THE

London Philatelist
THE MONTHLY JOURNAL OP

THE PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON.

APRIL, 1 89 3.

Half-Hours With Australian Stamps.

BY M. p. CASTLE.
Vice-President of the Philatelic Society, London.

THE FIRST ISSUE STAMPS OF VICTORIA.

ALMOST unique in their peculiar old-world looking portraiture of Her
Majesty, this issue, as also its immediate successors in the Colony
of Victoria, have always found favour with postage stamp collectors;
nor has its quaint appearance merely attracted the fancy of the neophyte,
as the philatelist has always found a striking variety of impressions
and shades inviting his consideration as to their origin and raison a'e'tre.
That creation of the last decade—the specialist—who has " taken up "
these stamps must have noted that the abundance of the varieties was in invert
ratio to the information to be gleaned about them in the writings pertaining
to our science. I have found but little in the several magazines that threw any
light on the subject, nor is the information in the I^ondon Philatelic Society's
work of Oceania, though doubtless reflecting faithfully the then existent store of
knowledge, of an extensive nature.
The account of them contained in this book may be summarised briefly, thus—
Issue I., lithographed and printed by Messrs. Campbell and Fergusson, of Mel-
bourne, printed in sheets of 50, and with whitish gum, almost all these statements
requiring to be modified. The list of shades is also inadequate, while the dates—
id. and 3d., July ist, and the 2d., July isth, 1850—also require antedating. Allusion
is made to the existence of defective printings, and of at least two transfers
of the id. and 3d., as denoted by the great difference in the margins in the
horizontal (and vertical) rows.
The I<ondon Society had but scanty data to work upon, and were compelled
to draw such inferences as were deducible from a study of the stamps in the
collections of its members. Amongst these, and of course with an equal inability
to advance matters, was I myself, but since then my collection of these stamps
has been thrice transplanted, and has thrown out some more vigorous branches,
with a promise, as I trust, of bearing some fruit.
My first arrangement was according to the respective shades and depths of
 78 HALF-HOURS WITH AUSTRALIAN STAMPS.

impression ; the second, by the differently spaced margins; the third, and I fear
not the final arrangement, is based primarily on the presence or absence of the
outer border "or dividing line, and only secondarily 011 the two former features.
The existence of this frequently indistinct outer line or frame on certain specimens
has been doubtless long known to several members of the Society, and it is now
some eighteen months since that I commenced to try and get into the centre of
the maze by adopting the lines as a guide. There is, however, necessarily so much
of surmise, even with the aid of the information I have received from the Colony,
that I cannot hold out much hope of arriving at our destination for some time.
The name of Mr. David H. Hill, of Melbourne, is one well known, and deservedly
appraised on both sides of the world as that of an enthusiastic collector, and a
thorough philatelist. In that excellent—but, alas, too short-lived—journal, the
Federal Australian Philatelist, Mr. Hill's labours and researches in connection
with all the issues of Victorian stamps have been, and fortunately are, in the
successor of Mr. Basset Hull's paper, Vindin's Philatelic Monthly Journal, received
as most valuable accessions to our hitherto scant knowledge on the subject of the
early Victorians. Having the kind permission of the ex-editor, I avail myself of
the opportunity of reproducing in this paper such portions of Mr. David Hill's
invaluable information as may throw light upon this first issue. In the October,
1890, number of the journal first-named a short description is given of the plate
of the three values as now existing in the Melbourne Post Office, from which
it appears that it was engraved by Thomas Ham, is 5 inches in breadth,
3f inches in length, and J-inch in thickness. The three engravings, id., 2d., and
3d., are placed in a row about ^-inch apart and f-inch from the bottom of the
plate, the id. value, to the left, and the 3d. in the centre. I will refer later to the
appearance of the engravings, having now secured copies of the recent reprinted
stamps.
This plate Was engraved on steel by Mr. Thomas Ham according to his
estimate of the i3th November, 1849, as under (F. A. P., January, 1891):—•
5,000 sheets of postage labels one penny, each sheet containing 120, in
all 600,003, including paper, printing, gumming, and the use of the
steel plate, at one shilling per I,ooo labels .. .. ^30 o o
5,000 sheets ditto ditto, twopence .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 o o
5,000 sheets ditto ditto, threepence .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 o o
£9g. o o
The order to engrave these stamps was given on the i3th December, 1849, and
the supply commenced as near as can. be ascertained between the 5th and 8th
January, 1850. The contract was completed in July, 1850, the exact number of
each value printed being as under. And I may here say that I propose to group
these stamps as near as I can surmise under their several contracts ; —

CONTRACT I.
Mr. Thomas flam's First Printing without Outer Frame.
One penny , ......... 570,840
Twopence .......... 604,560
Threepence .. , ....... 630,000

Dealing with the three values separately, I submit a specimen of

the one penny reprint in vermilion, being one of the set recently
reprinted by the Victorian Government for the purpose of ex-
changes with other Postal Authorities. It will be seen that the
original steel die must be in a perfect state of preservation, as the
lithograph shows all the minutiee of the design, such as the dotted
shading, and the neck, arms, and face of "Her Majesty in a very
clear manner. A thin line of colour enframes the stamp, almost
touching the side border at the left and very close to it on the right, above and
 HALF-HOURS WITH AUSTRALIAN STAMPS.

below. Mr. Hill states that on the original die a line has been drawn on all three
values at the top and bottom, the lower one extending 6 mm. on each side, and
the upper one the same distance on the left only. By the specimen
now submitted in brownish red in the earlier state of the die, with
one exception it is evident that there is no'trace of any outside
border or frame, and as Mr. Hill also points oii't' this is clear evidence
that this frame of outer lines was added subsequently to the original
engraving of and first lithograph from the steel die. The postmarks
on all these specimens are of the well-known design, generally
known among collectors as the " butterfly " cancellation, for which
fifty "brass seals" with consecutive numbers were prepared by Mr. Ham at the
same time as the dies for the stamp.'' The one apparent variation that I note in
the reprint specimen from the normal issues consists in a deepening of the shading
of wavy:lined background at the right hand in the space intervening between the
sleeve and the border. I have been unable to find any issued stamp showing this
difference, but it will be noticed that many stamps, especially in the later printings,
show a tendency to weakness in the impression on this particular portion of the
design, and it is therefore possible that the die has been " strengthened " in order
to make the outline of the sleeve more apparent. I think therefore that the
brownish-red shade can, on the threefold ground of clearness of impression,
uniformity of postmark, and absence of frame, be placed as the first id. stamps
printed by Mr. Thomas Ham.
The 2d. of the reprint series that I now submit shows a
specimen of the variety commonly known as " coarse background
and borders," and generally and correctly assigned as the third
variety of this value in order of issue. It will be seen that the
outer frame at the sides does not touch the wavy-lined border,
and does not impinge truly on the small lower corner lettered
tablets, which they would transect if continued. The die has
been defaced by some sharp instrument, probably done at the
time of its supersession by the full length twopenny issue of Juty,
1851. The question of the priority of the three states of this plate—
(a) With fine background and fine sides,
(b) Coarse ,, „
(c) „ „ coarse sides,
is beyond doubt, as not only the specimens of (a) now shown, but all I have ever
seen, are uniformly postmarked with the " butterfly " cancellation ; but of (b) a
specimen has been seen bearing other and later postmarks, first with and then
without the outer frame ; and (c) is now shown in the present state of the die. It
is evident from its scarcity that the variety (a) must have been in use but a short
time. Mr. Hill has seen a specimen of (b) on a cover dated nth February, 1850
thus apparently limiting its use to about a month. It is not easy to put a reason
for its short existence, as the die could hardly have shown signs of wear, nor have
I ever found any sort of worn impression, one and all being clear and sharp, and
in truth far handsomer in appearance than either of their successors. Mr. Hill
suggests that " the line was not made deep enough in the first instance " for the
purposes of lithographic transfer. Mr. Ham may therefore have been apprehensive
of future deterioration, but as far as the copies issued are concerned his fears were
groundless.
The following hypothesis may be worth considering, or, as is often the case,
pave the way to a reputation that casts a true light upon the case. Mr. Hill
mentions that the issue of stamps was urgently demanded, and, as previously
stated, the time for their preparation and production was remarkably short.
Mr. Ham, therefore, felt constrained to have a sufficient number ready at an early
date in order to meet all requirements, and printed according to the following
return, obtained by Mr. Hill from the Chief Post Master, showing the quantities
So HALF-HOURS WITH AUSTRALIAN STAMPS.
of stamps received at the Melbourne General Post Office from ist January to
3ist March, 1850, inclusive:—
RECEIPT OF STAMPS,
1850. Penny. Twopenny. Threepenny.
January .. .. 62,040 ., 61,560 .. 46,800
February .. .. — .. 18,000 .. 60,000
March .. .. — .. 54,000 .. —
62,040 I33>56o 106,800

ISSUE OF STAMPS.
January .. .. 10,097 .. 19,998 .. 5,312
February .. ., 5,834 .. 12,038 .. 3,630
March .. .. 7,650 .. 12,210 .. 4,310
23,581 44,246 13,251

