The American Philatelist is the oldest continuously published philatelic journal in the world, with the earliest issue dating to January 1887. Its archive (available in print and online to APS members via the APRL) is a rich seam of philatelic writings and history.
Beginning this month, we will be making transcribed excerpts of past AP issues available online to APS members, starting with the June 1923 issue. This June was a particularly fraught one for the APS, which was battling accusations of illegality in regard to printing illustrations of U.S. stamps. More detail can be found in the Editor's Column below. You will also find an extensive report on the 1923 International Stamp Exhibition held in London, and an array of new issues from Austria to Saseno. We hope that this view into past philately will prove enlightening, thought-provoking, and even amusing.
Note: Wherever possible, excerpts were transcribed exactly as printed, including formatting and the occasional spelling error or grammatical quirk.
The American Philatelist
Published by and in the Interest of the AMERICAN PHILATELIC SOCIETY
Volume 36. No. 9. June, 1923.
APS President: Charles F. Heyerman
Editor: Adolph D. Fennel
This Month
International Stamp Exhibition
London, England, May 14th-26th, 1923.
The Stamp by Sigge Stromberg
Translated and adapted by Eric Kling from the Swedish “Filatelisten of Gothenberg”
The 3c Stamp of the United States 1851-1857 Issue by Carroll Chase
Continued from May issue
Reviews
Postage Stamps of Canada by Fred Jarrett, Bright & Son’s A.B.C. Catalogue, Part 3
Editor’s Column
The Specialist
Including counterfeit vs. cheaply made Dutch Indies issues; Forged Surcharges of Orange River Colony V.R.I., Transvaal V.R.I. & E.R.I. and Swazieland [sic]; Expert Deceived
Perforated Initials by Frederick W. Palmer
New Issue Notes and Chronicle
Society Items
Report of the Secretary
Including status of applications and membership, official notices, and resolutions
Report of the Treasurer
Wants and Exchanges
International Stamp Exhibition.
London, England, May 14th-26th, 1923
The great International Exhibition and Philatelic Congress held under the auspices of the Junior Philatelic Society was, as stated by one of our contemporaries, a “golden fortnight” and eclipsed in every way similar affairs of the past. Thousands of collectors from all parts of the world, Kings, Princes, Ambassadors and American Millionaires joined in the throngs that views the marvelous array of stamps exhibited at the Royal Horticultural Hall and paid tribute to the King of Hobbies. The exhibition was opened, May 14th, by the Hon. Sir William Joynson-Hicks, Bart., Postmaster General of Great Britain, who paid warm tribute to Philately as a “magnificent Hobby” and made public some startling statistics of the present day postal service. The visitors were also addressed by the Hon. Irving Clover, Third Ass’t. Postmaster General of the United States who came as the representative of the United States with the Government stamp exhibit which was one of the centers of attraction throughout the fortnight. A fine orchestra supplied music each afternoon and evening and lantern lectures were given by prominent philatelists on subjects of both general and specialized interest. On Thursday evening, May 17th, the official banquet was held at the Hotel Cecil, over 400 attending and practically ever country of the world was represented by one or more distinguished collectors. There were numerous speakers of note at this affair, among them, Mr. F. J. Melville, Chairman, Sir William Joynson-Hicks, Bart., M.P., the Right Hon. Early Buxton, P.C., G.C.M.G., the Right Hon. Viscount Burnham, C.H., W. Dorning Becton, Esq., Hon. W. Ormsby-Gore, M.P., Mrs. H.P. Terry and John N. Luff, Esq., of New York. At the Banquet the International Jury, composed of W. Dorning Becton, A. De Reuterskiold, Emilio Diena, John N. Luff, R.B. Yardley, H.P. Manus, Nils Strandel and G. Gilbert announced the awards which owing to the large number of collections exhibited required the Committee to remain in almost constant session for four and one half days. In the report of the jury special mention was made of the exhibits made “hors concours” and of which they said “Special reference must likewise be made of the exhibits entered hors concours. All of these were important and most of them of the highest standard of Philatelic interest, and in this connection the felicitations of the judges are offered to Dr. Carroll Chase, for his United States One Cent 1851-57 issues reconstructed sheets and to Mr. Fulcher for his collection of Japan”.
