N.Z. STAMPS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21186, 5 November 1938, Page 22

N.Z. STAMPS

Accepted by Royalty Philatelist’s Honour To have one of his first day covers, franked with the special stamps issued at the time of the congress of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire at Wellington, accepted for the Royal collection so greatly treasured by the late King George V. which is valued at £750,000, and occupies over 300 volumes, is the distinction enjoyed by a young Wellington philatelist, Prescott H. Jansen. This is not the first occasion on which Mr Jansen has sent stamps for the Royal collection. In April he wrote to Her Royal Highness, Princess Elizabeth, sending her a fine selection of New Zealand stamps. He received a letter from the lady-in-waiting thanking him for his kindness and sending him Princess Elizabeth’s cordial wishes. Princess Elizabeth is probably the most enthusiastic collector in the Royal circle. With her grandfather she spent many happy hours studying the treasures in his album. Already she has a valuable collection of her owm. Her Royal Highness has naturally an affection for the Canadian one cent, on w’hich her own portrait appears. Interesting Contacts Mr Jensen, who is president of the Y.M.C.A. Philatelic Society, has made interesting contacts with those interested in stamp-collecting the world over. He received the following reply from the late Sir Edward Denny Bacon, in reply to his presentation to His Majesty the King of specimens of the New Zealand Coronation stamps used on the first day of issue. “I thank you,” wrote Sir Edward from Buckingham Palace, “for sending me the cover with specimens of the Coronation stamp used on the first day of issue. First-day covers of ordinary stamps are not included in the Royal collection, but an exception is being made for your Coronation set.” Mr Jensen also received the following reply from Mr H. Hussy, private secretary to the King of Egypt:—“l have had the honour,” wrote Mr Hussy from Ras-El-Tin Palace, “of submitting your letter, with first day cover, to His Majesty the King, my ugust Sovereign, who commanded me to convey to you his thanks for your kind offer, and to send you the two sets of Egyptian stamps enclosed herein. Hoping these stamps will prove of some interest. Mr Roosevelt’s Interest On September 8 last the Y.M.C.A. Philatelic Society received a letter from Mr L. C. Pinkerton, American ConsulGeneral, who had been directed by his Government to thank Mr Jensen and the society for a first day cover which had been sent to President Roosevelt. President Roosevelt is philatelist No. 1 in the United States. As with King George VI. his interest began in boyhood, and was fostered by his mother. His mother’s family had large interests in China, and it was the early acquisitions on letters from Hong Kong which gave Mr Roosevelt’s collection a peculiar strength in Chinese stamps. Later his travels and other interests led him to give special attention to the stamps of Hatiti, the Dominican Republic, the Danish West Indies (now the Virgin Islands of the U.S.A.), and some others. His preference is a broad general collection, and he has said that too many Americans specialise in the stamps of the United States. He has advised them to collect the LatinAmerican countries. President Roosevelt, who contrives to have a short spell with his own treasures every day. addressed these words recently: “As one stamp collector to a fellowship which knows so well the compensations of the hobby. “The best thing about stamp collecting as a pursuit is that the enthusiasm it rouses in youth increases as the years pass. It dispels boredom, broadens our knowledge, and in innumerable ways enriches life and adds to its joys.”