London Philatelist: The Philatelic Society, London
London Philatelist: The Philatelic Society, London
London Philatelist: The Philatelic Society, London
All communications on Philatelic matters should be accompanied by the name and address of the
writer, as a guarantee of good faith, and addressed to the Editor of THE LONDOS PHILATELIST, Kingston
Lodge, Hichmond Place, Brighton. Letters enclosing valuables should be registered.
Letters, Enquiries, and Remittances connected with the Advertisement pages should be addressed
Mr E. J. NANKIVELL, Carisbrook, Birdhurst Rise, South Croydon.
THE LONDON PHILATELIST will be sent post free in Great Britain or the countries ol the Postal Union,
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PEHK'IXS BACON & Co., Ltd., 36 -40, Whitefriars Street, Fleet Street, B.C.
NewIssuesandUnchronicledVarieties.
NOTE.— The co-operation of Members of the London and other Philatelic Societies, and of
all Collectors and Dealers is invited, in order that these lists may be as complete as
possible. The earliest intimation of Novelties is desired, accompanied, if possible,
by the specimen referred to, which will be acknowledged, with the sender's name, unless
otherwise requested.
ADHESIVES.
Afghanistan.—The editor of the Monthly Journal gives a timely -warning
as to the acceptance of the so-called re-engraved types, and we hasten to give further
publicity to a caution from so high an authority on Oriental stamps'.
Brazil.—The bi-coloured 100 reishas partly changed its colour, says the Timbre
Poste, the blue having become somewhat verdant! It also exist s with the centre
inverted, and, adds the American Journal of Philately, tiie, b£ehe: the two latter
varieties se tenant will probably next be noted !
100 reis, rose and greenish blue.
„ »i reu ,,
„ „ carmine ,,
„ „ rose centre inverted.
„ „ ,, „ teche beche.
British Central Africa.—An esteemed correspondent writes:—"Mr. H. H.
Johnstone has applied for a new stamp of the value of 4s., it is really intended for
revenue purposes, a native poll tax, I think, but will undoubtedly also be used for
postage ; for this purpose the 5s. stamp has been overprinted, B C A—Four shillings."
4s, black surcharge on 5s. yellow (of B.C.A.)
Bulgaria.—The Philatelist notes some varieties as under, of the unpaid letter
•stamps—the error consisting of an Oriental letter instead of a Roman.
25 stot, carmine, perf., error in last letter of TAKCA.
25 ,, „ compound perf., (12 and wide perf.)
50 „ blue, imperf., error in last letter of TAKCA.
Cochin China.—Being of a fearsome temperament, we
had hesitated to chronicle this very Oriental and mysterious
looking label, but as they are sent in to us from all sides we
must proclaim their auspicious nativity. Fortunately our
illustration precludes the necessity of further description. The
paper is greyish and varies in thickness considerably.
£ puttan, orange, yellow shades, perf. 12.
1 „ magenta shades.
2 „ violet.
196 NEW ISSUES AND UNCHRONICLED VARIETIES.
Major Adams Smith writes from Poona (22.5.92) :—" The three envelopes and
three stamps enclosed I have through the courtesy of Mr. George Abraham,
superintendent of Anchel offices in the Cochin State, received this morning, and now
forward them as his present to the London Philatelic Society. These stamps were
introduced into Cochin State, Southern India, under Act 1 of 1067, called the
' Cochin Anchel (Post) Act, 1067,' and were first issued to the public on the
1st Medom, 1067, Malabar era, corresponding with our 1st April, 1892.
The half puttan is equivalent to 5 pies.
The one puttan ,, 10 pies.
The two puttans „ one anna 8 pies.
A post card will be issued in 1893."
Costa Rica.—We append illustrations of the six lower values of these hand-
some stamps, recently described in this Journal. They are imprinted on white paper
and perforated 15.
Mexico.—Messrs. Whitfleld King & Co. kindly write:—" You make a slight
mistake on p. 142. The grotesque Mexican there illustrated is not an unpaid letter
stamp, but merely an ' officially sealed' label, which is used to patch up flimsy
envelopes that get broken or torn in the post.'1
M orocco.—Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. write:—" We enclose the new Morocco
stamps issued on the 1st inst. by the French Post Office for the new postal service
between Tangier and Fez. There is a 1 franc besides those we send you, but our
correspondent could not obtain them in time to enclose with the rest. We will send
you a specimen as soon as they come to hand." The design is thoroughly typical of
Moorish scenery. Within an arabesqued frame is contained a land and sea-scape,
shaded by a luxuriant palm tree, but partly concealed by the square label containing
the numeral of value. The bordejrs bear native inscriptions on a fancy ground, while
;
' Postes " and the values are inscribed above and "Tangier—Fez" below.
5 c., green on pale green. 25 c., black on white.
10 c., black „ pink. 50 c., carmine on pink.
15 c., blue „ pale blue. 5 francs, mauve on white.
New South Wales.—The 4d., brown, watermark, thin numeral 10, recently
noted in the Monthly Journal, and now " going the round," is no novelty, as Mr.
Vandyck had one in his collection some three or four years since, which we saw, and
held for an unfinished stamp at the best, or a proof at the worst.
New Zealand.—There is another addition, pace the III. Brief Jour., to the
Life Insurance Department Postal Stamps.
6d., green, pert. \\\.
Obock.—The Revue Philatelique notes the following variety: Obock in
horizontal surcharge, two stamps se tenant, one with and the other without the
figure 4. This error is unaccountable in the issues of the glorious realms of Obock !
4 c., on 15 c., blue-black surcharge, variety.
