These were

soldered together and mounted on a

mahogany bed, and framed also in

mahogany.

4. Were the figures and words in 4. The figures and words in the the centre of the stamp, for denoting centre of the stamp are engraved on the value, inserted in the original die the original die.

or dies, or added to the impressions taken for making the plates, or to the plates themselves, and if so, by what process ?

From these details it would seem clear that there cannot be "types," properly so-called, of the stamps in question ; and the facts which our President has been the means of ascertaining demonstrate clearly the accuracy of observation displayed by Mr. E. D. Bacon in his remarks on Mr. Ehrenbach's paper to which I have referred.

I am desired, in conclusion, to assure the members of the pleasure which it affords his Royal Highness to be able to assist in the deliberations of the Society, and to express the hope that the information which has been obtained may be considered of some use in the determination of the questions to which it relates.

[We are confident that the foregoing interesting Philatelic Note, which was communicated to the members of the London Philatelic Society as the direct outcome of the personal researches made by its President, will be eagerly welcomed by all who take any interest in stamp collecting. It evinces beyond doubt that the presidency of H.R.H, the Duke of York is not merely perfunctory, but that he takes an abiding and keen interest in the more scientific aspect of the pursuit, a point that it is necessary to some- times belabour, in view of the many unfounded statements that creep into a credulous Press. As an instance hereof we may cite the case of an in- fluential provincial journal which, as recently as November 13th, gravely announced the retirement of his Royal Highness from Philately, and the sale of his collection, the proceeds to be devoted to philanthropic purposes ! The result of the Duke of York's inquiries fitly terminates the very interest- ing discussion that has ranged round the question of "types" or the varia- tions of the 2 R. B. S. of Denmark, and places on record the exact cause of the varieties that occur. The fact that the plaster casts were used for re- production from the matrix is very interesting, as it at once indicates how the differences in the shape of the figure " 2 " arose, viz., that in the case of divergence the plaster failed to fill in entirely some portions of the die of the numeral, and that these being reproduced in blocks of ten, constituted the varieties that recurred regularly on the plate. The entire question has been one both of interest and utility, and the successful entrance of the President into the arena of discussion will be hailed by all Philatelists as the happiest of denouemnets . — Ed.]

The Calcutta Philatelic Exhibition. 31

The Calcutta Philatelic Exhibition.

(From the Statesman.)

'HE Fourth Public Exhibition of Stamps held in Calcutta is now arranged in the southern portion of the Art Gallery annexe of the Imperial Museum, Chowringhee, and fully equals, if it does not indeed surpass, any of its predecessors in interest and variety. It will be open to the public to-morrow, December 26th, at n a.m., and will remain on view until Thursday evening next, a charge of one rupee being made for admission. A preliminary inspection of the exhibits shows that those who are interested in the beautiful pursuit of philately may derive much enjoyment from a visit to one of the most attractive philatelic displays ever brought together. Stamp exhibitions are becoming more and more popular each year. That in London in the summer of 1897 has been followed by another at Birmingham only this month, and as Manchester is arranging for a third on a large scale in June or July next, Calcutta may be congratulated upon falling well into line with three leading philatelic centres of the British Empire. The Philatelic Society of India (the successor to the Philatelic Society of Bengal) numbers 118 members. Its journal, edited by Mr. C. Stewart-Wilson, has already a world-wide reputation of a high order, and as in future it will be on sale to the public, its circulation and influence should greatly increase. The literary output of the Society has so far been admirable. Two hand-books by the President on the surcharged stamps of Chamba, Faridkhot, and Gwalior and Jhind, Nabha and Patiala have already appeared under its auspices, a third on Bhopal is in the press, and there is further in contemplation an important work on the Imperial stamps of India. For the first time in an Indian exhibition, fiscal stamps are now on view, and the telegraphs of India and Ceylon are also fairly repre- sented. The exhibitors are all members of the Society — two of them, Major Evans, the distinguished editor of Messrs. Stanley Gibbons' Monthly Journal, and Mr. Doming Becton, President of the Manchester Society, sending magnificent contributions of Bhopals, Jhinds, and Japans from Eng- land. In spite of these brilliant exceptions, however, it is much to be feared that the unreasonably persisted-in regulations of the Indian Customs authorities have again somewhat restricted the scope of the exhibitions as regards foreign exhibits. Silver and bronze medals (bearing the well-known design of the lion and palm tree) are at the disposal of expert judges for competition in 15 classes. The awards will probably be published on Tuesday.

The following (according to the Official Catalogue) are the countries arranged in the classes selected for exhibition : —

Class I. — Afghanistan and Cashmere — 1 Silver, 1 Bronze Medal. Class II.— Any two from the following group of Native States: Hydera- bad, Travancore, Jhind (native issues only), Soruth, Bhopal — 1 Silver, 1 Bronze Medal.

Class III. — Not more than two from the following group of British Indian stamps surcharged : Jhind, Nabha, Patiala — 1 Silver, 1 Bronze Medal. Class IV. — Great Britain — 1 Silver, 1 Bronze Medal.

32 The Philatelic Record.

Class V. — Not more than two from the following Colonies : — Heligoland, Malta, Hongkong, Straits Settlements (excluding Native States) — i Silver, i Bronze Medal.

Class VI. — Not more than two from the following : Cape of Good Hope, Natal, British Bechuanaland — i Silver, i Bronze Medal.

Class VII. — Not more than two from the following : Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland — i Silver, i Bronze Medal.

Class VIII. — One from each of the following sub-classes A and B : (A) Bahamas, Grenada, Trinidad, Turks Islands ; ( B ) Montserrat, St. Christopher, Tobago, Virgin Islands — i Silver, i Bronze Medal.

Class IX. — Not more than two from the following : New South Wales, Tasmania, Fiji, South Australia — i Silver, i Bronze Medal.

Class X. — Not more than two from the following : Switzerland, Austria, Hungary — i Silver, i Bronze Medal.

Class XI. — One from the following : Japan, Philippine Islands — i Silver, i Bronze Medal.

Class XII. — The United States of America — i Silver, i Bronze Medal.

Special.

i. The most meritorious exhibit of rare stampf,, not to exceed 30 or be less than 15 in number — 1 Silver Medal.

2. The best exhibit of adhesive fiscal stamps (excluding telegraph stamps) of Great Britain or of India and Ceylon — 1 Silver Medal.

3. The best exhibit of telegraph stamps of India and Ceylon — 1 Silver Medal.

The exhibits are as follows : Class 1. — Captain F. H. Hancock, Afghan- istan ; D. P. Masson, Cashmere. Class II. — Major E. B. Evans, Bhopal and Jhind. Class III. — T. E. Madden, Jhind and Patiala ; C. Stewart- Wilson, Jhind and Patiala. Class IV.— T. E. Madden, Great Britain. Class V. — C. Stewart- Wilson, Hongkong and Straits Settlements. Class VI. — C. F. Larmour, Cape of Good Hope ; Goodwin Norman, Cape of Good Hope. Class VII. — C. F. Larmour, Canada and Newfoundland ; Goodwin Norman, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Class VIII. — C. F. Larmour, Trinidad and Virgin Islands ; Goodwin Norman, Turks Islands and Virgin Islands ; C. Stewart-Wilson, Grenada and Montserrat. Class IX. — C. F. Larmour, New South Wales and South Australia. Class X. — -Goodwin Norman, Switzerland ; F. N. Schiller, Switzerland. Class XI. — W. Doming Beckton, Japan ; Goodwin Norman, Philippines. Class XII. — W. Corfield, United States of America ; T. E. Madden, United States of America.

Special Classes. — (1) C. F. Larmour and C. Stewart-Wilson. (2) W. Corfield. (3) W. Corheld and C. Stewart-Wilson.

Some recent issues. — W. Corfield.

The Committee of Management are as follows : — Mr. C. Stewart-Wilson, President of the Society ; Lady Collen, Vice-President ; G. A. Anderson, Calcutta ; Major L. E. Du Moulin, Amritsar; Lieutenant-Colonel G. F. A. Harris, I. M. S., Calcutta ; Mr. W. James, Calcutta ; Mr. C. F. Larmour, Calcutta ; Mr. A. A. Lyall, Calcutta ; Professor O. V. Muller, Bombay ; Mr. E. Sassoon-Gubbay, Calcutta ; Mr. F. N. Schiller, Calcutta; Mr. W. Corfield, honorary treasurer of the Society ; Mr. P. Aylwin Selfe, honorary secretary of the Society.

The Stamps of Persia. 33

The Stamps of Persia.

BY

C. FORBES (Secretary and Librarian, the Central Philatelic Club). (Continued from page 11.)

IN the second place, the crude postal organization at that time in force did not even allow the stamps to have control over the revenue derived from the transit and delivery of letters, &c, although postal communi- cations were transmitted by the Government carriers ; the revenue derived from the sale of the stamps was divided amongst the Governors of the various towns through which the mails passed, and the higher officials connected with the postal administration. For instance, on the chief road between Teheran and Tabriz the controller of the postal service, or as we should call him the Postmaster General, sold the right of collecting the letters, &c, to the Governors of the various towns on the road ; these in turn sub-let them to Persian merchants, and they in their turn authorised the carriers to sell the stamps to those who wished to buy, and to collect and deliver all letters entrusted to their keeping.

The stamps, however, in the majority of cases, were not affixed to the letters, but were re-sold over and over again, payment being demanded from the receivers when delivering the letters. They had also no means of cancelling any of the stamps, for when the system of collecting the tolls on letters by means of stamps was first started by the Shah, such a thing as a post-marking or cancelling machine was quite forgotten, and after about twelve months it was seen how useless the stamps were, and they were finally withdrawn from use in the early part of 1871. Thus the first attempt on the part of Persia to organise a postal system proved to be a disastrous and dismal failure.

Collectors of this issue should beware of stamps that bear cancellations of any kind, as the post marks are always forgeries.

For several years the service was allowed to remain in abeyance, com- munications between the inhabitants of the different towns being carried on with extreme difficulty and great delay.

