VALUABLE STAMPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22368, 15 September 1934, Page 14

VALUABLE STAMPS

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION UNUSUAL PRECAUTIONS (From Our Own Correspondent.) MELBOURNE, September 7. Although no exact figure can be given, it is certain that the stamps to be exhibited in Melbourne during the Centenary Exhibition, which will be opened on November 8, will exceed £250,000. Extraordinary precautions arc being taken by the organisers to protect the stamps, and an armed guard of four will be provided each night. Several private detectives have been engaged, and they will mingle with the crowd during the open sessions. The arrangements constitute one of the most complete guards ever provided at an Australian exhibition.

The value of the exhibits from the United States alone will be more than £IOO,OOO. Lichenstein, the New York collector, has insured his Mauritius collection, which lie is forwarding to Melbourne, for £35,000, and the Hans Lagerloef exhibit from America, which includes special Brazil stamps, has also been insured for £35,000. On Monday Mr A. H. Pettifer, the Sydney philatelist, will arrive in Melbourne from England, bringing with him the British Post Office collection, which includes designs of the first stamps ever made (1840). These are penny blacks. The collection is so unique that no value can be placed upon it, and it will be kept in a strongroom until the exhibition is opened The Austrian and Finland Governments are sending official exhibits of great value. Some months ago the secretary of the Philatelic Society in India (Mr J. Godinho) entered two line col lections of Zanzibar and East Indies stamps. Mr Godinho lias since died, but bis nephew has decided to carry out his uncle’s wishes, and the collection will come to Australia, The New Zealand Government has promised a comprehensive collection, and other Governments co-operating with the committee are South Africa, Belgium, Holland, Greece and France. More than 400 entries for different competitions have been received, and quality and not number will be the deciding factor iu the awarding of the specially designed medals.

The Australian Postmaster-general's department will display the process by which the special centenary stamps were made, and various methods of stamp printing will be exhibited by the Note and Stamp Printing Denartmont.