» ^^J
Shangbai. — In addition to the varieties noted by us on page 106, the Timbre
Paste adds —
Unpaid letter stamp, 15 c., blue, without watermark.
Siam. — Our excellent correspondents, Messrs. Whitfield King & Co., send us
two varieties of the 2 atts. on 3, blue and green, with the overprint differing very
materially ; the smaller and hitherto unnoted variety has the surcharge extending to
a width of 14| mm., as against 16^, the two central native characters longer, while
the numeral both in European and native type is considerably smaller. Two varieties
are quoted in Messrs. Senf's Catalogue, but our correspondents add: —"We do not
remember seeing the two varieties of 2 on 3 atts., Siam, described anywhere, and in
the 4th part of Moens' Catalogue received this morning, only one type is mentioned.
We send you one of each for comparison ; these varieties are not found on the same
sheet, they are entirely separate and distinct issues, and seem to be printed by
different methods. The one with small figure 2 is much the rarer, and is the one we
have never seen chronicled. We can send you a block of 12 of these if you like, and
whole sheets of 120 of the type with tall figure."
Socotra (?). —Major Adam Smith writes : — " I was at Aden when I received the
PJiilatelic Journal for March. After reading it I personally interviewed the leading
merchants residing in the Prince of Wales' Crescent, at Steamer Point, and not one
of them knew anything of the so-called Sokotra stamps, and several of the most
intelligent expressed unbelief in their existence at all. Indeed I am very doubtful
of there being a Post Office on the- Island, as there are but few inhabitants on it,
mostly poor fishermen, and these have no wants beyond what the sea and island
yield. If any stamp would be required, it would be the one used in British India,
as these are in use at Aden, this station being within the Indian postal limits for
inland correspondence, a boon which the inhabitants of Aden are grateful for."
South Australia. — Mr. Maycock has shown us the 9d. of a new shade, a
delicate chalky rose lilac, watermark and perforation remaining unchanged.
9d., pale rose lilac, wmk. S. A. & Or., perf. 11£.
surcharge falling generally between the normal overprints, and being thus half on
each stamp—a fortunate circumstance or else there would hardly have been room
for both surcharges on the one stamp ! This stamp (with the normal surcharge) is
also sent imperforate. These varieties, with those noted elsewhere, are giving a
distinctly " Obocky " tone to our Tasmanian friends' Postal administration.
3d. 1870 type, dull reddish brown, perf. 12.
jd. (local print) orange, imperf,
Id. ,, pink „
2|d. black surcharge, pale blue, imperf.
2jd. ,, „ surcharge inverted.
Tonga.—Messrs. Whitfleld King & Co. inform us that the Id. and 2d. Tongese
are being issued with a black star in the two upper corners, to prevent their being
fraudulently surcharged for the 4d. and 8d. denominations—a dangerous system
which we called attention to when we chronicled the latter. A new series of Tonga
stamps is in preparation, consisting of the following values :—Id., 2d., 4d., 8d., and
Is. Our correspondents also send us a specimen of a Government Frank, which
travelled to this country without any additional postage; it is composed of two circles,
the inner of which has a crown and wreath, and the outer the words " Tonga
Government Frank."
Uruguay.—The following pleasing varieties are culled from various sources.
ADHESIVES.
1 c., red and green, inverted surcharge.
5 c., on 7 c., red and brown, „
1 c., on 20 c., black and orange, „
1 c., red and green, double surcharge, one inverted.
5 c., on 7 c , red and brown, ,, „
1 c., red and green, „ one covering the other.
1 c., red and green, „ one below the other.
1 c., red and green, „ with a second surcharge over
two stamps.
1 c., on 20 c., black and orange, imperf, vertically.
There are also minor varieties of the figures, etc.
'West Australia.—The 5d. value of the new type has appeared, and we
believe the 2|d., though we have not yet seen the latter.
6d. ochre brown, wmk. O.A. & Or., perf. 14.
Wurtemberg.—Messrs. Cheveley, Wilson & Co. send us the 2 mark black
'and orange in an imperforate condition, a sheet of them existing thus, judging from
appearances.
2 marks, black and orange (1881), imperf.
NOTE.—Unless otherwise stated, the description of Novelties under this heading applies to
ordinary Postal Envelopes.
New South Wales.—Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. write:—" We now send
you one of the new gd. New South Wales wrappers just issued, with watermark
'one penny'; we should think this will soon be altered. The surcharged |d.
wrappers were not long in use." The die is the same as the adhesive recently noted
in this journal.
Wrapper, £d., grey (altered die), on white laid paper, watermarked " one penny."
Tasmania.—Mr. Basset Hull sends us some of the private issue of bands,
impressed with the oval |d. red stamp on blue and white laid paper. The 2d., 3d.,
and 6d. Platypus type have also been seen by our correspondent struck on wrappers ;
we hear of the first-named (which value is certainly new to us) also printed side by
side with the |d. As will be seen in our correspondence column the envelopes have
undergone similar vagaries, and we have been informed that of these, many charming
varieties are being offered for sale in various quarters. Mr. Basset Hull states that
the Tasmanian authorities do not intend to have any more of this trash printed. It
is a pity they did not take this resolution earlier. Collectors will have a sorry
return for any investments they may make in this fancy stationery.
NOTE.— Unless otherwise stated, the description under this heading applies to the ordinary
single Post Card.
