KING BUYS STAMP

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1935, Page 6

KING BUYS STAMP

MELBOURNE MAN’S DEAL.

VALUE OF A MISPRINT

SYDNEY, May 29

A member of '-the staff of the Defence Department Melbourne, Mr Arthur. Irwin.Vri&ently addressed a lettcr tb.;;“His M&fqsty the King, Buckingham Palace, London.” He had a rare stamp—an Australian twopenny halfpenny with a misprint. Knowing that the King was an ardent stamp collector, he thought perhaps the King might be interst'ed. The stamp was for sale.

Within six weeks an impressive-look-ing letter, carrying the'Royal Household seal, came addressed to Mr Invin. "Written by one of the King’s private secretaries, it read: “I am commanded by the King to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of November 9, respecting the 2} Australian stamp, second water mark, which was issued in 1919, containing an error. His Majesty is prepared to make an offer of £lO for the stamp, providing that on inspection it meets with his approval. If this offer appeals to you, will you arrange for the stamp to be sent to the King?” Air Irwin immediately accepted the offer. The best price he could get in Melbourne was £7 10s.' He sent the stamp to Buckingham Palace, and the next reply came from Mr E. D. Bacon, official philatelist to the King: “His Majesty is pleased to keep .the 2Ad Australian stamp, and I enclose a draft on Melbourne for £10.” This incident shows how keen -is the King’s interest in stamps, what democracy there is among philatelists, and how approachable Buckingham Palace is to-day. Mr Irwin has had tempting offers lor the envelope which conveyed his £lO from Buckingham Palace. It carries the Royal monogram, the “no charge” postmark of the Palace post office, and the wax seal of Mr Bacon. Air Irwin found the rare stamp while destroying some old papers.