THE

LondonPhilatelist:
THE MONTHLY JOURNAL OF

THE PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON.

VOL. IV. JULY, 1895. No. 43.

The Issue of British Colonial Stamps.

FROM a source that is beyond cavil we have received an

announcement, of possibly impending changes in the system
c* distribution of our British Colonial stamps, that is fraught
with the highest importance to Philately. The substance of
the information is as follows:—" It is rumoured that arrange-
ments may be made by which the stamps of the various Crown
Colonies will be on sale in England. In addition to the other
advantages of this step, it would necessitate the complete
control of the stamps being in the hands of the Crown
Agents, who would naturally discourage unnecessary issues
and surcharges."
In our last issue, alluding to the recent Natal surcharges,
we took occasion to recite instances of the discretionary limits of Colonial
postmasters, as regards provisional issues. To reiterate these—there seems
but slight need, in these days of rapid communication, to run out of stock
at all if a careful forecast of requirements is made; and in cases of a sudden
and exceptional demand, there is no reason why, as in London, the letters
should not be hand-stamped " Prepaid." Should any real public necessity
arise for provisional issues, these should be made with great care; nor are the
Colonial printers unable to put forth accurate and reliable work, that presents
no errors of any sort or shape, while the most ordinary supervision on the
part of the local post-office authorities should suffice to correct any vagaries
of the "Printer's devil." No small lots should be surcharged, it being
obvious that unless a large quantity were required, a prepaid handstamp,
as previously suggested, should suffice for all kinds. Beyond this, no ab-
normal quantity should be delivered to any one purchaser, as was recently the
case with the Natal stamps. The postmaster should, from local knowledge,
43
 182 THE REGISTERED STAMPS OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

be in a position to determine what quantities are required for legitimate

postal use and those bought up for speculative purposes.
The suggested arrangement of keeping stocks in London, would go far to
assist in carrying out the foregoing regulations in many and obvious ways,
and we trust, therefore, that it will be adopted by the Colonial Office. The
only argument from a Philatelic aspect that can be urged against it is, that
the stamps would not have been issued in the respective Colonies; but as they
would be absolutely identical and, of course, equally available for franking,
it is not a contention of any great weight. The most stringent restriction
against any illegitimate issue of stamps will be welcomed by all classes of
collectors, and we therefore hail the suggested innovation, not only for its
intrinsic merit, but as a further evidence of the postal authorities' wish to
discountenance all issues not strictly necessitated by public requirements.

The Registered Stamps of New South Wales,

A PAPER READ BEFORE THE PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON.

BY M. P. CASTLE.

THE number of bi-coloured stamps amongst our Colonial

issues has, until quite recent times, beten very limited ; and
in the Australian group I can only call to mind the 55.,
Victoria, fo0 late and registered, and Fiji (53.), besides those that
form the subject of these notes. As will be seen later on,
the combined colours were chosen in order to make them, as
registration stamps, easily distinguishable to the eye. That they do readily
attract attention can at once be conceded, while their beauty is much
enhanced by the brilliant contrast of colouring. In these days of the
development of Philatelic cum public printing, when the wants of collectors,
as well as those of the public, are catered for in the issues of new stamps,
I can but regret that this bi-coloured printing has not been introduced
in some of our Colonial issues. The now superseded stamps of Western
Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania would be in great demand with an
outer frame of blue, and the centre in red.
Interesting as are these registration stamps, it is curious how little has
been written about them. These notes were mainly made by me in arranging
my own stamps some four or five years ago, but various circumstances have
prevented my making use of them until the present time. The principal
mention of these stamps is as follows :
Report of the Postmaster-General of New South Wales (Mr. T. Richards),
1867. The stamps are here described as having been engraved in fifty types
on the plate, but of what metal the latter consisted is apparently not stated.
Handbook of the late E. L. Pemberton, 1 878. The number of types is given
as before, with the additional statement that the plate was made of copper.
 THE REGISTERED STAMPS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 183