Congo.—In default of a supply for the needs of the postal service the Congo
Administration has, says the Timbre Poste, caused the issue of a provisional printing ;
this has been entrusted to M. Hayes, of Brussels, who has printed the 10 C; on buff,
202 NEW ISSUES AND UNCHRONICLED VARIETIES.
and the 15 c. on white, reversing the previous order, the inscriptions also varying,
notably in the fact that the " M " is distanced from the first line of the address in
the 10 c. and close in the 15, also contrary to precedent. New cards are also fore-
shadowed.
10 c. black, on chamois, provisional issue.
16 c. „ „ white „ „
Greece.—Messrs. Whitfleld King & Co. inform us that the cards are now
printed at Athens, the colour both of card and impression being changed; by com-
parison it will be seen that the shade of the new card is a much brighter carmine.
10 lepta, bright carmine on blue.
Tobago.—Messrs, Whitfield King & Co. write:—" Six new post cards which will
shortly be issued here are 2d., Id., and l|d., single and reply, specimens of which we
hope shortly to submit." For so small a place Tobago does not do badly !
203
SomeRemarksontheTriangularStampsofthe
CapeofGoodHope.
BY EMIL TAMSEN.
(Continued from page 185.)
THE TKIANGTTIAB 1 p. BED WATEBMABX GROWN & C.C.—The suggestion which
Mr. Bacon gives as to the origin of this stamp I believe will eventually be
found to be correct; for the last eight years I have carefully examined every
triangular stamp passing through my hands, whether red, blue, lilac, or green (I may
state that the quantity was very near 5,000 specimens, hailing from all parts of
South Africa), more particularly as to the watermark, but have never found the
Crown & C.C. type. My reason for examining the other values was, that I did not
see why the 1 p. value alone should have been printed on this paper, the 4 p. being
more used than the 1 p., and this if even only one supply had been printed ib was just
as likely to find the 4 p. as well as the 1 p. Any collector who thinks a moment as to
when the Crown & C.C. paper came into use, and notes the dates of cancellations
found on the stamps (if he does not believe in dates given in leading catalogues) must
come to the conclusion that the colour can only be " red-brown " a further thought must
also bring to his mind how the watermark would show. (I placed, during my search,
the largest block of triangular stamps I had on part of a sheet of rectangular ones,
watermarked Crown & C.A., and I found in this way how portions of the watermark
would be placed.)
The search is a very difficult one; many stamps refuse most obstinately to
disclose their watermark. Holding the front of the specimen to be examined against
a dark background (black cover of a book), and carefully wetting the stamp, has
generally given me good results. Some sheets have been printed sideways. I often
found two halves of two anchors at the base of the stamp, also some few specimens
showing more than three-fourths of each of the two anchors, and others again on
which very little was to be found at all, in fact I have still some specimens out of
which I cannot make anything, but they cannot be the Crown & C.C, type, because
the paper does not correspond with that of the rectangular issues, which at first was
of a quite different make to that in use at present.
THE TBIANBTOAB STAMPS GENERALLY.—Before I read the information given by
Mr. Bacon in No. 2 of this paper, which proves that Messrs. Perkins Bacon & Co.
handed the plates of the triangular stamps to Messrs. De la Rue & Co., which I think
is news to most collectors, I have always been under the impression that the issue of
1863 had been printed from re-engraved or new plates, and I can even now hardly
make up my mind to think that this is not the ease. By comparing all four values
printed by Messrs. Perkins Bacon & Co. with similar ones printed by Messrs.
De la Eue & Co., one must undoubtedly acknowledge the latter to be of a superior
state to the former; all fine lines and the ornaments stand out clearly, each line is
well-defined and can be traced, whereas all the light red shades of the 1 p, the pale
lilac of the 6 p, and the pale green of the Is. stamps which I have of Messrs. Perkins
Bacon & Co.'s printings, show apparently a wear of the plates ; many of the fine lines
204 TRIANGULAR STAMPS OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
cannot be traced, some have disappeared, the ornaments are not clear, the fine lines
of shading are disappearing, leaving the figure much whiter than in stamps of the
first printing with blued paper, which proves undoubtedly that some wear must have
taken place.
It has always been an accepted fact, that through continual printings the plates
get worn, the finer lines of the design always suffering most; how can it be then,
that after using the plates for ten years, when printings show already a worn state,
that a new firm print from the same old plates and get as a result a far superior
stamp to that which resulted from the last printings of the former printer from the
same plate ?
I must own I cannot well understand this, the stamps printed by Messrs. Perkins
Bacon & Co. were always well printed, and it is not their fault that the plates show
signs of wear, but how another firm can produce a superior stamp, showing absolutely
no signs of wear from the very same plate, is a puzzle to me, which I can only
solve by accepting as a fact, either that complete new plates (may be reserve plates)
were used, or that the old ones were touched up before a printing took place.
Perhaps Mr. Bacon would go to the trouble of taking two large blocks, of say eight
stamps of the 1 p., pale red, printed by Messrs. Perkins Bacon & Co., and the other by
Messrs. De la Rue & Co., and get them enlarged by photographic process, and then try
to discover some differences. Such, I maintain, exist. If I had had an opportunity of
getting this done I would have long ago gone to the trouble, but such a thing cannot
be done out here, whereas it ought to be an easy task for a collector like Mr.
Bacon, living in London, and having all the latest improvements at his command.
Mr. Bacon states that in 1868 the remaining stock of the 4 p. blue was re-issued
and sold out. "Well, I know that up to 1885 all four values of the triangular
stamps were to be obtained unused and in sheets in quantities from a firm
of booksellers in Cape Town. I myself bought in beginning of that year a quantity
through a correspondent resident there, and I must say the prices were very reason-
able ; the balance of the stock was in that year sold to a dealer in Europe. As a
suitable conclusion to my remarks, I append a cutting which I extracted from the
Philatelic Journal of America, for January, 1889, and which raises the question of
reprinting; the possibility of which I, however, personally doubt, and prefer to let
Mr. H. Gremmel explain.
