DEAREST STAMP.

Grey River Argus, 21 July 1922, Page 2

DEAREST STAMP.

j COMPETITIONS AT AUCTION. PHILATELISTS HAVE FIELD DAY. i Philatelists have had a field day—or rather several field days—in Paris recently, according to the special correspondent of the London “Observer.’* Ihe purchase a', (ho Hotel Drouet of a. one cent British Guiana 1856 stamp for the amazing sum of 3(10,000 fran<s —a sum which, with commissions and taxes, should really be reckoned as 350,000 francs—was, of course, the most notable event, but other rate stamps also fetched prices that v, ere much higher than had boon anticipated. Several million francs came into . the coffers of the French Government, j The stamps belonged to the famous | Ferrari collection. M. Ferrari de la | R'Onotiere, the eon of -he Duchesse do j Galliera was a curious character. He refused the fortune of his father on pshat wore represented to bo highly ! moral grounds. But he was not by any

; means a poor man. Ho acquired one of the largest and most valuable eollect- ’ ions in the world. When lie died it | was found that. he had bequeathed these treasures to the Berlin Museum. i The State placed them under request - ! rat ion. ; Forgeries. The British Guinea stamp is believed to be unique. M. Ferrari himself paid very’ little in IS7B, when it was sold in London. There has been a search for other specimens, and more than once forgeries have been penetrated. But so far as is known the Ferrari stamp is the only one of its kind that exists. It was bought by Mr T. Griebort, of London. The competition was fierce, and the' scene in the Hotel Drouet was exceedingly dramatic. When the stamp was put up for auction a sudden silence fell on the assembly. All the-best known collectors were gathered together in this room behind the boulevards. At first the bidding* was low. So important was the occasion, so precious the tiny object whose destination was being decided, that the Prefect of Police, M. Leullicr, was present in person. When, during the course of the contest, he came in, he was recognised and there was a moment’s pause. Then the bidders settled down in good earnest. M. Drouiex, a well-known French collector, and a Swiss merchant, were the principal antagonists of Mr Griebert. The amount went up from 50.000 to 60,000, and then to 70,000. Tens of thousands of francs were added at •each bid. Lively Duel. At 100,000 francs the race was between three competitors. When 200,000 was reached it became a duel. The price went up by 5000 francs at a time and gradually worked up to 295,000. Then another 1000 was offered. Drouiex began to se-e that hi.i opponent was not to be shaken off. Here fleeted before he made his final bid. Without hesitation Mr Gri-obert shot up to round figures. Everybody turned towards the Frenchman. A hundred people stood up on the benches. There was an expectant silence. The hammer was raised in the air. The Frenchman waved his hand in sign of submission, and the hammer fell. Instantly there was a round of applause such as had never been heard in that little room. There are times when the dry dialogue of figures can be more dramatic than any play. The stamp itself under its protecting cover of transparent paper is not iu perfect condition. It certainly does not appear to bo very impressive ■except for the philatelist. It is a little octagonal thing of the color of muddy wine on which one can vaguely make out the prow of a ship. The stamp has been obliterated by’ the sorter so that nominally it is not even worth one cent! Nevertheless, it is the most pre- . cious stamp in. the world.