In the Philatelic Society's work on Oceania the following description is

given, based, doubtless, to a certain extent on the preceding information :
"ISSUE 1853-62.
" One Value.—Engraved on metal, and printed in the Colony. The sheet consists
of fifty stamps, each separately engraved. There are consequently fifty varieties of
type. A description of the stamp then follows : ' The value, which is not expressed,
is Sixpence. Those first issued were imperforate, on stoutish white wove paper; but
in 1860, and afterwards, the stamp appeared perforated 12 and 13; and in 1862 the
paper was watermarked with a large numeral 6. The colours first employed were red
and blue, the red being afterwards changed to orange, which was again, later on,
changed back to red.'
" 1853. 6d., red and blue (shades of each), imperforate.
6d., orange „ „ „
1860. 6d., red „ ,, perf. 12 and 13.
6d., orange „ „ perf. 12 and 13?
1862. 6d., red „ „ wmk. large 6; perf. 13."
Article by Dr. A. Houison in the Philatelic Record, vol. x., pp. 189, 190,
191. Availing himself of the entree that he had to the various postal
departments, the Doctor succeeded in giving us dates and full information as
to the engraving of the plates. I think it will be advisable to freshen our
memories by a short resume of the important information that Dr. Houison
was then enabled to give, and I may at once say that anything that I may
add to the sum of knowledge on these stamps consists of sub-varieties
stumbled across in the arrangement of my stamps, and not in any contra-
vention of the dates and facts contained in Dr. Houison's invaluable paper.
From the Report of the Postmaster-General for 1056, Dr. Houison quoted
the following:
" New plates have been introduced during the year. One of these, the Five-
penny stamp, was intended to be useful in the country districts as including the
united inland and ship postage charge. The other stamp is that called the Registry
Stamp, which is exclusively used to represent the fee for registration, and has been
found extremely useful. It is the only stamp in which there are two colours, and,
catching the eye readily, the circumstance of a registered being loose or mixed up
with other letters is readily seen and rectified. The use of tjje stamp, too, as not
being available for any other purpose, has to a very great extent prevented parties
posting and marking, as registered, letters not duly entered as such, and for which
they have not obtained receipts. The plate for the registry stamp was manufactured
in this Colony. Then follows a letter from the Colonial Secretary, enclosing a copy
of the tender for these stamps, both of which I now give:
"No. 72.
"THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL.
"COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, SYDNEY,
"2yd June, 1855.
"SiR,—In reply to your letter (55-5, 606) of the i6th instant, I am directed to
inform you that His Excellency the Governor-General approves of the designs for a
stamp for registered letters therein submitted, and of the acceptance of Mr. Carmichael's
tender for the execution of the plates. I have, &c., , .„ ^
' "W. ELYARD.
" (For the Colonial Secretary.)"
 184 THE REGISTERED STAMPS OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

"Copy OF TENDER.
"zyd May, 1855.
"I, John Carmichael, engraver, hereby agree to engrave two steel plates for printing
backed registered stamps containing fifty labels, of a design approved by His Excellency
the Governor-General, and to complete in a workmanlike manner and deliver the same
in four months from the date of receiving the order, for the sum of ^87 ics. I
further agree that the said plates shall be subject to the approval of the Postmaster-
General and Inspector of Stamps, as regards their execution, and to submit to a
deduction from the price agreed upon of £2 for each week the plates are detained,
after the first fortnight, beyond the specified period of four months.
1
"Witness, F. W. HILL. JOHN CARMICHAEL.
" Signed zyd May, 1855."

this Dr. Houison gathers that "the contract was signed on 23rd May, 1855,
and, allowing for the fou^nonths and two weeks for completing the engraving of the
plates, gave 7th October as the date of the handing over of the plates to the Postmaster-
General, and therefore they were in good time for the issue on ist January, 1856.
The stamps were printed on white wove paper, at first on unwatermarked paper, but
about 1862 on paper watermarked with a large 6. They were perforated also at the.
same time as the other stamps; viz., in 1860. The perforations used were, in 1860,
12 and 13. I have an orange, unwatermarked, perforated 13. In 1862 the perfora-
tion appears to have been uniformly as 1860.
"By a decree from the General Post-office, Sydney, dated 24th December, 1867,
notice was given that the registration stamp would become obsolete on the ist January
then next, owing to the reduction of the registration fee from 6d. to 4d. on that date,
and that from the above date the registration fee must be paid by ordinary postage
.stamps."
It will be seen that but scant description is given of the paper on
which these stamps are printed, nor is the list of colours a full one in the
preceding lists.
THE IMPERFORATE STAMPS, JAN. I, 1856.
From the specimens now submitted it will be seen that there is a wide
divergence in the quality of the paper. Judging from the clearness and
sharpness of the impression, I place the vermilion- centred stamps as the
first issued. The paper on which these are printed is thick wove, of a
porous nature and close texture, and soft to the touch, being, I should
imagine, machine-made. It varies from medium thin to quite thick, and
took- the impressions in a brilliant manner. It is interesting to note that
in these sharp and early impressions the faintest trace of the engraver's
burin can be readily discerned ; in some instances quite a number of hair
lines can be noticed outside of and intersecting the frame, while on certain
stamps, e.g., Nos. 5 and 45 on the plate, the lettering has further involuntary
adornments. In the latter the "O" of South has a tail like an elongated
" Q." I do not contend that these varieties are other than quite minor ;
but in view of the extreme importance attached to a single "hair line" in
other countries, I thought that their mention would be condoned.
A more important variety which has not yet been chronicled, and of
which I fondly believed I had the only copy, is the specimen shown with
the blue frame only, printed on the reverse side, and evidently being part
 THE REGISTERED STAMPS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 185