Melbourne was, of course, not all Victoria, but both in relative population and
postal requirements the capital, forty-two years since, would probably furnish a
very large proportion of the users of postage stamps. I do not gather positively
that this "issue of stamps" may not have been inclusive of those issued to other
local Post Offices, but, even if not, it is probable that these totals would not be
much increased. The first deliveries under Mr. Ham's contract were possibly
made between the ist and I5th January, 1850, and consisted, as we see, of about
60,000 each of the id. and 2d. and three-fourths of that quantity for the 3d. The
engraver may then have discovered that some of the later struck impressions
of the 2d. showed signs of wear, and, obtaining the consent of the authorities,
have destroyed those that were not perfect. He would naturally be anxious that
no flaw should be discoverable in this initial contract, and ma}-, with a good
show of reason, have contended that by the deepening of the lines of the
background, all future cause of complaint would be removed. Arguing on this
assumption the 79,560 twopenny stamps received in January and February would
constitute the whole amount issued of variety (a) with the fine background and
sides; and, judging from the number of specimens existing in
collections, this does not seem an unreasonable supposition. The
demand for the stamps of this value, as we see, both in January
and after, was nearly double that of the id., and more than thrice
that of the 3d. Despite this, it will be noted that only 18,000
twopennies were printed in February against 60,000 threepennies,
and it is possible that either before or after printing them Mr. Ham
may have occupied the rest of the month and a portion of March
in re-engraving the die and making the fresh transfer, as in March he prints again
54,000 twopennies, but no other value. The slow progress" of his contract would
thus be explained, and he would doubtless make up his leeway of the remaining
five-sixths of his contract within the next three months—it being, as Mr. Hill tells
us, completed in July, 1850. It would be very interesting and probably suggestive
as to this point if Mr. Hill could get further details of the monthly deliveries
of stamps.
(To be continued.}
 PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

Proof from original plate of Fourpence value.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.
 PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.
Proof from original plate of Twelve Cents, value.
 Prince Edward Island Stamps.
A Paper Read at a Meeting' of the Philatelic Society, London.
BY J. A. TIIvIvEARD.
(Concluded from Page di.J

CONTINUING the examination of Mr. Bartlett's list the following remarks

apply to the remaining values.
FOUR PENCE.
Row 2, Stamp 5. I do not see the dot under "o" of "FOUR," nor
does either "E" in "PENCE" appear badly formed
except that the lower bar of one is slightly longer
_ than usual.
Row 4, Stamp 4. "FOUP" instead of "FOUR" is described as "a very good
error." In this the whole of the tail of the "R" is plainly
visible in the prints, but has a mark across it which might
sometimes hide it, and cause it to be mistaken for a "p."
The cause for the mark can be seen on the plate.
THREE CENTS.
The first three examples do not appear in the prints which are only of one pane or
portion of the sheet. Treating this as the right hand portion,_I do not find any of
them in the corresponding stamps on the prints or plate—
Row 3, Stamp 6. The "dash" between "E" and "E" of "THREE" is seen.
From its pronounced appearance on the plate it should
be found in stamp i also.
,, 4, ,, 5.") These are corresponding stamps. In stamp 10 faint signs can
10. j" be seen of the dot between " H " and " R " of " THREE." It
also appears as a small line on the plate.
,, 6. ,, 3. There are no signs of a dot between "T" and "A" of
"POSTAGE" in the corresponding stamps on the prints or
plate.
,, 10."^ These are stamps which correspond with those referred to
,, 8. ,, lo.J above in row 4. (See remarks hereafter as to probable mode
of producing this plate.)
„ 9. ,, i. The "E" in "EDWARD" does not appear badly formed in the
corresponding stamp on the prints or plate.
TWELVE CENTS.
In this case again the plate has 50 stamps only forming one half of the sheet.
I cannot trace the first three instances given, nor do I find them in the corresponding
stamps, assuming the plate to represent the lower portion of the sheet, but I do not
know how many stamps the mould from which the plate was prepared contained.
Row 6, Stamp 3. The dot under " A," of " ISLAND " is visible as a prolongation of
the left side of the "A" and there are signs of this on the
plate.
.„ ,, 7. I do not see the dot under "o" of "POSTAGE," but there is a
slight flaw above the " o."
„_ 9, „ 3. The " TL, " and " A" of " ISLAND " are connected by reason of a
flaw at the end of the left side of " A." The plate looks as if
at this part a small portion of copper had been cut away,
probably in the finishing, leaving a slight depression.
I may say that the "DOTS" are mostly almost microscopic, and, in examining
the prints taken from the plates, nearly all of them will be found to have various
other dots, and marks, quite as distinct as those mentioned by Mr. Bartlett.
S2 PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND STAMPS.

Taking the 4d. alone, the following amongst several others can be seen :—
Row i, Stamp r. Dot under "#" of "EDWARD" in one print alone—and in one
also a slight dot between " PRINCE " and " EDWARD." '
„ 2, „ i. A dot appears after " E " of " POSTAGE " in one print only.
„ 3, „ r. A similar dot in the same place but again only in one print.
„ 2. A dot before "c" of "PENCE" in one print.
In none of these cases do any signs appear on the plate, but I also find in row
5, stamp i, a hair line across the right hand side of the " o " in " POUR," cutting
completely across the label containing the value, and this is visible as a scratch on
the plate.
I have given" these few instances to illustrate my remarks. Many other similar
details can be found in every plate, but it would be wearisome to pursue the subject
further. It will be seen that there are dots and other marks which appear in some,
and not in others, of the prints before us to-night, and there are cases in which no
sign is discernible to the naked eye in the plate itself, of dots found in one or
other of these very prints. As there have been only three examples taken from
each plate I feel sure that were there a large number available for comparison,
each possessor of one would be able to show minute differences, which would not
appear in some of the other printings.
Where there are signs of the marks on the plates they are almost always
scratches, or flaws, or slight dents, in the face of the copper, and in some cases
they are evidently due to the action of acid eating away the metal. Some are so
shallow that, in many instances, they would appear in one printing to the exclusion
of others, and many of the small marks, of which there are no signs on the plates,
would easily be accounted for by want of care in cleansing the plates, or otherwise,
in the course of printing. In electrotyping, damage may easily occur to the wax
moulds which are taken from the dies, and when the copper is deposited in these,
an exact representation of any defect would naturally appear in the plate. Even
the presence of grit or some foreign substance in the plumbago, or other material,
brushed into the mould, or the presence of air bubbles arising in the cooling of the
wax, will, unless the greatest care and attention is given to every part of the process,
cause slight defects, and I feel no doubt that all the marks which the ingenuity of
collectors has discovered, and can discover, are due to one of these causes, or to
damage in the finishing of the plates. The proof of this to those who are
acquainted with the process of electrotyping, which is one of the most interesting
of handicrafts, is, that no signs of the marks are visible in the die from which each
stamp on the plate is prepared mechanically. As the stamp can only differ in a
minute degree by reason of some of the causes referred to, they are at once removed
from the same category, from a collector's point of view, as those in which every
one on the plate is separately engraved by hand, where each must necessarily
differ from all the others, the eye and the hand being incapable of doing the work
of reproduction, with anything approaching the exactitude of a purely mechanical
process. For these reasons I have no hesitation for my part in rejecting all these
so-called varieties as not worthy of being collected. At first I was inclined to make
a distinction in regard to the stamps with the dot between "Prince" and
" Edward," in the 3 cents value. This occurs at regular intervals in the first
and each alternate row of the sheet, and it is more pronounced than any of the
other marks, and can clearly be seen without the aid of a glass. It is plainly
apparent on the plate itself, being more regular in shape and depth than any
other. I am, however, clearly of opinion that this too is due to one of the causes
above mentioned, and a practical electrotyper informs me that it is clear that the
moulds for the first ten stamps of the plate were made at one time, one of them
having received the damage which produces the dot, and having been passed as
good without the defect being noticed. The remainder of the plate was formed by
the use of the same mould, and naturally the defect would appear in the same
 PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND STAMPS. 83

