Stamp Collecting.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue I, 4 July 1903, Page 61

Stamp Collecting.

'Another of New Zealand’s Island dependencies has been provided with a set of stamps. Aitutaki is the name of an atoll in the Southern Seas, and it has been deemed necessary to issue New Zealand stamps surcharged for use there. As in the case of Niue and Penrhyn Islands, the values are Jd., Id., 2Jd., 3d., 6d., aud 1/. The Id. green is surcharged in red, perforated 14, and the paper water-marked single line star N.Z. The surcharge is in two lines, the name of the Island being at the top in capitals, and underneath are the words “Ava Penc” in smaller type. The penny earmine is similar, with the exception that the value surcharge is ‘’Tai Pene,” in black. The 2Jd. blue is surcharged in red, “Rua Pene Ma Te Ara.” The stamp is on single line star paper, and perforated 11. The 3d. brown stamp is also perforated 11, and on Cowan paper. The surcharge is “Torn Pene,” in black. The (id. rose is also surcharged in black, “Ono Pene,” and the 1/ vermilion “Tai Tiringi.” Both stamps are perforated 11, and on single line star N.Z. paper, the water-mark being sideways, instead of vertical as in the case of the id. and Id. stamps. The effect of this is that on each stamp is a portion of what would have been the water-mark for two stamps printed vertically. The result is that N., with a portion of the star, appears at one end of the stamp, and Z., with a portion of the star, at the other end, and no watermark in the middle. These stamps are now on sale at the Auckland Post Office, presumably for the combined benefit of the revenue of Aitutaki ami philatelists generally.

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Fiscal collectors would no doubt be pleased to get an unused specimen of a etamp issued recently in Auckland for use in an intestate estate. The value was £6070, and as usual in such cases ■ special stamp was printed.

Some time ago reference was made to the fact that the one shilling New Zealand stamp surcharged for use in Niue Island had been somewhat suddenly withdrawn from issue, owing to an error in the word that was intended to signify to the natives “one.” At the time there was a little mild surprise felt that the Department should be so eager to withdraw the stamps, that telegraphic instructions were sent to Auckland, but now that the full facta are made known no one will blame the Department for its promptitude. The word that was printed, instead of meaning “one,” to the guileless Niuean read “thief.” As New Zealand had already annexed the Island, and started a postoffice, to issue stamps bearing the overprint “thief shilling” would have been altogether- too much for the untutored native to understand, although its full significance would be only too patent to the less innocent white man. • • • E.W.S.N., referring to the issue of the wrongly surcharged shilling, states that the stamps were issued in Auckland on the sth of March, only 94 being sold that day, apart from those purchased by the agent of the Colonial Stamp Market. When the mistake was discovered the New Zealand authorities sent a cable requesting that the consignment be returned intact, which was done, but under protest, as it transpired that another dealer in London had also got a supply. Commenting upon the mistake, E.IV.S.N. states: “It is wonderful what a lot of difference a vowel makes in Polynesia. In this case ‘Tahae’ instead of ‘Taha-e’ turns an honest shilling into a thief.” • • • The issue of separate surcharged stamps for Niue and Penrhyn Islands is stated to be absolutely necessary, in order to keep the Island revenue distinct from that of New Zealand. On the same plea New South Wales might issue surcharged stamps for Norfolk Island.

The Servian Government had ordered a new set of postage stamps from a Parisian firm, but probably these will now not be made, or if made never issued, as the design in the middle of the stamp is the profile of King Alexander, crowned by a laurel wreath, and above is the word “Servia” in Slav type, and in two circles right and left, the number of paras indicating the value of the stamp. When the plaster cast of the new stamp was submitted to the King, he asked the artist to tone down the too majestic expression that the latter had given to the King's face, which was done. Probably another issue will now be wanted, with the face of King Peter thereon, though a more suitable design would be a band of military assassins murdering a woman, and casting forth her body from the palace window.

• • • By the ’Frisco mail last week Stanley Gibbons’ further supplement to the catalogue came to hand. As might be expected, the new King’s Head issues for the various British colonies take up a good deal of space. The new Fiji issue is figured, the values above one shilling, being 5/ and 20/. The new issues for French colonies, and also for Portuguese colonies, occupy several pages, and the new issue of United States stamps are figured from J to 15 cents. • • • Only five of t|-.e numerous stamps issued by British Guiana have been reprinted, and these can easily be recognised by collectors. The reprinting took place in 1865,and includes the two values of 1852, the two values of 1853, and the 1 e., rose, of 1860. They were perforated 12}, whereas the originals of 1852 and 1853 were not perforated at all, and the original 1 e. of 1860 was perf. 12. Unless the perforations of any of the first four on the list have been removed no collector need be deceived by them. The removal of the perforations leaves the copies of the 1852 stamps with very small margins, that the 1 e. of 1853 is

In 1881, and also iu 1890, fur th. benefit of Exhibitions, the design of the stamps of 1850 of Lombardo-Vene-tia was printed in sheets of sixteen (four rows), and single specimens wera distributed free to those visiting the Exhibitions. These stamps have the date in the lower label, “1881” in eolotW on white, or “1890” in white on colour; they were printed in various colours, and on different kinds of paper. • • • For the first time in its history Hongkong has altered the design of *ats stamps. The one cent, is a really beautiful design in lilac and brown. The bulk of the stamp is in brown, but the oval medallion in the centre is lilac, and on this appears the portrait of King Edward. At the top appears “Hong Kong,” at the bottom “one cent.” and Chinese characters occupy the sides. India stamps, with the portrait of King Edward, have been issued surcharged Gwalior. The three-pies grey and half-anna green have been received here. There are two surcharges, “Gwalior” appearing in English and also in Indian characters. • • • in an orange-red colour distinctly different from any of the tints in which the originals are found, and that the 1 c., rose, of the 1860 type differs from the original, not only in the perforation, but also in being on thin paper instead of thick. • • • The first stamp issued in Ceylon bearing the portrait of King Edward VII. was a 5-cent lilac, water-mark CA, and perforated 14. A 10-cent. regulation envelope has also been issued with the King’s head embossed thereon. • • • Collectors who get any of the now half-penny stamps of Fiji require to be very careful iu detaching them from the envelopes, or if placed in water the colours run badly.