The awards made in the principal classes were as follows:
Awards.
Class A. – Championship
Section 1.
Grand Gold. – Chas. Lathrop Pack • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Victoria
Special Grand Gold. – W. Martello Gray • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Great Britain
Gold. – Arthur Hind • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Mauritius
Section 2.
Grand Gold.— A.J.Warren• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Holland and Colonies
Special Grand Gold. – Arthur Hind• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Spain
Gold.— Alfred Lichtenstein • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Switzerland
Special Silver.— George Caroly • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Belgium
Section 3.
Grand Gold. – Arthur Hind • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •United States
Special Grand Gold.— T.W. Hall • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Peru
Gold.— A.S. Mackenzie-Low • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Egypt
Class B.—Great Britain
Section 1.
Silver.— Elliot Lewis• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Great Britain
Bronze.— D. Pick • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Great Britain
Section 2.
Gold. – J. Steele Higgins • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Great Britain
Section 3.
No Award.
Section 4.
Silver.— W. Dodd • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Great Britain
Bronze.— W.H. Must • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Great Britain
Class C.—British Empire
Section 1.
Special Grand Gold.— W.J. Webster • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • British Guyana
Gold.— Herbert R. Oldfield • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • India
Silver.— Thomas Heath • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Ceylon
Section 2.
Gold.— J.H. Chapman • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Queensland
Silver. – P.R. England • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Wester [sic] Australia
Silver.— Arthur Newton Pack • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • New Zealand
Special Silver.— Henry Harvey • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Victoria
Special Silver.— George Ginger • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • New South Wales
Section 3.
Bright’s Silver Cup.— Mrs. Field • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cape of Good Hope
Gold.— R.F.A. Riesco • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cape of Good Hope
Silver.— Harold J. Reckitt• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Nevis
Silver.— W. Dimsdale Stocker • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Straits Settlements
Section 4.
Gold.— Alfred F. Lichtenstein• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • New Brunswick and Nova Scotia
Silver.— R.W.T. Jones • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Canada
Section 5a.
Silver.— Col. R.D.H. Lockhart• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Sarawak
Special Silver.— A.G. Johnsen • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Heligoland
Bronze.— J.C. North • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cyprus
Bronze.— A.L. Pemberton • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cyprus
Section 5b.
Special Gold.— L.E. Bradbury • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Bahamas
Special Silver.— A.G. Johnsen • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Malta
Special Silver.— Rev. C.S. Morton • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Jamaica
Special Silver.— H.L. Vogel • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •New Republic
Bronze.— S.A. Brown • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Gambia
Bronze.— Harold J. Reckitt • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Grenada
Section 5c.
Bronze.— Dr. E.W. Floyd • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • British Levant
Bronze.— H. Dormer Legge • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Sudan
Bronze.— W.H. Lawson • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Falkland Islands
Section 7.
Roberts’ Silver Cup.— Charles J.D. Lees • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • British Empire, K.G.
Silver.— Charles Nixon • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • British Empire, K.G.
Bronze.— F.W. Hilton • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • British Empire, K.G.
Class D.—Europe and Colonies
Section 1.
Gold.— G.A. Higlett • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Turkey
Silver.— R.T. Parkinson • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Oldenburg
Bronze.— H.L. Hayman • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Hungary
Section 2.
Sefi Pemberton Trophy.— Lt.-Col. G.S.F. Napier • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Greece
Gold.— R.T. Parkinson • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Sicily
Special Gold.— T.W. Hall • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Greece
Silver.— J.A. Kleman • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Greece
Special Silver.— H.L. Hayman • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Sicily
Bronze.— F.D. Walters • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Greece
Bronze.— Owen Fearnley • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Greece
Section 3.
