Stamps stir collecting urge

Press, 12 July 1983, Page 14

Stamps stir collecting urge

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Myrtle Duff

The letter which accompanied a recently received stamp catalogue claimed that one in every four New Zealanders collects stamps or coins.

I am not sure if a quarter of our population continues the habit over a long period, but I know from experience that a large number of us certainly fall victim to it at some stage in our lives.

Most children are interested in strange or old coins and unusual stamps. A stamp album to encourage the hobby is an inexpensive and always popular gift, and may result in the recipient eventually becoming a great scholar of philately. Knowledge gained from any form of collecting always covers a much wider sphere than just the objects themselves. From postage stamps almost anything can be learnt.

The catalogue referred to was for a postal auction in Rotorua.

Of course, it is usually possible to make postal bids at any kind of auction, but it is a common practice among stamp dealers to organise sales at which lots may only be bid for by this means.

This one for which bidding closes on July 18 offers a wide variety from New Zealand and overseas.

Glancing through it, I was fascinated by some of the titles. Most people would probably recognise a “Full Face Queen Victoria” as a stamp, but perhaps only a keen philatelist would be aware of the significance of a “mixed perf.”

I understand that this refers to sheets of stamps where the perforation ran amok and ploughed through the middle of the stamps. Additional paper was pasted across the back and a new perforation provided in the correct place. Other intriguing descriptions, the origin of which I have not yet discovered were a “1/9 Khaki Topdressing” a “Statesman” and a “shoebox.”

The word stamp was originally used to describe a forcible, downward, thrusting movement of the foot, then the same movement by something held in the hand and used to make an imprint on some flat surface, usually paper. This descriptive term was eventually transferred to the small piece of adhesive paper which replaced the imprinted stamp to enable us to send letters and parcels around the world by this simple method of pre-pay-ment.

Although a post-paid envelope was in use in Paris as early in 1653, it is generally considered that the modern postal system evolved from an Act of Parliament passed by the

British House of Commons in 1839. This Act authorised the Treasury to fix rates of postage and regulate the collection of payments. Prizes were offered for the best proposals for bringing stamps into use. The creative spirit of early New Zealand, which produced so much in the first 50 years of European settlement, ensured that we were not far behind in the development of postal services. The first official New Zealand stamp was issued in 1855. Since that time the Post Office has continued to issue a great variety of good quality stamps, most of artistic merit, and representing every facet of life in this country. They equal those of most other countries, and are deservedly in great demand by collectors in all parts of the world. Special series have been published to commemorate great events or notable occasions in our history, and also to raise funds for good causes.

The annual issue of health stamps over so many years to finance the Health Camps scheme is an example. I would think that a “1929 Tuberculosis” mentioned in the Donald lon Catalogue was for a similar cause.

Stamp collectors must have been among the first of the many types of collectors to form their own clubs. Through these members may socialise in congenial company, make exchanges of benefit to each party, conduct auctions, and generally enjoy themselves and promote the interests of their hobby. In this city there is the Christchurch Philatelic Society, the New Zealand Stamp Collectors’ Club, and the New Zealand Airmail Society. A number of junior clubs also thrive, one of which is associated with the Canterbury Museum, where there is also a fine stamp collection based on that bequeathed by Sir Robert Heaton Rhodes. To meet the needs of security it is necessary to make arrangements for a custodian to open the special stamp room at the museum. But it is hoped soon that some different security measures will make it possible for enthusiasts to have easier access to viewing facilities. Gathering the stamps from your own or your friends’ correspondence is a good way to begin a collection; Very soon, however, a budding philatelist will become frustrated at the limitations of this method. This is the time to join a club and to visit a dealer.

Again Christchurch is fortunate. There are certainly knowledgable and reputable dealers in the city. Two which come to mind readily are Laurie Franks at 165 Cashel Street, and Bruce Alexander in Regent Street. I know there are others.

When visiting other countries I have always enjoyed visiting the philatelic departments usually attached to their post offices. They are wonderful places to buy reasonably inexpensive gifts, easily transportable, and always welcomed by collector friends.

It has been a great delight to visit Christchurch’s own Philatelic Bureau in the old Post Office building in Cathedral Square. It is a most appropriate use for the ground floor of this historic building, and I am glad it has been saved.

The transformation inside has provided a warm, bright, softly carpeted attractive place, popular with tourists, and I am sure most useful to our own collectors.

Here one can readily identify and inspect all the

special issues and the covers which are often sold with them. Displayed on stands and available free are copies of the monthly "Philatelic Bulletin,” issued by the New Zealand Post Office, and other pamphlets with illustrations and information on various special issues in New Zealand and the Pacific.

I also obtained there the “Stamp Programme for 1982,” a pamphlet which opened out to reveal a most attractive calendar showing the date on which special issues would appear during the year, and with excellent illustrations of the stamps concerned.

They covered everything from traditional works by New Zealand artists to a luscious representation of kiwifruit. The work of one noted New Zealand artist is featured on the cover of the April issue of the bulletin previously mentioned. It is a central Otago landscape, by Rita Angus.

Another informative news-sheet available here was a notice about Stampex

’B3, a prestige exhibition to be held in Auckland from August 31 to September 3 for collectors up to the age of 23. Entries close on July 16. All entrants will receive from the Post Office a special souvenir folder containing a 1983 Health Miniature Sheet. This particular folder will not be available to the general public. It is a special benefit for entrants to Stampex ’B3 who will also be presented with other gifts. The items illustrated were lent by Laurie Franks. One is a stamped envelope of 1866 posted from Dunedin in goldrush days and addressed to a coach builder of Milton, then known as Tokomairiro; the other of special Christchurch interest being one of the second issue of postcards for a one-day fete held in the Botanic Gardens to raise money for their maintenance. These were stamped at the gardens and then taken to the post office in a special box. These fetes were later known as Rose Carnivals.

Great demand by collectors throughout the world