position in the corresponding stamp of each alternate row, and being more defined,
and clearer than its fellows, it is visible in every sheet printed from the plate.
The same remarks will, of course, apply to Mr. Lang's observations. I have
examined the plate in regard to the marks in the 4d. value, which he seems to
think may have been purposely omitted in some of the stamps, and I find that on
the right hand border (corresponding with the left hand in the stamps themselves)
the spikes or lines completing the oval ornaments in the triangle are not quite so
much in relief as in the opposite border. All the same, they are there, and in the
prints before you they can be seen in some cases complete, signs of them appearing
in most of the others, although it is quite clear that in some printings there might
be stamps in which they would not appear at all.
In reference to the observations in Mr. Bartlett's paper with regard to the
imperforate stamps of this island, I quite agree with him in considering them to
be proofs. The margins between the stamps are fairly large, and if the perforating
was not carefully effected it would seem easy to make specimens " imperforate"
in the manner described by Mr. Bartlett. He gives very good reasons for having
nothing to do with them unless shown in pairs ; but even this would not, to my
mind, be a test unless pairs or blocks of stamps, genuinely used, could be produced.
At a recent sale a large block of the 12 cents value, imperforate, was sold by auction
for a good price. These stamps were certainly proofs, or formed part of a trial, or
damaged, sheet. They had not been gummed and had never left this country, and
they were shown to me some months before" they were offered for sale, having been
found with the electrotypes,
There remains for consideration the question of the lines round some of the
stamps of the pence issue referred to by Mr. I/ang, which, however, do not appear
to have been seen with the line on all four sides of the stamps. If I may venture
on a theory to account for these I would suggest that they are due to want of care
in finishing the plates. After the plate has been put together it is necessary to
level or cut away the metal surrounding it, so that no part shall remain to show
printing beyond the line which completes the stamp, and for the division between
the stamps the metal is similarly bevelled or cut away with a plough. It will thus
be seen that if any part is left on a level with the portion forming the stamp it will
leave its mark when the stamps are printed. The failure to properly remove all
that should be taken away is, I think, more likely to occur on the outsides of the
plates, as in the spacing the plough works fairly evenly. From the descrip-
tion given by Mr. Lang of the specimens in his collection, I should say that they
were all outside stamps, although it does not by any means follow that similar
lines could not be found on inner rows. A very small raising of the metal would
show on the stamp when printed, and even a slight turning of any edge on the
plate would suffice. As a matter of fact such a raised edge can be observed in
places on the plate of the 4d. stamp, and in the prints before us there can be seen
portions of lines and marks similar to those under consideration, and these mostly
occur on the outside of the plate. I have only a very few of the stamps, as I do
not collect them, but amongst those I have I find specimens of the 2d. and 4d.
values showing parts of outer lines, and in each case these are outside stamps.
While on this subject may I call your attention to the curious manner in which
the spacing of the stamps of the 4d. plate is scored, as if in imitation of perforations.
In one case at least it will be seen that the cutting has not been made sufficiently
deep, and in the prints taken from this plate you will observe this showing by the
side of one of the centre stamps in the form of small black dots, as if intended to
imitate perforation. This is doubtless due to causes similar to those which have
produced the lines round some of the stamps, and is not intentional.
In conclusion, I can only regret that the fact that the effects of Whiting's
business were to be disposed of was not earlier known, as with a proper reference
to his books it would have been possible to discover all that there was to learn
in regard to the stamps of the Prince Edward Island.
 Australian Cancellations.
BY THE REV. P. E. RAYNOR, M.A.
President of the South Australian Philatelic Society, Adelaide.

I WAS much interested in Mr. Castle's Half-hour with Australian Stamps,

appearing in the LONDON PHILATELIST for December, 1892, in which
he deals with the subject of inter-colonial cancellation. Some time
since I noticed current Victorian stamps with a Tasmanian postmark,
and Tasmanian stamps with the Victorian cancellation. For some time
I was puzzled, but accidentally lighted upon the explanation of this
anomaly as it at present exists—an explanation which may possibly
throw light upon the similar practice in early times. These cancellations
occur upon letters posted upon the steamers and other vessels trading between
the colonies. Thus a letter posted upon a steamer sailing from Melbourne to
I,aunceston bears a Victorian stamp, but on reaching I,aunceston is cancelled in
the post office there. For this purpose there appears to be, in Tasmania at least, a
special cancellation, of which a sketch is attached.
The cancelling stamp for Hobart is similar, but
without the word " TAS."
The specimens of Tasmanian stamps with
Victorian cancellation which I have seen bear the
usual Victorian postmark. This system of inter-
colonial cancellation naturally would apply, at the
present time, only to those colonies where the
interchange of mails is by sea-route, i.e., Victoria
and Tasmania, and South Australia and Western Australia. I do not know whether
the two latter colonies adopt the system ; I have never seen any specimens. In
the case of the other colonies the communication is by rail, and letters posted
in the trains bear the railway cancellation of the sorting-tender. But in the
old days before railways, when the mails were carried almost entirely by sea,
is it not probable that the same system was more widely extended ?—letters
posted upon the mail-packet for another colony would bear the stamps of the
despatching colony, but the cancellation of the receiving colony. This is, I fancy,
the origin of the majority of inter-colonially cancelled specimens. No doubt stray
specimens would be similarly postmarked by accident—such as the ignorance of a
new arrival in using the stamps of another colony. I have myself received more
than once, within the last few years, letters bearing a id. Victorian stamp used in
mistake for a 2d. South Australian. The letters were, of course, surcharged with
double postage, but the Victorian stamps were duly cancelled with the South
Australian postmark.
I have in my possession a curious cover, which contained the half-yearly report
of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company, posted in Melbourne, June 22, 1891. It
bears a 6d. Victorian stamp and a 5d. South Australian ; the Adelaide cancellation
on the latter partly covers the Victorian stamp. The explanation is as follows:—
A large number of these reports were despatched to Adelaide from Melbourne,
bearing only a 6d. stamp—being 5d. short of the full postage. As the amount
involved was considerable, the Adelaide office, instead of charging each addressee
double the deficiency, courteously communicated with the company, and agreed to
attach the deficient postage in South Australian stamps, the charge being paid by
the Broken Hill Company. This illustrates another of the accidents by which the
Stamps of one colony may beajr the cancellation of another colony,
 Review.
SENF'S CATALOGUE FOR 1893.
STAMPS can't go much higher! This opinion has been frequently
expressed by many during the present season, but the publication of
Messrs. Senf s Catalogue for 1893, which we have received through their
agents Messrs. Hilckes, Kirkpatrick & Co., shows that stamps are still
tending upwards. As anticipated by Mr. M. P. Castle in our pages a
few months ago, unused stamps of all European countries, especially of the
small German States, have gone up, chiefly owing to their long and
continued neglect by native collectors, who for decades past would take nothing but
used copies. The book, 7 inches by 4 inches, and f- of an inch in thickness,
with its 642 pages, is a veritable multum in parvo.
The following list compares Senfs prices for 1891-2 with their increased
catalogue price for 1893.
Baden. 1891. 1893. Heligoland (Continued). 1891. 1893.
1862. 30 kr. yellow - 5,'- 12/6 1876. 2j farth. „ -6 IO/-
„ 12 „ black on yellow - 10,- 50,'- 1879. 5 sch. „ 10 - 25,'-
Alsace. Cape of G. Hope.
1870. 2 c. brown 3/- 7/6 Woodblock i p. red - 35'- 75,'-
„ inv. Net. - 8,'- 25/- „ 4 „ blue - - 15- 30,-
„ * 5 c. green „ „ 12,'- IOO/- Liibeck.
5 » ,, „ „ 10,- 22/- 1859. error 2j sch. - - 5°,'- 125'-
„ * 25 „ brown „ 10'- 25/- 1863. 2j sch. blue - 5,'- 15,'-
Bavaria. Mecklenburg- Schwerin.
1849.* i kr. black 8/- 15,'- 1864. j dotted ground - 50/- IOO/-
„ * 6 ,, brown circle broken I5/- 75/- J,
* 4
? >» )> - 6o/- I2O/-
1862.* 18 „ red . . . 3/6 10,'- Naples.
1870. 12 „ lilac, perf. 12,'- 25,'- 1860. | Tornese arms - 2OO/- 300/-
1862. Unpaid 3 kr. black 5/- I0/- „ „ cross - 75,'- I25/-
Bergedorf. Nevis.
1861. i^ error gE - 3°/'- 2OO/- 1861. 4 p. rose - - 7/6 40,'-
Brunswick. i sh. green - 6'- I2/-
1852.* 2 gr. blue 35,- 75 - Oldenburg.
Bremen. 1851.* ^y yellow 20 - 50,-
1867. 7 gr. bl. on yel., perf. - 5°,- 125- 1858. £ green - - 5°- 125,-
1860. i yellow - - 50,'- IOO/-
Ceylon.
1857. 4 p. Imperf. - 75,- 25°,- Prussia.
8p . „ - - - 75/- 2OO/- 1857.* 2 sgr., Solid ground - 25/- 100,-
„ 2 sh. ,, 50,'- I2O/- Saxony.
France. 1851.* 5 ngr. error • 225,'- Soo/-
1849.* 15 c. green 25;'- 60- Schlesiuig- Hoistein .
1852.* i fr. carmine - 12,'- 25 - 1850.* 2 sch. rose - 30;'- 50,-
i ., 6,- 12,'-
Switzetland.
1859. 10 c. Litho. I0/- 20,'- 1843.* 2j r. dove 125,'-
- 75.'-
Hamburg. ,, double Geneva - 200 - 400'-
1859. 4 sh. green Imperf. 10;'- 35,'- Spain.
„ 9 „ yellow „ 24- 75.'- 1850. 10 reales green - 25- 5o/-
1864.* 7 „ „ Perf. - 8,;- 25,'- 1851. 2 „ orange - - 15°,'- 400'-
Hanover. 1852. 2 ,, pink - 60'- 125'-
1856.* & yellow Net. 12 - 35- Tuscany.
1860.* 10 gr. green 15 - 35- 1860.* 3 lire yellow - - 3°°- 500-
Heligoland. U.S.A.
1867. j sch. roul. - 2,6 20 - 1869. 90 c. 20 - 35,-
1873. J „ perf. - 2 - 15 - ! Justice 90 c. - 12/6 35'-
* Unused.
 New Issues
AND UNCHRONICLED VARIETIES.

NOTE.—The co-operation of Members of the London and other Philatelic Societies, and of all Collectors and /)calei$
is invited in order that these lists may be as complete as possible. The earliest intimation of No^•eltics is
desired, accompanied, if possible, by the specimen referred to, which will be acknowledged, with the sender's
name, tin/ess otherwise requested.

ADHESIVES.

