PHILATELY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2055, 13 July 1893, Page 34

PHILATELY.

Bi Old Stamp.

COLLECTORS I HAVE MET.

The third and last of this interesting serissof sketches which Mr "Fossil" has written in Vindin'B Monthly is called "Uncle Tom":— About 15 years ago there stood in Bourke street, Melbourne, a pawnshop known by the name of " Uncle Tom's," that being the sign that was conspicuously painted in large black letters over the front door. " Uncle Tom " was a man somewhat advanced in years, with a bald head, aquiline nose, and a stout sleek appearance that told of prosperity and good living. In addition to the pawnbroking he had added stamp dealing to bis business, and was the possessor of a good collection of stamps, neatly arranged in a Lallier's album, and which, taken altogether, were a very nice lot. He also had a good show of stamps in his window for sale, and was always .willing to exchange with collectors if they could show him a stamp the had not already got in his album. At that time he was the leading stamp dealer in Melbourne, , and was never known . to ' collect by any other name than "Uncle Tom." I well remember the first time that I went* into his shop and offered him six of the second issue of Victoria- (2d Queen enthroned) for exchange. These he would not take from me at any price, as at that time they were very plentiful, and he had more than he could dispose of. On another occasion I brought him my book of duplicates, and' he selected from it an old 2d Mauritius, second issue, with filleted head, a triangular St. John, Newfoundland, two Sydney views, .and two first issue of Western Australian, for which he gave me iv exchange a concertina box filled with 'current European stamps, numbering about 3000. At that time I was pleased with the exchange, as I thought far more of quantity than quality. Some years ago I passed his shop and found it shut up, and a ','To let" bill on the frontshutters. I then learnt, on inquiring from one of the neighbours, that "Uncle Tom" had baen gathered to his fathers, and had gone to another world, where, I believe, philately holds no place.

A Mr V. A. Barry, formerly a stamp dealer in Melbourne, was arrested in that city early last month on a charge of obtaining goods by false representation. He was remanded for trial, »

There are several forgeries of the Samoan Express stamps about. They have, been found in packets. These may have got in unknowingly. Any collector coming across these or any other forgeries are entitled to get the ; r money returned. The Philatelic Protection Association of London issue periodically a circular giving lis L s and details of any forgeries brought under their notice, and for the information of my readers I shall from tims. to time, as I come across them, give particulars of the same. Of course there are many such; in existence, and doubtless many; collectors have them unknowingly in. their albums: This cannot now be helped, but they should betaken out and kept separately as a guide for the future, and for the information of less experienced' collectors. The Dunedin Philatelic Society keep a book of forgeries for the information 1 of members. The following is the latest list of forgeries issued by the London Association : — Ecuador, Guinea, Italy (1869 and 1878), Nova. "Scotia (1860-64), Prince Edward Island (1872), St. Pierre and Miguelon (1885), , Soinde\Darok, -- United States of America . (Providence Locals, 1846), New Haven (Local 1845), Victoria (1852). Mr E ,W. Roper, a leading collector, of Christchurch, is taking a trip through Sydney, and purposes visiting Japan, China, United States, England, Europe. Mr Roper owns one of the best collections in New Zealand, and by the time of his return no doutrt his collection will have materially benefited, as I trust he will also' have benefited by the trip. Vindin'a Monthly for June flays:— "Tho recent financial panic throughout these colonies, which involved over £100, 000,000, has seriously affected many of the best stamp collectors in Australia. This has bad anything but a good effect on our business. The natural wealth of our country is, boundless, so we feel confident that all will be well in a very short period, and that many who during tlie time of trouble have had to sell out their collections, will again be found in the front ranks of philatelists." The Sydney Government Printing Office had a handsome stand prepared for the London, Stamp Exhibition. This has been forwarded to the Chicago Exhibition, and will make a further addition to the many philatelic exhibits at the great show. It contains full sets of colour trials of theN.S W. " Centennial" issue, together with photos of the Sydney Post Office, &c. 1 have not heard that the New Zealand Government have an exhibit tf the kind at the - big 'show, neither do I know that they have not. There is one thing" against such a show being made, and that is that this colony has beeu singularly parsimonious in the way of stamps. There have been only three varieties of designs ever since their introduction. The first lasted from 1856 (first issue) to 1873, the second from 1873 to 1882, and the third from 1882 (the one now in use).

The evidence at the inquest upon the Maori woman killed at To Hauki shows that she was murdered by repeated blows of the handle of a hatchet. - The murderer foil deud from effusion of the blood upon the brain. He was supposed to be afflicted with a devil, according to Native witnesses— in English, insane.