STAMP COLLECTING

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 1, 4 January 1908, Page 28

STAMP COLLECTING

A new value is reported in the stamps for use in the French colonies. The design is similar to the old one, and the value is 45c brown on green. • These stamps are for use in Anjouan, Gabon, Grande C'omore, Inde Francaise, Mayotte, Moheli, and Oceanie. An oblong label has been issued for Guadelope. It is 45c brown on violet with a native village scene in the centre. • • • “Mekecl’s Weekly Stamp News” states that a new commemorative stamp of 100 reis is being prepared to celebrate the opening of the Brazilian ports to International Commerse, and will be issued at the opening of the Exhibition. This stamp is additional to the 100 reis which is to be issued next year in honour of the proposed visit of the King of Portugal to Brazil. • • • Reprints of the 1865 issue of Dominican Republic are stated to be about. They are hand-struck on yellow paper. • • • A new stamp has been issued in Belgium. It is the 1c grey. The design is similar to the one formerly in use, with the exception that there is no ornamentation between the design and the Sunday label. • • • Another issue of stamps is reported from Salvador. In three lines at the top are the words, “Corres-de-EL Salvador,” and in the centre appears a building, while the value of each stamp is on a network ground at the foot. The values range from 1c to 100 c. • • • “Le Timbre-Poste” states with regard to the stamps of Spanish Guinea: “In 1902 there was a shortage of stamps in this colony. Whilst awaiting the expected supply, the Vice-Governor, who seems to have also been PostmasterGeneral, placed on letters an impression, in violet, from a handstamp inscribed Subgobierno de Bata—Habilitado para un sello de 0.10 pts. El Subgobor: [signature illegible]. We have seen a postcard so franked postmarked Bata 12 Nov. 1902.” • • • “A very interesting issue of Marianne Islands has,” states “Mekeel’s Weekly Stamp News,” “by some strange oversight, entirely escaped the chroniclers of the philatelic press. Several denominations of the 1898 Philippines issue during 1899 were surcharged with rubber stamp ‘Marianas Espanoles’ in violet ink, the surcharge being placed vertically in an octagonal single-lined frame. The letter!) are small capitals, block type, and the surcharge is in two lines. The necessity of this surcharge is plainly evident. When the Philippines were acquired by the United States, all Spanish issues became obsolete. At that time the only stamps in use in the Marianna Islands were the regular Philippine stamps. For almost a year the islands remained in the possession of Spain before they became a German colony. As the stamps of the Philippines were obsolete and demonetized the Marianna Islands were left in a peculiar, position. “Communication with the home country was very infrequent, and it naturally took many months to secure new supplies. We therefore find that this surcharged issue was in use possibly about a year until tli3 surcharged German stamps were employed. I have seen copies of the 2,3, 5,6, and 8c stamps of the Philippines 1898 issue which were thus surcharged used on mail to Manila. I have also seen the cover with the full cancellation. This is a large oval with the coat of arms in the centre, at bottom ‘Yslas Marianas,’ and at top ‘Gobierno P.M.” The date on back of the letter was the ordinary cancellation of the Manila military station, and dated December 11, ’99. There is a prospect of getting the official decree concerning this issue. I understand that one is to be had in Manila.”