Brazil.—A new design made its appearance our informant to have been employed in 1878,
on the I3th ulto. in the shape of a very ugly for a few months only, before the introduction
lithograph, as illustrated. We have unused of postage stamps proper. Of the latter he was
copies from Messrs. Whitfield, King & Co., and informed that the id. and 6d. were issued in
an envelope franked with the new stamp from 1878, and the 4d. and is. in 1879 ; the 6d., black,
Messrs. Hilckes, Kirkpatrick & Co. Perf. 12^. is quite unknown in the colony, and, if existent,
is probably a chemical changeling. The un-
watermarked is. stamp is still in use, and no
other is known out there. Finally, the hand-
stamps must be added to the long list of articles
that have been reprinted. We are informed
that the posthumous editions have only been
little ones, but we fear that this only adds to
their price without increasing their value ! "

Gibraltar. — A correspondent sends the

TOO reis, pink.
Monthly Journal a list of the numbers of each
value of the surcharged issue of August, 1889,
British Levant.—Messrs. Whitfield King & which it seems desirable to place on record:—•
5 centimes, on §d., 57,120
Co. inform us that on February 25th the British 10 ,, on id., 100,320
Post Office at Constantinople issued a provi- 25 „ on 2d., 54,720
sional 40 paras stamp, surcharged on the Eng- 25 ,, on 2§d., 240,720
lish halfpenny. Only 6,000 were issued, and they 40 ,, on 4d., 14,520
were in use only from February 25th to March 50 ,, on 6d., 14,760
5 „ on is., 12,400
ist. Mr. E. H. Watts, jr., sends us a specimen
on the original envelope. The overprint seems Great Britain.—Referring to the Ninepence
to be as near the usual type as possible to the
local printer's. of 1865, with large white letters in the four
corners, printed in bistre, on the "emblems"
40 paras on |d., vermilion, black surcharge. paper, " Quilp" writes us as follows:—"Mr.
Westoby, in his 'Postage Stamps of the United
Falkland Islands.—Major Evans writes in the Kingdom,' says that plates 4 and 5 were pre-
Monthly Journal: "A correspondent, who has pared ; but that the latter, though registered
recently .visited this colony, very kindly sends on the 24th April, 1866, was never put to press.
us some information which he obtained on the An unused perforated copy of plate 5 on the
spot from official sources, and of which some of 'emblems' paper having recently been exhi-
the details differ from those in the London bited to the Society by Mr. Hastings E. Wright,
Society's book. The oblong handstamp was, I made inquiries at Somerset House, and found
he was told, brought into use on March nth, that when plate 5 was made, six sheets, of 240
1868. According to the information obtained stamps each, were pulled on the paper ('em-
by Mr. Bacon the date should be ': 25th June, blems') then in use and sent to Somerset House ;
1858," and it is probable that some means of of these, one was filed with the other imprimatur
indicating postage paid was employed from the sheets, and the others were perforated and issued
earlier date. In any case, however, these were to the public. This plate was certainly never
merely postal marks, struck upon letters, the put to press in the ordinary sense of the term,
postage on which was paid in cash. The as plate 4 proved sufficient to meet all re-
circular mark, of a similar nature, is stated by quirements from 1865 to 1877, when the stamp
 NEW ISSUES AND UNCHRONICLED VARIETIES. 87

ceased to be issued. What about other plates that of General Patricio Escobar, elected
registered but ' never put to press ?' Can there President in September, 1886; and the 30 c.,
be much doubt that some few copies from each that of the actual President, Juan G. Gonzales,
such plate were issued to the public ? " elected in September, 1890. The stamps are
gd., bistre, wmk. "emblems," perf. 14 (plate 5). lithographed on plain paper, and perforated
13 X I3j.
Luxembourg.—We have a further batch from
Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. We chronicled
last month the low values of the new design,
with the portrait of the Grand Duke, and have
now to add the higher values of the franc, 2j
francs, and 5 francs. The series has also been
surcharged " S.P." (Service Public).
i franc, mauve.
2j francs, black.
5 ,, lake.
Surcharged S.P. (Service Public).

12^ c., pearl-grey. 50 c., bistre,

20 c., orange. i franc, mauve.
30 c.. olive. 2| francs, black.
37J c., green. 5 ,, lake.

Mozambique.—The Monthly Journal lias re-

ceived a letter from Delagoa Bay, franked in
part by 2j reis and 5 reis stamps, surcharged
upon the 40 reis of 1886. In each case the word
"JORNAES" was printed across the top of the
stamp, and the value in figures, with " REIS "
in small capitals, across the bottom. The in-
formant stated that only no were issued with
the surcharge in red, and but a few hundred of 1 centavo grey; Rivarola.
each of those overprinted in black. 2 centavos green; Jovellanos.
Adhesivjs. 2| reis, in black, on 40 reis, chocolate. 4 „ carmine; Gil.
5 .. „ °n 4« „ „ 5 „ violet; Uriarte.
5 „ in red, on 40 ,, ,, 10 „ blue; Bareiro.
14 ,, light brown; Caballero.
Oil Rivers.—Messrs. Theodor Buhl & Co. in- 20 ., carmine; Kscobar.
form us that a permanent set is being prepared, 30 „ yellow-green; Gonzales.
which will have the head of Her Majesty, 40 „ dark blue; arms.
similar to that on the Jubilee coinage, with the 60 ,, yellow ,,
80 ,, light blue „
small crown. This portrait has already been i peso olive „
used on the New Zealand 2jd. and 5d. stamps
issued some months since to meet the require-
ments of the Postal union rate. Portuguese Congo.—The Monthly Journal
gives the following explanation as to the pre-
Paraguay.—We illustrate five of the new maturely chronicled design :—" With reference
series from specimens received from Messrs. to the stamp which we described and illustrated
Whitfield King & Co. The others we hope to in January, a correspondent sends us the fol-
illustrate in a subsequent number. Four new lowing extract from a letter received by him
values, viz., 40 c., 60 c., 80 c., and i peso have from a friend in Lisbon :—
been added to the current "arms" series. The The dies which I saw of these stamps were delivered to
1 centavo has a portrait of Cirilo Rivarola; the the printing department of the Mint on the nth inst.
2 c. that of Salvador Jovellanos, the first (February), therefore, you see, they are not even printed
President after the peace of 1870; the 4 c. that yet. The stamp you refer to is of the first die, which I
also saw, which was not accepted, and, moreover, this
of Juan Bautista Gil, second President; the one had no value on it. Somebody belonging to the Mint
5 c. that of Higinio Uriarte, the third President; —unknown up to the present—is supposed to have
the 10 c. that of Caudido Bareiro, the next obtained a copy of the trial, on which he put the value
-President; the 14 c. that of General Bernadino of 5 reis, and sent it to some stamp newspaper.
Caballero, elected President in 1882; the 20 c, It appears that we are to have Portuguese
 NEW ISSUES AND UNCHRONICLED VARIETIES.
Congo stamps, but that the design that has placed with a new design bearing, possibly, a
been published is not the one adopted." portrait of " Dom Paul," President Kniger.
|d., bronze green, ? error.
id. on 6d., blue, inverted.
Sierra Leone.—The Monthly Journal has
received the ijd. adhesive with the Crown and
CA watermark, which we believe has not been United States.—We have received from
hitherto met with, except surcharged " half- Messrs. Theodor Buhl & Co. a copy of the new
penny " as chronicled last month :—• 8 cents stamp of the permanent series, with
portrait of General Sherman, which we illus-
i|d., mauve; wmk. Crown <5° CA ; perf. 14. trate. It is perf. 12.

Transvaal.—We have just received the Jd.

of the current series printed in the colour of
the 4d., viz., bronze-green instead of French
grey. Is this an error or an alteration of
colours ? Sheets of a id. on 6d., chronicled by
us in our February number, have been found
inverted. I/ater printings show a multiplicity
of broken letters and misplaced overprints.
There are rumours that the current series which
have done duty since 1887 will shortly be re- 8 cents, lilac.

ENVELOPES, WRAPPERS, &c.

NOTE. -Unless otherwise stated, the description of Novelties under this heading applies to ordinary Postal Envelopes.

Ceylon.—The Monthly Journal says, an Philately, which now publishes a corrected

envelope for local postage has been produced, list, which we reproduce. The envelopes are
by overprinting the 5 c. with a large numeral made of laid paper, watermarked. On some
" 2 " between two horizontal bars, and adding envelopes only the edges of the design of the
the following inscription along the upper part: watermark are to be seen, on others portions
" District Letter Envelope, price 2j cents.", of two watermarks, and rarely, we fear, the
with a line below it, followed by "This envelope whole watermark.
will not pass through more than one Post-office,
will—only be delivered when called for, and
will not be re-directed."—in two lines, divided
as shown. The Registration fee is reduced to
10 c., and the 15 c. envelopes are accordingly
surcharged "TEN CENTS," in two lines of block
capitals. We are indebted to Messrs. Whitfield.
King & Co. for specimens.
The Stamp News adds a variety of the Regis-
tration Envelope, with value surcharged in
figures.
2 (2| c.) in blue on 5 c. ultramarine.
REGISTERED ENVELOPES. CORRECTED LIST.
10 cents in black on 15 c. rose, sizes G.H.
10 cents „ „ „ i° Size A, 139x82 mm. 5° Size N, 132X107 mm.
1 c., blue. 1 c., blue.
2 c., reddish,-purple. 2 c., reddish-purple.
United States.—Columbian Issue.—We now 2° Size G, 225x99 mm.
6° Size P, 148x92 in.in.
illustrate the design of the stamp on the 1 c., blue.
2 c., reddish-purple. 2 c., reddish-purple.
Columbian envelopes from an unused copy 5 c., bistre-brown. 5 c., bistre-browu.
sent us by Messrs. Hilckes, Kirkpatrick & Co. 3° Size H, 241X104 mm. 7° Size Q, 160x95 mm-
2 c,, reddish-purple. 1 c., blue.
Messrs. Whitfield King & Co. send us the com- 5 c., bistre-browu. 2 c., reddish-purple.
plete set. The one design does duty for all the 10 c., slate-brown. 5 c., bistre-brown.
10 c., slate-brown.
envelopes, and is decidedly commonplace. The 4° Size I, 258x210 mm. 8° Size R, 142x112 mm.
sizes and colours described in our January issue a c., reddish-purple. 1 c., blue.
5 c., bistre-brown. 2 c., reddish-purple.
were taken from the American Journal of 10 c., slate-brown. 5 c., bistre-brown.
 OUR ANNUAL DINNER. 89

POST AND LETTER CARDS.