In the early part of 1875, about four years after the abandonment of the first issue, the Austrian postal authorities were broached on the subject by the Persian officials by order of the Shah, the result being that Mr. Riederer, a high official in the Austrian postal service at Vienna, was sent by the Government to Teheran, together with a number of subordinates, the result being that Mr. Riederer, in August of that year, was finally entrusted by the Persian Government to organise a postal system on the basis of the one in use in his own country.

The copper-plate dies brought from Paris in 1868, which had been used for printing the issue of 1870, and which had up till now been stored away in the Shah's palace, were entrusted to Mr. Riederer, and he was asked to manufacture, as soon as possible, new stamps from these dies. At the same time he was shown a quantity of the early printings which had been produced by means of these plates.

The remainders of the 1870 issue were destroyed by Mr. Riederer. The Austrian Adviser immediately set to work, and in a very short time had printed and ready for use about 120,000 stamps in various colours. Before, however, the dies were used he had inserted under the belly of the lion figures to denote the different values of the stamps.

34 The Philatelic Record.

As the figures were inserted by hand on each of the dies, they conse- quently differ slightly from one another ; we get through this four different type or die varieties of each of the four values.

The insertion of the figures of value was done —

Firstly, to prevent the fraudulent use of the 1870 issue;

Secondly, to more easily distinguish the various values from one another.

The stamps were printed at Teheran by, it is believed, a Scotchman named McLachlan.

Of the 120,000 stamps, about one-third were the 1 shahi black ;

One-quarter of the number 2 shahi blue ;

And the rest about 20,000 of each, 4 shahi vermilion, and 8 shahi green.

There are a number of shades in the colours, such as

1 Shahi black, grey black.

2 Shahi blue, pale blue, ultramarine. 4 Shahi vermilion, and dull red.

8 Shahi green, pale green, and yellow green.

Various kinds of paper were used, varying from very thick to thin, laid and wove, etc.

The following extract from a letter from the Austrian Adviser, dated from Teheran in the latter part of the year to the Gazette at Linz, gives a short and interesting account of his work : —

"After a lot of hard work and trouble on the part of myself and the co- operation of my European colleagues, to which I must admit that owing to their perseverance and energy the largest amount of credit and thanks are due, I have succeeded in preparing by means of a hand press and its simplest process a quantity of postage stamps which I think will be sufficient for the present, and although I have had very poor dies to print from, and very few tools to work with, I am pleased to say that I think I have succeeded in getting the stamps in a condition ready to be sold to the public, the greater part of the work having had to be done by hand, as we had no means of gumming the stamps or perforating them in any way.

" I have had trained a small staff of Persian students able to decipher addresses written in French or English, and have had them drafted to the various towns where the postal service has been established, and I can say with a certain amount of confidence and pride that a postal service is now carried on with a certain amount of regularity between the town of Teheran and suburbs, together with the villages of the Shemiran, where the better class of the inhabitants spend the summer."

From the above extract it will be seen that Mr. Riederer lost no time in getting the stamps ready for use, and having them distributed as soon as possible.

For this purpose a carrier on horseback, with a special uniform and horn, was appointed, who started from Teheran in early morning, making his way first to the Palace of the Shah, after which he took a tour round the town and suburbs of Teheran, supplying postage stamps to those who required them, collected letters for Teheran and other towns within his district, and at the same time delivered those he had in his possession to the people in the various towns and villages through which he passed.

By October, 1875, the post was extended to the town of Rescht, on the Caspian Sea, and I believe as far as Bayazid, on the Turkish Frontier.

The first post office was, so far as I have been able to obtain informa- tion, established near the residence of the Shah ; this was followed by the opening of offices at Rescht, Tabriz, Kasveen, and Zinjan.

From these offices letters destined for Europe were sent ; they were transmitted by carriers to the post offices on the Russian Frontier, the Russians then taking charge of the letters, and forwarding them to Europe.

The Stamps of Persia. 35

In June, 1876, the toll of 5 shahi, which was first charged on all letters delivered in Teheran and the surrounding villages, was reduced to 2 shahi, when the postal service was then completed.

I now propose to give my readers two further extracts from letters written by Mr. Riederer to different papers, which I think will prove of great interest.

The first extract, which I shall call letter No. 2, was written by him to the editor of the New Freie Presse at Vienna, from which I take the following paragraphs : —

" I am now pleased to say that I am in a position to fulfil a promise made a good time back.

"At the present time Persia possesses a Postal Administration, and this institution is, I trust, established on a good solid basis, so that I can feel confident of its ultimate prosperity when I return to my official duties in Vienna.

" It is a source of great and indescribable satisfaction to see one's exertions and efforts crowned with success, and this feeling is greatly increased when I consider the mass of difficulties which had to be overcome, and which seemed at the off-set almost insuperable.

" In my case the difficulties surmounted have been very great, as at the time of my starting for Teheran I felt very dubious as to whether it would be possible in such a country as Persia ever to be able to make such a thing as a genuine postal service possible.

" In my last letter to you I think I mentioned that I had stamps printed frcm the dies then on hand by means of a hand press, but the stamps so printed were of such a primitive nature that I felt very doubtful as to their value, and that at first they were used imperforate, and that afterwards with the aid of my colleagues cut by means of scissors ; later we attempted to perforate them by means of a penknife, and that lastly, by means of an instrument of my own invention, I succeeded in roughly rouletting them.

This vexatious and tedious work occupied many months, during which the more important work of organisation made very little progress owing to various reasons, the chief and most powerful being the lack of money, as I was not able to obtain but very little from the Government to work with."

The third and last extract, which I now propose to give, was written in July, 1876, to the editor of the L Union Posfale, at Berne, and runs as follows : —

" I was at last, after a long and wearied delay, informed that the amount asked for could not be given me, and that I must use my best endeavours to organise a modern European service by making use of the present existing arrangements, and to go to as little expense as possible.

" Some old plates, which were brought from Paris, and used for the preparation of the issue of 1870, were given to me by one of the Ministers, and I was requested to prepare from these plates four different kinds of postage stamps.

" The Minister also gave me a large number of the stamps that had been manufactured in Teheran by means of these plates, and which had been withdrawn from use because experience had proved that owing to the fact that they had never been post-marked or cancelled the same stamps were used over and over again for the payment of letters.

" I was requested to prepare stamps by means of these plates, without loss of time to issue the same, and to prepare their use for the public.

" Having made up my mind to try everything, and anything, I consented to this measure, and manufactured 120,000 stamps, with colours

D

6 The Philatelic Record.

different to those of the former issue, and I further altered their design by causing their value to be engraved in Arabic figures underneath the belly of the lion.

" Russia and Austria have already officially notified to the Persian Government their readiness to complete postal treaties, and I now confidently hope that the junction between the European and Persian postal lines will in a few years take place.

" In the meantime, through the mediation of the Austrian Foreign Office, permission has been granted that I should be furnished with new postage stamps and stamped envelopes by the Austrian State Printing Office, and I am very anxiously awaiting their arrival.

"These new postal labels are extremely necessary, as the ones at present in use are of so primitive a nature that if I call a new issue to be printed from these plates I must run the risk of soon having more counterfeit than genuine stamps in circulation."

In the preceding chapters I have endeavoured to give a short notice of a few interesting facts respecting this mysterious country, also a brief outline of the postal service as at first constituted, together with extracts from letters written by Mr. Riederer, the founder of the Persian postal system, as to the manner in which the early issues were manufactured, etc.

I propose now taking the various issues in their order, and giving as far as I can all information that I have been able to obtain on the subject, and trust that my readers will find the information as set forth of use to them.

Currency. 20 Shahi = i kran.

10 Kran = i toman.

i Toman = 9s. 56. English Money.

1 8 58.

Paper: Thick and thin wove ; white and tinted. Printed 'in Paris, fine impressions. Per/. 11)/?, and 13. Values.

1 Shahi, lilac.

2 ,, green. 4 ,, blue. 8 „ red.

Design. — The design of all the early issues is practically the same ; it consists of the Arms of Persia, composed of the lion of the Ivan on a verdant field, holding in its right paw a sabre of the Khorassan, and half surrounded with its tail, the sun of Darnis shining in the rear.

These stamps were never used, and can only be considered as essays at the best.

To catalogue the 2sh. is entirely wrong. Though always catalogued, it is only an essay, and on a par with the ish. lilac, 4sh. ultramarine, 8sh. red. 1870.

Design : Printed in Teheran, from the copper-plate dies brought from

Paris in 1868, rough impressions. Paper : White, wove thick and thin, also greyish white and bluish

white. Values not indicated. Imperforate.

1 Shahi, violet.

1 ,, lilac and reddish lilac.

2 ,, dark green. 2 ,, pale green.

2 „ yellow green.

4 ,, blue.

4 ,, pale blue.

4 ,, greenish blue.

8 ,, carmine.

8 ,, vermilion.

The Stamps of Persia.

37

Variety —

i Shahi, violet, printed on both sides.

Note. — These stamps were never post-marked, consequently all those met'with post-marked are undoubtedly forged.

This is absolutely proved by the fact that they had at that time no means of cancelling, such a thing as a date or post-marking stamp not having been thought of.

This issue was withdrawn in 1871, and the remainder, as far as possible, were destroyed by Mr. Riederer in 1874.

(To be continued.)

Part I. — British Empire.

Bahamas. — The one shilling is now printed in blue green.

Adhesive.

Is. blue green.

Bermuda. — We have recently had an opportunity of seeing a collector who has long been resident in this Colony, and who was in London for a few weeks lately, and obtaining his opinion as to the Hamilton provisional. Like ourselves, he has become convinced, by the evidence which he has had the advantage of obtaining direct, that Mr. Perot did prepare the labels in question, and that they were used for repayment of post- age ; but he adds that, although he had seen two or more specimens, he had never taken much interest in them, as he had never seen one that was attached to an original letter or envelope, or that bore any evidence of having been postally used. Thus we are still looking for really used copies to com- plete the case in their favour.

He has shown us, however, a very curious article, used at St. George's in 1861, which seems to prove that the employment of hand-stamped labels was not unfamiliar. It consists of a small pieceof ordinary coloured paper, deep yellow, cut roughly to octagonal shape, having stamped on it, in red, " paid — at " in two lines in the centre, surrounded by the words "St. George's Bermuda," within a double-line circle broken at the top by a Crown. This was pasted on the cover of an official letter, addressed from St. George's to the Pilot Commissioners at Hamilton, and is duly obliterated with the St. George's postmark of July 12, 1861. But why this kind of adhesive stamp was used, instead of stamping the letter " paid," &c, it is difficult to understand. — Monthly fournal.