Gold.— A. Odfjell • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Norway
Silver. – F.A. Ellis • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Finland
Bronze. – F.A. Ellis • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Russia
Section 4.
Special Silver Gilt.— Marques de Valdefuentes • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Spain
Special Silver.— G.W. Armitage • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Spain
Section 5.
No Award.
Section 6.
Bronze.— Joseph Wright • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Belgian Congo
Class E.—America
Section 3.
Gold.— G.W. Armitage • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • United States, 1847-60
Special Gold.— Hon. E.R. Ackerman • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • United States, 1847-60
Special Gold.— Sir N.E. Waterhouse • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • United States, 1847-60
Section 7.
Special Gold.— E.S. Knapp • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Confederate States
Silver Gilt.— A. Leon Adutt • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Confederate States
Section 9.
No Award.
Section 10.
Special Gold.— T.W. Hall • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Venezuela
Silver.—G.H. Dannatt • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Chile
Silver.— R.F.A. Riesco • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Chile
Section 11.
Silver.—H. Ahrens • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Nicaragua
Bronze.— J.R.M Albrecht • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Guatemala
Class F.—Other Countries
Section 1.
Gold.— H.R. Ooldfield [sic] • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Persia
Silver Gilt.— Walter Pears • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Siam
Section 2.
Silver Gilt.— Major E.J.G. Moffatt • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Egypt
Bronze.— D. Pick • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Egypt
Class G.—Single Issues, Re-entries, Retouches Specialized
Section 1.
Gold.— Alfred Lichtenstein • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Canada (Pence Issues)
Special Silver Gilt.— Frank Wadham • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Great Britain (1d. black, 1840)
Silver.— D.C. Gray • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Holland (1852 Issue)
Bronze.— W.J. Cochrane • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Argentine (Rivadaira Issue)
Section 2.
Gold.— Hugo Griebert • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Turkey (1863 Issue)
Silver.— Charles Lathrop Pack • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Uruguay (Diligencia Issue, 18567- [sic])
Bronze.— Fred D. Walters • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Chile (Lithograph Issue of 1854)
Section 3.
No Awards.
Section 5.
Gold.— Bertram McGowan • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Great Britain (1d. red, Die II)
Silver.— D.C. Gray • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • India (1854 Issue)
Silver.— Edward S. Knapp • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •U.S. (New Orleans, 5 cents, 1861)
Silver.— Sir N.E. Waterhouse • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • U.S. (New York, 5 cents, 1845)
Special Silver.— Ben Goodfellow • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Norway (4 skill., 1863-68 Issue)
Bronze.— Herbert R. Oldfield • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Bolivia (1866-68 Issue)
Bronze.— P.A. Mossin • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Norway (4 skill. blue, 1855)
Section 6.
Silver.— Ben. Goodgellow [sic] • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Re-entries (Various Countries)
Bronze.— Bertram McGowan • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Re-entries (Great Britain, 1d. red, Die I)
Section 7.
Silver.— L. Meinertzhagen • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Retouches (Various Countries, Sicily)
Bronze.—R.W. Wilkinson • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Retouches (Holland, 1852-1867)
Bronze.— Ben. Goodfellow • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Retouches (New Zealand, First type, 2d., Plate II)
Class H.—War and Post-War Stamps.
Section 1.
Silver Plaque.— B.H. Manus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Entries 195, 201
(Association [sic] Nouvelle de Timbrologie.)
Bronze.— Khan Bahadur Pudumjee.
Section 2.
Bronze.— Major Chas. Bagnall • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Ukraine
Section 3.
Silver.— H.L. Sargent • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Hejaz
Bronze.— Donald McDonald • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • North-West Pacific Islands
Bronze.— Major J.J. Darlow • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Palestine and Trans-Jordania
Bronze.— R.E.D. Francis • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Palestine and Trans-Jordania
Section 4.