NOTE.—Unless otherwise stated, the description under this heading applies to the ordinary single Post Card.

Ceylon.—The Monthly Journal says the 3 c. We are indebted to Messrs. Whitfield King &
card is overprinted "Two CENTS," in one line Co. for specimens.
of block capitals, with a bar cancelling the 2 cents in black on 3 c., violet on buff.
original value, and a 2-J-2 c. card of local com- 2x2 c., blue on white; 121x85 mm.
OFFICIAL CARPS.
position is added ; the latter has a stamp, with No value, deep blue on buff; without name (1892).
a key pattern border, divided into three com- „ ,, „ with name.
partments, the top inscribed "CEYVXN," the
bottom "POSTAGE," and the centre "2 c.," a United States.—The Scott Stamp and Coin
large figure and small letter; the inscriptions Company send us a specimen of the 2 cent
on the card are " REPLY POST CARD.", in reply card which has just been issued. In
large Roman capitals, the usual instruction, design it is similar to the single card of the
in small block capitals, with the Royal Arms same value, with the exception of the following
between the lines, and two lines of native changes :—On the first part the upper frame is
inscription, followed by "To." The two por- replaced by a cartouche with the following
tions are exactly alike, and are joined at the inscription : " Postal card with paid reply.
top, and the whole is very neatly printed on Carte Postale avec Reponse Payee," in white
white card. Finally we have a Service post letters on blue ground, and on the reply card,
card, with "On H. M. S.", in three lines, " Reply Postal Card. Carte Postale Reponse."
within a key-pattern frame, in the right upper The inscriptions on the stamp of the first card
corner; inscriptions in four lines: I. "POST are " Message Card—Two cents," and on the
CARD." 2. "(CEYI.ON)"—"(SERVICE)," with reply card, " Reply Card—Two cents." In the
the Arms between the words. 3. " TO BE USED left lower corner of the first card is the follow-
FOR OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE ONLY.", in
ing inscription : " Despatch annexed card."
tall block capitals. 4. The instruction. The The size of the card is 140 X 89 mm., 20 X ac,
word "To" is at the left side, and "THE blue on white.
OFFICIAL SIGNATURE AND DESIGNATION OF Zululand.—The Stamp News chronicles the
THE SENDER TO BE WRITTEN ON THE REVERSE", current post cards of Great Britain adapted for
along the bottom. The whole is enclosed in use in this territory ; the Jd. (single and double)
a key-pattern frame, with a square block at are simply surcharged with the name, but on
each corner, 112X81 mm., printed on thick buff the higher value some of the inscriptions are
paper, 121X88 mm. We have seen a card barred across, and "ZULULAND" is printed
exactly similar to this, but without the words upon the words "GREAT BRITAIN AND IRE-
"(CEYLON)" and "(SERVICE)," which we pre- LAND."
sd., black and red-brown on white.
sume also belongs to this Colony; we believe i<i. + jd.,
it was issued some twelve months ago, but we id., black and vermilion on buff.
have never been able to place it until now. id. + id., „ „ „

Our Annual Dinner.

THE annual dinner of the Philatelic Society of I,ondon will, according to
present arrangements, be held on Thursday evening, the 25th of next month
(May) at the Cafe Monico, Shaftesbury Avenue, W.C. It is hoped that H.R.H.
the Duke of York will be able to preside. Members desirous of attending should
communicate as early as possible with the Hon. Secretary, Kffingham House,
Arundel Street, Strand, W.C.
 Philatelic Societies' Meetings.

