PHILATELIC EXHIBITION

Evening Star, Issue 19197, 13 March 1926, Page 10

PHILATELIC EXHIBITION

COLLECTION AT ART GALLERY PUBLIC INTEREST APPARENT To'the uninitiated tho science of philately conveys nothing, nntl yet from a layman’s point of view when initiated the study proves highly interesting and instructive. Stamp collectors ot philatelists havo invariably been classed as peculiar people, with a kink of the came kind as the unfortunate botanist, ibo butt of insults from most of tho cartoonists of the world. Howover, to moating a philatelist at an exhibition of his hobby one cannot but feel that ho is-in the presence of a superior being, whoso knowledge of science, history, geography overawes one. i To-day one of tho uninitiated spent a most enjoyable two hours in tho hands of a leading Now Zealand philatelist on a tour round (ho exhibition of stamp collections which is at present on show in tho ArtGallery. Among (ho’exhibits is one by Mr A. L. Chappell, a well-known Christchurch journalist, which is meritorious in every way. Tins exhibitor had spent a great deal of lime describing tho various processes involved in tho manufacture of stamps from (he die and water mark to the perforations. K<ic!i section of the study was clearly illustrated in a manner which could easily bo understood by tho layman. The study covered lino engraving, relief printing, manufacture of Crown colony stamps by the use of key plates with space left to overslamp the denomination, pbotogravuro, the lithograph method (the cheapest but least effective of the 1 lot), and lino etching. The study also covered tho explanation and illustration of type-sot stamps and embossed stamps. Tho exhibit is a truly fine ono from a philatelic point ot view. In another section flic same exhibitor bad on view freak and forged stamps. Ono of the freak stamps showed Columbus, the discoverer of America, with a telescope to his eye, when, at the time, a telescope was unknown Tho forgeries wore excellent reproductions of the genuine article in moat cases, and the opinion was expressed that many forgeries were bought in tho packets and sold to beginners in the philatelic art. Most of the' forgeries can only be discovered by tho brained eye of the experienced collector. There is ■■ very interesting collection showing reduced denominations. Stamps of cerium values were over-printed with other values because they were in largo supply, but in little demand from a postage point, of view, Homo of the stamps showed a complete zoological collection, notably the issues of Nyassa, North nßorneo, and Liberia. These slumps are dear U flu: heart of tho youthful collector. A very lino collection is shown by Mr K. A. Pilcher. This colled ion shows Ceylon stamps from Ibo lirst issue m 1857 up to recent years. Tho engraving work was done by Perkins, Bacon, and Co., of London, tiio leading engravers of tho lime, and the work was artistic and masterful in every wav. The exhibit shows a, collection of Ceylon halfpenny stamps —the first ever used in the. British Krnpire. Mr Pilcher’s collection also includes the full denomination of Ceylon stamps made in 1857-59, and a stamp catalogued at £4OO. Mr A. p. M. Patterson’s armistice and peace collection proved very interesting indeed. These stumps cover (he period of tho reconstruction of new Europe, and include some beautiful issues from countries which came into existence after the war was over.

Another fine collection by Mr Pilcher shows a stamp issue commemorating the victory of the Allies. This collection is really beautiful from a pictorial point of view. Some of these stamps came into existence in a very peculiar manner. An issue of Lettland (or Latvia) stamps is shown printed on the reverse side of Bolshevik bank notes, while another issue was printed on the back of German ordnance maps. The issue also shows stamps pasted into celluloid discs and used as currency in Germany during tho currency shortage in that country.

•Mr if. A. Bcclos lias on display a line collection of stamps of Great Britain from a philatelic point of view. One issue of particular note shows how the first Queen Victoria bead cam© into use in 1873. In November of that year, when Queen Victoria made, her first entry into London after her accession to the Throne a commemorative medal was struck and the Queen was so pleased with the medal that she caused the likeness to be used in the well-known famous Id black issue of that year.

There are also many other Hue collections in the exhibition, one of particular interest being the Serbian “ death mask ” issue. This stamp contains the heads of King Peter and Kara George, and when reversed the “ death mask ” of King Peter is plainly visible. As the issue was published after the assassination of King Alexander, the ignorant people of the country looked upon it as an omen, and allegations were made against tire French engraver who had manufactured the stamp. Altogethoi the exhibition is worth a visit, and the many keen philatelists present would have pleasure in initiating the layman into the science of the great stampcollecting hobby Yesterday and last evening there was quite a largo attendance of the public.