" Mr. Henry Gremmel, of New York City, writes :—Messrs. W. Sellschopp and
Major E. B. Evans claim that Gape, of Good Hope stamps were not reprinted. Now
I came to Cape Town (Capital of Cape of Good Hope), on November 5th, 1883,
and remained there about six months at that time. I made the acquaintance of several
advanced collectors, and one who was employed in the Post Office, and when I visited
his home he showed me his beautiful collection of South African stamps, and when I
saw Cape of Good Hope, which he had complete, I saw the set of 1853-58, Id., 4d.,
6d., and 1st doubled, and I asked him why he had these stamps in his collection, and
he informed me that these were EEPEINTS, and that a large wholesale firm ordered a
large number of sets in 1882, but as there were no more in the Post Office they reprinted
the four values and sold them face value to English wholesale dealers. Now I am
willing to give the name and address of this party if any one wishes to write to him
about the reprints of Cape of Good Hope."
[The eight stamps forwarded by Mr. Emil Tamsen have been sent on to Mr. E.
D. Bacon, who has promised to reply to the above Paper in our next month's number.
—-EDITOR.]
205
The same remarks as to type and rouletbing apply bo the 1871 issue, on batonne
paper, but the colour of this is a pale pinkish white with, as its name implies, narrow
laid lines, running vertically, and the gum is nearly white. The types of this issue
compare, of course, with that of the preceding,~and I have two varieties of the Id.,
3d., and6d., as also the Is. used (pen-marked). These two issues constitute all that are
real, in my opinion. The " Reprint" series mentioned in " Oceania " are of absolutely
different printing; the letters are from a different fount, are thinner and better formed,
the frame is composed of a thin unbroken line (that in the first-issued stamps being
thick and broken), and they are roughly pin perforated, with wider printed, attempted
imitation of the black lined roulettes of the genuine issue. The bogus set on violet-
rose paper, mentioned in " Oceania," brings me to the object of this short paper, namely,
to warn collectors against either a reproduction of these latter, or their prototype,
which is being ingeniously placed on the market. Messrs. Whitfield King & Co.
have lately sent me a sheet of thirty varieties of these on a bright pink, medium thick
wove paper, that practically answers to the bogus set of " Oceania." The sheet con-
sists of five rows of six stamps, each row being of a different value, and commencing at
the lowest. They were obtained from the Postmaster of Fiji, who himself procured
them from Mr. Griffiths, the proprietor of the Fiji Times. Their consignee in this country
was apparently satisfied with their pedigree, but wisely took further counsel before
completing his purchase. I have examined the sheet most carefully, and have no
hesitation in denouncing them as an imitation, official or otherwise, of the first issue,
and consequently of no philatelic value whatever. The type, as in the case of the
" Reprint" set, is quite different, the only real point of resemblance being in the
" 1" of the shilling stamp, which gives colour to the theory that all the old type was
broken up except this solitary fancy numeral. In any case, collectors will do well
to examine carefully any specimens offered to them, as I am informed that there are
considerable quantities on the market. I trust at a future date, with the help of
other collectors, to be able to reunite a sheet of all the original types, and these, if
reproduced, would be of great value in enabling us to divide the sheep and the
goats.
Reviews.
DR. KALCKHOFFS WORK ON REPRINTS.*
IT is long since we have perused any work with greater pleasure than this
little volume, and we heartily congratulate the industrious author and
| fellow-member of the London Philatelic Society. Dr. Kalckhoff has
evidently made a thorough search in pursuance of his objective—the presentation of
a list of all known reprints—and has collated enough to extend to 70 pages, with
the illustration of every type, and the explanatory notes to each issue. The latter
are succinct and clear, and by their aid many a collector will be enabled to
discriminate between the original and the " official imitation." The remarks on the
reprinted stamps of the German stamps are, as was to be expected, of a very
interesting nature, notably in the case of Hanover, Hamburg, Liibeck, and Prussia.
The Portuguese list does not approach finality, as there are some later reprints to
add, and that of Tasmania requires many additions, and we hope at a future date
to tender some assistance as to this colony. The remaining Australian lists are
fairly accurate, but will probably be found to embrace a few more varieties by the
time the Doctor publishes his second edition. The lists of Cashmere and France,
however, require a far more extended treatment—the former can only be handled by
some expert in Oriental stamps such as Major Evans—the latter are a most difficult
series to properly distinguish, that of the 1 franc Empire especially, and we were
certainly under the impression that several reprints of the Empire series exist.
However, one of the main advantages of publishing a philatelic work is that it
forms the ground-work for future contributory knowledge, and Dr. Kalckhoff
deserves the warm approval for the concise, meritorious, and useful work that he
has issued. The work is prefaced by an 'article on reprints by another esteemed
member of the London Philatelic Society, Herr G. Lindenberg, of. Berlin, in •which,
he handles the question of unused versus used stamps and reprints in a most masterly
manner. This preface is redolent of the close reasoning of a judicial mind, such as
Herr Lindenberg naturally possesses, and of a keen philatelic instinct that at once
discards all false issues and drives the truth home in the clearest manner to his
readers. If the words of this very clever article are duly weighed and studied,
the Continental collectors whose creed is to ignore unused stamps will find it rudely
shaken by Mr. Lindenberg's unassailable and powerful arguments. The typography
and appearance of the work leave nothing to be desired, a notable feature being the
blank spaces allowed for additions to the lists, and in taking leave of it we cannot do
better than commend it to all our readers.
recent re-classification of the old "Cantonals" is not universally known, and the
reference to a dozen different headings will inevitably waste the time of those who
use the Catalogue; they should all have been included under the cegis of the Republic
and duly indexed. The list, however, includes the later information as to dates of
issue and sub-varieties of type in the 1850-52 stamp. We do not remember that
the 10 rappen, black on yellow and red, exists with la croix encadree d'un trait
entirely—the few specimens that have encountered our eager search having but
vestiges of a frame round the cross. The Shanghai and Tasmanian lists are very
commendable, while that of Transvaal contains most of the information published up
to date—which is, however, very far from what is known among the cognoscenti.