of the entire sheet so printed. I am, however, very pleased to find that
the Tapling collection also possesses a specimen, for as an evidence of the
manner in which these bi-coloured impressions are produced it has a distinct
interest to a collector of Oceanian stamps.
The vermilion-centred stamp has been variously quoted as existing
rouletted, but I do not attach much credit to the announcement, the opinion
that I have thereof being merely shown as an old friend—and quantum
valeat.
I now come to the second variety of paper of this issue. Instead of
being, as preceding, thickish and soft, this paper is of a tough thin nature
that gives an almost greasy appearance to the impressions. It is of a
yellowish tinge and also wove, but of a close texture, hardly showing any
"grain," and is undoubtedly hand-made. The colour of the centre im-
pression is always some shade of orange, and no specimen other than
reprint, as far as I am aware, has been seen with the head in vermilion,
carmine, or carmine red. The impressions generally did not take so well
as on the preceding paper, and the effect is therefore less pleasing. I am
under the belief that I have seen specimens, from the edge of the sheet no
doubt, with letters indicative of the maker of the paper, which, I should think,
emanated from this country.
As will be noted, there is considerable variety in the colours, separately
and conjunctively, and I have found some of them scarce. I need not,
however, further allude to these, as I have endeavoured to classify them
in the Synopsis.
In addition to the foregoing and regular issues, this imperforate stamp has
been twice reprinted. Old collectors have for many years past been cognisant
of stamps printed on a thin tough paper, differing from that of the regular
issue, and with the head in pale carmine or orange, and the frame in Prussian
blue, printed in a clear, sharp style, and surcharged horizontally with the
word " Specimen." As I have previously said, I have not heard of the
existence of any other stamps with this colour on the hard paper. I can
only surmise that, perhaps for reasons of exchange with other Postal
authorities, the Sydney Post-office must have had these specially printed
at a later date, probably while the perforated pale carmine and Prussian
blue colours were in vogue. I hope that Dr. Houison, or some other of the
leading Australian Philatelists, will be enabled to ascertain when and for
'what purpose these stamps were printed.
During the last five or six years the existence of a further imperforate
variety must have become known to most collectors. The paper on which
these stamps are printed is of a thick yellowish nature, almost amounting
to card in texture. It is wove, closely granulated, of good quality, and
possibly hand made. There is no gum, the two shades are pale carmine-
red and full orange, and the specimens are all unused. The perturbation
that existed in Philatelic circles a very few years since with regard to the
appearance .of the Jarvis-engraved laureated stamps, in quantities, unused,
will be within the memory of every member. In that case a wholesale
series of reprinting, under very exceptional circumstances, took place, the
product of which was skilfully placed upon the market with a view to
i86 THE REGISTERED STAMPS OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