British Bechuanaland. — Herr Lossau has shown Der Philatelist two varieties of surcharge on the 2d. stamp of 1895, one being 20 by 2jmm., and the other 21 by 2mm.

British Central Africa.— The follow- ing extract from the Government Gazette of this territory, dated Nov. 12th, 1898, is inter- esting as showing the results of the recent troubles— we are glad to hear that they are over : —

" Postage Stamps. — A further supply of postage stamps has arrived, and there is now no danger of a recurrence of the circum- stances, which, together with an accident to a case of stamps, led to the recent surcharging

of stamps and issue of tokens. Of the three shillings stamps surcharged one penny 33,420 were sold, and returns, which have recently been received, show that 23,901 of the tokens were used in accounting for the postages paid in cash at the different post offices in accordance with the notice published in the Gazette of the 19th March last." — Monthly Journal.

i

British South Africa. — We illustrate the design of the new id. stamp, which we hear will be followed by a complete set of all the values, from £d. to 10s., of similar design.

Canada. — We now illustrate the new 2c. Imperial stamp mentioned in our last, which was, in error, stated to be on white. As it happens there are three printings ; we believe them to be three (or at least two) different issues. The first which came over and were posted in Ottawa, on December 7th, had a background of lavender, which, by the way, is hardly the proper colour to represent the sea. Then came a blue green, and now we have a proper greenback-ground, which we should think, is what the printers have been striving for.

The following from the Montreal Star is worth reproducing : —

" Ottawa, November 25th. — When Mr. Mulock was in England recently he was struck by the failure of the great mass of the people there to appreciate at their true value the portions of the British Empire beyond the sea. The thought occurred to him that no more effective object lesson of

Novelties and Discoveries.

39

the vastness and solidarity of the Empire could be given than by presenting a picture on the new Imperial penny postage stamp, contrasting the dimensions of Greater Britain with those of all other Powers.

"The feature of the stamp is a neatly executed map of the world, in miniature, distinguishing the British Empire from the possessions of all other Powers. The British possessions are printed in red, aud these stand out in bold relief against a dark background. Surmounting this picture is a representation of the Crown, underneath which is a bunch of oak and maple leaves, symbolizing the Unity of England and Canada.

" At the upper edge of the stamps are the words ' Canada postage ' in a neat letter. Underneath the map is placed ' Xmas, 1898,' so that the date of the inauguration of Imperial penny postage shall be made a matter of record. On each of the lower corners appears the figure '2,' indicating the denomination of the stamp, and at the lower edge is this suggestive passage, taken from the words of one of our patriotic poets, ' We hold a vaster Empire than has been.' "

A dhesives.

2 cents black, carmine, and lavender. 2 ,, • „ „ „ blue green.

2 „ „ „ „ green.

Cape of Good Hope. — The London Philatelist is informed by Lieut. Raby that the recently issued &d. green stamp has been withdrawn from use. No reason is given.

Ceylon.— Messrs. Whitfield, King & Co., send us the 15c. surcharged "six cents" at foot, in black, intended to be used for Imperial penny postage.

A dhesive. 6c. in black on 15e. sage-green. Cook's Island. — Three values of the new series have appeared.

A dhesives. 2d. brown. 6d. violet. Is. carmine. Fiji. — Messrs. Campbell & Co. have shown the Monthly Journal the current 5d. perf. 10 all round.

A dhesive. 5d. ultramarine, perf. 10.

Gold Coast. — A foreign contemporary announces the following values of the types of the high values : —

Id. violet and carmine.

3d. violet and yellow.

6d. violet and violet-blue. to which must be added, according to the Timbre Poste : —

2id. violet and ultramarine.

Is. deep green and black.

2s. deep green and carmine.

Great Barrier Island. — Messrs. Whit- field, King & Co. have sent us a specimen of a stamp which is apparently type-set, and bears a fanciful design with the words "Great Barrier Island special post" and " one shilling " on each side. It is oblong, printed in blue on white, on water-marked paper, and we will illustrate it in our next; The perforation is a sort of rough pin perf.

13. We have not yet looked up our Atlas to see where Great Barrier Island may be, but we are informed that it is a long strip of land somewhere off the coast of New Zealand. In sending us the stamp, Messrs. Whitfield, King & Co. state: " The stamp is said to be used to prepay letters from the Island to Auckland by private ships ; there is only on© value. We have no reason to doubt its bona-fide nature, but we are making enquiries about it."

Adhesive. Is. pale blue on white. Jhind. — M. Moens announces the 1 rupee, carmine and green, with the surcharge " Service " in black.

Official Stamp.

1 rupee, carmine and green and black. Morocco Agencies. — There is a variety on the sheet of all the values having the letter " M " smaller.

Newfoundland. — The 2c. now comes over with the colour changed from orange to vermilion red. This is the stamp with the portrait of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.

A dhesive. 2c. vermilion red.

New South Wales. — It is announced that the current 2^d. stamp has been changed in colour to blue, but we can give no details at present.

Queensland. — The " I.B.J." announces a. news band of id., with stamp of the current type, but with the inscription altered, the wording now reading : " If this rule be in- fringed the statutory penalty will be enforced, ' ' instead of the former inscription, which was : "If this rule be infringed the packet will be charged as a letter. "

The Monthly Journal has received a Jd. stamp of a new design, or perhaps it should be termed a modification of the previous one. The shape is still oblong, but the head is on a white ground in a beaded circle, the diameter of which is little less than the depth of the stamp; the words "Queensland" and " halfpenny" are consequently placed upon curved, coloured labels, at left and right respectively, and the value is further indicated by white figures in each corner. The id., the design of which has not yet been changed again, comes over with a very curious species of perforation ; it is rouletted (if we may so term it, for want of a better expression) by means of a zig-zag rule, with angles open, producing a similar appearance to that of ordinary perforation when the stamps are separated — a pair at least being required to show the true nature of the case. Both stamps have the ordinary Q and Crown watermark.

Adhesives.

id. deep green, new type, perf. 13.

Id. vermillion, zig-zag roulette, 13.

Newsband.

Id. vermillion on buff, 125 by 200mm., with altered inscription.

St. Vincent.— The " I.B.J." announces a set in exactly the same type as the new Sierra Leone stamps. In each case the

4o

The Philatelic Record.

second colour is that of the name and value. They are all watermarked Crown C.A., perf 14.

Adhesive*.

Jd. lilac and green. Id. lilac and carmine. 2£d. lilac and ultramarine. 3d. lilac and olive-green. 4d. lilac and red-brown. 5d. lilac and black. (id. lilac and deep blue. Is. sea-green and carmine. 5s. sea-green and ultramarine.

StraitsSettlements. — These, has been printed in pale brown, and surcharged " four cents " in two lines in black, to con- form wiih the Imperial penny postage.

Adhesive. 4c. in black on 5c. pale brown, "Watermark C.A., perf. 14.

Other Countries.

Belgium.— The current 50c. stamp is now printed in black instead of grey, as announ- ced by us in December.

Adhesive. 50 blai k.

Brazil. — In addition to the surcharge mentioned in our last number, several others have appeared, but the list seems to be so complicated at present that we now illustrate the one chronicled by us last month, but only give the following additions for the present.

100 reis in violet on 50 reis orange.

1000 reis in green on 500 reis orange.

1000 reis in green on 700 reis orange.

2000 reis in green on 1000 reis orange.

300 reis in violet on 200 reis orange.

The latter s on the authority of the Monthly Journal.

""China. — In chronicling the stamps men- tioned in our last number, we find we made a mistake in not stating that they belonged to the London print or " Waterlow " series, which were already chronicled by us in November last. The actual set, therefore, consists of a \, 1, 2, 4,5, 10,20,30,50c, $r, $2

and $5. The perforations seem to vary in the different values. We now illustrate the $2 value.

Columbia. — A new value of the current type, with arms in circle, has appeared here. Perf. 13.

A dhesive. 1 centavo red on yellow.

France. — Some excitement has been caused among our Parisian confreres by the appearance of certain unused specimens of the current 10c. , black on lilac, stamp of the first type (" inv " under "b" of " replb- lique"). The explanation is curious and worthy of record. It appears that the plate of the ioc. value was in some way damaged, and while the mischief was being remedied some old cliches of the first type were made to occupy the damaged positions on the sheet. The 10c. value is printed in sheets of 300 stamps (which, however, are distributed to the Post Offices in half-sheets of 150 each), composed of 12 small panes of 25 stamps each. We append a plan of the sheet which has been issued, composed of the two types: — -

There are therefore 200 stamps (S panes of 25 each) of the first type on the sheet, and 100 stamps (4 panes of 25 each) of the second type; or, as distributed to the Post Offices, the right-hand half of the sheet contained 150 stamps all of the first type and the left-hand half 50 of the first type, and 100 of the second type. — London Philatelist.

Hungary. — The T.P. chronicles the 1 Kreuger Journal stamp with the new "crown " watermark.

Unpaid letter stamp. — 1 kr., orange ; water" mark crown.

trwww

India. — We illustrate the "design ot the \ anna Provisional Stamp chronicled some- time ago.

Novelties and Discoveries.

4i

Japan. — Mr. George Braithwaite has kindly sent us specimens of the one sen. card for the interior, which was issued on January 1st. A reply card for the same purpose was also issued at the same time, and also new adhesives of the value of 2, 4 and 10 sen., specimens of which our corres- pondent has kindly forwarded. They are of an entirely new design, and we will illustrate them in our next. All perforated 12, but without watermark.

Adhesive.

2 sen. green. 4 sen. rose. jo sen. blue. Post cards. 1 sen. brown on white. 1 x 1 sen. brown on white.

Norway. — There are two new letter cards here, with stamps of design of the current Adhesives. The Cards are white outside and pink inside, size 140 by 315mm.

Letter- Cards. 5 6re, green on white. 10 „ red ,,

Nicaragua.— The issue of 1896 Officials is said to exist with the surcharge 1897 in red.