We note that M. Moens does not accept Mr. Bacon's theory as to the uniform value
of the early issue of Trinidad, but our Brussels confrere is a hard man to convince—
and when he holds an opposite opinion it must be proved thrice before the armour of
his obstinacy can be pierced. The " too late " stamps might well have been omitted.
Turkey with the types of the various overprints will be found an invaluable list to
the large class of collectors who are but imperfectly versed in " Ottomans." The
Victorians are, as heretofore, classified according to date, and must to the Continental
mind present the most delightfully heterogeneous jumble of watermarks, designs, and
perforations. We have always held to the advantages of making the Victorian
stamps an exception to the general rule by classifying them under their respective
designs. In concluding our necessarily cursory remarks on this chef d'oeuvre of M.
Moens, we tender to him on behalf of all true Philatelists in this country our grateful
thauks for his magnificent contribution to the literature of the science.
THEAnnual General Meeting of the above Society was held on May 6th,
1892, at which eighteen members were present, the President in the chair.
The notice convening the meeting having been read, the Hon. Sec.
presented his report, which was in the following terms :—
" During the Session which has just passed, and which, as all the members know,
was the first Session of this Society, fifteen ordinary meetings have been held. These
meetings have been attended by an aggregate of 203 members, averaging fourteen
members for each meeting.
" At ten meetings the chair has been occupied by the President, while at the
remaining five meetings, owing to the President's unavoidable absence, the Vice-
President has taken the chair.
" It is satisfactory to note the steady increase in the number of members of the
Society, nineteen new members having been elected during the Session, while two
members have resigned. The Society at present consists of forty-six members.
" Much helpful work to the members has been done by means of the papers
which have been read by different members of the Society. The subject selected for
special study at the commencement of the Session was the Stamps of Great Britain.
The President undertook to read a series of papers on the subject, and considerable
progress has been made. The subject, however, being an extensive one, and owing
to the President not being able to continue the series of his papers at every meeting,
it has been found impossible to complete the study of the stamps in question this
Session. It is to be hoped that the President will continue the papers next Session.
" In addition to the papers read by the President, the Vice-President has dealt at
some length with the postage stamps of France in two papers, and Mr. Duerst has
read instructive papers upon the postage stamps of Heligoland, Lubeck, and Geneva.
" The Committee have also to acknowledge the kindness of Messrs. Stanley
Gibbons & Co., Limited, and Messrs. Theodor Buhl & Co., in presenting the Society
with copies of many of the leading philatelic books ; these have formed the nucleus
for the Library.
" Every endeavour is being made by the Committee to increase the Library, as
they feel that this is one of the most important branches of the Society, and it is to
be hoped that more use will be made of it by the members than hitherto.
" During the course of the Session it was found necessary to appoint an Honorary
Assistant Secretary, to assist me in the discharge of my duties, and I have further
urged upon the Committee that with a view to the more equal distribution of labour
the duties of the Honorary Secretary should be further simplified by the severance of
the Treasurership from the Secretaryship. This will necessitate the appointment of
a new officer, and will, I think, tend to strengthen the Society.
PHILATELIC SOCIETIES' MEETINGS. 211
" After twelve months' working it has been deemed expedient by the Committee
for a variety of reasons to recommend several alterations in the rules, and you will
be asked to pass amendments incorporating the proposed alterations at the Annual
General Meeting to-night.
" In conclusion, it is the earnest wish of the Committee that the next Session
will be more productive of members who are willing to come forward and read papers,
and that the object with which members come to the meetings will be more to assist
in the study of the stamps under discussion for the evening than with the object of
acquiring the latest variety of surcharge on the stamps of Obock."
On the motion of the President, the report was unanimously passed.
The President then proposed the following [special resolution, of which due
notice had been given :—" That each member shall pay to the Treasurer, before the
1st of June next, the sum of 8s. in addition to his subscription of 2s. 6d., which will
defray his subscription to the 1st of January next, and entitle him to a copy of the
LONDON PHILATELIST, monthly. Those members who have already subscribed to the
LONDON PHILATELIST can, upon application being made to the Hon. Sec., have the
sum of 5s. returned to them in lieu of receiving from the Society the LONDON
PHILATELIST for the current year. Any member failing to comply with this reso-
lution will be deemed to have resigned his membership." In the course of his speech
he pointed out the advantages which would be gained by the members by adopting
the resolution, coupled with the fact that it would be some encouragement to the
executive of the paper in question who were so deserving of it, and that it would no
doubt be the means of other provincial societies adopting a similar course.
The Vice-President, in seconding the resolution, impressed upon the members the
importance of it, and dealt at length with the objections which he understood some
of the members had to the resolution in question.
After several members had spoken in favour of the resolution, Mr. Batty proposed
an amendment to the effect that " the subscription to the Society should be five
shillings per annum, and it should be left to the discretion of each individual member
to take any journal he pleased."