deceive collectors. Relying to a great extent upon the assumed destruction

of the plates, many collectors, including myself, were for a considerable time
loth to believe that these stamps were other than remainders. These
stamps were, however, ultimately shown to have been produced by a then
well-known collector in Sydney. I mention these well-worn facts, as I
am in possession of evidence, in letters sent to me a considerable time ago,
associating this same gentleman with the production of the last named
varieties of the imperforate stamps on the thick card paper.
As far as I can gather from the various sources of information, the
reason for the existence of these varieties is as follows:
The collector in question " found" the old battered and defaced copper
plate, on which the last (and first) of the 2d. Sydney Views had been printed.
How such a valuable commodity, defaced as it was (as can be seen from
the photograph in Dr. Houison's book on the New South Wales stamps),
could ever have become " lost, stolen, or strayed," passes my humble
comprehension. Eventually, however, it came to the ears of the Postal
authorities, and a not unnatural desire was evidenced to regain possession
of the missing plate. The collector in question chanced to meet "one
having authority" at a social gathering, and a post - prandial discussion
on the subject ultimately resulted in an undertaking on the part of the
collector to return the plate to the Post-office, in consideration of there being
reprinted for him six sheets of the registered stamps, from the plates then,
and now, existing in the Post-office at Sydney. In accordance with this
understanding, three plates were printed in each shade, and the "spoil"
was at a later date divided between the collector and a friend thus—each two
vermilion—and two orange-centre complete sheets; and each one half-sheet
of either colour. The four complete sheets ultimately drifted, like so much
that is valuable, to this country, and the late Mr. T. K. Tapling acquired
one of each colour for his collection. I purchased one of the vermilion, as
shown, and the remaining complete orange sheet was sold at auction, but
I am not aware if it has been cut up, though I think this is very probable.
On the assumption that my figures are correct, there were 300 of these
specimens reprinted (of which three, or perhaps four, sheets now exist) by
the Government, and they are therefore but reprints, choice as far as quality
goes, and extremely limited in their issue. Like many of the German
envelopes, I fancy, as time goes on, they will be as much valued as the
originals. In any case, the re-issue of stamps without the word " Specimen''
or " Reprint" in our Colonial possessions happily occurs so rarely that these
stamps must always maintain an exceptional interest.

THE PERFORATED ISSUE OF 1860.

The same hard paper was continued for the use of these stamps, and
the predominating orange colour was also maintained, modified at an
apparently subsequent date to a pale and rather dull carmine. Both frame
and centre vary according to the several printings. The perforation gauges
12 and 13. In the former both shades are found, the orange being far the
commoner. In the latter I must confess that I have never seen but the
 THE REGISTERED STAMPS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 187

carmine; but Dr. Houison states in his article that he possesses the orange,
perf. 13, and it must certainly be a rare stamp. The gum varies in both
series from almost white to brown, as also the relative colours of the
impressions.

THE PERFORATED STAMPS, WITH WATERMARK, ABOUT 1862.

It is to be regretted that we have no exact indication of the date of the
introduction of the watermarked paper; but as Dr. Houison says that in
1862 the perforation was uniformly 13, the date assigned must be approxi-
mately correct. This paper is very similar to the last, apparently a trifle
less tough, occasionally quite thin, and so closely resembles that used for
the large square series that I incline to believe it is part of that used for
the ordinary 6d. values. The perforation on these stamps gauges uniformly
13, and the colour is always of a carmine to vermilion shade, subject to
which the colours of the impressions vary, as detailed in the Synopsis •, the
gum ranges from whitish to brown. The watermark, consisting of a large
double-lined numeral of value (6), varies in shape and size, and is found
both inverted and reversed. Double impressions of the outer line are found,
as will be seen in some cases of quite a distinct character, and apparently
differing from that semi-blurred appearance caused by a slip in the im-
pression that so often passes current in other stamps for " double printing."
I now append a list of the several varieties :

SYNOPSIS.
ISSUE I., JAN. IST, 1856.
Imperforate.
(a) Paper: thick soft white to yellowish wove, varying considerably in substance.
Gum: white and brown.
Vermilion and blue, dark and Prussian blue.
Carmine-red and deep blue.
Shades of all.
Orange and sky blue.
Orange and blue, full to dark.
Pale carmine and chalky-blue.
(1) Varieties: with impression on reverse side of blue frame; vermilion and
dark blue.
(2) Misplacement of the second impression in red, leaving white central space.
Specimens showing extra stroke of engraver's burin, as Nos. 5, 45, etc.
(b) Paper: medium thin, hard, yellowish wove, hand-made, and varying in
thickness. Gum : white and brown.
Orange and pale blue, sky blue.
Orange-red and pale blue.
Orange-red and dark and Prussian blue.
Shades of all.
REPRINTS (Date ? )
a. On thin white wove paper, apparently machine-made, surcharged " Specimen."
Pale vermilion and blue.
Orange and blue.
i88 THE NEW CRUSADE.