Orange Free State.— We have received, used on a newspaper, a specimen of the one shilling, printed in the colour of the half- penny. Whether this is a new issue or an error we do not know, but it was evidently used in the belief that it was a £d. stamp. A new postcard with stamp, of usual design to the right, has appeared.

Adhesive Is. brown (? error).

Post Card. \&. rose on white.

Peru. — In addition to the cards chronicled in our last, we have now another value, the design being similar, but being printed en- tirely in black on white.

Post Card. 3 centavos, black on white.

Portuguese Colonies. — Messrs. Whit- field King & Co. inform us that the 15 and 25 reis were issued on the 1st January in new colours, the change having been rendered necessary by the recommendation of the Postal Union, these values being equal to Jd. and id. respectively. Up to the present the change has occurred in Angra, Funchal, Horta and Ponte Delgada, but it is pre- sumed that the other colonies will follow suit.

Adhesive. 15 reis, blue-green. 25 reis, pink.

Portugal.— The same remark applies as to the Colonies.

Adhesives. 15 reis, blue-green. 25 reis, pink.

Salvador. — MekeeFs Weekly announces the ic. and 2c. envelopes of 1897, each with a surcharge the same colour as the stamp, and reading respectively " Servicio Nacional y Local" and "Servicio del Exterior."

Envelopes. ic rose, surcharged in rose. 2C. , green, ,, green.

Surinam. — We illustrate the 10c. pro- visional recently chronicled.

United States. — According to MekeeVs Weekly, some rare provisional unpaid letter stamps were issued in Jefferson, Iowa, on October 6th, 1895. They were made by the postmaster, who, having run out of 1 cent " postage due " stamps, cut some of the 2 cents in half, and surcharged each half •• Postage Due — 1 Cent " in two lines. Only about twenty are said to have been issued. The 2 cents reply card has been altered by having the frame removed and its size changed, and the 15 cents adhesive now comes in olive.

Adhesive. 15c, olive.

Reply Card. ic. by ic. black on cream, no frame, size 140 by 83mm.

s2 K

\Z\j\j\j^rru

Uruguay. — We now illustrate the type of surcharge of the various provisionals recently chronicled, and also a new stamp of 5 mil, which is equal to \ centavo. This is printed in pink, on rough unwatermark paper, and we should not be at all surprised if it were not to remain in use long.

Adhesive. 5 mil., pink. perf. \x\.

The first issue of the imperforate British Central Africa provisionals (cheque stamps) were signed at the back by the Postmaster General with either J. T. G., J. G., or J. T. Gosling.

The Government of India still decline to exempt stamps from Customs duty.

" Fiscalists " is the new word which the editor of Stamps has invented to describe collectors of fiscal stamps.

At an auction held at Boston (U.S.A.) recently, a pair of id. black Great Britain brought #1.50 against a catalogue value of 20c. This is certainly one of those stamps that are most underpriced. At the same sale, the is. Tobago error of colour was sold for $3.00.

Mr. F. C. Fisher is starting a new Ex- change Society for pain, blocks, and strips of stamps only.

About five years ago, the plates of the Providence (U.S.) locals came into the possession of an American firm of dealers, and they have now decided to make re- prints. So that these reprints cannot be passed off as originals, each of the twelve stamps will have a large letter printed in yellow-brown on the back, thus : —

BOG

E R T

D U R

B I N

An American firm announces that in one of their recent sales they received 1,329 bids by post, and could only buy 159 lots for their customers !

The following reasons for the issue of the 2^d. on is. Samoa are given by a German Navy Officer : —

" King Malietoa had hardly died, when the order was given by the postmaster to all offices to immediately return their entire stock of the 2§d. stamps, which bore the King's effigy. It was explained that the natives consider it a sin to look upon the picture of a dead ruler. The provisional surcharge is very roughly made by hand, but a stamp of a new type of the same de- nomination was ordered in New Zealand. It is expected shortly.-;

" Kuumania will issue a commemorative stamp upon the occasion of the dedication of its new Postal Building in Bucharest. This stamp will be three times the ordinary size ; its design will be of the Byzantine style, the centre representing the facade of the new building, flanked by Byzantine columns. Above will be a medallion por- trait of King Karol, at either side of it the emblems of the Postal and Telegraph services. The die was cut by the Rou- manian engraver, Popescu, at Paris." — Philatelic Monthly.

The Brazilian postcards of 40 and 80 reis are withdrawn from circulation.

" I am a firm believer in the value of the local club as a true promoter of good fellow- ship and collecting impulses ; and that philatelist who fails to take advantage of the privileges of club membership loses much of real value. The exhibiting of new issues, the exchange of duplicates, the examination of private collections, the exchange of stamp magazines, talks, and lectures, all assist in making one's own collection seem more precious." — A merican Exchange.

A number of hitherto unknown varieties of the stamps of the Republic of Colombia, and some of the States, appear to have been discovered recently, but as there are so many of them, and their character appears somewhat peculiar, we do not care to chronicle anything further at present. We rather suspect reprints or remainders, most likely the former.

The Philatelic Society, of India, an- nounces the early appearance of Part II. of its work on the British-Indian Adhesive Stamps, surcharged for Native States It comprises Jhind, Nabha, and Patiala.

The following portions of the " Tapling " Collection are now on view at the British Museum : —

Spain, issues from January 1st, 1873. France, issues down to October, 1862.

Two journals on the Continent, namely, La Opinion Impartial, in Madrid, and The Kleines Journal, in Berlin, daily provide their readers with a column on Philately. Surely, this is a considerable advancement on the past, and we can see the time approaching when the same may be found in the London daily papers.

Items of Interest.

43

There is soon to be a new value — 70 cen- times— in Switzerland.

The German ring of collectors having secured the old dies of the stamps of Bruns- wick, and also dies of some of the essays of designs which never came into circulation, all these have been handed to the German Imperial Postal Museum in Berlin, so that no reprints can ever be made again.

The Committee of the Paris Exhibition of 1900 is still growing, and the following names may now be added : — Messrs. R. R. Bogert,

Bouman,

W. D. Beckton,

W. Grunewald,

Jourin Suter,

M. Galvez Jiminez,

Major Shenek, and

Theodor Buhl.

In the Illustriertes Briefmarken Journal appears a little article on the subject of " Postal Orders and Post Office Orders." It is written by Dr. J. I., and it pleases us very much to hear from this authority that in Great Britain a cheque under £2 need not be impressed with the stamp, and that, therefore, it is possible to remit any sum under £2 at a total outlay of id., the cheque costing nothing, and the postage costing id. We should like to see Dr. J. I. present a cheque in this country for any sum, say even 5/-, and observe his disappointment if he could not receive cash for it because it was not stamped.

The idea is gaining ground that at the time of the 1900 Exhibition, the French Government should be requested to in- augurate the National Exhibition of postage stamps. M. Maury supports the idea in the last number of his paper, and other remarks on the subject will be found in another column.

It is stated that the special stamps of Nossi-Be, Diego-Suarez, Mayotte.and Sainte- Marie have been suppressed, and that the stamps of Madagascar and Dependencies are now used in their place. Other sources have announced that the stamps of the first four named Colonies were surcharged, and from still another source comes information that the stamps are being used indiscriminately ; in fact, that the stamps of Nossi-Be and Diego-Suarez have been seen used together on a letter from Madagascar.

The proprietors of the Austria Philatelist are inviting subscriptions for an important work on the obliterations of Austria, Hun- gary, and Lombardy. It is to contain no less than 70 plates, and the price, elegantly bound, will be mks. 5, but we are afraid the general demand for such a work will not be sufficiently large enough to ensure its success.

Abundant evidence of the growth of Philately in South America is the appearance of the Brazilian Philatelic Directory, which has just reached us, and which consists of just over 100 pages, giving the names and addresses of collectors in almost every town of importance, and many others in Brazil. Among the names we notice a very large number of English and German.

The Buenos Aires Philatelico is rather an- noyed about the 25c. error of Uruguay with the centre inverted, but the annoyance appears to be principally that the stamp is fetching £2%, and apparently because the writer did not secure a copy or two at face value.

We are pleased to announce that the eminent Philatelist, Mr. Stewart Wilson, has been appointed Postmaster-General of the Punjab, from January 1st last. We feel sure both from a public and Philatelic point of view the department will be in good hands, and that Mr. Stewart Wilson will do his best to exterminate unnecessary issues.

From an official decree appearing in a Paraguay paper which has been sent us, we find that the Provisional 10 centavos on 4 centavos, was issued on the 12th August, 1898.

Some of our readers will be interested to know that we contemplate shortly reserving a page or so each month for matters con- nected with the collecting of Fiscals.

The Statutes of the Dresden Philatelic Society for 1899 are, as usual, very in- teresting reading ; they are published in four languages, and we think that all advanced Philatelists should obtain them and join the Society, which numbers, we believe, some- thing approaching 2,000 members.

To show the interest taken in Philately by the daily Press, we have received a copy of the Syracuse Times of January 15th, which not only gives a full column description of the fine collection of Mr. J. F. Seybold, but also large illustrations of his rarities on entire envelopes, such as the Franklin 5c, Providence 5c, Oldenburgs, &c.

We beg to remind our readers that May 1st next is the last day for entries for the Manchester Exhibition, at which no less than 140 gold, silver, and bronze medals will be offered for competition.

From the annual report of the Inter- national Dealers' Society, at Berlin, we find that now there are no less than 197 members, without counting the one honorary member — - Mr. J. B. Moens. Very few, who are not members, are aware how much good this Society does in a quiet way,

44

The Philatelic Record.

Our readers will perhaps notice an adver- tisement of Messrs. Whitfield King & Co., which announces their intention of bringing out a Universal Standard Catalogue at a reduced price, which is to be issued without reference to perforations or to watermarks, except in important cases.

Postage to Malta (from the Daily Mail) : — " Malta, 25 Jan.

" The Malta Government has found the way for a partial adoption of the penny postage — a measure rendered inevitable by the circumstance that the majority of correspondents in the United Kingdom would only affix a id. stamp to their letters, although Malta has not joined in that postal reform.

' ' A notice issued by the Governor announces that no surcharge of postage will be claimed by the Malta Post Office on letters from the United Kingdom weighing under £oz., on which postage equivalent to id. has been paid.