Silver.— Capt. R.W. Brierley • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Batoum
Silver.— Major E.J.G. Moffat • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cilicia
All the stamps for which the prizes were given were on Exhibition at the Horticultural Hall and to both collectors and public the rarity exhibit of Mr. Arthur Hind, who is quite often referred to as the “American Ferrari”, was the stellar attraction. His Majesty, The King of England visited the exhibition on May 18th, accompanied by his philatelic secretary, Mr. E.D. Bacon, C.V.O., and made a critical examination of all the stamps, especially those of Mauritius and the famous 1c British Guiana exhibited by Mr. Arthur Hind. The King, who takes great interest in every phase of stamp collection, honoured [sic] close on a hundred philatelists with a command to Buckingham Palace and showed them the Royal collection, consisting of two hundred special albums of stamps of Great Britain and colonies. His Majesty personally explained to his visitors items of special note in his collection and all were surprised at the breadth of his philatelic knowledge.
The Swedish Crown Prince visited the Exhibition and gave special attention to the rarities of his own country, the unique 3 skillingo-banco, error of color of 1855, publicly shown for the first time holding his attention for some minutes. Notable visitors from foreign countries included, The Japanese Ambassador, the Polish Minister, the Esthonian Minister, the Latvian Minister, the Lithuanian Minister, the Governor of Gold Coast Colony, the Chinese Charge d’Affairs, the Peruvian Charde d’Affairs, the High Commissioner for South Africa, the Latvian Minister [sic], the Bulgarian attache, Mr. W. Irving Glover, U.S. 3rd Ass’t. P.M., U.S. Senator Frelinghusen, Congressman E.R. Ackerman, Dr. and Mrs. Carroll Chase, Mr. B.W.H. Poole of Los Angeles, Mr. John N. Luff, President of the New York Collectors Club, Dr. Emilio Diena of Rome, Mr. T.A. Pope of British Guiana, Mr. L.J. Flerlage, U.S. Baron Leijonhufvud and many others. The exhibits of the dealers and manufacturers were almost of equal interest to the collections shown. A model postage stamp factory was set up in operation and a special stamp, the prize winning design of the competition arrange by the Exhibition Committee, was printed on watermarked paper of novel design. In the dealers stalls were shown every possible philatelic accessory in additions to a great wealth of fine stamps offered for sale. All the arrangements for the comfort and amusement of the visitors were carried out in an ideal manner and the happy consensus of opinion of those fortunate enough to attend was that the J.P.S. officials have set a mark that will be difficult to equal and impossible to surpass.
Editor’s Column
A pleasing spirit of reform marks the wall of a few “distinguished” eastern dealers and publishers over the illustrations that have appeared in the “Philatelist” the past few months. After many years of violating the laws against stamp illustrations some of these gentlemen are now horrified over our “flagrant” violation of the new amendment and a rumor is current that ye Editor is to be placed behind the bars! We do not desire intentionally to violate any of the laws of the land and while we view with alarm the prospect of twenty years of hard labor at Atlanta or Ft. Leavenworth we still sleep peacefully at night and hope that our past record may save us from incarceration as a dangerous criminal. We do thank our zealous friends, however, for their kindly pointing out of our evil ways and not to shock their newly found law abiding sensibilities we too are about to reform!
Now that “reform” is the thing and everyone is to be laundered clean for the good of Philately some are of the opinion that all foreign catalogues and albums bearing these highly dangerous and illegal illustrations (legal in every other country in the world) should be rigorously excluded from this suddenly reformed philatelic paradise. There is every reason to believe that these persistent violations of the law, that is without an aesthetic defacing of foreign stamp illustrations, will tend to undermine our youth and make for a serious condition of lawlessness. We will have nothing to do with this sort of program as we believe this serious international question should be reviewed first by the World Court or League of Nations. Our Foreign friends, however, should receive fair warning if any action of this kind is contemplated.