The Philatelic Society, London. Secretary, and seconded by the Assistant

Secretary; Mr. J. C. Enys, proposed by Mr.
Hon. President: Pearce, and seconded by Mr. Nankivell; Mr.
John C. Potter, proposed by the Treasurer,
H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, K.G., &c.
and seconded by the Secretary ; and Mr. G. A.
Hon. Vice-President : Greathead, proposed by Capt. Norris Newman,
H.R.H. THE DUKE OF YORK, K.G. and seconded by Mr. Nankivell, were elected
members of the Society.
Committee for the Year 1892-93. The Assistant Secretary called attention to
the question of the desirability of omitting in
President: THE EARI, OF KINGSTON. future notices of meetings the addresses of
Vice-President: M. P. CASTI,B. proposed new members, and gave notice that
Secretary: D. GARTH. at the next meeting he would move a resolu-
tion on the subject.
Assistant Secretary: J. A. Tir,i<EARD.
GUARANTEES AT STAMP AUCTIONS.
Treasurer and Librarian: C. N. BIGGS.
Mr. Naiikivell then read a paper on "Guaran-
E. D. BACON. MAJOR EVANS. tees at Stamp Auctions," in which he described
A. w. CHAMBERS. T. MAYCOCK. the nature of the guarantees offered by the
several auctioneers at present engaged in the
business. In the paper Mr. Nankivell ex-
THE Thirteenth Meeting of the Season was plained the difficulties arising from such
held at Effingham House, Strand, on Friday, guarantees in the case of disputes in reference
the 24th March, 1893, at 7.30 p.m., the following to the genuine character of any stamps offered
members being in attendance, viz.:—The Earl for sale by auction. After some discussion, in
of Kingston (in the chair), Messrs. E. D. Bacon, which several of the members present took
D. Garth, C. N. Biggs, H. R. Oldfield, R. Ehren- part, and in the course of which various sug-
bach, Dr. Viner, Messrs. R. Meyer, W. Harrison, gestions were made for obviating the difficulties
T. Maycock, C. J. Daun, Seymour Wells, G. B. referred to, a cordial vote of thanks was, on
Routledge, Hastings E. Wright, A. B. Creeke, the motion of Mr. Bacon, seconded by Mr.
R. Pearce, E. J. Nankivell, Norman Newton, Garth, accorded to Mr. Nankivell for his
and J. A. Tilleard. interesting paper.
CORRESPONDENCE. During the evening Mr. Hastings Wright
After the minutes of the last meeting had produced for the inspection of members present,
been read and confirmed, the Secretary reported a fine unused copy of the very rare gd. stamp
the receipt of letters from the private secretaries of Great Britain, plate 3—with the hair lines.
of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, and H.R.H.
the Duke of York, thanking the Society for
copies of the work on the Stamps of British Brighton and Sussex Philatelic
India and Ceylon. The Secretary also an-
nounced the receipt of a letter from the Assis- Society.
tant Postmaster-General of the United States
of America, enclosing, for the Society, a com- Honorary President: BARON DE WORMS.
plete set of proofs, on Indian paper, of the New
Series of " Columbus " Stamps, including the Committee for the Year 1893.
recently issued 8 cents value, and the letter President: M. P. CASTLE.
was directed to be acknowledged with the Vice-President: J. H. REDMAN.
thanks of the Society. A letter was also read Hon. Sec. & Treasurer: A. DE WORMS.
from the Rev. H. Cummings, tendering his W. T. H. STAFFORD SMITH.
resignation of membership, which was accepted. J. W. R. J. WOODMAN.
NEW MEMBERS.
Mr. D. J. Macfie, proposed by Mr. Geldard, THE Ninth Meeting of the Season was held
and seconded by the Secretary; Mr. C. Dack, at Markwell's Hotel, Brighton, on Monday, ,3Oth
proposed by Mr. Beckwith, and seconded by January, at 7.45 p.m. Present: Messrs. J. H.
Mr. Firth; Mr. C. F. Ellis, proposed by the Redman, J. W. Gillespie, R. J. Thrupp, O.
Assistant Secretary, and seconded by the Secre- Pfenninger, P. de Worms, A. de Worms. The
tary ; Dr. R. H. Sankey, proposed by the Vice-President in the chair. Mr. W. H. G.
 PHILATELIC SOCIETIES' MEETINGS.
Cruttwell was duly elected a member of the 1867. He also exhibited a number of rare proofs,
Society. In accordance with the resolution essays, etc., including the forgery of the 4 annas
passed at the last meeting, the rules of the first issue, with inverted head, produced at the
Society, as revised, were brought up for con- Assmus trial, all kindly lent by Messrs. Stanley
firmation, and after considerable discussion Gibbons, Limited. Mr. Stafford Smith showed
finally adopted. Some alterations were also a block of six of the 2 annas green, both per-
made in the rules of the exchange circuit. Mr. forated and imperforate.
Pfenninger exhibited his very fine collection of
the stamps of Switzerland, containing all the
rarities in perfect condition. Leeds Philatelic Society.
THE Tenth Meeting of the Season was held Committee for the Session 1892-93.
at Markwell's Hotel, Brighton, on Monday, I3th President: WM. BECKWITH.
February, at 7.45 p.m. Present: Messrs. J. W.
Gillespie, R. J. Woodman, H. Clark, O. Pfen- Senior Vice-President: O. FIRTH.
ninger, H. Stafford Smith, R. J. Thrupp, A. de Junior Vice-President: J. H. THACKRAH.
Worms, W. H. G. Cruttwell. In the absence of ex-Presidents: JOSEPH SCOTT A.ND
the Vice-President, Mr. J. W. Gillespie took the REV. T. S. FLEMING.
chair. Colonel A. M. Brown and Mr. H. J. Hon. Treasurer: W. B. SIMPSON.
Gillespie were both elected members of the Hon. Secretaries: W. DENISON ROEBUCK, F.L.S.,
Society. The subject of study was the stamps AND T. KERSHAW SKIPWITH.
of Cyprus. Hon. Librarian: F. J. KIDSON.
THE Eleventh Meeting of the Season 1892-93
was held at Markwell's Hotel, Brighton, on THE Thirteenth Meeting of the Session was
Monday, 27th February, at 7.45 p.m. Present: held at the Leeds Mechanics' Institute, cm
Messrs. J. H. Redman, J. W. Gillespie, A. H. Saturday evening, March i8th, 1893, the Presi-
Thomas, R. J. Thrupp, O. Pfenninger, H. S. dent in the chair. Also present, Mrs. Beardsell,
Smith, R. J. Woodman, P. de Worms, G. G. Rev. T. S. Fleming, and Messrs. Sieber, Egly,
Hodgson, W. H. G. Cruttwell, A. de Worms. Jefferson, Thackrah, Duffield, A. N. Skipwith,
The Vice-President in the chair. The Vice- Simpson, and the Secretaries, and as visitors
President announced that as the President of Messrs. D. Bennett, E. G. Hudson, and F.
the London Philatelic Society was staying in Craven. Messrs. Bennett and Hudson were
Brighton the Committee had sent him an ballotted for and elected associates, and two
invitation to be present at the meeting of that candidates were proposed. A large number of
evening. The Secretary read a letter he had novelties were shown, after which Mr. W.
received from the Earl of Kingston thanking Denison Roebuck, F.L.S., described the second
the Committee for their invitation, and stating half of the stamps issued during the reign of
that it would have given him great pleasure to Queen Isabella II. of Spain, showing his collec-
have availed himself of the same had not his tion and that of Mr. Joseph Scott. Mr. Scott's
visit to Brighton previously terminated. The series contained a couple of specially interesting
Secretary also read some notes on the stamps stamps, one being a copy of the 2 reales of 1860,
of Ceylon, illustrated by his collection, con- printed on white paper, and the other an
taining almost every variety, both used and apparently unchronicled variety of the 4 cuartos
unused, the inspection of which afforded con- imperforate of 1865, printed in the two colours
siderable interest. Among the rarest stamps of the 12 cuartcs (possibly an essay ?). Most of
were an imperf. pair of 2S., two unused copies the members showed their collections, all the
of the 2 pence, wmk. CC, in the yellow-green varieties being on view except two.
shade; 24 cents, plum, wmk. CA, unused, without
" Specimen," etc. Mr. Stafford Smith exhibited THE Fourteenth Meeting was held on the
a number of Ceylon envelopes, all unused and 8th April, the President in the chair. There
very fine, embracing most varieties. were also present the Rev. T. S. Fleming, and
Messrs. Sieber, Duffield, Egly, Simpson, A. N.
THE Twelfth Meeting of the Season was held Skipwith, Kidson, Jefferson, Hudson, and the
at Markwell's Hotel, Brighton, on Monday, I3th Secretaries; and as a visitor, Mr. F. Craven.
March, at 7.45 p.m. Present: Messrs. J. H. The last named was afterwards elected an
Redman, J. W. Gillespie, H. S. Smith, R. J. associate, and Mr. Charles L. Rothenstein as a
Thrupp, A. H. Thomas, O. Pfenninger, P. de member. After the acknowledgment of dona-
Worms, R. J. Woodman, A. de Worms, W. H. tions and the exhibition of novelties, the
G. Cruttwell, E. J. W. Sang. The Secretary members proceeded to compare their collections
read some notes on the stamps of India, illus- of the stamps of Jamaica, the various issues
trated by his collection, the principal stamps in being described by Mr. T. K. Skipwith.
it being pairs of the first issue 4 annas, showing It is requested that communications be not
the different distances at which they were addressed to the Mechanics' Institute, but to
printed, the no watermark series unused, and the Secretaries, at No. 13, Victoria Road, Hyde
two fine sets of the provisional service issue of Park, Leeds.
 OCCASIONAL NOTES.

Manchester Philatelic Society. papers read before the Society for the use of the
members, and that a Lists Committee of the
President: VERNON ROBERTS. whole Society would meet every alternate
Vice-President: F. BARRATT. Friday.
Hon. Secretary: W. DORNING BECKTON. The President read the continuation of his
Assistant Hon. Secretary: C. H. CooTE. paper on the stamps of Great Britain, dealing
Hon. Treasurer: G. B. DUERST. with the as., as. 6d., 53., IDS. £1, and £5 stamps,
J. H. ABBOTT. E. AlTKEN. and thus completed his subject, for which he
E. P. Cow,ETT. was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

THE Twelfth Meeting of the Session was held THE Thirteenth Meeting of the Session was
at the Blackfriars Hotel on Friday, 3rd March, held at the Blackfriars Hotel, on Friday, March
1893, the President in the chair, supported iyth, 1893, the President in the chair, supported
by the Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, by the Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary,
Assistant-Secretary, Messrs. Abbott, Collett, Assistant-Secretary, Messrs. Collett, Grunewald,
Petrie, Munn, Farrar, Fildes, Hanmer, Grune- Petrie, Munn, Gibson, Pemberton, Rauck,
wald, Batty, Blockey, Gibson, Pemberton and Blockey, Batty and Fildes.
Ranck. The Treasurer read a paper on the stamps of
Mr. John W. Simpson and Mr. P. L. Pem- Turkey, dealing with the first issue, and after-
berton were elected members of the Society. wards read an interesting description of an
The President announced to the meeting the experiment which had been tried with success
result of a Committee meeting which had by a Parisian dealer for showing the difference
recently been held, at which it was determined between genuine stamps and clever forgeries by
to publish an epitome of the most popular means of a magic lantern.

Occasional Notes.

Sale of a Big Collection. Oxford College Stamps.

The well-known French collector, M. Berchut, "Oxonian" writes as follows to the Stamp
of Havre, has, according to the Monthly Journal, News : " There is quite a mania at Oxford after
recently disposed of his collection for a little these curious stamps, envelopes, and cards, and
over two thousand pounds to another French a good many of them are already becoming very
collector. This is said to be the largest collec- scarce. The issuing colleges have been inun-
tion that has changed hands intact, in France, dated with inquiries with respect to them from
since Messrs. Caillebottes sold their magnificent all over the country, but in the majority of
collection for seven thousand pounds several cases there are none to be had from these
years ago. sources. They have now been out of use some
Messrs. Stanley Gibbons' New Premises. years, and there seems no reason why some of
Messrs. Stanley Gibbons, Limited, announce them, at least, shouldn't become as scarce as
that they have just taken large new premises the American locals. Who knows ? And per-
in the Strand, consisting of a whole house of haps we may hear of a Keble or Balliol embossed
four stories, with a large basement, and with a fetching a five pound note in a few years' time !
depth of 78 ft. from the Strand. They will In any case, very few appear to have been
have a large shop with 'accommodation for serving printed, and if- collectors should take them up
close on twenty customers at one time, and a generally the rise in prices must be enormous.
private room will be fitted up on the first floor, Hertford seem to have been the most prolific,
to which special customers, and members of as, in addition to issuing an adhesive and a card,
the Philatelic Society, will be invited to bring they appear to have had a number of envelopes
their collections and inspect their stock of any in different sizes embossed in a variety of shades
particular country at which they may be of blue and mauve respectively. Keble are
working. The entire building will be lighted known in various colours and types, and
with the electric light, and heated with hot altogether there is a really fine opening for the
water. Among other things they are having a specialist."
very large fire-proof strong room built, in which Canadian Postal Rates.
the most valuable portion of their stock will be The Canadian Government has declined to
kept. give its assent to a proposal for the introduction
 OCCASIONAL NOTES.

