PHILATELY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 33

PHILATELY.

Bit Old Stamp.

OUGHT STAMP COLLECTORS TO BE TAXED?

A controversy has been going on in some English papers on the above subject. I have not been able to ascertain who or where originated this stupid question. Anyhow, the weight of public opinion seems to be in the negative, though there are one or two bold enough to say that they should. I have waded through a lot of this correspondence, and give some of the reasons both for and against it : —

"As one proof of collecting's educational advantages, I know one school where it is taught as an ordinary study. I had the pleasure of receiving an examination paper, and a most searching one it was. If every school did the same it would go a long .way towards brightening the facuitneg of »boys dull"ttmragTi having nothing to interest them. If stamps were to be taxed, where would the tax mania cease ? Do we not see daily people paying large sums for rare coins, crests, butterflies, and other things, and would it not be quite as reasonable — or rather quite as unreasonable — to tax them?"

"It trains the mind and memory, develops the knowledge of geography, acquaints us with the different methods of printing and producing stamps, gives us information as to the coinage of various countries, teaches the harmony of colours, and - many more interesting facts."

" I believe that a tax upon these collections would do something to stop a practice which any thinking parent; will recognise as undesirable and ab3urd. I found two of my children occupied in this ridiculous manner. I soon had the satisfaction of seeing their rubbish contribute to the warmth of my room (a slight consideration when coals are so dear), and a little tender correction and talking soon stopped the practice. Has not a child enough to at) -with his lessons without spending -hours in this foolery ? One of my sons confessed his collection had taken him three years to get, and had cost him a considerable amount of pocket money,"

"As to the aot of which a writer boasts — burning his daughter's collection— l feel sure the young lady will have the hearty sympathy of your readers, and that they regard with anything but admiration the father who could act in so tyrannical and senseless a manner."

" It originates a bargaining spirit which is not healthy in a boy. I have seen young lads bargaining about stamps with something like the keenness of an old huckster buying cast-off clothing. An enthusiastic stamp collector is certainly very often a fearful infliction on his acquaintance. Again, the collection mania wants ' snubbing ' generally. It may be all very well for dyspeptic society folk, with • money and no brains,' to try and kill time byworking up an enthusiasm for collections of elephants' back teeth or different people's hairpins, but the collecting business is surely not a healthy hobby."

A large London dealer recently purchased a special collection of Afghanistan stamps which is held at the insignificant sum of £8000. Some collectors discourage general collecting on account of coat. This may possibly be regarded, as specialism and economy. America appears to be a fair hunting ground! for dishonesty in connection with this science. The demand for certain stamps has largely increased of late years, so much so that there is every inducement for the forger and «' faker."' Nearly every mail from the States brings tolight deep-laid schemes for raising the needful. The papers, however, do not swerve from theirduty, and immediately a case is brought undertheir notice the name of the o&ender is published. But directly he is found out he is oft to some other State, only to develop some other"' nefarious scheme.

Do not stick your stamps in your album. Mount them. Sticking means putting the hinge on the stamp haphazard. Mounting means placing the hinge on the stamp near the upper edge, in order that it may turn on a hinge. Even if you do not pay attention to all the varieties, it is preferable to mount your stamps properly; for if you should ever wants to sell, a collection neatly hinged is worth more to a dealer or a collector, who may want to collect on different principles from your*. When comparing a supposed counterfeit with a genuine specimen, the first point to be considered should be the lettering of the two stamps. If one is a counterfeit the chanoes are that the letters will not coincide in shape and position Owing to the wealth of details, a slight mistake in engraving the ornamental parts of a stamp is not as noticeable as an error in forming the letters, where the very simplicity of tho lines serves to magnify any defect. A correspondent writes to know whether the United States Centenary stamps, which were only issued during last year, are likely to become rare. It is true that they were only issued in that year and this, but as only 2,000,000,000 were issued, I must leave him to form his own opinion as to how long it will be before they become scarce. The higher valueß, however' are always likely to be scarce, indeed they are so now.

Singularly enough many people have entertamed a mildly hostile feeling towards stamp collecting, for what cause they cannot explain reasonably, but now they admit with practical unanimity that stamp collecting is entitled to the respect of all. Philatelists have long craved this recognition at the hands of the noo-co'.lect-iag public, and they are keen to espy all reference to their purpose in all outeide quartets Philately has by its own merit, after a struggle of over a quarter of a century, won general recognition.

In July there will be held in the Palace of Industry, Patis, an International Exhibition of Publications and Paper Manufactu-es. A section will ba devoted to philately, and of all papers and publications relating thereto. Circulars have been sent to all societies inviting their co-operation by exhibiting collections, bufc it is scarcely likely any will be tent from the Auatralias. It is. encouraging to the votaries

of the study to find its claims for recognition bo fully supported by an industrial exhibition of this class.