The amendment not being seconded, the President put the resolution to the
meeting, which was carried with only one dissentient.
The revision of the Statutes of the Society was then proceeded with. Several
alterations of an important character having been found necessary after a year's
working of the Society.
The election by ballot of the officers for the ensuing year was then taken. The
President in announcing the retirement of all the old officers, stated that the
Vice-President did not offer himself for re-election, but that he had consented,
subject to the approval of the members, to act as Hon. Sec.
The officers and committee appointed for the ensuing year were as follows :—
President, Vernon Roberts ; Vice-President, Frank Barratt; Hon. Sec., W. Doming
Beckton ,• Assistant Hon. Sec., C. H. Coote; Hon Treasurer, G. B. Duerst; Rev, J. W.
Paull, J. H. Abbott, C. P. Collett, E. Aitken. Mr. Philbrick, Q.C., and Mr. M. P.
Castle were unanimously elected Honorary Members of the Society.
A vote of thanks having been accorded to the President for presiding, the
proceedings terminated.
Several scarce stamps were exhibited after the meeting, amongst which were
two Labuan, 6 on 16 c. surcharged in red, shown by Mr. Barratt and Mr. Fildes, also
Colombia, 1863 issue, error 50 c., red, shown by the President.
W. DOBNING BECKTON-.
212
Correspondence.
A. .
13. This brings me to another point: should Trinidad provisional card (No. 298 in Illus-
not some more exact method of measuring trations to L.P.S. list) reads : " Treu " (under
perforations be adopted—for official lists at lion) " Fest" (under unicorn). I fail to find
any rate. Nearly all the 13's in the L.P.S. New the connecting "und." This is possibly as
Zealand list should be corrected to 12-J. The worthy of note as the Victorian " Drot" for
" dotty " method of measuring is all right as " Droit " in a similar case.
far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough, for Yours faithfully,
all collectors must have met with stamps that June 27th, 1892. O. FlBTH.
fitted, say, 11J and 12 equally well. The only
way to be certain is to have an accurate two- To the Editor of the LONDON PHILATELIST.
centimeter gauge, and count the number of DEAB SIB,—I notice letter from " W.G." and
perforations in that space. This is very good your comments thereon re 2d. and 4d. New
for most cases, but even with this plan you Zealand, no watermark.
will discover that there are many stamps I have met with several copies of the 2d.
which gauge more than 11J and less than 12. and two of the 4d. used, and Messrs. Buhl
What is to be done with these 1 have one of the latter in their stock book at
Is there anything worthy of note in the present time postmarked.
following 1:— Both these stamps differ from, those usually
"St. Vincent, Issue III., Id., perf. 11J verti- met with: the intensity of colour seems greater,
cally, 11 horizontally at top, imperf. at the gum laid on more liberally, and altogether
bottom (strip of 5 bottom row of sheet), they appear considerably thicker than the
also, same, perf. 11 right hand vertically, ordinary specimens. One unused pair recently
perf. 11J left hand vertically, 11J at top, offered me showed a suspicion of star, which
12£ at bottom." I believe would have been clear when the gum
I suppose it is almost hopeless to attempt was removed. The price asked made the ex-
to chronicle these latter varieties for, in just periment too costly for me to attempt.
now measuring a block of these Id. stamps I have heard the Id. brownish, 2d. red, and
I find the following curious result:— 4d. yellow have been reprinted without water-
mark, and will send particulars as soon as I
11 12 Hi obtain replies to my correspondence on this
subject.
The following frauds are reported to me
from Australia:—Penny and shilling on blue
11} bare 12 paper; sixpence and shilling on soft unwater-
marked paper; sixpence, watermarked N.Z.,
all imperf orate; sixpence and shilling perforate,
watermark N.Z.; penny perforated with star
taken out and N.Z. substituted.
12} bare Sincerely yours,
June 28th, 1892. R. HoLLICK.
[Messrs. Theodor Buhl & Co. have shown
us a used specimen of this stamp. The post-
mark consists of a heavily vertically barred
oval, containing the figures 070. On examining
In this case measurements are taken, hori- our collection we find a similar postmark on
zontally, from left to right, except in measur- the 6d. blue, 2d. vermilion (Star watermark),
ing the border, when the order was reversed, also on the 2d. (N.Z. and no watermark). We
and the edge of sheet taken as a starting point, have carefully compared our postmarks with
the number of teeth including of course a few that of the specimen submitted, and can find
of those previously taken in for the stamp it- no appreciable difference. This specimen
self. The vertical measures are taken from tends therefore to establish the postal authen-
bottom to top. ticity of the issue, and we must frankly own,
I do not think it has ever been pointed out dissipates our previous dov\bts on the subject.
that the motto on the Royal Arms on the —ED.]
214
OccasionalNotes.
THE Philatelic Journal of America has in doubt as to the particular department in
its June number made a great leap towards which it will be displayed when it comes to
Philatelic worth. Not only has it appeared in be sufficiently advanced in classification and
a new and attractive cover, but its contents arrangement to be submitted to the inspection
have been increased both in quantity and of visitors. This will necessarily be a process
quality. There are some excellent reproduc- demanding some time for its completion, as
tions of the Fredericksbnrg types and of some may be inferred from the circumstance that
of Placido Torres' Spanish forgeries, while the weight of the iron safe in which the hulk
these quaint old stamps form the subject of the co"ection was stored for delivery at its
of an interesting article by Mr. J. K. Tiffany. destination in Great Russell Street was esti-
We heartily welcome this new regime, and mated at about two tons, and that it required
felicitate Mr. Mekeel thereon. the services of over a dozen labourers for its
* * * efficient manipulation."
