FOR STAMP COLLECTORS

Evening Star, Issue 21505, 1 September 1933, Page 2

FOR STAMP COLLECTORS

[By R.W.W.]

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

NEW ISSUES. Czecho-Slovakia.—The Nitra commemoratives mentioned in this column two weeks ago have now appeared. The design, shows a view of the Church of Nitra, seen through an archway. The stamps mark the eleventh centenary of the founding of the first Christian church in what is now Czecho-Slovakia. Hungary.—A new series of air stamps has appeared, three values showing a: large mail plane in flight, while the remaining values show allegorical figures and aeroplane. The entire issue is in photogravure. Brazil.—New Air stamps. A curious stamp in yellow, green, and blue, and showing an aeroplane flying above a flag (or a blanket, remarks the ‘ Philaletic Magazine ’) has been released with a face value of 3,500 r. Syria.—A special issue of stamps has appeared to commemorate the first anniversary of the republic. The stamps served a double purpose in that one value was devoted to Aboul Ala el Mourarri, a native philosopher, whose memory was originally to be marked by a special set; the designs are: Portrait of the President of the republic; Chambre des Deputes; portrait of Aboul Ala el Mourarri, or a drawing of the proposed mausoleum. Profits from sales to collectors will be devoted to the building of a .new Post Office, and, if the profit is sufficient, to the erection of Aboul Ala’s mausoleum. NOTES. It is stated by the * Philatelic Magazine ’ that Aden is soon to have an independent issue. _ Hitherto, Indian stamps have been in use. It is believed that_ a new series of stamps is in preparation for the Federated Malay States, bearing the inscription “ Malaya.” Latest information states that separate issues of stamps are being reverted to for Perak, Selango, Negri Sembilar, ahd Pahang. Jn addition to the name of the State, the new stamps will bear the word Malaya in English and Malay characters. Messrs Harrison and Sons have been awarded the contract for printing the new British postage stamps. The Frederick the Great stamps recently issued by Germany were limited in number, and will not be reprinted. ‘ Champion’s Bulletin ’ .states that the IT.P.U. commemorative of Canada was issued to the tune of 200,000 copies. This year’s anti-tuberculosis series to be issued by Belgium in December, will show the head and shoulders of a woman holding the Cross of Lorraine. A DEAD DIE REVIVES. Collectors of British colonial stamps are familiar with the two dies of the De la Rue key-plate type, of which die 1 was discontinued some years ago, just prior- to the introduction of the script CA watermark. This die, which had done duty for many years, passed into the limbo, and all collectors thought they had hoard the last of it. Through an error op the part of De la Rue, however, it has suddenly reappeared, and excitement now exists amongst colonial collectors who are busily engaged in an effort to trace its latest manifestations.

As far as can be determined, it was used for only one plate, No. 23, but there is a possibility that certain earlier plates, specimens from which have not yet been issued, may ■ also. show,die 1. It therefore behoves _ collectors, to watch their script colonials during the next few months, as there'is no question that some of these, die 1 errors will be issued in very small numbers, and will turn out scarce. SOME PHILATELIC TERMS. Cancellation.—Since postage stamps came into use it has been customary to cancel them on usage, either by_ means of a hand or machine stamp bearing the name of the place at which the stamp was used, and the date, frequently the time, or sometimes by means of a pen. Entire.—A term applied to the stationery, such as envelope, postcard, wrapper, etc., to which the adhesive stamp is affixed, or on which the stamp is printed by the. Government using it. Fugitive Ink.—An ink is said to be “ fugitive ” when it runs on being damped or fades, on exposure to light. Line Engraved:—Printed from plates in which the design is cut, the recesses being filled with ink and the surface cleaned. Lithographed.—Printed from stone “ plates ” to which the design is transferred photographically. The detail in lithographed stamps is seldom sharply defined. Mint.—The condition of an unused stamp which is perfect hack and front, as issued.

