Stamp Collecting.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9, 1 September 1906, Page 41

Stamp Collecting.

Another sale is reported of the scarce Western Australia stamp, first issue, 4d, blue, with inverted centre. This stamp was slightly nicked at the bottom, but otherwise probably the finest known specimen. There are only eight others of the stamps, with the obliteration in red. The price paid in London for this particular stamp at auction was £4OO. • • • A set of parcel post stamps have Iveen issued in Tunis. The design is of a large, upright rectangular shape, with a view of the arrival of the mail at an Arab village; at top is the name “Tunisia,” and at bottom “Colis Postaux.” The value is expressed in figures on a shield at lower right. The following is the list: sc, green and purple-brown; 19c, vermilion and rose; 20c, brown and vermilion; 25c, blue and brown; 40c, grey and rose; 50e, purple-brown and purple: 75c, brown and blue; Ifr, red-brown and red; 2frs, carmine and blue; and Sirs, purple and purple-brown. • • • Two new stamps are reported for East Africa and Uganda— Irupec dull green, watermark C.C. on toned paper; and 10 rupees blue and grey, C.C. on chalk-sur-faced paper. • • • Tlie sum of £24 was paid at auction in Jjondon for the following British Somaliland, Service stamps, King’s Head, singlewatcrmark: J a, pea-green; 1 a, carmine; 2 a, purple; 8 a, pale blue and grey-black; multiple watermark— 2 a. purph*; each has the stop omitted after the letter “M” of “OJLMS.,” all*, mint; only five other sets known.

The death is aunoMeed in Eiofand at the ullvaiieed age of 92 years <4 .Sig Henry Thuillier. To philatelists it is <4 interest to remember that this distinguished soldier produced the first issuo of postage stamps in India. He was the younger son of John Pierre Thuillier, Baron of Malapert. Educated at tha East India Company’s College. Addiscombe, he was appointed to the Bengal Artillery as far back as 1832.. • • • Hie Id blue error of colour stamp of Cape of Good Hope, which is extremely rare, realised £4ll at auction in London in June. • • * A stamp collector. writing regarding the Son Francisco earthquake, states that 52 people were killed within 200 ft of his place. He adds, thankfully, that he managed to save one trunk of coins and stamps, an evidence of how badly some men suffer when they are subject to a hobby of any description. • • • The essay for the first adhesive stamp of Great Britain designed by James ( halmers in 1839 was sold by auction in London recently for £6O. This is a very rare label, as only one other authentic copy is known, and that is in the Postal Museum of Dr. Friedl, in Vienna. The essay is circular in design, and printed in red on bluish laid paper, the outer circle being inscribed ‘*G eneral Postage, Two Pciwe.” and in the centre are the words “Not ex. one ounce, 2d.” Thia stamp is postmarked Dundee. Sept. 24, 1839. • • • In connection with the International Exhibition to be held in Milan next month, there will also be a philatelic display. The Milan Exhibition is expected to lie an enormous affair, calculated to eclipse even those held in Paris. Tlie Grand Prize of the philatelic part of the Exhibition is the gold medal presented by His Majesty the King of Italy, and next in importance tlie like reward donated by the Postmaster-Gen-eral. In addition there are 14 medals—gold, silver, and bronze—offered by private donors, including one in each class presented by Messrs. Stanley Gibbons, Ltd. Every arrangement has been made for the sate custody and insurance of all stamps exhibited. • • • A repaired 12c black stamp of Canada was sold at auction in London for £3l. • • • Some interesting errors from a specialist’s point of view are reported in the India stumps, King Edward type, over printed "Service” and “British Somaliland.” In the one rupee and also the eight anna stamps the final E in service has hardily moved from the norma! position, but in the .1 anna, la, ami 2a stamps it has dropped equivalent to about two lines. In the second printing the letter 1 is missing in the word “service” in all the five values.