Stamp Collecting.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue IX, 31 August 1901, Page 392

Stamp Collecting.

BY

PHIL ATELIC.

The genuine stamp collector is thoroughly cosmopolitan. If two philatelists meet, no matter what their nationality, provided only they both understand one language, they become friends at once and promptly set to work at exchange. When the Argentine Republic training ship Presidente Sarmiento was here the other day the

youths on board lost no time in trying to secure New Zealand stamps, either by exchange or purchase. One dealer sold £lO worth of New Zealand

stamps the same day. and during the week could have disposed of at least £ 50 worth had he possessed the stock.

The value of the Tapling collection of stamps acquired in 1891 by the British Museum for £40,000, is now estimated at £lOO,OOO. Mr E. D. Bacon was engaged eight years arranging the collection for the Museum authorities. + + + The "Philatelists* Register," referring to stamp collecting, states:—Of course the great "secret of success” in anything is enthusiasm. And the stamp collector who wishes to make his stamps a success and a source of interest to himself and his friends must be enthusiastic. Without enthusiasm of the proper sort even money loses its power. A big balance at the bank, or a liberal allowance of cash, as the case may be. is fortunately not an essential element to philatelic success, although many assert that it is. We would say. rather, that having a deal of money at one’s disposal to spend upon stamps is a drawback in some respects. For when the budding philatelist can march off to a dealer’s and buy up a lot of stamps indiscriminately. regardless of expense, he loses half the pleasure which may be derived from "bargain hunting." and is very likely to give up the hobby in disgust before long. We would advise the collector just commencing not to buy too many of the “cheap packets" advertised by a certain class of dealers. The announcements look very tempting—"2oo stamps for fourpence.” and so on—but the packets contain always the same sort of stuff, and when two or three of them have been purchased the collector will find himself loaded up with a heap of useless duplicates. Another new {jssuv js announced from Bolivia-—1 cent., 5. 10 and 20 cents., also 2 dollars. The halfpenny green stamp Tasmanian pictorial issue is now stated to be out of issue owing to the heavy cost of production. In future the old type half purple and orange will be used. + + + Two new surcharges are reported from Bulgaria. 10 on 50 st and 5 on 3 st; also the commemorative stamps of the anniversary of independence 5 st and 15 st. + ♦ * Canada proposes issuing a new set of stamps in commemoration of the late Queen's long and prosperous reign. It is probable that the portrait of the widowed Queen upon the present 20 and 50 eent. stamps will lw utilised for this new issue.

Some of the penny New Zealand pictorial issue, brown and blue. London print, possessed the peculiar feature of having the centre sketch on the back as well as the front of the stamp. Naturally, these particular stamps are very scarce, as it is probable that only one sheet was printed with the view on both sides. The explanation is that one impression being taken when a sheet had not

been put in the pad received the view and transferred the sketch to the back of the next sheet.

The war in South Africa continues to furnish matters of special interest to stamp collectors. Foi’ instance letters are now reaching Auckland with the stamps surcharged E.R.I. instead of V.R.1., as formerly. It appears now that as late as April 9th the Boer

Government issued stamps in the northern Transvaal. These are roughly type set, and count of six values, id, Id, 2d, 4d, 6d, and 1/. On the border at each side is "Z, AFF. REP.,” at the top “Postzegel,” and on the bottom 1901. The value, with an ornamental border around it, is

in the centre of the stamp, and in part of the space appears the initials written by the controller of stamps. Only about .£ 500 worth of these

stamps were printed at Pietersberg, but these were not all issued, as the British troops captured the place, and it is said the blocks were destroyed and the office blown to bits. These

stamps were printed in black on red paper, some roughly perforated and others not perforated.