As to our own reform, the illustrations in this issue, particularly the legally defaced foreign stamps, bear witness that we intend to keep within the law. The new illustrations for Dr. Chase’s 3c 1851 article we trust will meet the requirements demanded of us and welcome legal opinions which we will gladly follow. The grey backgrounds, four times the size of a postage stamp, do not portray what was a valid obligation of the United States as the actual stamps were slightly different. These are the finest type of explanatory illustration ever appearing in any philatelic Journal and we would deeply regret the need to discontinue them. It is hoped that through these illustrations the article, in which so many collectors are evincing a deep interest, may be continued in proper form.
It must be confessed that having had no thought of turning counterfeiter we have been, say a bit thoughtless, in permitting our zeal for accuracy and philatelic worth to unconsciously lead us to a technical violation of the illustration law. We have our doubts indeed whether anyone can in a practical way being made to draft a better law for philatelists which will offer equally as great a protection to the Government as the present law.
What a sorry mess this mater of stamp illustration has become! The first broad and constructive action for the benefit of all collectors and dealers has, through lack of harmony and vision, precipitated a seemingly endless controversy that is nullifying the slight advantages gained to Philately in the passage of the new law. A difference of opinion between friends is often a good thing – an active, even heated discussion of principles tends to clarify thought and leads to a firmer mutuality – but no such end is gained through personal abuse and unfair statement of facts. Our is a sincere regret that at this late day, after all that has been said and done, that so prominent a local organization as the New York Collector’s Club should permit the pages of its official Journal to bear such a warped and biased version of the “inside” history of the law, as appeared in the April issue of the Collectors Club Philatelist. The writer of that article would have it appear that the opposition of the A.P.S. to the original bill “misguided” collectors and if it hadn’t been for the efforts of the “Collectors Club” the action of Dr. Chase “might have proved disastrous”! The inside “story of intense interest that is worthy of preservation in the annals of philately” resolves itself into a bit of horn tooting that supposedly derives its “intense interest” in belittling a man who unselfishly has given philately in this country the fruit of his exacting studies of U.S. issues and time ill spared from his professional duties to serve for two years as President of the A.P.S.
Quite a bit of indignation has been aroused over this article and we have been requested to give the true “inside” story in reply. We do not believe this either necessary or advisable, the record of the A.P.S. Convention at Springfield and the record of the last Congress are sufficient answer. The efforts of the A.P.S. officers and membership killed the original bill deader than a door nail and the amended Bill, including the right to illustrate U.S., was directly due to the efforts of the A.P.S. Lookout Committee. Now why has all this argument over the allocation of the “glory”? Collectors, dealers and publishers are everywhere questioning whether anything worth while has really been accomplished and are wondering the why of all this fuss. While we agree that the direct benefits are small, we do feel that a big thing was done in securing the recognition by Congress of Philately and it is farthest from our purpose to give the impression that this was accomplished solely by the A.P.S. or any of its officers. A great number of men contributed to the passage of the new law and while nearly, if not all, were members of the A.P.S., the greater number acted as individuals and not as officers of the Society. Solely by reason of a difference of opinion over the question whether or not it was advisable to press the demand for the right to illustrate U.S. stamps as well as foreign, these men did not join hands in a common fight but even pulled in opposite directions. Over that one difference of opinion arises all this turmoil which is doubly unfortunate because it was due to that difference of opinion that the preparation of the new law was hasty and without the thoughtful consideration usually given by a body of men working to one end and now it is still before us, constantly agitated for purposes secondary to the good of the hobby and leading to a weakening of the friendships so necessary to true co-operations. For our part, we believe, and would have our readers believe, that the principals, the men that worked to get a satisfactory illustration Bill before Congress, greatly deplore this aftermath of controversy and would much prefer instead of the paens of glory sung in different keys a harmonious call for mutual co-operation to secure an improvement of the law. Some very slight changes would make it as satisfactory as anyone could fairly ask for and we believe these can be had if collectors, dealers and publishers act in friendly co-operation.
We hope olive branches will be in evidence in Washington in August and we look forward, our own olive branch in hand, to a renewal of the old friendly status.