About 1888.
(b) On stout yellowish wove paper, almost the thickness of card.
Carmine-red and Prussian blue.
Deep orange and Prussian blue.

ISSUE II.
Perforated 12 and 13. 1860.
Paper: medium white to yellowish hard wove, varying in substance, and frequently
discoloured by action of gum and printing inks; perforated 12, except on the outside
lines of stamps forming the edges of the sheet. Gum : yellowish to dark brown.
Orange and pale blue to dark.
Orange-red and pale blue to dark Prussian blue.
Carmine, cflil to pale, pale blue, Prussian blue.
Perforated 13.
Dull carmine, pale blue to Prussian blue.

ISSUE III.
About 1862.
Perforated 13 ; watermarked.
Paper : medium, yellowish, soft wove hard, but varying in substance. Gum :
white and brown. Watermark large double-lined figure of value (6); perf. 13.
Pale carmine-red, and pale to full blue, and chalky blue.
Carmine-vermilion and deep to Prussian blue.
Varieties.
Double impressions of the blue frame are to be found, in some cases very distinct.
The watermarks are found both inverted and reversed. I can only add that I have
found these registration stamps not the least interesting of the Australian postal issues,
and I trust that these notes may awaken a like interest in some of those who have
been good enough to follow me.

The New Crusade Against Speculative Issues.

WEhave much pleasure in giving publicity to the following

communication from across the Atlantic, shewing that
there "is a thorough community of ideas on this subject
among the English speaking nations.

"NATIONAL PHILATELIC SOCIETY OF NEW YORK.

"ROOM 26, BIBLE HOUSE.
"Secretary's Office: n, PARK Row, NEW YORK,
"June \%th, 1895.
"To THE HON. SECRETARY,
"LONDON PHILATELIC SOCIETY.
" MY DEAR SIR,—I am instructed by the National Philatelical Society to forward to
you a copy of resolutions (enclosed) passed at the last meeting. A Committee was
 THE NEW CRUSADE. 189

appointed to take up the work here in harmony with the Committees of your Society
and the S. S. S. S. Our Committee, when organised, will confer with your Committee.
" Fraternally yours,
" W. F. GREGORY, Secretary.
" Whereas, it is the sense of this meeting of members of the National Philatelical
Society that ' the great increase in the production of speculative stamps, for sale to
collectors, threatens to have a very serious effect upon the collection of genuine postal
issues throughout the world.'
" Resolved, That the National Philatelical Society expresses its sympathy with the
initiatory work of the two London Committees, and hereby offers its co-operation, and
the co-operation of its individual members, in the suppression of unnecessary and
speculative issues."
BRUNEI.
Messrs. Whitfield King and Co. send us the following letter, which
speaks for itself:—
"LABUAN, Via SINGAPORE,
"y>th March, 1895.
"DEAR SIRS,—Your draft on Singapore for $101.05 duly to hand, and the stamps
shall be sent to you as soon as possible. I have just come back from Brunei, having
gone to see the Sultan and Postmaster about your business principally. Let me
explain that it was I who suggested to the Sultan that he should issue stamps, and I
have arranged the whole thing. He and his Postmaster have no idea of the way to
conduct any business. »I assure you that the delay in sending the stamps to you is
caused by the illness of the Postmaster's wife, at least, one of his wives. In the
meantime the Post-office is shut. But I have your money, and I promise to send off
the stamps, if it can be done, by next mail. I think that in future, should you wish
more stamps, you should write to my brother, Mr. R. C. Robertson, 65, Bath Street,
Glasgow, and send the money after you have got the stamps. He will send them to
you almost immediately, or, at any rate, he will have them sent to you. But, of
course, if you wish to have them direct, that is to say, indirect from Brunei, it is all
the same to me, except that there is at least delay in your getting the stamps, and
delay in me getting a sale, and on that depends whether or not I lose or gain by the
whole venture.
" I am, dear Sirs, yours faithfully,
"J. C. ROBERTSON,
"Manager, New Central Borneo Co., Limited,
"Labuan, via Singapore."

Messrs. Whitfield King add (needlessly) that they do not intend to sell
Brunei "stamps"!

