PHILATELY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2371, 10 August 1899, Page 47

PHILATELY.

Br Pelubb.

"The very great increase of interest now being manifested in the revenue stamps of England and other countries has become matter of general observation, and, although the full extent of the movement is unknown even to those who are in the centre of it, there is no longer any doubt of the fact that collectors of fiscals are abo*4t .to see their section of the hobby placed on an established and thoroughly recognised footing, t "Hitherto, andTnore especially in this country, fiscals have be,en regarded by the vast majority of unreflecting philatelists as mere- rubbish, and, sadder still, ..tiese same philatelists hare united with "the trade" in resolutely refusing to yve collectors a ghost of a chance, and in snubbing and Ijoycotting them as though thty were enemies of their kind. "Of course there have been exceptions, and most collectors know that several of philately's most honoured sons have taken, and vlo take, much interest in fiscals. Now, however, the explorations in the rich fields that await the prospectors are not to be conducted solely by a very few, and it is in recognition of the fact that notes on revenue stamps will now be acceptable to a large and ever-increasing number that I have beeil asked by our editor to supply a page or so of matter each month." , The above was written by that enthusiastic fiscal collector," Mr A . P. Pearce, and 1 can certainly endorse what he says. Fiscal collecting opens up quite a new sphere of interest, and many are the discoveries awaiting the studious collector. Our own colony of New Zealand is alone a splendid field for investigation. The recent Philatelic exhibition in Calcutta had some curious exhibits sent in to it. One enthusiast sent five current Canadas as entirely representative of that colony. Amongst another's lot" of 30 rarities were current Id English, etc. Poor old secretary. The stamps bequeathed to the public by the late Duke of Leinster are now on view at the Central' Hull- of the- Dublin^ Science and Art- Museum. Visitors speak very highly of the collection, which has been entirely rearranged and classified by a philatelic expert. A correspondent asks me the meaning of "Bleute," otherwise Blued paper. I believe the word is of French origin, and means that the paper on which the stamps are printed has the surface slightly stained with blue. Blue paper differs from bleute paper In that the former is stained right through. Whilst writing on blue stamps, has anyone noticed that China has no blue stamgs? The reason is that blue is the Chinese mourning colour — same as black with us. In face of this, what will the Chinese postal people do as to the Postal Union's xecommendation re blue 2^d stamps? The big German stamp dealers have agreed to band themselves into a union for mutual service and protection. One important effect of this step will be the rearrangement of prices in Serf Bros', new 1900 catalogue, which is the leading Continental catalogue. This desirable end will be .attained by all the members of the union bringing their knowledge to bear on the work. What a, pity the English dealers cannot do the same and bring, out. 'one really trustworthy* catalogue, and not force collectors to keep say, half a dozen on hand- to be able to strike a hisppy medium as to the value of any particular stamp. When the mail left it had been definitely decided to open the " long-looked-forward-to" Manchester Philatelic Exhibition on Thursday, the 29th June. The Stamp Collectors' Fortnightly says : — The India office will be a contributor to the exhibition, with a valuable historic collection of the postage stamps of Hindoostan and neighbouring States. The exhibition will be formally opened by Mr Henniker Heaton, M.P. , of "Imperial Penny Postage" celebrity. On most of the days during which the exhibition remains open it has been arranged thafc the doors shall not be closed until 9 o'clock in the evening, in order that members of all classes may have the opportunity of visiting and studying the many unique exhibits. The show will continue open until July 3. Writing from Washington under date June 7, Mr J. M. Bartels announces thafc the United States postal authorities have decided to destroy all the remaining high value stamps of the "Columbus" issue. " Ifc is well known," he writes, " that the 6c, 3dol, 4dol, and sdol have been on sale here since 1893. On Monday last an order was sent to the post office to return to the Department all old stocks of Columbians, which will be immediately destroyed. The stock consists of the following quantities : — 48,400 6c 3,357 4dol 2.927 3dol 4,506 sdol NEW ISSUES. France is going to have new stamps. France has so often been on the point of having new stamps that the announcement may excite the derision of the sceptic. However, the London evening journals (which cannot lie) inform us'that ifc is intended to inyite the leading French artists to submit designs for new postal labels. More-

over, the said designs are to be a feature of the 'great exhibition of 1900. Straits Settlements have changed "the" colour of their 3c from rose to brown. s Ceylon has issued a new 6c adhesive, same design as the current set. This new stamp will supersede .the surcharged one chronicled some time back. Norway has a new 2-ore stamp in pala brown. Some of the Straits Settlements have cvi» ; dently run out of 4c stamps.. Negee-Sem* i bilon and Pahang have both issued a surcharged 4c.