NEW POSTAGE STAMPS

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3715, 19 October 1926, Page 2

NEW POSTAGE STAMPS

HISTORICAL ISSUES

History, both ancient and modern, is reflected in several recent and iorthcoming postage stamps (writes a correspondent of ‘The Times’). The centenary of the postal service in the Argentine Republic was celebrated on July t by the issue of a special set ol four commemorative postage stamps, showing portraits of President Bernadino Rivaclavia, under whose administration tlie Argentine postal system was organised (3c, green), and General San Martin, the Liberator of South America be, red) together with views ol the old General Post Office in 182(3 (25c, brown), and the present Post Office building in Buenos Aires (12c, blue). These stamps were produced locally by the lithographic process. A notable event in contemporary history is recorded by the over-printing ol the current stamp issue of the kingdom of Ncjd in commemoration of the first Moslem Congress at Mecca, convened by King Ibn Sand in June last. Nine thousand sets of six values were locally over-printed “ Islamic Congress—2o qyl Kaada-Sanat, 1344 A 1 Mootamar al Island,” partly in English and partly in Arabic characters in honor of the event, and issued on June 1. The sixth International Esperanto Congress in Moscow was likewise the occasion of the issue of two particular postage stamps hearing a vignette of a monument (unidentified), the Soviet star, and emblems. Their respective denominations are 7 kopecs (green and red) and 14 kopecs (green and violet), the inscriptions in Esperanto reading' “ Posto USSR. VI. Internacia Protetaria VI. Esperanto Kongreso, 1926.” Portugal has in readiness for issue this month (August) the first of a series of historical stamp issues in honor of the tercentenary of her liberation from Spanish rule. It embraces twentyone denominations of the total face value 25.11 escudos, in six different designs, engraved and printed in London. On the first group of values—2, 4,_ 6, and 16 centavos —will appear the effigy of Alfonso Henriciues (1140) , surnamed the “Conqueror” on account of his victories over the Moors. Filippe de Vilhena (1640) is portrayed, arming her son for battle, upon the stamps of 25, 40, 50, and 75 centavos; while those of 20 and 32 centavos and 1.60 and 10 escudos illustrate the decisive Battle of Aljnbarrota (August 14, 1385), which marked the dawn of Portuguese independence. The famous Dominican monastery of Batalha, erected in honor of the victory, is shown upon the next group of values—3, 5. 15,. and 46 centavos. A portrait of King Joao IV. (1640) is on the stamps of 64 centavos and 1 escudo; and, lastly, the 96 centavos, 3 and 44 escudos denominations bear a vignette of the independence monument at Lisbon. After being on sale for two days only these tercentenary stamps are to he temporarily withdrawn from circulation until November 30. when they are to he reissued for obligatory use down to the end of the year. There will he a similar issue for the Azores. NEW CANADIAN SERIES.

The initial values of a new series of postage stamps presenting portraits of bygone statesmen may be. expected by an early Canadian mail, in connection with a scheme for promoting public interest in the political history of the dominion. The portrait upon the 5 cents denomination is that of Thomas D’Arcy M'Gcc, the Fenian leader, who re nonneod bis cause to play an active role in Canadian politics, and was ultimately murdered by bis earlier followers. Two famous Canadian Premiers —Sir John Macdonald and Sir Will red Lauricr—appear together upon the 10 cents stamp, and the leaders ol the BaldwinLafontaine Administration of 1842-48 upon that of 20 cents. Bulgaria is planning some commemorative stamps to celebrate the fiftieth anniversar yof her liberation, which falls next year. It is understood that the designs will be dedicated to the heroes of the revolution.

The long-promised stamps, of San Marino, in honor of the Captain Regent Onofri, who preserved the neutrality of his country at the time of Napoleon’s invasion of Italy, has at last appeared in six denominations, showing his portrait, with the motto “ Patri Pairin'.” They arc for internal postage only. The portrait of Madame Curie, the discoverer of radium, is reproduced in brown upon a new 10 groszy postage stamp of Poland, followed by the inscription “Na Instutvt Radowy Imjenia Marji Sklodow Skilj Curie.” The pictorial stamps of Algeria are still in course of issue, the latest addition to the series being a If denomination printed in green and purple in traverse rectangular format with a panoramic view of Algiers, after the design of M. ch. Brouty. STAMPS IN PROSPEOT. Continuing the historical sequence of stamps associated with*the 150 th anniversary of American Independence, the Postmaster-General has approved the issue in October next of a special 2 cents vignette commemorating the Rattle of White Plains, where Washington’s forces successfully withstood tho attacks of the British troops from New York under Lord- Howe on October 28, 1776. It is probable that the design will show the men of Alexander Hamilton’s battery dragging their pieces into position on'the brow of Chatterton’s Hill, after the historical painting by George Albert Harker. The set of stamps bearing portraits of tho Spanish Royal Family, which is to he sold in Spain on September 15, 16, and 17 in aid of the Red Cross, is to be further augmented by five values illustrating the route of the recent flight from Madrid to Manila by the aviators Gallarza and Lorriga, as well as a like number reserved for the air post service, showing the aeroplane Phis Ultra, in which Captain Franco Hew from Palos to Buenos Aires. The Spanish Red Cross stamps will supplant the regular issue at some seventy post offices For the three days only, and will he valid for all ordinary postal purposes. ■Separate scries will bo printed in varying colors for circulation in the Spanish possessions.