" Letters posted here will, of course, con- tinue under the 2^d. charge per £oz."

A certain Mr. Evans stood in a post office preparing to post a letter, and had just moistened two halfpenny stamps, when they slipped from his fingers and fluttered to the floor. Mr. Evans, who is a portly man, looked at them in disgust, and then stooped to pick them up. Before he could put his fingers upon them, however, they began to move slowly away from him along the floor. He drew back, and gazed at the spectacle with astonishment and terror. When they reached the side of the room they began slowly to ascend the wall. Mr. Evans was so astonished that he begged someone to feel his pulse, for he thought that something was wrong with himself. Meanwhile, the stamps had risen half-way to the ceiling, and were still gliding upwards. Happily for Mr. Evans's sanity, the square bits of red paper just then altered their course, and began to descend, and soon they were within reach of his hand. Then the strange mystery was fully explained. The moistened stamps had fallen upon a big fly's back, and had stuck to the insect, which, naturally enough, started off with them.

Notices.

Subscriptions. — The Philatelic Record and Stamp News will be sent post-free to any subscriber at home or abroad on receipt of 5s. Subscribers' remittances should be sent to the Publishers, Messrs. Buhl & Co., Limited, n, Queen Victoria Street, London, England.

Advertise	ment Rates.— Price pe	r Insertion,	net.
	Single.	3 months.	6 months. 12 months.
Whole Page Half Page	£ s. d. 300 1 15 0 100	£ J. d. 2 16 6 1 10 0 0 18 0	£ i-. d. 2 12 6 170 0 15 0	£ j. d. 200 126 0 12 0

Small Advertisements — Js. per inch, in double column, prepaid. SPECIAL POSITIONS BY ARRANGEMENT.

Enquiries connected with the Advertisement pages should be addressed to Messrs. Buhl & Co., n, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.

Advertisements must be received not later than the 15th of the month for publication in the next issue.

All Utters for the editor should be addressed: The Editor, Philatelic Record, care of Buhl <S- Co., Limited, 11, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.

IMPORTANT NOTICE.

Owing to want of space, our " Reviews " are held over until next month. The delay in the appearance of this number is due to the delay in the Interview, and to the unfortunate illness of the Editor.

Is the O'Connell an Essay ?

Some discussion has been going on in transatlantic contemporaries as to whether the famous O'Connell stamp of New Bruns- wick can correctly be called a real postage stamp, or only an essay. The history of this stamp, says Stamp Talk, can be briefly repeated. In 1861 the Hon. Charles Connell (or O'Connell?) was made Postmaster- General of New Brunswick. Acting in his official capacity, he ordered a supply of stamps from the American Bank Note Com- pany, from designs which he himself pre- pared. The ic, with a steam engine, his own portrait on the 5c, that of the Queen on the ioc, and a steamboat on the i2^c., and the Prince's portrait on the 17c. About the time of the arrival of these stamps from the Bank Note Company, Mr. O'Connell gave a banquet, and in the course of the evening each of the 200 guests was pre- sented with a copy of the 5c. bearing their host's portrait. Some of these were used next day, and duly passed through the mails. However, a political opponent set to work to make the appearance of this sign of the Postmaster-General's self-esteem the occasion for a disturbance. A mass meet- ing was called, and O'Connell was requested to resign. Upon his resignation the ob- noxious stamp was destroyed.

We fail to understand why there can be two opinions on the matter, for if the stamp did duty for postage, and was authorized by he who was the proper authority at the time, it must have been a legal issue. A writer in the International Philatelist, says, "I have thoroughly investigated the subject, and have arrived at the decision that not a single specimen was ever used for postage," but we think he is wrong. Used copies that could be well authenticated have been heard of, and are to be found in many old collec- tions.— Stamps.

Danube and other Locals.

A long and interesting article on the col- lectibility of the stamps of the Danube Steam Navigation Company and similar Companies on the Danube appears in what is certainly now rather an old number of the reports of the German Ring of collectors. The article is from the pen of Mr. L. Berger, of Brunswick, and was originally read as a paper by this gentleman at one of the annual meetings. We ourselves have never doubted the genuine postal character of any of these labels. Most of our readers probably know the T. B. Morton & Co. stamp, of Con- stantinople, and many have no doubt, like ourselves, seen undoubted used copies of the

Danube Steam Navigation Company's stamps, although the remainders and re- prints are to be had so cheap. ^^C'gs- Amongst the stamps, which our; author mentions in a very long paragraph as undoubtedly worthy of being collected, are those of the following : — " Donau- Dampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft," T. B. Morton and Company, " Tavastehus-Tammersfors,'^ ''Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft Helsingfors- Bobacka," " Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft Thyra," "Comp. Holback," " Packetbeforde- rungs-Gesellschaft zu Odense," "Tyriffjord,1* and " Suez-Canal " stamps.

Zanzibar Provisionals.

LI Echo de la Timbrologie contains a long and complicated article on the Provisional Stamps of Zanzibar, of July, 1897. These Zanzibar stamps are not the ordinary British variety, but French stamps surcharged with different figures of value in annas, and some- times re-surcharged, as far as we can see, several times over. There are also blank pages of paper with type-set designs, and although the illustrations given are only 25,, we have an idea that to collect according to the author of the article, who is no less a celebrity than M. F. Marconett, would require a good sized album, without thinking of collecting any other country. Our par- ticular attention is drawn to the fact that in some printings the margins between the panes of stamps constituting the sheet have received surcharges, and therefore these plain pieces of paper with the surcharge should also be collected as rare varieties, but then, according to an elaborate system of calculation, they are rarer in some ways than in others, and therefore they become more valuable in pairs, namely, a stamp with a surcharge and a piece of paper wich a surcharge together ; but then, again, the rarity depends whether the margin or the piece of paper with the surcharge is at the top, bottom, right or left hand side of the stamp. To sum up, the article may be, and no doubt is, very interesting to those who like it, but we fancy the average result would be a headache.

Gibraltar.

Mr. Herbert F. Maxted writes to the S.C.F. that the postmistress of Gibraltar pronounces the surcharge " Morocco Agen- cies " in blue on the 50c. Gibraltar to be a. forgery. As we know of copies received direct at face value, we cannot understand the object of such a forgery. Besides which the surcharge is hardly blue — it is blue- black, like Stephens' inks, and to our mind as much black as blue.

46

The Philatelic Record.

Moving Post Offices.

The United States postal authorities are about to inaugurate a system of moving post- offices on wheels, which will circulate among the remote and rural districts and extend free delivery to farmers in all parts of the country. Experiments are to be made by the authorities on New Year's Day, and the utility of the post-wagon, which will be pre- sided over by a regularly appointed post- master, will be put to a practical test. The following description of the " travel-rural post-office" is taken from the Tribune: — " The post-office department will issue plans and specifications for a vehicle of this unique class within a few days. The exterior will somewhat resemble the modern country stage coach, with three windows on a side, ;and will be labelled 'U.S. Mail' in con- spicuous letters. The body will be eight feet long, four feet across, and just high enough for a man six feet tall to stand erect inside. It will be a very light running coach, weighing but 600 pounds, and adapted to all kinds of weather — rain, hail, snow or blow, blizzards or red-hot summer. The personnel will consist of but two — the travelling post- master and his driver. The latter will be mounted upon an ample seat in front, sheltered overhead and protected in wet weather by a waterproof covering. Entrance to the interior of the vehicle will be by a door on either side, which, when shut, will serve as the centre of the three glass win- dows. These windows, and another in front, will make the office as light as may be desired by day, while a blazing lamp will do the same by night. The postmaster will be seated in the centre of his office upon a revolving chair made stationary with the the floor, Both before and behind him will be a working table and a complete set of post- office pigeonholes. Under ordinary circum- stances he will ride with his back toward the driver, there being more room at his ■rear table than at the front. Just above the rear table will be a closet with double doors. Inside will be shelves, a cash drawer, and drawers for storing stamps, postal cards, -envelopes, cancellors, and other necessities, including a trusty gun for protection against the bold highwayman, without whom litera- ture on mail coaches is ever dry and un- interesting. ' ' — MekeeHs Weekly.

Ocean Penny Postage.

A most appropriate article at the preset moment is one on Ocean Penny Postage, which appears in the number of the Monthly [ournal, just issued. It is from the pen of that well-known writer, Mr. E. D. Bacon. As Mr. Bacon truly says, it is strange, but none the less true, how quickly events become forgotten, and freely either the history of what were once popular agitations sink into total oblivion, or the real facts become mis- represented by writers of even the next or .the succeeding generation. This assertion is

strikingly borne out in the history of the initial movement for an Ocean Penny Postage, which has naturally had lately a good deal of attention drawn to it owing to the adoption of Penny Postage for certain parts of the British Empire on Christmas Day last. Every writer who has referred to this early agitation, including the author of a long article on " Imperial Penny Postage," which appeared in The Times on December 24th, is apparently entirely ignorant of the true object of the early Ocean Penny Postage reformers, and what they meant by the term.

The following further paragraphs of the article are so interesting that we cannot refrain from reproducing them.

It was in the early part of 1847 that Mr. Elihu Burritt first propounded his scheme of Ocean Penny Postage. This philanthropist was born at New Britain, Connecticut, on December 8th, 1810, and from the fact that he started life as a smith, was afterwards familiarly known as "the learned black- smith." He spent many years of his life in England, which he devoted entirely to pro- moting, in addition to the cheapening of postal rates, such objects as the abolition of slavery and the establishment of universal and unbroken peace, with which latter object he founded the "League of Universal Brotherhood." He died at New Britain, March 6th, 1879. In order to show what Elihu Burritt's Ocean Penny Postage scheme really was, it is only necessary for me to give two extracts from a little work he published upon the subject. The Pamphlet is entitled Ocean Penny Postage : its necessity shown and its feasibility demonstrated. The work con- tains thirty-two pages, and was published by C Gilpin, of 5, Bishopsgate Street With- out, at 8s. per 100, or 2d. each. The only copy I have seen has lost its wiapper, so it is impossible to say whether the pamphlet bore a date ; but from the fact that two pieces of poetry at the end have the respective dates of " February 3rd, 1848," and "Christmas, 1848," and from other internal evidence of a statistical nature, there can be little doubt that it was published in the year 1849. At the top of the first page is the illustration of a steamer, with ■■ Ocean Penny Postage " on the foresail and "id." on the flag at the masthead, corresponding exactly with that found on one of the illustrations of the Ocean Penny Postage envelopes. The following are the two extracts I have mentioned ; the first contains the opening paragraph of the work on page 1, the other is taken from page 15 :—

' ' That the term ' Ocean Penny Postage ' may clearly define the proposition which it is employed to denominate, it may be proper to state, at the outset of our argument, that it means simply this : That the single service of transporting a letter, weighing under half an ounce, from any seaport of the United Kingdom to any port beyond the seas, at which the British mail packets may touch, shall be performed by the English Govern- ment for one penny and vice versa ; or, one

Philately in the Mags.

