FOR STAMP COLLECTORS

Evening Star, Issue 23270, 19 May 1939, Page 3

FOR STAMP COLLECTORS

[By Philatelist.]

The changing boundary lines of Central Europe foreshadow similar changes in stamp album pages for the countries involved. The spreading of the boundaries of the German Reich has spelled “ finis ” for some of the countries who for the past 15 to 20 years have given us a host of postal emissions. First came the Saar, an area of 740 square miles that lies along the French border south of Luxembourg, which for 15 years issued her own stamps, and then, on January 12, 1935, philatelically ceased to exist. Germany issued a special Saar jubilee stamp in commemoration of the return of this territory to the Reich. The next step was the occupation of the .Rheinland by German troops in March, 1936, thus repudiating certain clauses of the Versailles Treaty. In January, 1938, Herr Hitler proclaimed .protectorship for members of xhe German race beyond the borders of the Reich at the sixth National Socialism’s anniversary, which touched off the spark of agitation for the return of former German territory. The first aggressive action manifested itself in Austria, and on March 13, 1938, the stamps of Austria wore replaced by those of Germany. In commemoration of the Anschluss, Germany issued two special stamps, picturing a German and an Austrian carrying the Nazi flaz. In September the Munich Accord gave the Sudentenland, a part of the Czecho-S lova ki a n territory, to Germany as a guarantee for the integrity of O.echo-Slovakia’s future. A special stamp was issued by Germany in commemoration of the return of the Sudeten area to the Reich. On March 14, 1939, Czecho-Slovakia capitulated to Germany under pressure, and Nazi troops took possession of the territory. In the light of these events the stamps issued by Czecho-Slovakia last December to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of their independence become ironic. The designs of these two issues symbolise peace. , Lithuania has now turned over to German rule the port of Memel, and Rumania has accorded Germany concessions of trade and Black Sea rights. Danzig and the corridor of Poland to the Baltic Sea seem to be next. More new stamps are on their way.

' Hungary has been moving also towards some of her former territory, and in the later part of 1938 issued two stamps in commemoration of the restoration of the territory ceded to Czeeho-Slovakia. As these new issues find their way into our collections they take us on a conducted tour of the news.

STAMPS OF OTHER LANDS. Algeria is to issue a commemorative set of stamps in honour of the pioneers who have been foremost in the conquest of that country. These include Marshal Bugeaud, 1784-1849; Lamonciere, 1806-1865; Edouard Laferriere, 1813-1901; and Jonnart, 1857. Canada has reduced the -special delivery rate to 10 cents, and as a temporary measure the 20-cent special delivery stamp now in use has been surcharged “10c” with bars through the former value. Chile has pictured the Laja Waterfall on the 5c value of the National Industries set of stamps. This is the lowest value of the set, and was issued on March 11. Finland shows a view of the new post office building at Helsinki on the recently issued 4 marka stamp. France will issue a 2.25 f of blue colour, showing the familiar Trylon and Perisphere in honour of France’s participation 'n the New York World’s Fair. Guatemala has placed on sale the two new air mail sets of stamps. One set is for the Interior air mail service and the second set if for use in the Exterior air mail service. The designs are of local scenes, and each bears the quetzal as part of the design at the upper right or left corner. ’The stamps are printed in two colours. Great Britain has changed the design of her current set of stamps on the 7d and 8d values just received. The new design shows the crowned hexagon border, in,the centre of which is shown the profile of King George VI. facing left, and at the corners of the stamp arc the heraldic rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock. Honduras has issued her new series of stamps in accordance with the contract, calling for a new issue of stamps every four years. The new series includes a set of five values for postal purposes, a set of 10 values for air mail, and a set of eight official air mail values. America.—The American Post Office Department was to issue a special threecent stamp commemorating the sequicentennial of the first inauguration of George Washington. A description of the stamp states: “ It will be approximately the size of the special delivery stamp, arranged vertically and printed in purple ink. It will be placed on sale for the first time at the New York City Post Office on April 30. The central motif will depict Washington taking the oath of office at the Federal Building in New York.”