STAMP COLLECTING

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVII, Issue 25, 22 December 1906, Page 35

STAMP COLLECTING

, Correspondence' from Fiji this week was franked with the new’ penny stamp. It is similar in design to the former ■tamp of the same value, but instead of being purple and black on red paper, is carmine on white paper. The new stamp is on multiple crown C.A. water-marked paper, and perforated 14. In Gibbon’s new’ catalogue this stamp is mentioned as printed in 1906 in red, but as a note of interrogation follows the word “ red,” it may be presumed that the colour of the stamp had not been then definitely decided upon. The ones to hand are, however. distinctly carmine in colour. Whether this is the forerunner of all the Fiji stamps of the King Edward type being printed in single colours, as present supplies are exhausted, remains to be seen. It is, however, most probable that the cheaper stamps that are most in demand will be printed in one colour Only in future on the score of economy. • • • Tn explanation of the various shades of the stamps of Southern Nigeria, it ig. stated that the climate of that colony in the rainy season has a most deleterious effect upon the colours of stamps, even when they are kept in airtight cases. In fact in some instances the whole stamp fades, but more often the central portion is affected, sometimes turning from black to a light yellow colour! Here is a splendid field for the specialist. • • • Some colour shades of the stamps of the Fecleratcd Malay States are reported. The 4 cent, for instance, has ap-

peared with a distinct rose coloured inline instead of 'scarlet, as originally issued. Tliis and the Ad. green arc now ou uiisurfaced paper. • • • On November Ist this year a r.ew issue of stamps appeared in Bosnia. All but the three higher values are oblong squares of pretty design with decorated frame, and contain in the centre the following scenes: 1, View of Doboi; 2. Mortar near the Bridges; 3. Plinia tower at Jaice; 5. Pass of Narcuta, with view of the Prenj; 6, Rama tai; 7, road in the Valley of Urba; 10, Old bridge at Mortar; 25, Seraievo; 30. Post by beast of burden; 35, Tourists’ pavilions at Jezro; 40. mail waggon and horse; 45. Market scene at Serievo; and 50. Postal motorcar. The three higher values arc nearly square in shape. The Ik. shews a view of the Carsija at Seraievo, 2k, Lucas tower at Jaice, and sk. is embellished with a well-executed portait of the Emperor of .Austria. • • • The official stamps of Wurtcmbcig are now being printed on paper watermarked with circles and crosses. The values are 2pf. grey, 5 green and 20 blue. • • • Roumania is about to issue another set of eleven stamps, ranging from 5 bani to 3 lei to commemorate an exhibition Bucharest. • • • The following is a description of the new set of stamps issued in the Philippine Islands, to replace the use of ordinary United Stated labels:—.2 e., green. Rizal; 4 c., carmine-rose. McKinley; 6 c., purple, Magellan; 8 c., brown, Legaspi: 10 e., blue, Lawton; 12 c., crimson-lake. Lincoln; 10 e., dark violet. Sampson: 20 c., ligth brown. Washington; 20 c.. deep sepia, Cabriedo; and 30 c.. olivegreen, Franklin. The portrait, in each instance, is in an oval frame, partly covering a shield with stripes in the lower part and a horizontally lined ground in

the upper; an Eagle forms a crest above the shield; there is foliage at each side; the inscription ” Philippine Islands. United .States of. America,“ is in. the upper spandrels. “Centavos ” at foot, and there arc numerals denoting the value in each coiner. • • • “ MeekePs Wceklx Stamp News,” in referring to British stamps, lias the following paragraph:—“The prophets in the United states who forecasted that collectors here would show no marked disposition to distinguish between the single and the multiple U.A.’s must admit that they have been discredited. The great interest that is being manifested in single U.A.’s extends through what may be called the upper stratum of philately to the solid formation of middle class collectors. The demand for single U.A.’s in this country, at first languid enough, has given way to one that exceeds expectations.*’ • • • It is estimated that since the Australian States formed a Commonwealth, about 170 stamps and varieties have been issued, and still there is no appearance of the one common type fur the whole of Australia. The division is as follows: Victoria 45, South Australia 27. New South Wales 26, and Tasmania 24. Western Australia 15. and Queensland onlv two.