47

penny for its mere conveyance from Folkes- tone to Boulogne, Southampton to Bombay, Hull to Hamburg, or from Liverpool to Bos- ton. As we would not ask the English Government to perform any other than this single service on a letter for a penny, con- sequently the entire charge upon one trans- mitted from any town in the United Kingdom, either maritime or inland, to any port beyond the seas would be twopence — one penny for the inland rate, the other for the sea rate."

Many of our readers have no doubt seen the envelopes, which were issued about, or soon after, the period of the Mulready, and these are reproduced in the Monthly Journal, together with Mr. Bacon's notes upon them. The article concludes with a copy of the pledge of the Universal Brother- hood, which is contributed by the Editor of the Monthly Journal.

The Manila Post Office.

San Francisco, December 3rd. — -Re- ferring to the work of the post-office at Manila, now in American possession, the Call says to-day: "The most interesting thing connected with the acquisition of the Manila post-office is the adoption by the Federal government of the labor facilities of the island. Six men were sent from the San Francisco post-office to Manila, and this number was reinforced by fourteen men from Manila. Two of these latter are United States soldiers who had enlisted from the postal service, and twelve are

Spanish postal employes, retained because of their knowledge of the Spanish language and the routine of the office. The Spanish before the American occupation received salaries of $150 per annum in Mexican silver, being equal to about $75 in American silver or gold coin. The office was closed every alternate day, and when working it was closed for two and three hours each day, beginning about noon. The total number employed was 200, but they took life easy, and did the work of about twenty Americans. The twelve Spaniards who are retained receive salaries ranging from $150 to $200 per annum in Mexican silver, such being the ruling rate of wages in the Philip- pines for that kind of service, but they have to work every day instead of every alternate day as heretofore." — The Post Office.

Cuban Postal Service.

E. G. Rathbone, of Ohio, ex-Assistant Postmaster General, was to-day (December 10th) appointed to take charge of the postal service in Cuba. He will leave for Havana in a few days. A commission of four experts representing the office of each of the Assis- tant Postmasters General will leave for Tampa at once, and sail for Havana pro- bably on Wednesday. A number of postal employes will also be dispatched probably on the same steamer. General Superinten- dent A. W. Machen, of the free delivery system, will be one of the commissioners. — New York Times.

Our Monthly Packets of New Issues.

No. 1, price One Shilling (postage extra).

The February Packet contains : — SE VERAL VARIE TIES all unused.

No. 2, price Five Shillings (postage extra).

The February Packet contains : — SEVERAL VARIETIES, all unused.

These packets are on sale until February 28th(unless the supply is previously exhausted), and are supplied only to Subscribers to the Philatelic Record and Stamp News. Similar packets will be on sale every month, and may be subscribed for in advance for the year (January to December inclusive), at the following rates: No. 1 packet, 12s., postage extra; No. 2 packet, 60s., postage extra.

The subscription to the paper (5s. per annum) is extra. — Buhl& Co., Ltd., n, Queen Victoria St., E.C.

/IllrJfjjJl^--

tlM

Williams & Co., of Lima, Peru.

Within the last few weeks several warnings with reference to this much-advertised firm have been circulated. A very serious warning has been issued by the International Stamp Dealers' Society, of Berlin, which Mr. Phillips translates in the Monthly Journal, but as it has been received by us as a confidential com- munication for members only, we do not feel justified in making use of it. At the same time we reproduce the following from the Monthly Journal —

"As we are going to press, we hear as ollows from a well-known Continental dealer : —

' What business relations have you with Williams & Co., of Lima ? For your guidance this party resides in Lima, in an hotel of low rank, and is a retired pugilist. He lives entirely by trickery, and says he represents your firm and the firm of Williams, of London. I think a stop must be put to such pranks, and, if you have any interests, you should act promptly in order to protect them.'

" Taking it altogether, we have nun the slightest doubt but that a colossal fraud has been attempted, and, we are afraid, successfully ; and we shall be glad if any of our readers who have any claim against this firm will com- municate with us, sending us full details of the dates of their consignments, the value of same, and as to whether applications have been made for their return. We will then see if any con- certed action can be taken."

At the same time we must mention that our publishers have inserted the advertisements of Williams & Co. in absolute good faith, in common with many other journals.

North Borneo, perf. 18J.

Mr. W.Jacoby writes, enclosing us a copy of the ic. orange, North Borneo, perf. 18J, and asks for some information on the subject. We regret we cannot inform Mr. Tacoby whether this perforation is really official, but we have known this one value ever since the stamps came into use. Of course the ordinary per- foration is 12, and it seems curious that one value only should be found with such a peculiar perforation, which we do not recollect on any other colonial stamp. However, though it is not chronicled, the stamp is well known, but it appears impossible to find out whether it was officially issued in this state. Perhaps some of our readers can enlighten us on the subject.

New Books on English.

Messrs. William Brendon and Son announce the publication of a new edition of Messrs. Philbrick & Westoby's work on the

Postage and Telegraph Stamps of Great Britain. The price of the first 250 copies subscribed for will be 12/-, after which it will be raised to 16/6 until actual publication, when it will be raised to 21/-. We notice that the printing is not to be commenced until 200 copies have been subscribed for.

At the same time the early publication of the long expected work of the Philatelic Society of London on the Postage and Telegraph stamps of Great Britain is also announced. The price of this will be 24/-, and 600 copies are to be printed. It is rather a pity that two such important works should be announced at the same time, as we are afraid that one will clash more or less with the other.

About Provisionals.

In Le Philatelist Francaise, M. L. de Noailhac publishes an article on the classifi- cation of Provisional stamps, which he divides nto eight headings:

1. Value modified (or decreased) by sur- charge.

2. Value modified by more than one sur- charge.

3. Name of country changed by a surcharge.

4. The value and name of country modified at the same time by a surcharge.

5. Telegraph stamps used poslally.

6. Fiscals used postally.

7. Stamps cut in half to replace others of half their value.

8. Stamps of one country used in another country without surcharge.

Proposed Postal Museum.

From an article, which appears in the Rcvne Philatelique Francaise we notice that im- portant steps are on foot with the object of inducing the Government to inaugurate a Postal Museum in Paris on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the Postage Stamp in France. Several important Government officials have already expressed their willingness to further the project, and two long and interesting letters have been addressed to the Assistant Secretary of State of Posts and Telegraphs, signed by the following important names : —

Schoeller.

Erard Le Roy d'Etiolles.

Bormoy d'Evenans.

Jules Bernichon.

Lucien Gilis.

Albert Coyette. We wish the project every success.

The Philatelic Record

AND STAMP NEWS.

MARCH, 1899.

Editorial Notes.

THE forthcoming Philatelic Exhibition at Manchester has again suggested the idea of a Philatelic Congress, on the lines of the annual gatherings in Germany. As far as we can recollect, no such meeting has ever been held in England, notwithstanding the fact that this country probably contains more large collectors than any other. In Germany w. , the venue is changed each year ; this year it will be Dresden,

M h° f *n Juty' ^ast year ** was Gossnitz, and in 1896 it was held at a iYiancnes er c0i0gne, where several English dealers attended, and from congress personal observations we know that considerable business was done. Representatives of all philatelic societies, collectors and dealers attend these gatherings, which usually last three days, the programme being arranged to include, beyond the routine business and speeches, a dinner, a drive to any place of interest in the neighbourhood, and similar entertainments, and a large hall is provided where all can meet for business or to " talk stamps."

We have often wondered why similar arrangements could not be made in this country, and although we do not wish to overburden the Manchester Executive with work, we make the suggestion to them that the time of their exhibition would be most opportune. The matter could be made self-support- ing, as in Germany, where tickets are sold to include everything. Two or three hundred persons usually meet at the Continental gatherings, and many new friendships are made, besides which a considerable incentive to new business is the usual result for the dealer. Why not try it ? We feel sure that it would afterwards become an annual affair, and Manchester would have the credit of the start, to be probably followed by our other large cities, not omitting the little village where the Record is published.

50 The Philatelic Record.

Editorial Interviews.

BY THEODOR BUHL.

Mr. F. R. GINN.

R. F. R. GINN has been prominently before the public for some years, not only as a dealer, but as a Secretary of the Philatelic Protection Association (or P. P. A.), which did so much to exterminate forgeries. In his advertisement he styles his business premises the " Philatelic Centre " (an irreverent dealer refers to it as the " Hub "), and if we are to take the word " centre " as a question of position, it is well justified by the situation, being on the first floor just opposite the Gaiety Theatre.

The business is all conducted on the one floor. On entering you find a counter, with a glass case, containing copies of albums and philatelic publications, amongst which we are glad to see the Philatelic Record has always a prominent place ; to the right is a large room facing the Strand, where the business is conducted by Mr. Ginn and a staff of employees, including a younger brother, who bids fair to be a good philatelist. Partitioned from this room is a small ante-room, also overlooking the main thoroughfare, and it was here on a recent morning we were received by Mr. Ginn, who had promised to give us a few facts regarding his business career.

It was in June, 1864, that our "subject" first saw the light, and the locality was Tottenham, where he still lives, and where the now prosperous business was originally conducted.

