Stamp Collecting.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XXII, 30 November 1901, Page 1020

Stamp Collecting.

BY

PHIL ATELIC.

The New Greek Stamps. Referring- te the new issue of Greek postage stamps, the London “Times” states: “In design, colour, and execution, they are among tin most beautiful ever issued. The ‘motive’ of the design is, as it has always been in the case of the stamps of Greece, a figure of Hermes, with his petasus, or winged cap, his wings on his heels and his caduceus, or serpent entwined and winged wand, denoting his office as herald. The particular form of the messenger of the gods portrayed on the stamps is that of the statue of Mercury, by Giovanni da Bologna. Of the new stamps there are fourteen different values embraced by three distinct designs, the central figure being always the peculiarly appropriate Hermes, the difference consisting only in the framework, and,. in the case of the four highest values, in the size of the stamp. The third group, consisting of four long stamps for the values of one drachma, and the two, three and five drachmae, has the simplest and most severely classical design. though this is, of course, relieved by the richness of the colours. which are black, with bronze, silver and gold respectively. The design consists of a simple Greek ornament) border. enclosing-' the figure of Mercury, with the word “Ellas” at the top, and the value in drachmae at the bottom. The new

stamps are all alike, most delicat* ' engraved and beautifully coloured, and reach the greatest excellence of printing and production.” A writer in the “Philatelic Record” makes a welcome protest about the multitude of perforations. He states: “Why not be honest and admit that we are getting tired of multitudinous varieties of perforations, that we sigh for relief therefrom, and that we would gladly take refuge in the simple and all comprehensive differentiation of ‘imperf,’ ‘rouletted,’ and ‘perf.’ But, alas, there be many stumbling blocks to such a solution of the trouble some question. There be some ‘perfs" th:, t have emptied many a well filled pocket, and there be many more similar ‘perfs" stored up for similar use for a gay and gladsome future. But this perforation business will force itself to the front in its own good time, and some day re shall have to decide something.” + + <fr The .eport of the Postmaster General of Great Britain for the year 1900-1901 furnishes interesting facts. More than 382,000 postal packets were returned from South Africa as undeliverable, and nearly 25,000 letters from there could not be delivered in Great Britain. It is estimated that the number of postal packets delivered in the United Kingdom during the year was 3.723,817,-

000, and the letters numbered 2,323,600,000. The Army mails from England contained each week little short of 750,000 letters, newspapers, and parcels for the troops. la the general mail matter of Great Britain no fewer than 345,600 packets were posted without address. These contained £251 in cash and notes, £7203 in bills, cheques, postal orders, stamps, etc. The total value of property found in undelivered letters was £681,335. The 20 cent. Uruguay ship type, current series, is now issued blaek and blue. In 1895 it was black and green, 1897 black and green, and now is black and blue. The one penny Jubilee stamp (Jamaica), with a view of Llandovery Falls, is to he reissued in two colours, the frame being in red and the centre in black. •F + + The Philippine Islands will continue to use surcharged stamps until incorporated with the United States by Act of Congress. Japanese stamps surcharged for use in Corea have ceased to be used in that country. + + + The provisional issue o." Tumaco stamps have been destroyed, and an official dismissed for speculating in them. May other countries follow the example. + + + Krom 1840 to 1849 the total of the postage stamps of the world amounted to 68 different ones, issued by eight different countries. The

figures for 1890 to 1899, were 5631 different stamps from 217 places. Of course this points clearly to stamp making for collectors* benefit, rather than for the requirements of small states and colonies, who issue most new varieties. Three new stamps have been issued in Core's: 50 eh, green and pink; 1 wn, grey, blue and red; and 2 wn, mauve and green. The 50 ch is in green, the frame portion having a ground of pink; the 1 wn has the centre in blue, and the rest of the design in grey on a ground of diagonal lines in rose red; and the 2 wn has the centre in bright green and the rest of the design in mauve. ♦ ♦ + Specimens of the current 5.10,20,25, and 30 Austria have appeared on paper which, in addition to fragments of silk in its substance, has on the baek a series of parallel bars, about 2 mm. wide and 8 mm. apart, printed apparently in a slightly yellowish varnish, but more conspicuous by their shiny surface than b; their colour. These bars run diagonally. and three show on each stamp.