INTERESTING TO PHILATELISTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 7, 18 February 1893, Page 157

INTERESTING TO PHILATELISTS.

What is expected to be the finest lot of postage stamps ever issued is now being prepared by the American Bank Note Company for the United States Government. The new issue will be a complete set of fifteen different values to commemorate the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus. The designs used were nearly all taken from celebrated paintings. The twodollar stamp is, however, after a painting by Lentze, an American artist, who has painted several pictures for the Capitol. The following technical description of the new issue was given by United States Postage Stamp Agent Thomas A. 11. Hay: One-Cent. —‘ Columbus in Sight of Land,’ after the painting by William H. Powell. On the left is an Indian woman with her child, and on the right an Indian man with headdress and feathers. The figures are in sitting posture. Colour, antwerp blue. Two-cent. —‘ Landing of Columbus,’ after the painting by Vanderlyn in the rotunda of the Capitol of Washington. Colour purple maroon. Three Cent.—* Flagship of Columbus,’ the Santa Maria in mid-ocean, from a Spanish engraving. Colour, medium shade of green. Four-Cent. —* Fleet of Columbus,’ the three caravels— Santa Maria, Pinta and Nina—in mid ocean, from a Spanish engraving. Colour, ultramarine blue. Five-Cent. —‘Soliciting Aid from Isabella,’ after the painting by Brozik in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Colour, chocolate brown. Sixcent.—‘Columbus Welcomed at Barcelona,’ from one of the panels of the bronze doors in the Capitol at Washington, by Randolph Rogers. On each side is a niche, in one of which is a statue of Ferdinand and in the other a statue of Boabdilla. Colour, royal purple. TenCent.—‘Columbus Presenting Natives,’ after the painting by Luigi Gregori at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind. Colour vandyke brown. Fifteen-Cent. —‘ Columbus Announcing His Discovery,’ after the painting by R. Balaea, now in Madrid. Colour, dark green. Thirty Cent.— ‘ Columbus at La Rabida,’ after the painting by R. Maso. Colour, sienna brown. Fifty-Cent.— ‘ Recall of Columbus,’ after the painting by A. G. Heaton, now in the Capitol at Washington. Colour, carbon blue.

One-Dollar.—‘ Isabella Pledging Her Jewels,’ after the painting by Munoz Degrain, now in Madrid. Colour, rose salmon.

Two-Dollar—‘ Columbus in Chains,’ after the painting by Lentze, now Providence, R I. Colour, toned mineral red. Three-Dollar. —‘Columbus Describing His Third Voyage,’

after the painting by Francisco Jover. Colour, light yellow-green. Four-Dollar.—Portraits in circles of Isabella and Columbus, the portrait of Isabella after the well-known paintii g in Madrid, and that of Columbus after the Lotto painting. Colour, carmine. Five-Dollar—Profile of the head of Columbus after a cast provided by the Treasury Department for the souvenir fiftycent. silver piece. The profile is in a circle, on the right of which is the figure of America represented by a female Indian with a crown of feathers, and on the left a figure of Liberty, both figures being in a sitting posture. Colour, black.

We also learn that M.S. Chapman, of the United States stamped envelope works in this city, has been in conference during the week with the Postmaster General in regaid to a complete exhibit of stamped envelopes at the World’s Fair. The Government is anxious that an exhibit shall be made, and arrangements will be effected as soon as practicable to carry out this desire. The Columbian stamp for the envelopes that will be issued in 1893 was also the subject of conference with the Post Office authorities, but the details of the dye have not been decided on. The change of dye will involve a large expense, but mustbe made by the contractors at the request or order of the Postmaster-General.