" I commenced collecting at school, and bought and sold stamps there, my first transactions being in 1880," said Mr. Ginn ; thereby reminding us that it is the same story with everyone who is" interviewed, and showing the necessity of encouraging the schoolboy collector ; " but my first actual launch as a dealer was about 1887 ; up to about 1886 I was engaged in the tea trade in Mincing Lane, and the transactions in stamps began to increase so rapidly that it dawned upon me that I should have to devote my time either to tea or stamps. I chose the latter, gave up the tea trade, and have never regretted doing so."

"At that time you conducted your business from your residence at Tottenham ? "

" Yes. It was not until June, 1894, that I came to the Strand. These offices had been occupied by Mr. Dawson A. Vindin, and on his return to Australia I took the lease off his hands."

"What is the principal part of your business ? " we asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.

" Approval selections," said Mr. Ginn, with pride, and I believe I do one of the largest trades in the world in that line. My business is principally by post, but recently there has been a considerable increase in the cash trade here."

" Have you any publications of your own ? " was our next question, and Mr. Ginn's reply was a reminder that he publishes the cele- brated Philatelic Collecting Books. " I also publish a small catalogue of stamps in stock," he added, "giving prices for medium and other stamps and sets; I publish nothing else, but I sell other people's albums and publications."

0ur ^crtrait Qaller^,

MR. F. R. GINN.

Editorial Interviews.

5i

" You do no wholesale business ? "

" None whatever," was the reply ; I have quite enough to do with the retail, in my own way."

" It is now some time since you purchased the celebrated " Henderson " collection ? "

"Yes; I gave ^"3,000 for it, but before that I bought a large one in Paris for ^"1,500, and recently one from India at £1,000."

" You have always specialized in American stamps ?" we asked, thinking of Mr. Ginn's superb collection of this country.

"Yes; and my collection of the United States stamps is one of the finest and most complete in the world. As you know, it was awarded the silver medal at the last London Philatelic Exhibition, and I shall exhibit it at Manchester."

In interviewing a dealer it is the usual thing to ask him how he finds " trade," and in reply to our enquiry, Mr. Ginn was pleased to say that trade is now very good. Last autumn it was very slack, but at present there is a large increase in the turnover and he expects it to continue.

" And your opinion of the future ? " we queried.

"The future is safe enough, but I do not believe in the "specialist." I believe in the general collector, and as the number of general collectors is on the increase, it is a good sign for philately."

" And what about auctions ? You do not attend many ? "

" Yes, I do now" said Mr. Ginn, " I went to a bad sale, bought a lot of bargains, and since then I attend most of them."

" Is there anything you would like to say about the P. P. A. and your connection with it while you were Secretary ?"

Only this, that I worked up the Association, and when I resigned in July, 1895, I handed my successor the sum of £\\o 4s. iod., being the balance in hand. He held one meeting, at which he resigned, but what has happened since I don't know."

And we think not only Mr. Ginn, but others ought to know. The P. P. A. was financially all right, and we know of no reason for its disappear- ance from the horizon.

Just then a well-known collector called, and we left, having obtained all the information we could from the busy head of the " Philatelic Centre."

52 The Philatelic Record

Kashmir Notes.

By D. P. MASSON. (From the Indian Philatelist.)

I FEAR the readers of the Journal have heard about enough regarding the stamps of Kashmir, but I cannot but send a few stray notes on matters that have just come to my knowledge. For most of the information I am indebted to Captain Stuart H. Godfrey, assistant resident in

Kashmir, who is taking a deep interest in the philatelic matters of the State, as well as in its more important questions.

Captain Godfrey, in the course of his investigations, discovered the engraver of all the genuine dies of the Kashmir rectangular stamps, and in this man's specimen book he found proofs of all the dies, shewing them to be identical with the dies recently defaced. The proofs are all in black ink, and include a complete sheet (20 half-annas and 5 one-annas) of the so-called 1924"* issue, or the Kashmir province plate of these denominations. Captain Godfrey was inclined to consider these proofs as genuine stamps, but I pointed out to him that in every case the paper differed from that of used copies ; and the engraver confirmed my view by saying he had printed the sheets himself, for his own satisfaction, and for the approval of the Maharaja Ranbir Singh. Though these impressions must be classed as essays, they are both interesting and valuable.

Other most interesting items in the "find" were perforated proofs of the half-anna and one-anna stamps of the new rectangular (1878) issue, prov- ing beyond question that some of the anna sheets were perforated as well as half-anna ones. The engraver was ordered to prepare perforating machines, as well as dies, for the new issues, and the perforators were prepared for him by a "lohar" of his acquaintance. His memory was somewhat at fault, as he at first stated that only one perforating machine was prepared ; but on my pointing out — for Captain Godfrey kindly asked me to be present at the interview— that the same machine could not possibly perforate rows of three (as in the half-anna sheets) and rows of four (as in the anna sheets), he at once said that two machines must have been made. This was undoubtedly so, as the perforations on the anna sheet are closer than those on the half- anna sheet. In explanation of the perforator not having been more generally used, the old man said, with a shrug of contempt, that the postal people could not understand its working.

But perhaps the most interesting "find" of all, from the old engraver, was a "proof" (original ?) of what I daresay I am justified in calling

The Oldest Service (Native State) Stamp of India.

* The engraver confirmed the information I have already given in my papers, that all the oil circular and rectangular stamps bear the date 1923.

Kashmir Notes.

53

The inscriptions are as follows : — In Persian, khat zartiri (urgent letter) ; in Shastri, awa shakka pattar (I cannot get this translated) ; and in Dogri, kakal zartiri (urgent document). As the inscriptions show, the stamp was used for urgent letters. A letter or parcel so stamped was forwarded urgently, by night and day, passing from the hand of one runner to another, and accompanied by a " time table " to show the hours it passed from one tehsil to another. Having been used only on the Maharaja's or State Service, it may be classed as a genuine service stamp. The Rev. Mr. Knowles informs me he has seen used specimens. It was printed in red.

By the way, the designs on this stamp, on the Kashmir post-cards, and on many fiscals I have seen, confirm my view that the central design of the old circular stamps, and the star at the top of the old rectangulars, represent a sun, and not a lotus flower.

Kashmir Remainders.

To the Editor of the Philatelic Journal oj India.

Dear Sir, — It was recently announced in your journal that the circular Kashmir stamps printed on thin European paper would not in future be offered for sale by the Kashmir State, but apparently this is not the case.

The Rev. C. B. Simons, the Agent of the Kashmir State at Baramula, has just sent me on approval ioo unused specimens of Kashmir stamps, which include the reprints referred to. The Agent has prefixed the following somewhat quaintly worded note to his specimen sheets, so that the purchaser is at least candidly informed that he is purchasing at a very high price what are nothing more than pure and simple reprints, many of which have never been postally used.

The circular stamps on thick native laid paper are reprints in oil colours from the genuine dies. I have seen a few used specimens of these reprints on original covers, but it is believed that these stamps were not generally avail- able for sale to the public at the post offices in Kashmir.

With regard to the different shades of green, brown, red, etc., I think it is a mistake to class the different shades of the same value as distinct speci- mens. The varieties of shade are simply due to the colour having been pre- pared in small quantities, and to no care being taken to obtain the same shade when the next lot of colour was mixed for use. Some of the shades men- tioned by the Rev. Mr. Simons may be rare in the sense that there are only a few specimens left in the Agent's hands, but it is probable that this is due to a larger quantity of these particular shades having been sold to the public, and to dealers and speculators.

Yours truly,

W. C. H.

54

The Philatelic Record.

Notes for Primitive Collectors.

"i. The stamps (i to n) are called circular stamps. They are im- pressed from the original dies, and printed in oil colours on native greyish laid paper. These specimens are of extreme rarity. Many dealers do sell this kind of stamp as the genuine article, whilst in the end one finds that they differ in many respects, being impressed from the so-called 'missing die,' specimens which the State does not wish to dispose off. Of these 1877 cir- culars only a limited quantity is in stock, hence the price will soon be doubled.

"2. The stamps (12 to 16) are circulars from the original die on thin European paper. These specimens were probably reprinted in 1884 for the many visitors in this country ; consequently they should be considered as 'reprints,' though undoubtedly genuine. In the Indian bazaars one meets frequently with similar stamps, but nearly all of them are impressed from the missing die, and hence perhaps forgeries.

"3. The stamps (17 to 22) are called rectangulars ; they are impressed from the original die, and printed in oil colours on native greyish laid paper. Except 21, I have never seen these rectangulars 'postally' used, and though this fact does not effect in the least their being genuine, nevertheless on account of this doubt only, the prices have been remarkably reduced. Of these only a few are in stock.

"4. The stamps (23 to 25) are also rectangulars, and impressed from the original die, but printed on thin European paper. Like the circulars on thin paper, they have never been postally used, have probably been reprinted in 1884, and should therefore be classed as 'reprints.'

" 5. The stamps (26 to 100) are styled square stamps, either ordinary or service. Nobody doubts or ever will doubt their being genuine. The stamps (27 to 33) are various shades of brown ; numbers 34 and 35 are scarce (refer to Stanley Gibbons' No. 159). The numbers 36 to 45 represent the different shades of red. Between 46 and 50 there exists this difference, that the former is thick paper, issued in 1879 (see Stanley Gibbons' 154). The stamps 47 to 49 are shades of olive. The stamps 51 to 78 form a rare and interesting collection of the various shades of the one anna green. No. 79 is not catalogued in any book, and very rare ; so is No. 80. The numbers 81 to 97 need no explanation. The stamps 98 to 100 are service on yellow paper.

" 6. The value of all the stamps taken together amounts to Rs.i 25-14-0. However, if the whole collection of 100 varieties is taken, price will be Rs.125."

When read with the above letter, the following advertisement, extracted from the Pioneer of the 10th December, will hardly excite much enthusiasm: —

"Kashmir Stamps!

"A SUITABLE PRESENT FOR CHRISTMAS ! " Complete sets of a hundred unused varieties at Rs.125, "Smaller varieties procurable at Rs.25 and upwards. "All stamps guaranteed genuine. "Terms cash with order or V.-P. P.

"Apply early to Rev. C. B. Simons, Sole Agent for the Sale of Kashmir Stamps by Special Appointment of the Kashmir State Council, at Baramulla, Kashmir."

[Ed., P.J.I.}

Kashmir. 55

Kashmir.