MESSES. SENP BROTHERS have issued an * * *
illustrated catalogue. This little volume, A OOEKESPONDBNT has sent us the following
well printed and illustrated profusely with letter, anent our hobby, which appeared in the
cuts of the stamps in a reduced size, is of a Pioneer, and as it touches upon the use of
very handy shape, and can be carried con- the official stamps, that frequently constitute
veniently in the pocket. In point both of themselves as an uninteresting adjunct to our
size and contents it can be legitimately col'ections, in a new light, it is worthy
dubbed a collector's vade meeum, and is in of consideration and perhaps discussion.
every way a credit to this well-known firm, " I have noticed several letters in the
and another example of the excellent handi- Pioneer lately, suggesting the discontinuance
work issued in that metropolis of printing— of the use of postage stamps on official cor-
Leipsic. respondence, and if you will permit me 1
* * * would wish to add a few words on the subject.
THAT the interest in the stamps of this I think it requires very little consideration to
country is not confined to our shores has once convince anybody of the utter uselessness, not
more been evidenced in the publication by to say absurdity, of using postage stamps on
Herr Paul Beschorren, of Munich, of a brochure official correspondence. I have served very
on the stamps of Great Britain. So much many years in a large Government office, anrl
has already been written on this subject that I am convinced that a return to the old system
it is impossible to have made any substantial of simply franking letters would not only
addition to our fund of knowledge, but our save much, time and trouble in public offices;
friend has prepared a lucid and concise —which in itself is a desideratum in these
reference list of the several varieties that will days, when the work of almost every office of
serve as a guide to Teutonic philatelists, and the State has increased four-fold to what it
evidences on the part of the author a most was fifteen or twenty years ago—but it would
commendable acquaintance with his subject. also be a distinct gain to Government finan-
* * * cially, for doubtless it costs no small sum for
THE Birmingham Daily Nems is responsible machinery, labour, and material in the manu-
for this somewhat startling statement as to facture of the several millions of postage
the weight of the National Philatelic Collec- stamps which are now literally wasted an-
tion. The quality of the stamps will, how- nually. If, as I believe, the present practice
ever, far outweigh their bulk, as will be readily was introduced with a view to show the ex-
conceded when Mr. Bacon has displayed some penditure on postage in the various depart-
of the treasures: " The unique and well-nigh ments, then all I can say is that any calcula-
exhaustive collection of postage stamps which tions based on the so-ca'led postage accounts
formed the subject of the late Mr. T. K. Tap- of an office are, and will be, perfectly mis-
ling's bequest to the British Museum has now leading, for I am certain that inquiry wou'd
been received at that institution, where it has, prove that the postage accounts in quite
for the present, passed into the custody of the three-fourths of the Government offices are
authorities of the Department of Printed Books. not 'worth the paper they are written on. I
Such a collection, however, is so nearly nut do not imp'y that the postage accounts are
generii, and touches in various ways on so wilfu'ly falsified, but it can be easily under-
many departments, that it is left in some stood that they are carelessly kept, when one
OCCASIONAL NOTES. 215
considers that it is a matter of perfect in- some idea of its richness—those who have
difference to an office whether its postage sought " Views " unused know their scarcity !
account amounts to Ks.lOor Bs.10,000 in the * * *
year. It is not in human nature to expect WE much regret to find in the columns of
anything else, and I know for a fact, and have the Metropolitan Philatelist a confirmation of
seen over and over again, official covers being our fears that the World's Fair at Chicago
sent to be posted with stamps on them enor- next year will not possess any special attrac-
mous y in excess of the number actually tions for collectors in the way of a Philatelic
necessary. It is the greatest mistake out, to Exhibition. After a long discussion, it appears
suppose that the annual postage accounts of that the old adage that " what is every one's
departments correctly show their expenditure business is no one's business," has once more
under this head. Surely then, there is no been verified, that nothing has or will be done
sense in keeping up a practice which is not collectively, and that collectors are therefore
only troublesome but expensive." kindly permitted to act on their own initiative.
* ** And yet there are American Philatelic Societies
AN esteemed correspondent writes :—" Col- and journals!
lectors of South Africans may look out for * * *
some 'natives' ere long. The Boers have THE "Barber of Seville" has at length
trekked into Angola and proclaimed a Repub- found a philatelic prototype. At a recent
lic, and as the Portuguese are not strong auction, among the stamps of Roumania with
enough to drive them out they are likely to the barbed head of the King (1871), we noticed
hold on to their ' New Republic' this time. a specimen of the scarcest value, the 50 bani,
The last time they trekked they left behind a blue and red, with a somewhat ragged-looking
trail of worthless postal 'New Republics.' beard. A closer examination revealed the
This time a more permanent interest may fact that a tonsorial artist had added the
attach to the product of the rubber stamp. hirsute appendage to the more youthful
But what about Angola issues? That will presentment of the King in the previous issue,
be a question for collectors of Portuguese which is innocent of this manly adornment,
Colonies." and had thus presumably materially increased
* * * the value of the stamp. Such ingenuity well
IT is officially announced that the Transvaal deserved a reward, and it is to be regretted
has entered the Postal Union, which means that our curiosity should have frustrated the
that the rate of postage on letters will be re- laudable design of the artist!
