Stamp Collecting.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 16, 21 October 1905, Page 49

Stamp Collecting.

All denominations of the present issue of St. Vincent stamps, with the exception of £l, have now appeared on the multiple C.A. watermark paper. • • • A new series of insured letter stamps, all printed in black on coloured paper, has been issued by the Colombian Republic. The values are sc, 13e, 15c, 20e, and 25c. • • • The “Australian Journal of Philately” recently pointed out that in the catalogues of stamps no less than 33 shades of green are named, 1)0 reds (ranging from rose earmine to vermilian), 50 purples, 40 browns, 33 blues, and eight

blacks. This is interesting information lor collectors of shades. • • • New Zealand and Queensland in the early issues employed but one type of stamp for 20 years. In the ease of New Zealand the design was an exact copy of Queen Victoria in her coronation robes, as painted by A. E. Chalon, R.A., in 1838. It was not till 1865 that a 4d stamp was added to the New Zealand issue, which until then only amounted to hl, 2d, 3d, 6d, and -/. • • • “E.W.S.N.” chronicles two errors in Cook Island stamps not previously catalogued. They are: Id brown, overprinted a crown once at each side; the specimen is used, but the date on the postmark is illegible. Id brown, overprinted a crown once at each side inverted, in pairs with normal variety. The two stamps are unused, but in rather bad condition, the surface being covered with gum. • • • In connection with the universal penny postage, Mr. Henniker Heaton has written a. letter, in which he states: “It is intended to form a league for the establishment of universal penny postage, so that any inhabitant of our planet, white, black, or yellow, may be enabled, for the sum of one penny, to communicate with any other at the lowest possible rate, and the highest attainable speed—Englishman with Frenchman, German. Italian, or Russian, European with American, Asiatic with Australian or African; so that when one soul has something to say to another, neither colour, nor religion, nor greed, nor diplomacy, nor national antipathy, nor latitude, nor longitude, nor poverty, nor any other barrier shall stand between them. The hour has struck for this grand yet simple assertion of the brotherhood of nations. Further on in the letter Mr. Henniker Heaton states: “I maintain that the trade and commerce resulting from cheap postage will amply compensate for any initial loss. “That the moment for action has arrived is indicated by the fact that my friend. Sir J. G. Ward, Postmaster-Gen-eral of New Zealand, is to move a resolution for universal penny postage in the Postal Union Congress at Rome next year. It cannot be too soon or too clearly shown that this doughty reformer is speaking with the public opinion of the Mother Country behind him. “To you, as one of those to whom our people look for guidance in great questions, I appeal for sympathy and support. I ask you to enrol your name in our league, and, if convenient, to give us a few words of encouragement. No pecuniary liability will be incurred by members of the league. “Without venturing to introduce the Sovereign’s name in this appeal, we may confidently assume that no movement which aims at bringing the peoples of the earth into more frequent and closer correspondence and friendly intercourse can be indifferent to King Edward VII., and that we. have His Majesty's silent good wishes. “I am. yours faithfully, “J. HENNIKER HEATON.”