of an internal two cent postal rate for the accepted as English and Colonial postage
Dominion. Sir A. P. Caron, the Postmaster- stamps.
General, said that such a change would involve
an annual loss of 750,000 dols. The World's Fair Stamp Exhibition.
The Committee of the American Philatelic
Sale of a Collection of Nevis. Association, which has the matter of the pro-
In our February issue we stated that Mr. posed Philatelic Exhibition at the World's Fair
Mackenzie had " parted with his celebrated at Chicago in hand, now report that General
collection of Nevis to a well-known member of Hazen, Third Assistant Postmaster-General, has
the Philatelic Society, London, for £450." set aside for the use of the Stamp Exhibition a
Messrs. Theodor Buhl & Co. now write to us as gallery of 65 feet long by 25 feet wide, over-
follows:— looking the Post Office Department Exhibit
We notice in the Philatelic Journal of Great Britain of
below. " The stamps will be encased in hand-
the loth ult. that you are quoted as publishing the infor- some cases made especially for them. There
mation that Mr. Mackenzie's Nevis collection was sold by will be two double cases 20 feet long, holding
him to a member of the London Society. We beg to say 72 sheets, size of Staten Island sheet on each
that this is not quite correct, as we bought this collection side ; five double cases 15 feet long, holding
from Mr. Mackenzie, although we subsequently sold it
ourselves to a member of the Society for the price which 108 sheets each ; four half cases 15 feet long,
you state. We should be greatly obliged if you would holding 54 sheets each, and one half case 20
kindly insert this correction at the earliest opportunity. feet long holding 72 sheets, a total of 1,116
Rather a distinction without a difference, we sheets, averaging 45 stamps to a sheet will give
imagine. about 50,000 stamps." The Committee appear
to be very sanguine of being able to get a
Victoria 2d. (Queen on Throne). "quart into a pint pot," for into this space they
At the last meeting of the Philatelic Society, expect to have " arranged, artistically and care-
London, a very interesting vertical strip of fully, the most complete collection of the post-
5 of the lithographed ad. stamps of Victoria age stamps of the world that has ever been
(Queen on Throne) was shown. The stamps, gathered together." American collectors only
which were forwarded by Mr. Perrier Kerr, are to be invited to exhibit, and an appeal is
show variations of lettering not previously made for funds to the extent of /6oo to defray
chronicled, and they probably form part of a expenses. It is not yet stated how long the
third transfer, the existence of which is sug- stamps are to be on view.
gested in "Oceania." They are apparently
Nos. 9, 19, 29, 39, and 49 on the plate, and, Strange A ivice.
although unfortunately the left-hand side of A writer in an American stamp journal
the entire strip is so closely cut that the letters advises collectors of the stamps of the " Great
on that side cannot be seen, the letter to the Republic " to allow for expansion, as all North
right in No. 9 is "Y" in place of "N," in America, including Canada, Mexico, and even
No. 39 "W" in lieu of "T," and in No. 49 Central America and most of the West Indies
" M " instead of " C." will eventually form part of the United States.
Nothing like looking ahead in matters phila-
English Postage Stamps as Works of Art. telic as well as political! It will not be
The Illustrated London News thinks some wondered at that such a writer should advise
improvement may be effected in the designs of his readers to put their money into South
our English postage stamps. Writing from an American rubbish rather than in the issues of
art point of view it says :— the United States.
Now that the coinage has been reformed—for the new
patterns are already in circulatioti—it is to be hoped that Speculation in Postage Stamps.
someone will take up the cause of the long-suffering But those who make a plunge into the
postage-stamp. When it first came into use, something business of speculation in stamps need to be
like half a century ago, and for many years afterwards, it very wary in these days, especially in regard to
was known as the " Queen's Head." It is lucky that the
term has fallen into oblivion, for no one would now con- Americans. In the issues of the United States
nect the postage label with the reigning sovereign. The there is quite an epidemic of speculation, and
only recent effort in a new direction—the foreign post- prices are abnormally high. Hoarding goes on
card—hardly encourages us to look for help from the Post to an absurd extent. It is not merely hoarding
Office, but surely there is someone who might suggest to
Mr. Arnold Morley that an opportunity exists for making as understood and practised by the ordinary
his stay at St. Martin's-le-Grand memorable. That post- collector in the sense of putting aside useless
age-stamps can also be works of art no one will deny who duplicates in the hope that they may turn out
can recall those which were in use in Naples during the trumps some day, but hoarding in the sense of
latter years of King Bomba's reign ; and although under
Constitutional government there was a painful falling-off depleting the market of certain issues so as to
in the attractiveness of the Italian stamps it is not bring about a rise in values. Such a rise will
necessary to conclude that the rule need be absolute for be unnatural and fleeting, and will result in the
all countries. burning of some speculators' fingers.
The De la Rue contract has, we believe, close
on five years to run, during which, in all proba- The Paris Stamp Bourse.
bility, it will be useless to hope for any improve- Mr. Vinden, in his Philatelic Monthly for
ment on the mediocre designs that have to be February, describes his visit to the Stamp
94 OCCASIONAL NOTES.

