CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT POSTAGE-STAMP COLLECTING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue X, 28 August 1897, Page 319

CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT POSTAGE-STAMP COLLECTING.

Brazil, the second country to issue postage stamps, brought out its first set in 1843 ; but the Emperor’s portrait did not appear on them until 1866, as the Brazilian Postmaster General was of the opinion that obliteration of the Sovereign’s features by postmarking implied disrespect, if not high treason ! In Sicily the same problem was more ingeniously solved by the use of a special cancellation, which left the King’s head intact in a sort of framework.

A fitting pendant to the above may be found in an Edict said to have been issued last year by the Post-master-General of Hayti. On assuming office after President Saloman’s overthrow, the new Government discovered an extremely large quantity of stamps bearing the portrait of the deposed ruler. Here was a dilemma. To destroy the lot and issue a fresh series would entail a great expense, while to use them would glorify the memory of a hated enemy. Suddenly a happy thought struck the puzzled postmaster: the stamps should be used upside down, and double postage should be charged on all letters bearing the ex-Presi-dent’s portrait in its normal condition. A stamp with a curious history is the New Brunswick * Connell,’ which cost its unlucky designer a post worth /"600 per annum. The story is as follows :—ln 1861, shortly ufter the introduction of the decimal currency, the postmaster—the Hon. Chas. Connell—was instructed to prepare a new series of stamps to replace those bearing the old sterling values. Connell accordingly designed and had engraved a set which included his own portrait for the five cents, value. As soon as the Government beard of this proceeding, that particular stamp was ordered to be suppressed. Connell demurred, and threatened to resign. The command was repeated, and his resignation followed. Other curiosities are the Fenian, Carlist, Confederate States, and * April Fool ’ stamps. The first-named was intended for use in the Republic which was to have been established in Ireland, but proved slightly premature in coming into existence. The next two series were actually employed during the Carlist Insurrection and the American Civil War respectively. Finally, it may be added that the most valuable stamps in existence are probably the two Mauritius ones issued in 1847, bearing the inscription, ‘Post Office, Mauritius,’ and otherwise only remarkable for their ugliness. One of these (the two pence value used) is, we believe, at present in the market at the modest price of /’zoo ! — Cassell's Saturday Journal.