In the article about the Convention to be held in Washington, which was published in our May issue, there was an error made in stating that a registration fee of $3.00 will be asked of members of the Society attending. This should have been $1.00 for members and $3.00 for guests introduced by members and the Committee advises us that this charge is made solely to carry out the spirit of the Resolution of the Springfield Convention and not as a source of revenue. The idea is to see that none but bonafide [sic] members attend the various sessions.
The trials and tribulations that Man is heir to make no exception of collectors and every now and then we hear of some one of the A.P.S. membership suffering from an unusual ill or hardship. One of the charms of Philately is its power to distract the mind from suffering and we know the members will be glad to aid with stamps and letters the two members we have recently been told about.
Mr. C.H. Hollister, A.P.S. 5928, we are told by Mr. Beebe, is confined to a hospital cot at Columbia Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, recovering from a very severe operation. Mr. Hollister would like to see some philatelic literature or perhaps a few stamps.
Mr. James C. Berkey, 1026 Cleveland Ave., Niagara Falls, N.Y., has been suffering from pernicious anemia for the past year and has been forced to give up his business and as a result of that, his stamps. He would greatly appreciate most anything by way of stamps to help pass the troubled hours and we are certain that nothing will more quickly aid him in recovering his health. Stamps can be medicine and tonic more ways than one.
New Issue Notes and Chronicle
By WM. C. KENNETT JR., and the EDITOR
Information for this column, with samples of stamps, which will be promptly paid for or returned, will always be appreciated.
AUSTRIA. According to “Stamp Collecting” another very artistic but unnecessary set of engraved charities are on sale. The set is of nine values: 100 Kr., 120 Kr., 160 Kr., 180 Kr., 200 Kr., 240 Kr., 400 Kr., 600 Kr., and 1000 Kr., each value depicting some part of beautiful Austrian scenary. 190,000 sets are to be issued and even if the Vienna speculators corral the issue the first few minutes after being “placed on sale” they should be cheap enough. This set has been shown us by Mr. Eugene Klein.
AZORES. Some values of the new Portugal postage and postage dues have been overprinted “ACORES” for use in this colony.
CHILE. Mr. A.A. Wasserscheid shows us a 20 centavo value in black and vermillion issued as a commemorative of the 5th Anniversary of the Pan American Union. The central illustration is evidently that of one of the government buildings at Santiago.
FIUME. Those that thought the issues from Annunzio land were at an end will be sadly disappointed in the news reported by “Il Corriere Filatlico” of a new issue picturing a caravel in full sail with the inscription “Posti di Fiume” and with value in centesimi. 5c. green & bistre, perf. 11 ½.
EGYPT. The handsome new issue of this country which we illustrated last month is said to have been printed by Messrs. Harrison & Son’s Ltd. of London by a new process known as “collagravure” and not by the Boulac Mint as reported.
GERMANY. New values and colors still continue apace notwithstanding that the German Post office is operating at an enormous loss due to the decrease in the use of the mails account the high postage rates. Theo. Champion reports a new 500 mark stamp with a picture of the famous castle of the Wartburg, the place where the legendery [sic] contest of early German poets or “Meistersingers” took place and also where Martin Luther was imprisoned. 500 Mark blue, chicken wire watermark, perforated.
LATVIA. Mr. Karl Koslowski informs us that there is to be issued a set of six to eight stamps to aid the invalided soldiers of the great War, a set similar to the French “Orpheline de la Guerre”. There will be at least 200,000 copies of each value and it is hoped to raise as much as 3 million roubles ($1.00—250 roubles).
Mr. Koslowski also shows us the 2 santimi orange of the current set in new money values.
SARAWAK. “Stamp Collecting” reports that the 12c blue of the current design has been surcharged “2 cents” in black and that the 10c value has been similarly surcharged “1 cent” and that both these provisionals, for which no good reason has been given, were in use but for a few days and most of the supply went to local speculators.
SASENO. Here is a new one for the geographical students and collectors of needless issues. Current series of Italy overprinted “SASENO” in black capitals for use on a small island of that name located at the entrance of the Bay of Valona, Albania. As usual some of the values exist in limited numbers.
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