Bourse, during his recent European trip, held Market Price of Used Columbians.
every Sunday on one of the avenues of the Americans are evidently bent on speculating
Champs Elysee, Paris. The " Bourse " begins for a rise in the stamps of the Columbian issue,
about twelve and continues until dark, after despite the opinion of some authorities that they
which most of the dealers, and many of the will never be very rare. As an indication of the
more important collectors, adjourn to a cafe' present market value, it may be noted that a
close by, where trade is continued for some New York dealer offers to buy good used speci-
hours. mens at the following prices :—
Ou the occasion of each of my visits, writes Mr. Vinden, Dols.
I saw some four to six hundred people congregated under 3 ..green at o'75 per 100.
the trees, hard at work, buying, selling and "swopping." 4 ., ultramarine '4° ,.
Rveryone appeared to be particularly well dressed and 5 ., chocolate-brown ... ,, 'io ,,
well-to-do. There were serious looking grey-haired old 6 ., royal purple „ 2*00 „
ladies and gentlemen, happy looking, and remarkably 10 ., brown •15
lovely mademoiselles of all ages, cheerful, shrewd-looking '5 ., green ,, 1-50 „
school lads, and in fact all classes and ages are represented; 30 ., brown ,, 3'oo „
and although many of them came in their carriages, none 5° ., blue ,, 6'oo ,,
were too proud to " do a deal," be it either to buy, sell, or Hawaiian Affairs.
exchange. Most of the Parisian dealers attend the Ex-
change, but the more important do no selling-, but confine The American protectorate over Hawaii was
themselves to buying and talking of the past week's dis- withdrawn on April I, when the American flag
coveries. There were no end of stamps on view of every was removed from all the public buildings," and
description, but chiefly of the medium or common class. replaced by that of Hawaii. The United States,
I noticed very few rare stamps, and conclude that these
are not usually oftered or sold at the " Bourse." My only however, will not allow any foreign interven-
danger was with some of the charming little ladies, whom tion in Hawaiian affairs, nor any disturbance of
I found it impossible to resist, and therefore was obliged the provisional Government, in which some
to exchange my good francs for stamps which my judg- changes have been made. Ergo, we suppose
ment would not otherwise have permitted me to purchase.
we may expect a batch of " provisionals " ere
The McKinley Tariff on Stamps. long, to displace, or deface, the portrait of the
dethroned queen.
According to our American contemporary,
The Post Office, the collection of duty on Home Rule Postage Stamps.
stamps is now almost a dead-letter in the Our contemporary, the Philatelic Journal of
United States. Hardly any attempt is made to Great Britain, which made much haste to in-
levy the tax. Considerable trouble, however, form us that our assumption that the passing
seems to be caused by the Canadian Custom of the Home Rule Bill might lead to the issue
officials in seizing approval lots of stamps sent of separate stamps for Ireland was "a trifle
to Canadian collectors. The sooner the absurd grotesque," has since addressed a query to Mr.
tariff is altogether removed the better for the Gladstone on the point, and has been informed
extension of trade between English and that the question "will be one for the con-
American collectors and dealers. sideration of the Irish Government."
 The Philatelic Market.
THE SCOTT STAMP AND COIN Co., LIMITED, LOT. £ s.d.
sold the collection of Mr. George Hencken by 1414 Peru, 1858, i r., blue, of the Pacific Steam
Navigation Co., on bluish paper, lightly
auction in New York, at the end of last January. postmarked " Callao " 4 8 0
All through the sale the prices ruled very high. M'5 Peru, 1858, medio p., rose, used n 4 o
The total amount realised was just over ^2,000. 1416 ,, ,, medio p., yellow, unused 3 11 o
For convenience we give the prices of the !59! Roumauia, Moldavia, i8s8,;iaid paper, 54 pa.,
principal lots in English money, reckoning blue o n green, used 6 8 0
1804 Switzerland, Geneva,'1843, 10 c., green, used 12 ° °
four shillings to the dollar :— 1812 ,, Zurich, 1843, vertical lines, 4 r.,
i/vr. £ s. d. black, type 5, used 15 8 o
1 New Haven, 1845, 5 c., red, one of the thirty 1813 Switzerland, Zurich, horizontal lines, 4 r.,
reprints signed by the postmaster, E. A. black, type 3, used 7 12 o
Mitchell, unused 4 4 0 1816 Switzerland, 1848, 4 c., red and black (Vaud),
2 New York, 1843, 3 c., blue wove paper, used 9 12 o
unused ... 4 16 o 1897 Tuscany, 1860, 3 lire, ochre, used 27 5 o
- 9 Providence, 10 c., black, unused 3 12 o iqoo Naples, 1860, Arms, § t, blue, used 14 8 o
18 1856, 24 c., lilac, unused 5 0 0 !974 Western Australia, 4 p., blue, unused,
36 1868, embossing covering the entire back of rouletted 2 18 o
stamp, 3 c., rose, unused 3 16 o 1975 Western Australia, i sh., brown, unused,
40 1868, 90 c., blue, unused 2 6 0 rouletted 3 J3 o
42 1869, 15 c., brown and blue, picture inverted, 1980 Western Australia, 1875, i p. on 2 p., yellow,
used 13 16 o black surcharge, used 10 o o
276 Adams and Co., Kxpress, 1853, 25 c., black on
blue, unused i 18 o
280 Barr's Penny Post, green paper, unused ... i 18 o MESSRS. CHEVELEY & Co. held their thirty-
303 Browne's Eastern Despatch, 1856, 2 c., black, ninth sale on March 8th. The principal lots
unused 4 8 o were:—•
319 Glen Haven, 1855, r c., green, on original LOT. £ s. d.
envelope, used 880 3 France, i f., orange, mended 2 12 o
348 Baton Rouge, L,a., 5 c., green and carmine, 14, 34 Basle, 2j r £310 o & 317 6
on original envelope, used n 2 o 62 Afghan, 1293, sunar in green 2 12 o
350 Charlestown P'nvelopj, 5 c., on blue, entire 73 ,, 1293, value in tablet, | r., purple ... 5 15 o
envelope, unused 3 0 0 103 Natal, ist issue, i/- 2 14 o
355 Lenoir, N.C., 5 c., blue and orange, used. ... 13 i o 106 ,, i'-, surch. Postage, but smaller than
359 Memphis, Tenn., envelope, 5 c., red, used in usual 5 10 o
connection with 5 c. adhesive; entire en- 154 New Brunswick, i/- 5 o o
velope, used ( 2 ) 8 8 0 159 Nova Scotia, i/- 8 10 o
360 Mobile, Ala., 2 c., black, unused 6 13 o 160 U.S., 1869, set 2 10 o
364 Nashville, 10 c., green, lightly postmarked 12 4 o 162 Justice, set unused 3 7 6
475 Barbadoes, 1878, i p. on | of 5 sh., pink, 208 B. Guiana, 1862, 2 c, " pearls " 2 14 o
unsevered pair of two varieties, used ... 3 16 o 209 Trinidad, Lady McLeod, on envelope, but
506 Antofagasta, Chimba, black, cut to shape, uncancelled 14 o o
used 3 16 o 306 N.S.W., 5'-, variety of perf. 3 0 0
604 Canada, 7^ p., green, unsevered pair, used 7 4 0
669 Ceylon, officials, 4 p., rose, unused 7 4 o
950 Guinea, 1879, small surcharge, 5 r., black, MESSRS. CHEVELEY & Co. held their fortieth
used... 4 16 o sale on March 25th : —
969 Hawaiian Islands, 13 c., vermilion, sur- LOT. £ s. d.
charged "5" in MS 2 o o 5 Gt. Britain, 8d., red-brown, pair n o o
1045 Labuan, 1879, Crown and C A sideways, 6 ,, 2'-, salmon, pair 7 0 0
12 c., red, used 4 12 o 8 Zurich, 6 r., set of 5 types 3 10 o
1051 .. 1883, Crown and C A, 8 c., carmine, 9 Geneva, 5 + 5 c., joined 6 0 0
unused 2 12 o 19 Saxony, 3 pf. unused 5 10 o
1052 ., ,, 2 c. on 8 c., carmine, sur- 112 Ceylon, 4 c. grey, perf. i2g ......... 2 10 o
charged in capitals, un- 210 Cape, wood block id., block of 4 ...... 18 10 o
catalogued, unused ... 2 16 o 219 Natal, gd. blue, on piece of letter ...... 21 o o
1053 •• ,. 2 c. on 16 c., blue, surcharged 419 Bahamas, id., imperf. pair ......... 3 15 o
in capitals, unused... ... 6 S o 603 Victoria, 5,'-, blue on Yellow, no perfs. one
1186 Guadalajara, 1867, wove paper, Medio r., side ..................... 3 5 0
white, unsevered pair, used 7 4 o 647 Tasmania, 4d., plate i. reconstructed ...... 3 5 0
1220 Nevis, 1861, i sh., green, unused 3 13 o 648 ,, 4d., ,, ii. ,, ...... 3 0 0
1221 ,, white paper, engraved, i sh., green,
used i 8 o
1224 „ ,, 6 p., olive, unused . . . 4 8 0 MESSRS. VENTOM, Bun & COOPER held
1238 New Brunswick, 6 p., yellow, used i 16 o their twenty-fifth sale on March I3th and I4th:—
1240 ,, is., violet, lightly post- I,OT. £ s. d.
marked 8 2 0 16 G. Britain, V.R 8 8 0
1245 Newfoundland, 3 p., green, and 4 p., scarlet- 38 Oldenburg, 2nd issue, Jgr., used 3 17 o
vermilion, used on one envelope 314 o 40 ,, 1861, i gr., used j 10 a
1249 Newfoundland, 6 j p., scarlet-vermilion, used 4 6 0 170 B. Bechuanaland, English registered en-
1253 ,, 1857, i sh., scarlet-vermilion, used 9 12 o velope, surch. FOUR twice 3 o o
1366 Nova Scotia, i sh., violet, unused 7 12 o 185 Cape, 4d., wood block, dark blue 2 7 0
 TO CORRESPONDENTS.
LOT. £ s. d LOT. £ s. d.
260 U.S., New York, 5 c., double line at bottom, 279 N. Zealand, 2d., wnik. lozenges..* , 2 2 0
unsigned, but used 2 17 t 282 Queensland 2d., imperf. 2 0 0
265 1869 set 2 16 c 283 „ 2d., no wmk., pin perf. 3 5 0
321 St. Vincent, 5'-, wmk. star 3 o c 294 S. Australia, 2d. orange-vermilion (colour of
t h e Roul.), pair imperf. 2 2 0
MESSRS. VENTOM, BULL & COOPER, held 300 S. Australia, id. yellow-green, pair imperf.... 2 10 o
their twenty-sixth sale on March 28th : — 304 Tasmania, id., no wmk., pair unused ... 5 5 o
LOT. £ s. d.
50 India, 2 a. green ............... a 8 o
58 Philippines, litho,, 5 c. orange ......... 2 3 0 MR. HADLOW'S twentieth sale was held on
59 ,, 5 c. red ............ 2 2 0 April I3th and I4th :—
84 Mauritius, 4d. black on green, unused ... 4 2 6 £ si. d.
85 „ |d. in red on gd., in figures and
words, unused ............... 2 z o Transvaal, j£s green, pair 2 2 0
British Honduras, 6 carmine, unused, error imperf. 39°
91 Natal, i/-, buff ............... 2 5 0 Nevis, complete sheet of 12 stamps of the i/- Htho
145 Trinidad, blue, litho., unused ......... 3 S o
161 Pacific S.N. Co. i r. rose, on laid ...... 210 o in light green, unused 5 in o
177 N. Caledonia, 1860, ioc., a complete sheet ... 3 10 o Nevis, complete sheet of 12 stamps of the id. litho,
perf. n, unused i \i o
St. Vincent, 5/- lake, wmk. star, unused, with gum 3 3 0
MR. HABLOW held his nineteenth sale on Tasmania, small type 4d. blue, unused, wmk.
March 2ist : — Crown a n d C . C 2 0 0
LOT. £ s. d. Western Australia, ist issue 6d., rouletted 2 "17 o
207 Pacific S.N. Co., 2 r. red-brown on blue . . . 2 2 0 „ 6d. bronze, unused, cut at top 2 4 0

To Correspondents.
Circulars containing specimen pages of the I/JNDON PHILATELIST and Subscribers' Order Forms will be supplied in any
quantity, post free, to any of our readers n'ho trill Mndly co-operate frith its in promoting our circulation.

Bound Copies of Vol. 1. Editorial Communications.

Copies of Vol. I. of this Journal are now ready, bound All communications on Philatelic matters should be
in half morocco of the best quality, gilt top and rough accompanied by the name and address of the writer, as a
edges, price one guinea, postage gd. Abroad, extra guarantee of good faith, and addressed to the Assistant
postage. All copies sent by post will be securely packed Editor of THE LONDON PHILATELIST, Carisbrook, Bird-
in millboards. hurst Rise, South Croydon. Letters enclosing valuables
should be registered.
Binding Volumes.
Subscribers may have their copies bound, as above, and Advertisements.
returned, including return postage and packing, at a Letters, Enquiries, and Remittances connected with the
charge of 75. Advertisement pages should be addressed Mr. E. J.
Soiled or damaged copies of numbers will be replaced, NANKIVELL, Carisbrook, Birdhurst Rise, South Croydou.
if desired, at half price, if in stock. Advertisements must be received not later than the i^th
of the month for publication in the next issue.
Copies for binding should be addressed to The Publisher,
THE LONDON PHILATELIST, Effingham House, Arundel Subscriptions.
Street, Strand, London, W.C., and should be accompanied THE LONDON PHILATELIST will be sent, post free in
by the name and address to which they are to be Great Britain or the countries of the Postal Union, to any
returned. subscriber, on receipt of 7s. Subscribers' remittances
The advertisements will not be bound up in the volume should be sent to The Publishers, EFFINGHAM HOUSE,
unless specially requested. ARUMDEL STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C.