duced to 2^d. per half-ounce, and that we * * *
shall probably before long hear of a new issue
for the South African Republic of "two-pence OUE contemporary, Der Philatelist, has taken
half-penny." to a comic vein, and now disports a monthly
* * * addendum with various cuts of " Humoristic
MR. D. A. ViNDix having reached home in Philately," some of which are really amusing,
Sydney after an apparently enjoyable Euro- e.g., the young lady who in one picture grate-
pean trip, has commenced .an account of his fully accepts any kind of stamp from an ad-
rambles and impressions in his Philatelic mirer as she takes a languid interest therein,
Monthly ; dilating upon the Tapling collection, and in the companion drawing writes to a
portions of which he was enabled to see, he correspondent that she can now supply an
expatiates upon the New South Wales stamps, 18 kr. Wurtemberg at 60 marks, the antici-
and after quoting the Id. plate of Sydney uncut, pated price for which in the new catalogue
presumed to be a proof impression, says — will be 80 marks ! A facsimile of the Bruns-
" there are several blocks of six and twelve wick oval stamp is given plus a dameuse on
unused twopenny views." the back of the steed prepared to plunge
* * * through the circus hoop of our boyish days (
THE opacity of our intellect prevented us * * *
from gathering the exact sense of this sen- THE omission on the part of this Journal to
tence, hence we applied to an authority well comment upon the contents of its contempo-
acquainted with the collection, who kindly raries should in no way be attributed to a de-
informs us that it embraces 42 unused penny ficient estimation of their relative merits. We
Sydneys, including a block of 4 and one of 9; are content to read and inwardly digest them,
31 unused twopennies, including a block of and to appropriate with due acknowledgment
•i and one of 3, and 10 threepences—83 in all. such items of philatelic novelty as may have
Our Australian friends can hence gather reached them before us ; it appears to be
216 THE PHILATELIC MARKET.
fashionable in some circles to reproduce very each month in its Keview ; the critiques are
considerably the articles of other journals—in smartly written, the articles well selected,
our judgment it is preferable to indite original and (crede expert*)) now furnish an agreeable
matter, but of course this is purely a matter hour's reading each month.
of literary taste.
* * *
to pressure of work Mr. C. J.
THE new venture, inaugurated by Mr. \Vm. Phillips has been compelled to resign the Hon.
Brown, of Salisbury, the Philatelic Review of Secretaryship of the Philatelic Protection
Reviews, as being quite out of the ordinary Association. It is but the truth to aver that
course, may well furnish an exception to the this excellent and useful body owes its very
rule previously mentioned. The idea of cull- existence to Mr. Phillips, without whose
ing all that is best in the Philatelic journals characteristic energy and Midland enter-
of the world, presenting them recJiauffe, with prise it could hardly have inaugurated its
editorial sauce (the simile is culinary), is one brilliantly successful career. Mr. F. R. Ginn
that presents exceptional features of interest. has been appointed Secretary, and will, no
Our contemporary has been steadily improving doubt, efficiently perform the duties.
ThePhilatelicMarket.
"Owing to the political excitement now well at £9 10s. each. En rfvanclit, some of
prevailing, the market has ruled decidedly flat, the lots were sold at absurdly low prices, e.g.,
and business has almost been at a standstill." Tasmania, second issue, Id., with error of water-
The foregoing is not without its application mark 2, at 40s.! The general want of attrac-
on the Philatelic Bourse ! tiveness of the 46i lots, added to the lateness
The recently inaugurated Paris auctions do of the season, may, however, well be account-
not seem to have been an unmitigated success, able for the variations in the prices attained.
the attendance of collectors being meagre The Scott Company's sale of Mr. R. Wor-
according to the Revue PMlatelique, and many meley's stamps on the 9th ult. does not seem
of the lots bought in, although such stamps to have been of an heroic nature, as the total
as the "Trinacria" and the 2 reales (1851) of received for the 459 lots was only about £175.
Spain attained nearly their normal values. An 8 c., green, British Guiana, on part oi
Messrs. Philips Lea, & Davies, at their llth original letter, even if creased and cut to
sale on June 16th had a good attendance and shape, should have been a veritable bargain
satisfactory results, the bargain-hunters being to its purchaser at £6 8s.!
quite nonplussed. A British Columbia, 2|d. A private sale by tender above the fixed re-
imperf., in a general lot, though undescribed, serve was also " functioned " by the same firm
afforded ample verification of this, as after last month, and included a red Buenos Ayres
keen competition, Mr. Giwelb secured it for (£10) ; a 15 c. Reunion (£40) ; and the com-
£15 10s. There were also ottered some fair panion, 30 c. (£46); an early unused Id. Mauri-
Australians, Newfoundlands, and a choice tius (£8) ; an 1861 Mexican error, 1 r, black
selection of Oldenburgs, which also were not on rose (£10) ; a plate of the lithograph, of
"tin occaie." Nevis (£7); a J peso, unused, yellow Peru (£6);
Messrs. Cheveley, Wilson, & Co., contrary an octagonal, small size, 7 gr., Prussia,
to their custom, and, we understand, to oblige unused (£9) ; and other good things, the
a client, held a Midsummer sale on the 22nd aggregate of the 34 lots sold being nearly
and 23rd ult. The Europeans were not fine, £200.
but, none the less, were freely sold. A Ceylon Messrs. Bogert and Durbin held a sale at
5d., no w'mark, unused, went reasonably enough Philadelphia on the 1st, and a second at New
for £6 10s.; the same remark applying to a York on the 22nd and 23rd of last month. A
large fillet Mauritius at £9 10s. A strip of St. Louis, 5 c. (£12), seems to have been the
the Bolivar, 10 c., green, 1st issue, realised most valuable item in the former, while in the
£15—an uncommon acquisition; and two latter " mediocrity seems to have marked it
specimens of the orange Buenos Ayres sold for its own."