Overprint.—Anything printed on the face of a stamp to alter its purpose, such as “ Revenue,” “ War Stamp,” or “ British Occupation.” Paper.—ln paper-making the pulp is fed on to a frame, which is usually of wire gauze. If the gauze is fine the paper will seem of even texture, and is termed “ wove paper.” If the frame has parallel wires the paper will have light lines in it if held to the light. This is called “ laid paper.” “ Quadrille paper ” has these watermark lines at right angles. " Silk paper ” is wove with silk threads incorporated. “Gra- “ Chalk-surfaced paper ” resembles

glazed paper, but the edge of a silver coin will leave a black mark on it. “ India paper ” is very thin and tough, being made from rice paper. Perforation. —The rows of small holes separating stamp from stamp. The first issues of stamps were unperforated, and had to be separated with scissors. Perforation came into use in 1854 in England. and was gradually adopted by other countries. Perforations range from about seven to sixteen holes to the inch; “perforated 12 by 13” means that there are twelve holes to the inch at the_ top and thirteen to the inch at the side. Philately.—A word derived from the Greek philos (fond of) and atelia (exemption from tax). As stamps denote the payment of postage or a tax, they are symbolic of exemption from tax, and the word “ philately ” has come to mean a fondness for stamps. Roulette.—The series of small cuts made to help in separating stamps before tho introduction of perforation. The cuts are usually in line, but sometimes in the form of arcs or zigzags and even holes, the holes being pierced, not punched. Surcharge.—Strictly speaking, anything printed on top of a stamp altering the value. Loosely used of any printing on the stamp face. Surface Printed.—Printed as from type, by the raised portions of the metal. This method is now almost universal. Watermark.—A device visible when most stamps are held to the light, or damped with benzine. It is worked into the paper during manufacture. TROUBLE OVER ANDORRA’S STAMPS. A ‘ Times ’ message from Barcelona on June 26 says:—“Direct advices from Andorra to-day state that the Oorts, or tribunal, on Saturday dismissed tho Andorran Council-General or Parliament, and the Andorran President and Vice-president from office, and prohibited them from holding office for a year. Tho sale of concessions has been one of the bones of contention between the people and the co-princes, the Bishop of Urgel, and the Presjdent of the French Republic through his representative. The Council and the princes have each claimed the exclusive rights to grant them. The co-princes have also opposed the efforts of the Andorrans to accord a postal concession which would bring revenue from the sales of stamps to collectors. In the meantime both France and Spain have installed their separate postal systems against tho will of the people, and derive some revenue from stamps, some of which are of denominations much larger than would ever be needed for practical purposes.—‘ Stamp Collecting.’

GUIDE-LINES AND HAIR-LINES. There are two expressions used in the catalogue in connection with the stamps of the earlier issues of Great Britain —namely, “ guide-lines ” and “ hairlines.” Confusion is often caused in the minds of collectors by the loose usage of these words by writers trying to describe all kinds of scratches on the surface of a stamp, and the following is a description of the two terms by a writer in 1 Gibbon’s Monthly ’: — In the case of Great Britain, however, the two terms apply to quite definite varieties, and a few words only will be necessary to make clear the essential differences. Guide-lines may be found in any of the line-engraved issues of Queen Victoria, whereas the hair-lines with which we are concerned occur only in some values of the 1862 issue, which is surface-printed. A guide-line appears as a line of colour on the stamp, and results from the marks made by the engraver on the plate to guide him in laying down the impressions in perfect alignment. In most cases all such lines are rubbed off the", plate before printing, and therefore do not show on the stamps; but if, as happens sometimes, the engraver omits to clear away all traces of his preparatory work a guide-line will appear in the form of a very fine line, usually running parallel and close to the outer frame, either inside or outside the design. In the early English stamps guide-lines may be seen most clearly running through the letters of ‘ Postage ’ or through ‘ One Penny.’ “ Vertical guide-lines do not show so much because of the number of confusing lines in the side labels, but are easily seen if they extend through the corner squares. It is useful to remember that guide-lines are always straight, of even thickness, and either vertical or horizontal, and should not be confused with scratches on the plate which are seldom straight and oven and may run in any direction. Hair-lines occur on the 4d, 6d, and 9d values of the 1862 issue, and consist of a white line running diagonally across each of the exterior angles of the letter squares. Unlike the guide-lines, whose appearance is accidental, the hair-lines were cut on the later plates to distinguish them from the plates previously in use, which have no haix-lines.”

THE RHYME OF THE MONTH. Is it the stamp you are seeking again, Going to journey once more, Or is it the strain and the old-time refrain Of a waltz you are hankering for? Are those exhibits now calling apace? To judge them your positive duty; Or is it the face, the allure, and the grace Of the world - famous Austrian beauty ? Partly philately—nothing so rash; Bid to the wife fond adieu. She won’t see your hash with a spicy goulash, Or hear of your Paprika stew 1 Stamps are your alibi, stamps are your charter, Stamps are your joy’s utmost heights. Not a word of the Prater, time wasted pro rata— Not a hint of those gay “ Vienna Nights!” —‘ Philately Journal.’