43 ^
 PhilatelicNotes.
(RELATING TO STAMPS OTHER THAN CURRENT ISSUES.)
NOTE.—The co-operation of Philatelists is invited in order to make this column of a varied
and interesting nature*

BRITISH-SOUTH AFRICA.—With reference to the remarks on the three-

halfpenny post card of the British South Africa Company, contained
in the number for November last, Mr. Tilleard tells us that the Postmaster-
General for Rhodesia reports as follows :
" The three-halfpenny post card referred to had, I presume, been posted in these
territories without a halfpenny adhesive stamp, and, thei^fore, the Postmaster of
Office of origin would mark it simply with a T (for tax) to draw the attention of Cape
Town to deficient postage.
"The 2d. taxation or surcharge was a mistake, and should have been id., and the
card should not have been delivered as fully paid. These errors were not made
by an official of the company.
" The London Philatelist can, therefore, be assured, if necessary, that any
inscription on the card was of a ' postage due' character, and not a surcharge to alter
value."
• _

DISCOVERIES.
NEWZEALAND.—Mr. W. T. Wilson, who has revelled in the study of these
delightful stamps for the past quarter of a century, kindly sends us note
of an interesting variety. The stamp referred to is the 6d. blue of the 1892
issue, •which has always been scarce in this compound perforation. Mr.
Wilson was the possessor of a pair postmarked " Dunedin Fe 73," perforated
13 above and 10 below horizontally, and imperforate vertically. The only
specimens of this compound perforation that had existed, to our previous
knowledge, were those gauging 10 horizontally and 13 vertically, so that this
is, on all accounts, a very interesting discovery.
QUEENSLAND.—Issue III., 1886, 46. violet, lithographed. The Rev. P.
E. Raynor has found a copy of this stamp in which the word " four" is
quite illegible, being represented by very faint and rudimentary dots.
This was submitted to Mr. Hadlow, who remarks: "I have not seen a
copy of this stamp before with the inscription ' four' so much removed, but
have seen it with all the figures more or less faulty. Probably the stone was
faulty in grain at this particular spot." Perhaps some of our readers may
have noticed similar vagaries in this stamp.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA.—Mr. H. W. Plumridge kindly sends us a specimen
of the gd. in the warm or mauve shade of the 1867-72 issue, with a
remarkably clear impression on the reverse side. Practically the printings
are equally distinct on either side, and, being both well centred, there is
no doubt but that the stamp, having already once done postal service, could
be reversed and serve again. This stamp is chronicled in " South Australia,"
but perf. iij, whereas Mr. Plumridge's specimen is compound i l j hori-
zontally by 12\ vertically.
 OccasionlNotes.
ELECTIONEERING AND PHILATELY.
THE connection between politics and stamp collecting is of the slenderest
kind. In the midst of the turmoil of contested elections and heated
political vapourings, the mere Philatelist is but a wisp of straw in the whirl-
pool. It is, however, of interest to the Philatelic world to note that the
Hereditary Earl-Marshal of England, the Duke of Norfolk, has been
appointed H.M. Postmaster-General in the Unionist Government. The
Duke is well known throughout England, and especially in his own county
of Sussex, as an able and hardworking man, and it is therefore safe to assume
that he will carry out his duties to the satisfaction of the public in general
and Philatelists in particular. In connection herewith the following amusing
incident has appeared in the press:—" Down in Oxfordshire a curious
grievance was,brought to light at an election meeting. A labouring man
complained that a stamp he purchased at a village post-office had no
adhesive gum upon it, and he was unable, therefore, to use the ' Queen's
head.' The Radical candidate announced that he would make a special
point of directing the Duke of Norfolk's personal and earnest attention
to the matter directly he was returned to Westminster" (an unlikely
contingency !).

SOUTH AFRICAN PHILATELIC NEWS.

