STAMP NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 226, 22 August 1935, Page 2

STAMP NOTES

(By “Philatelist”.)

It came as an agreeable surprise to local enthusiasts to receive their first day covers from Western Samoa last Tuesday, almost a week earlier than expected. Those values of tho new set, which are printed in two colours, are most pleasing, and rather overshadow the jd and 6d values which arc in one colour only. The latter is in a most unusual shade of magenta and would look infinitely better with the centre in black ; while the design of the Id does not seem well balanced — possibly the lower part of tho stamp is too light in colour. However, they arc worthy successors to the particularly neat “Native Hut” design which they have replaced. From what I have seen of these stamps they are mostly badly centred—collectors should make a point of securing well-centred copies. What interesting designs have been appearing on new stamps lately 1 A collection featuring a representative display of designs can be most interesting. A recent stamp of France features the “Normadio.” The London Times saysof this ship : “The ‘Normandie’ is certainly a handsome ship. From the smooth porpoise 6nout of her bow to her gracefully, rounded overhanging stern, she suggests speed and power. Modernism and originality are hors in every foaturo and in every line. There never was a more individual ship; she could not be taken for another. The sweeping curve of her stem, the white painted turtle deck over her forecastle, the enormous superstructure running fore and aft to the extremest limits above her hull, and her three huge streamlined funnels make an impressive and unforgettable picture.” After all that, 1 think I must give my “Normandie” stamp (worth about Gd unused) a special page to itself.

Other fascinating new issues are the Red Cross set of Japan, two values featuring-the insignia of the Japanese Red Cross, the other two the building which Ironses the Japanese headquarters of the Society, with crosses printed in red, issued on the occasion of the loth International Red Cross Conference (face value about Gd); the mourning stamp of Poland — portrait of the late Marshal Pilsudski, in black; a weird set of Russian stamps, large, diamond shape, specially issued in connection with the “Spartacist Games,” depicting various sports, ski-running, football, diving, etc. The lk lias a marvellous modernistic impression of an athlete running at top speed. Then there is the beautiful Canadian Silver Jubilee set of six stamps with splendid portraits of Princess Elizabeth (1c), tlie Duke of York (2c). Their Majesties (lie), the Prince of Wales (sc), and views of Windsor Castle (10c), and the Royal Yacht, “Britannia’.’ (13c). By the way, this information is taken from a French magazine which uses the descriptions Due d’York, Roi Georges et Reiue Mary. Pr. de Galles, and Chateau de Windsor! It seems strange to see familiar names written so differently. And yet it is found all through the stamp album. Even the stamps of Canada and South Africa bear inscriptions in two languages, as do Belgian stamps, while the Irish stamps even employ different lettering. Austria has just issued an attractive “Mother’s Day” stamp depicting “Mother and Child” from a painting by J. Danhauser. Another interesting new issue is the Jubilee Set .of Great Britain. Tho “G.S.M.” records that the laurel wreath and oak leaves incorporated in the designs of the ]d are symbolical of triumph and reward and strength and stability; the olive circlet (Id), stands for peace and goodwill. The laurels again appear on tho lid and the olive branches on the 2id. A slight error crept into last week’s notes. Stamps inscribed Toga are from Tonga, while those inscribed Togo are from a part of Africa, once German, now French. These notes should have commenced with a description of the various types of stamps, so let us have it this week. There are three main types of stamps, postage, telegraph, and fiscal. The first includes all stamps connected with the payment of fees for carriage of mails; the second, stamps for payment of telegraphic fees; and the third covers other stamps, used for receipts, bills, legal documents, and all stamp duties in general. 'I lion again, there are adhesive stamps, those printed in the form of labels, to be stuck on something else, and those which are printed (or embossed) directly on to the document itself e.g. letter-catds). With all due respect to those enthusiasts who collect fiscals, postal stationery, meters, etc., I strongly recommend that they confine tlieir attention entirely to adhesive postage stamps. It frequently happens that tlie same stamps serve two or even three purposes. For instance, the current stamps of New Zealand some inscribed “Postage and Revenue,” others “Stamp Duty”—can be used for postage, for prepaying telegrams. or for duty purposes. With unused stamps, there is not much doubt. If they are available for postal use, then they belong to a postal collection, even if inscribed “Stamp Duty” or anything else. With one exception—very high values, even though inscribed “Postage and Revenue” may be ruled out as being far too high for postal use; “ ie “Postage and Revenue” set of Kenya and Uganda includes values of £SO, £75, and £IOO which obviously are not for postal use. It is doubtful what the record total of postage paid on one package would be, but this must be very near the record. In November, 1931, Mr William Ribbins, a Portsmouth engineer, had been urgently summoned to Rhodesia. Imperial Airways Ltd. did not carry passengers to Africa at that time, so Mr Ribbins posted himself as a parcel. At the rate of 7d for the first half ounce and Gd for each additional half ounce, the postage on him from Brindisi to Tanganyika cost no less than £7O but he readied his destination in quick time. This £7O may be a record, but to-day, in New Guinea, it is quite a common occurrence for parcels of gold, sent by air, to be franked with stamps to the value of £2O or more. But for all practical purposes £1 can be taken as the limit of value for postage stamps. Now in the case of used stamps, always see that the stamps bear a postal cancellation. Do not include pen-cancelled, telegraph cancelled, or document cancelled stamps in your collection. Only stamps that have actually done postal service should be included. (However, in some very early issues, pen-cancel I ati oil was employed by postal officials, while I be lieve the earliest Afghan stamps were cancelled by having a piece torn out!). Space this week forbids a discussion o the various postal duties perfoimed by postage stamps. We conclude with giving the official figures of tlie New Zealand Jubilee stamps remaining unsold after the set was withdrawn from circulation: Rb 1,200.000 copies: Id, 1,600,000; 6d 180,000. W’e presume these have been destroyed although wo liavo no official information on the matter. [These notes are published with the co-operation of the Manawatu Philatelic Society. Queries and items of interest for publication should bo addressed to the Stamp Editor, care “Standard” office,]