STAMP CORNER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 101, 2 May 1938, Page 3

STAMP CORNER

■By

James Montagues.

British Colonial Issues. The basis of the George VI colonial stamps appears to be to better acquaint the world with the British colonial products, tourist possibilities and their locations. For instance, in the new British Guiana stamps ail scenic values of the last issue are being retained to show the beautiful views of the country, but to make sure that the vast travelling public knows where the colony is, there is a map stamp included in the new set showing where the colony is located at the top of South America. Too many people confuse Guiana with New Guinea in the South Seas, and Guinea, the Portuguese colony in Africa.

Similarly products of the country are featured in the new photogravure issue of the Indian Ocean colony Seychelles, shown above, and the new set from British Honduras. The recently issued Bermuda set showed sports of this resort group off the east coast of the United States, and Ceylon's pictorials probably had tourist attractions in mind. to

popularise this island south of India with the travelling public of India and Great Britain. Not all the new colonial issues

have so openly acted as propaganda for the colonies, but the tendency appears to be spreading. Other countries have long used their stamps for publicity purposes, and there is no reason why Britain's colonies throughout the world should not make use of this publicity medium. British colonial issues till recent years have been too standardised. Now collectors will have to more carefully discover the whereabouts of each colony and look more carefully at the Individual stamp to find out if it is a British colonial. At the same time the distinctiveness of the new issues will catch the eye of the non-col-lector. and more solidly point out the products and scenic beauties of the region. Neu Issues. Sweden will have three new issues in use by the middle of the year.

year, the first for the 300th anniversary of the first Swedish settlement in North America, the second a regular issue, and the third to be released in June for the establishment of the college of science. Venezuela has a large air mail set for early release to replace the current air mails. Ecuador's set for the 150th anniversary of the United States constitution has been released and is one of the most brilliant sets ever used on mail. Spain has issued new pictorials in miniature sheet form. The first United States-Bermuda air mail was to be flown from Baltimore on March 16. No return flight has been announced as yet. Panama’s five value Caribbean Olympic set has appeared in miniature sheet form, with names of all countries participating printed on the sheet. Switzerland has new postage due stamps. The Virgin islands will use the current formed stamps with head of George VI instead of his father. Russia will issue stamps for flip 20th anniversary of the founding of the Soviet army and navy. Belgium issued a commemorative miniature sheet on the anniversary of war-time King Albert’s death. Algeria is to issue a four value set for intellectual relief. Czechoslovakia issued n special stamp for the winter Olympics held early last month.