wE are once more indebted to Capt. Norris Newman for the following
interesting items:
'•'I have just returned from a hurried trip on special business to the Transvaal,
having been a month only away, but whilst down at Pretoria and Johannesburg I
took the opportunity of visiting the Postmaster-General, Mr. Isaac Van Alphen,
a member of our Society, and, through his courtesy, I was enabled to look through
the Transvaal State collection, just recently completed up-to-date by Mr. Osborne,
the Postmaster at Johannesburg, and I must at once confess that the reality .fell far
short of my expectation, for, with the exception of a few fine sheets of old Transvaal
V.R.'s, and present, or rather recent, surcharges, there was absolutely nothing in the
book, Cxcept a common assortment of the later issues of the various countries,
exchanged stamps under the Universal Postal Union, and a host of reprints of the
older values, whilst many of the countries were also manifestly hardly fully repre-
sented even in recent issues. Mr. Van Alphen is not a collector himself, and is only
just beginning to take an interest in Philately, and the long talk I had with him
on the subject has, I hope, done something to kindle the fire of enthusiasm which
should characterise even a Philatelist tyro. Of the three sets sent them, one is in
the National Collection, one is kept in an office collection for reference, and the third
was given to Mr. Osborne and his predecessor at the work for putting in the stamps in
the book. Just a few notes on matters which occurred between us in chatting,
and which may prove, or not, of interest to Philatelists.
"(i) On looking over the sheets of early Transvaal it was clearly apparent how so
192 OCCASIONAL NOTES.

many of the perforated set are found imperforate generally on two sides. It is
because the sheets were not perforated round the outside of the rows of stamps,
either horizontally or vertically, and often missed a row inside as well, and, there
being lots of space between the two rows, the stamps are easily cut round the
other two sides, so as to appear imperforate entirely.
"(2) Speaking about the 'Halve Penny' surcharge on 6d. Queen's Head (a note
on which is contained in the April number of our journal), Mr. Van Alphen explained
that several sheets had been so surcharged, instead of with 'Twee Pence,' as
ordered, by mistake, and the sheets were sold with the others at the same rate, but,
being noticed as they went through the post, the officials refused to pass the ' Halve
Penny' surcharge on twopence value, until the Postmaster-General gave order to
do so, the public having paid 2d. each for them, though Mr. Van Alphen can give
no details as to how the mistake arose, or how many sheets were so done in error. A
subsequent visit to Mr. Tamsen fully bears out these statements, as he has complete
sheets of both kinds unused, and on neither sheet does an error occur, the -whole of
the pane having been surcharged either with the |d. or the zd.
"(3) Referring to the Swazieland error, Mr. Van Alphen could also give no
explanation, except that they were noticed after it was too late to alter them, as
the stamps were urgently needed for use at Bremendorp. He admitted that the
omission of the ' d' in the one corner stamp of each sheet of most varieties was
somewhat peculiar, and that the inverted surcharges, and stops after some, viz.,
the |d., id., and 2d., were only noticed after a lot had been struck off. The re-
mainder of these stamps were all sold by public tender some time ago, and are getting
scarcer every day.
" (4) As to the New Republic Remainders, it appears that M. Emil Tamsen offered
3d. a piece for them all round, when the Republic was taken over by the Transvaal,
and then the Government consented to let them go at that, without calling for tenders ;
including all values from id. to 305. These stamps have always had a ready sale at
double their face value, so that Mr. Tamsen has made a good ' spec' out of the affair
in more ways than one.
"(5, and last.) Have you noticed that the Jd., id., zd., 6d., and is. of the kst
octagonal issue were all five struck off from a die with shafts to the waggon instead of
a pole (a similar mistake to that made in engraving the die for the firm Kruger
Sovereign). This was only recently found out, and the die altered, so that now all
the values except the 6d. and is. (a lot in stock) are from the altered dies, and show
a pole; viz., |d., id., 2d. The 3d. has always been correct; and as the authorities
have still large quantities of ajd., 4d., 53., ios., ^5 of the old type, these will not be
issued in the octagonal form for a long time yet. The id. post-cards are also with
shafts instead of pole; but will be altered when the previous stock runs out. I might
also call your attention to the fact that there are nearly a dozen errors in each sheet
of the recently surcharged Natal Jd. on 6d., including capital E instead of H, av
instead of y, no dots after 'Postage,' and difference of type in the word 'postage,'
together with a very distinct difference in the shade of the surcharge, some being
very dark, other sheets very lightly overprinted.
"The more recent |d. on id. only contain two errors (?) thank God, being a broken
A, thus /, which occurs twice on the same pane.
" British Bechuanaland, being about to be annexed to the Cape, will thereafter, of
course, use only Cape stamps. Our British South African Company's stamps have
recently been issued with several distinct shades, darker and thicker gum, and different
sizes perforated, though the scale is the same; making some varieties larger or smaller,
as the case may be, than the previous stamps were."
 NEW ISSUES. 193

It appears from other portions of our enterprising correspondent's letter

that there is a great and rising philatelic interest in South Africa, many
collectors being known to Captain Newman as possessing large and valuable
collections, notably in South African stamps. Prominent among these is
Mr. Emil Tamsen, whose philatelic possessions Captain Newman has recently
seen. In addition to his already numerous duties, Captain Newman has
become editor and proprietor of the Rhodesia Weekly Review, whose success
will be desired by all our readers.

