Stamp Collecting.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue VII, 17 August 1901, Page 297

Stamp Collecting.

BY

PHIL ATELIC.

The transfer of Apia in the Samoan Group to Germany has been followed by the issue of a set of stamps of a somewhat distinct design, ranging in value from three pfenning io SO. Across the top is the word Samoa on a scroll, and in the centre is shown a large steamer. The values are 5, 10. 20, 25. 30, 40, 50 and 80. For some time prior to the annexation of Apia by Germany, the Consul representing that nation has used German stamps for his own correspondence, and these are obliterated with a stamp bearing the word “Apia,” and notification that they are from the Kaiser Consulate. These particular stamps become valuable, as it is scarcely likely that a large number were ever p<«tallv used. Just before Apia was taken over, the Samoan fern tree issued appeared surcharged “Provisional Government,” and were quickly followed by the ordinary German stßinp. with the word “Samoa" printed right across the face from the bottom to the top corner, in a slanting direction. These stamps were in use for a very short period and should therefore become valuable, especially those that have actually passed through the post. .J. .J. In Queensland stamps the ISSI issue, values from 2/ to 20/, are the rare ones, owing- to the fact that the dies were destroyed and the surplus stock burned. Added to this these particular values were only on issue for about two years, and of course the demand for stamps from 8/ upwards -1- 4, 4. The Turkish new issue of stamps range from 5p to 50 piastres. The colours are as follow: 5p bistre inland; JOp, yellow green; 20p, magenta; .1 pi, violet blue; 2pi, grayblue; spi, pale brown; 25 pi, dark green; and SOpi, yellow. The colours for the foreign issue are: sp, purple; Hip, green; 20p, carmine; Ipi, blue; 2(>pi, orange; spi, pale redd’Sh lilac; 25pi, brown; 50pi, yellow brown. Journal stamps are surcharged in black. 'I he unpaid letter stamps are: 10 paras and 20 paras, black on dark rose, and 1 piastre and 2 piastres, same colour. •i> -fr * The Pan-American issue, which were figured in the “Graphic” a fortnight ago, are quoted here at double face value. Some of the 2 cent, 1 cent and 4 cent have been issued with inverted centres. The lucky possessors it is reported sold some at 25 dollars each the same day they were issued.

The uew issue of half-penny green Victoria, small rectangular shape, is now obsolete, and a new plate has been struck, with the wort! postage in label at the bottom. As these stamps have only been in issue a few months they should be worth hold- + + + A new Greek issue of stamps is notified, the design being similar to that of the “Olympian” set, each one being different, yet typically Greek, and really- artistic. The 5 drachmas will be double size and printed in gold. The values are 1,2, 5. 10, 20, 40, and CO lep. and 1,2, 3, 4 ami 5 dra. * + + A letter was received by a gentleman in this city recently which bears on it what is known as Finland’s mourning stamp. Russia has long ami systematically tried to crush out the distinctly national spirit of the Finns, but so far without success, even though all officials are Russian and only the language of the dominant, power is allowed to be taught in the schools. Recently Russian stamps were substituted for the well known Finnish issue, and thus caused the ingenious practice to be resorted to of issuing a black stamp with the national coat of arms, and the words "Suomi Finland” on it. This stamp was simply placed on envelopes as a protest, but instead of ignoring it, the Russian authorities suppressed the stamp, whereupon the Finns began to use very thin envelopes, so that when the black stamp was placed within it eould be seen outside, whereupon the authorities once more interfered and declared the practice to be illegal. The Finns have now got an indiarubber stamp made in the form of a square, with the words “Grand Duchy of Finland" around it, and room for the Russian stamp in the centre. As Russia has taken in Finland, and not been surrounded by it, no doubt this stamp will likewise be interdicted, and the Finns will have to try another- scheme. Meanwhile, the “mourning stamps” are being secured for stamp collectors, and Russian petty tyranny will thus be. advertised by philatelists the world over. •fr + ♦ The Dominican Republic purposes issuing another lot of stamps, three millions in all, the ostensible reason being that on the present stamp the map of the boundary between Hayti and San Domingo is not quite correct.