Stamp Stories

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22519, 29 September 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)

Stamp Stories

' Among the large ' number of ■tamps that have appeared in the last lew months, there have been several items that are worthy of note.

For people who are interested in the connexion between stamps and music, the latest issue of Italy will have an immediate appeal.

Antowo Stradivari was bom at Cremona, Italy, in 1644. and died aged 83 on Pecember 19. 1737, so that the stamps recently issued are intended to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of his death, Stradivari was a pupil Aroati, a justly-celebrated maker of violins, , but whose pupjl excelled him. Because of his skill and the use of certain materials Stradivari’s violin, violas and*'ceUos have never been improved upon, and genuine instruments manufactured by him are highly valuable. Australia is proceeding with the production of additional values for the' permanent set. The design of the new jdshowsa kangaroo, and for tiie first time this curious animal is .adequately portrayed. The kangaroo, foiroed the central feature of the I? value of the New South Wales set of 1888, and was also* introduced into the of the Commonwealth Issue from 1913, but a comparison of these stamps with the new issue discloses the poorness of the earlier, reproducAustralia is unique among British sign Tor this stamp follows that of

the Id, »»d shows a full lac* portrait of Kins George VI. To mark the official visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Paris, a French commemorative set was placed on sale, on July, 19. The centra of the design contains a seal inscribed with the date.Jun.e2B. ItntT bcing the data on Which Their liaiegtirs would have landed in vyanee but for the postponement of ffiae visit because of the death of the Queen’s mother. Hands, symbolical of the two nations, are clasped in friendship on the seal and hold an olive branch. A representation of the Houses of Parliament at Westminster is introduced m the left* hand side of the stamp, and the Arc de Triomphe is portrayed on the .ylgbt-band aid*.

REGENT ISSUES ~

(By R. J, G, Collins)

'I/S^-'

Following upon the decision to repatriate French volunteers from Spain," France "placed a charity Stamp on sale on August 8, the premium being in aid of the fund fpr the relief of the volunteers. The design shows a female figure symbolical -of France welcoming a volunteer, and with a party of refugees m the background. Further values of the Indian set, with the portrait of King George VI, are now appearing overprinted for'"use in Bahrein Island. This island, which lies in the Persian Gulf, has attained a position of importance because it w one of the stopping places on the main airmail route linking Australia and Great Britain. >

When the' Great Britain-Indla service was first, established, the aeroplanes flew over the coast of Persic,, on the eastern side of the gulf, but when the Persian authori-

Wes objected to British and other aeroplanes proceeding over their country, it was necessary to alter the route, and Bahrein Island, a self-governing territory with treaty relations with India, was found to be a convenient point on the new route. Stamps were first issued for this island in 1933. Copies have lately reached New Zealand of several issues produced by the American Bank Company of New York for certain of the South American Republics, to commemorate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Promulgation of the Constitution of the United States. , These stamps are chiefly remarkable because of the use of the four colour

intaglio process which has previously tysen used only for bank notes, —^

These new stamps are certainly colourful, but it is doubtful whether the process will be widely used as it is too expensive for ordinary purposes. Very effective work is being turned out by certain British printers in the form of two colour printings, in which the second colour is carefully arranged to tone in as a background to the first colour. It is probable that this two colour method will be used for the set to commemorate the Centenary of New Zealand, the production of which was recently announced by the Postmaster-General.

NOTICE Specimens of insects or plants are invited from readers. The conditions under which such specimens are found as well as the locality should be clearly stated. It is necessary to state whether toe specimen, if an insect, was dead or ilivsi when it was found*

Mr R. J. G. Collins will be glad to answer readers* questions about stamps. Those who wish to have persona) replies must send stamped addressed envelopes. Readers who wish to have stamps valued should send those stamps by registered letter with an addressed envelop* and stamps for return registration. Mr Collins cannot undertake to value stamps from descriptions. All questions should be sent to him care of “The Press Junior," “Tha Press" ffloce, Chrlsthurch. In future, no children** con* tributions will be accepted unless they bear a statement from the bead teacher of the school attended (or. during school holidays, from a parent) that to the best of his knowledge they are the unaided and original work of the child concerned.

Readers are Invited to send questions on Bpy subjects at Interest t# be answered in these wliiWMi