MORE "MISSING DIES."

By D. P. Masson.

(From the Indian Philatelist.)

OOKING over the collection of a friend the other day, my attention was instantly arrested by a new type of circular stamp. I thought that at last I had found the rare " Die I ;" but alas ! I am again doomed to disappointment, as I am informed by Captain Hancock, who knows Die I, that this new discovery is a forgery. I bring it immediately to the notice of collectors, because it is very dangerous for the uninitiated, seeing it marks a step in advance by the forger, it being supplied with an imitation of the magenta obliteration of Jammu, or the brick one of Srinagar. No wonder Kashmir stamps are in disfavour, if so many forgeries are about : I thought I had got to the end of my list in my three papers on the old circular and rectangular stamps.

I have seen only the half-anna and four-anna denominations, but no doubt an anna stamp die also exists.

The four-anna stamp is roughly engraved, and I have seen it only in blue. I take the first Dogra 3 -like letter as my key, and I place the Persian character on its left in the position of 12 o'clock on a watch dial.

Four-anna Stamp. — In the forgery, as in that formerly described, the stroke within the central sun points in the direction of i o'clock (to the left of the first Dogra letter), whereas in the genuine die it points to 1.45 (between the first and second Dogra letters). The rays of the central sun in the forgery are short, and exactly like the teeth of a cog-wheel, and there is a slight space between their ends and the foot of the Dogra letters. Taking the first three Dogra letters, it will be found that they are compressed into smaller space in the forgery, measuring only 8 mm. from what I shall call the abdomen of the first, to the back of the head of the third, as against g mm. on the genuine die. The rest of the stamp in the two specimens I possess are so badly printed as to make comparison with the genuine die impossible. The colour (blue) is a very fair imitation of that of some of the genuine stamps.

Half-anna Stamp. — This die is very well cut. The central sun again resembles a cogwheel. The first Dogra letter is a perfect figure 3, the upper and lower limbs being about the same shape, whereas in the genuine die the lower loop is crooked up, and does not project as far as the upper. The second Dogra letter is straight-backed instead of bent-backed ; the left one of the three central strokes, instead of being slightly curved, is comma- shaped, and the central and right-hand strokes, instead of being parallel, would meet on its outer edge of the central sun if prolonged. I have the half-anna stamp in three colours : (1) blue, like the 4-anna one, (2) what is meant to be black, but is really a dark brown, and (3) a dull red.

Well printed copies of either forgery can be detected by the two encircling rings ; in the genuine die the outer ring is light, the inner heavy ; in the forgery the outer ring is heavy, and the inner so light that it sometimes prints a dotted circle.

56 The Philatelic Record.

The Fiasco of the S.S.S.S.

(From the Indian Philatelist). By DAK. So they hunted and they hallo'd till the settin' of the sun,

An' they'd nawt to bring away at last when the huntin' day was done, So one unto the other said this huntin' doesn't pay ;

But we've footled up an' down a bit an' had a rattlin' day. Look ye there.

Old Song Re-set.

THE " four S'd league " is moribund, if indeed it has not already ended an inglorious career, and few will regret its final disappearance. For three or four years it has proved an object lesson in vacillation and incapacity probably without parallel in the experience of any public body associated for philatelic advancement, either past or present. The evils it was self-created to suppress remained, and its exit from the scene without even the semblance of a farewell is perhaps the best thing known to its credit.

From its commencement the Society asked for the confidence of col- lectors. Its request was very generally complied with. It was welcomed and advertised, and we were prepared to respect its rulings and follow its lead.

"What a good thing it is for you you've some one to help you at last " was its tone, and the help took the form of advertising far and wide the little weaknesses inherent in our pursuit to a Philistine world that enjoyed the revelations. " We've got skeletons in our cupboard — lots of them ! " said the S.S.S.S. " Come and look ! " and the world gazed, and was duly impressed.

But the S.S.S.S. is gone, and a long trail of more or less feeble witti- cisms in countless stamp papers mark its tortuous course for the puzzlement of future philatelic students and historians ; otherwise there is little to redeem its memory from an oblivion well deserved. Federation, fizzle, and fiasco symbolize its birth, its career, and its ending. May we never look upon its like again.

The lessons of the fiasco are many — too many for enumeration here. That we philatelists are powerless to work together for good is perhaps one of them, though it is by no means certain but that had we but been favoured with more masterful officers in the recent " crusade " the results might not have been more encouraging. Another lesson is that the London Society, as at present constituted, is hardly, from its nature, the best "cabinet," so to speak, for the direction of philatelic politics as apart from philatelic research. In the meanwhile we must proceed as well as we can, which means that we shall probably get along very well indeed. A " Rock." after all is said and done, may be but a mirage. We have but to bring ourselves to see that speculative stamps have been, are, and (while human nature remains as it is) will be, and that no philatelic plague regulations, nor philatelic pills for earthquakes, will ever successfully uproot them. Superficial and not even skin-deep blemishes on our pursuit, it is after all our own fault if we let them do us any lasting harm.

The whole trouble about speculative stamps may be safely left to be dealt with by the press and the catalogue. The former should (and will) throw all the light possible upon the origin, nature, and other facts con- cerning all stamps issued, speculative or otherwise. The latter should con- tent itself with chronicling all stamps of recognised Governments, whatever

The Fiasco of the S.S.S.S. 57

the duration of the life of the stamps, classing commemorative, hospital, or other short-lived special issues apart from the general issues of each country.

If the catalogue and album compiler contented himself with doing this, the exigencies of the situation arising out of the creation of undesirable but inevitable and legitimate labels would be adequately met. He should catalogue all stamps issued, and not descant upon the lack of value to collectors of certain issues, nor yet ignore such issues entirely. In the Phila- telists Supplement to the Bazaar (9th November), for instance, in " Westoby's Stamps of Europe " (of which work it is difficult to speak too highly), the St. Anthony and Vasco da Gama series of Portugal are rightly classed under the sub-head of "Commemorative Stamps," as the compiler would have fallen short of his duty had he failed to record these ephemeral issues of an important European Government; but while placing them under their correct sub-head he goes out of his way to stigmatise the beautiful Vasco da Gama series as " rubbish," in which remark countless philatelists of long experi- ence will fail to concur. It is the province of the cataloguer to properly classify all the issues of a country whatever his personal feelings may be as to their actual necessity, just as it is the duty of a magistrate to administer the law as it stands without regard to his private opinion concerning its abstract justice. It is not the duty of the catalogue compiler to sit in judg- ment upon the stamps he lists, any more than it is the duty of the magis- trate to criticise or condemn from the bench the law with the provisions of which he may entirely disagree.

The frequent issue of unpriced uniform handbook-catalogues for the whole world on the lines of " Westoby's Europe " would do more than a score of amateur and irresponsible "suppression " societies in as many years towards the educational aid of collectors, and the defence and upraising of Philately from the quagmire of mere commercialism.

The i^-anna Postage Stamp of

India.

(From the Indian Philatelist.)

'HIS stamp was asked for in 1880 to meet the demand for a single stamp to represent the single rate for newspapers, books and samples to the United Kingdom at that time. The first supply arrived in October or November, 1881, and began to be issued to the public in January, 1882. There was a moderate demand for these stamps (nearly half a million annually) till 1892, when the initial packet postage rate to the United Kingdom was reduced to ^ anna. Since then the demand for this stamp has been very trifling, and it has now been decided to do away with it altogether. About six millions of the stamps have been printed, of which about half a million still remain. These will be got rid of in the ordinary way of postal business, but no more will be ordered. From January, 1899, the stamp will be withdrawn from the official list of postage stamps, but it will not be demonetised. Of course it follows that no more i|--anna stamps will be surcharged for the use of Native States. Up to date Chamba and Jhind have taken but few, and Faridkot none. Gwalior and Patiala have had large numbers, and Nabha 14,900. They will all soon be obsolete, when those of the Chamba and Jhind States will be rare.

58 The Philatelic Record.

The Turkish Postal Service.

(From a correspondent of the Philatelic World).

ON account of Emperor William's trip to the Holy Land a German post office has been established at Jaffa, which it is understood will remain there permanently. At the present time the same stamps are used there as in the German post office of Constantinople, the German stamps of the current issue with the surcharge in piastres and paras. It is curious enough that Turkey should permit such a large number of foreign post offices in her own territory, but this custom has become prevalent on account of the entire irresponsibility of the Turkish mails and the care- lessness of Turkish post officials. All the large cities of the Orient have foreign post offices, and even the native merchant employs them in preference to his country's mail service. A short description of my experience in Syria may explain matters more fully : " The European mail arrives in Jerusalem two or three times a week ; this fact is announced by criers, and great com- motion can be noticed among the population. Whoever expects letters hurries upon the open square in front of the Turkish post office. After waiting for a long while patiently, the window opens, and the dignified old postmaster reads aloud the addresses of the letters that have arrived. Whenever anybody cries out ' here,' the postmaster throws the letter with unerring aim over the heads of the crowd in the direction of where the 'here' was heard. The receiver of the letter, postal card or newspaper is supposed to catch his mail on the fly. The novice at first crumples his mail in the catching, but soon he learns, and gets use to this method of delivery. Letter carriers are unknown in Turkey with but few exceptions. When nobody is there to receive arriving letters, they are placed in a glass case in front of the post office, where they may be called for at certain hours. And even for this service the people must be thankful, for it is better than none at all!

" While I was in Syria I often had to use the Turkish mails. Once I asked for letters I expected, and was told to pick it out from a clothes basket full of letters standing in one corner, and that after I had been waiting an hour for the postmaster to put in an appearance. At Bethlehem I entered the Turish post office to buy some postals, and asked for them, ' But, shining light of the West,' the postal effendi, a venerable white-bearded Turk replied : ' Why doest thou use postal cards for thy correspondence ? Do write letters. You can tell more, and everybody cannot read what you say as upon an open post card.' ' I have but little to write,' I said, ' and cards will do me very well.' ' But, my beautiful turtle dove, you are not one of those poor people, who are compelled to write on postal cards for their cheapness. Will you not rather write nice letters ? When I insisted energetically upon being given postals the postmaster said meekly : ' Much respect stranger, I would like to sell you postals, but