FOR STAMP COLLECTORS

Evening Star, Issue 20635, 7 November 1930, Page 2

FOR STAMP COLLECTORS

[By Watermark.]

Any news, notes, and items of philatelic interest will always be appreciated. Address care Editor.

A Reminder.—The Dupediu Philatelic Club meets next Thursday night, at 8 o’clock, at Y.M.C.A., and all interested in stamp collecting aro cordially asked to attend.

The newest stamp-issuing country , is the Imamate of Yemen, occupying 74, 000 square miles of territory in Southwest Arabia, between Acri and the Aden Protectorate. A few months ago the Yemen was admitted to full mein bership of the Universal’ Postal Union, and the first general stamp- issue, printed in Berlin—values 1,2, 4,6, 10 bogaches, and 1 Imadi—are now in circulation.—* Stamp Collecting.’ The Newcastle contributor of the ‘A.S.M.,’ in the last number, writes; “•Rumours aro persisting about the existence of the recent surcharges of Australian issues in inverted condition. One Newcastle enthusiast was in the -Post Office, _ and an assistant showed him the desirable variety—twopence inverted. He begged the official to hold the sheets while he bolted for some money. In his great haste to get away, he bumped his wife—and woke upl—and has not recovered from his disappointment yet.” Norway.—A set of three stamps bearing a view of the famous North Gape, with a large steamer sheltering in its lee, is the latest from this country. The object, says * Stamp Collecting,’ of this issue is presumably to attract tourists to the Land of the Midnight Sun. The North Cape is reputed to be the most northerly point in Europe, although actually it is not. The question of colour is one of the supreme fascinations of stamp collecting, states_ a writer in ‘Stamp Collecting.’ It is a question, however, involved in much confusion of idea. There seems to be no invariable authority by which colours can be determined. There is no recognised system of tests that can be applied. No two people see colours quite alike. Positive defects in the organ of vision sometimes prevent it. Total colour blindness is not rare.- Different degrees of knowledge and great degrees of ignorance about colour prevail. With those who have no technical training on the subject—and they are the majority even among philatelists—this is not surprising. But even the specialists themselves are involved in confusion. Examine the catalogues! “ Iraq.”—An entirely new set of postage stamps, with a portrait of King Feisal in European dress, is in preparation, reports “P.J.G.8.” The denominations will be the same as in the current set, but with the addition of a 25 rupees value, South-West Africa.—The Id Union stamp from the English plate, Pretoria print, appeared on April 30 last, with the S.W.A. overprint at tbe top of the stamp instead or at foot, and was the result of an error at the Government Printing Works, Pretoria. The issue comprised 317 sheets of 240 stamps. ... People are collecting stamps as much as, if not more than, ever they did. Business and professional men, and particularly wealthy men of leisure, are turning more and more to philately as a means of interest and recreation. In fact, amongst thinking people, the hobby is steadily growing in popularity. . . Stamp collecting is undoubtedly on the increase. It is pleasing to see that several influential journals in Fleet street (and elsewhere) are beginning to wake up to the news value of stamps.”—The opinion of two leading stamp authorities in London (per ‘Stamp Collecting’). Two recent realisations of old New Zealand stamps at auction in London; —July, 1855, London Print, Id, dull carmine, S.G.I; a fine, lightly cancelled copy; £55. 1856, 59, Is blue green, fine looking, but creased; £4. Canada.—Another new < series of stamps will be issued by this dominion shortly, the printing of which is now in the hands of the British-Axnericnn Bank Note Company. Malta.—Still another new series coming along from this island, and the issue is ready for unloading immediately existing supplies of tho over-printed issue runs out.

Air Mail Stamps.—Abler pens than mine (writes ‘ The Seer of the Strand,’ in ‘ P.J.G.B.’) have written of the growing demand for all air stamps and covers which have been carried on flights. I know nothing of the latter except that they are extremely popular, but I do know of the mint stamps. Collecting these is a phase of philately only in its infancy, but assuredly growing very fast, and even those common European which were issued at the time of the currency inflation, are now reaching higher prices than ever before. The reason for this is the ever-increas-ing demand, and I really think that if I wore to start collecting over again I should bo one of the most enthusiastic supporters of “ aero philately.” It has a charm of its own, embraces our hobby, together with all the virtues of topical tuition, and, above all, has yet to be proved to be anything else but a really fine investment. In advocating the building up of a representative collection of mint air stamps, I feel sure I shall be thanked in the future by collectors who have followed these remarks.

According to Champion’s ‘Bulletin Mensual,’ King Carol 11., whose succession to the throne of Rumania caused a nine days’ wonder recently, is an ardent philatelist, an interest which he shared with his father, the late King Ferdinand.

Dominican Republic.—We can appreciate the difficulty which a country like this must experience in finding subjects for postal commemoration. The recent issue of five stamps in largo upright rectangular format, to commemorate the founding of a Jesuit colony in 1736, is, however, obviously a misplaced effort, and, according to the rules, should be disqualified.— P.J.G.B,

Transjordan.—This Gilbortian territory (says P.J.G.8.), which has, since 1920, issued just on 200 different stamps, without counting numerous varieties, has now issued yet another set.

Rumania.—A new page in Rumanian history has just been turned, and its effect upon philately will bo fojt at no far distant date., The 1928-9 issue of the Boy King is bound to be in great demand for all time. A re-issue is not at ail likely, and there is little doubt that these values will become good items very soon, both in mint and used condition.—Thus S. of S., in 'Phil. Journal of Great Britain.’