NEW POSTAGE STAMPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19389, 26 July 1926, Page 10

NEW POSTAGE STAMPS.

NO CREDIT TO DOMINION.

CRITICISM OF AN EXPERT, [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] WELLINGTON. Saturday. The recent issue of new 2s and 3s stamps shortly to be followed by a new penny stamp does not seem to have met with a very favourable reception on the part of philatelists. Miv John Barns who was for 20 years in charge of the Government stamp printing department has made some interesting observations on the new issue. " I quite agree with the'criticisms that have appeared," he said. "The new stamps are certainly crude to me. They' appear to have three' defects. Their size does not suit the design, the shades of colour (deep blue and mauve) do not favour the design, and "the pajfer they "are printed on is totally- unsuitable. It is a pity ..they iv ere ever put., into -circulation for a well-designed and executed stamp is a special advertisement for a country." Discussing the methods used in printing stamps Mr. Burns said three distinct processes were possible each requiring special treatment and expert knowledge in order to. make a satisfactory job. There f was recess printing or" intaglio, the method-in use now . for .the production .of .the current New Zealand stamps from 4d to Is in value, the electrotype or, stereo process, and thirdly surface printing from steel plates as used for current stamps from |d to 3d in value. A comparison of a Is stamp with a 2d one leaves no doubt as t,o the superiority of the intaglio process as far as artistic work is concerned. "It is clear to me," remarked Mr. Burns, " that the stamps under criticism have been printed from .electroplates made loyally from dies .manufactured in London. This is never a satisfactory process from the point of view of stamp production. It requires expert knowledge to deaj with the question of ' inks, etc. The staff of the stamp printing department .is able to produce work unexcelled by any other country as has often been acknowledged by philatelists all over the world but in this case a. lamentable lack of expert knowledge has been shown, a lack for which the stamp printers are not to blame. Advice should have been'sought from experts before adopting this' process and then the present issue would never have seen daylight. - " I would suggest first of all." concluded Mr. Burns, " that the issue be withdrawn. Failing that let better paper be used. That would make fpt- improvement but would not mean satisfaction. I do hope when the new penny stamp appears it will "be a better advertisement for the Dominion than these two productions." , • ". ■