"PECKITTS CATALOGUE, 1895."

THIS little volume, which is entitled Catalogue and Price List of the
Postage Stamps of British North A merica and West Indies, is a concise
and well-compiled list of the several varieties of the above-named countries,
intended primarily as a list of the prices at which the stamps can be obtained
at the publishers', but constituting, at the same time, a most useful and
portable (4! x 3 inches) pocket vade mecum for the very numerous class of
collectors who now affect these fashionable issues. It is an open secret that
Mr. Peckitt's treasure-hoards contain many of the most sought-after Colonial
issues, and we can only hope that this—his first venture in the compilation of
a catalogue—may not only meet with the success it deserves, but be the
forerunner of others in the future. We have only to add that the descriptive
portion is true and accurate; that it is well-printed on one side of the page
only, thus allowing for marginal additions; that the several surcharges are
faithfully represented in type; and that it should be in the hands of all
collectors of these stamps.

New Issues.
N O T E S OF NEW AND V A R I A T I O N S OF C U R R E N T ISSUES.
(Varieties of Obsolete Stamps and Discoveries will be found under "Philatelic Notes.")

We do not profess to chronicle everything, but, with the kind help of correspondents, are desirous
that all the important novelties may be included. Speculative stamps—i.e. those not really
required for postal purposes—will be considered on their merits, and Jubilee issues -will not be
chronicled. The early intimation of any legitimate New Issues is desired, accompanied if possible
by a specimen or specimens of the stamp or stamps referred to, which will be promptly returned,
and the sender's name (unless otherwise requested) acknowledged. Address: EDITOR, " LONDON
PHILATELIST," EFFINGHAM HOUSE, ARUNDEL STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C.

GREAT BRITAIN AND COLONIES. CEYLON.—The Austria Philatelist chroni-

CANADA.—We have to chronicle a very cles two provisional 3 c. postal cards, made
handsome envelope issued on June 14 last, by surcharging the original value on the
at Ottawa. A central circle contains a well- stamp of the 5 c. card on buff paper, with a
executed profile of the Queen, on a solid large numeral "3" in black, and the other
ground of colour, surrounded by an outer by surcharging the same card in red, with
circular band, containing the inscription, 'THREE and also obliterating the
the words
CENTS,"
"CANADA POSTAGE," "CENTS 2 CENTS," original value in red.
surmounted by a beaver. Post Cards, 3 c., in black, on 5 c., blue on buff.
Envelope. 2 c., blue-green on white laid; isoX 85 mm. Three Cents, in red on 5 c., blue on buff.
194 NEW ISSUES.

INDIA.—The following notice, taken from The whole series is available for postage
the Monthly Journal, accompanied the and revenue purposes ; but, as some of the
issue of the wrappers noted last month : States will only require low values, it may be
"POSTAL NOTICE. some considerable time before the whole of
" On and after the 1st May, stamped wrappers the higher values are brought into use.
for newspapers and packets will be available for TURKS ISLANDS. — A 2|d. envelope of
sale at all Post-offices, at the following rates :
" HALF ANNA WRAPPERS. similar type to the 4d. adhesive, with head
rs. a. p. in octagon, is in issue.
"Any number less than 6, each 0 0 7 Envelope. 2%d., ultramarine on white laid; 140X80 mm.
Packets of 6 ... per packet 0 3 6
"ONE ANNA WRAPPERS. EUROPE.
" Any number less than 6, each o i l
Packets of 6 ... per packet 0 6 6 BULGARIA. — The following changes of
" These wrappers can be used for the trans colour are announced :
mission of newspapers and packets by either the Adhesives. 15 slot, red-violet.
inland or foreign post, and additional adhesive 30 ,, light-brown.
stamps can be affixed to the wrappers when the HOLLAND. —The following have appeared
weight is more than is covered by the stamps
printed upon them. in new colours :
(Signed) " H. M. KISCH, Adhesive. 22^ c., dark blue green.
" OffS~ Director-General of the Post-office in. India. Adhesive, unpaid, i c., ultramarine, Type 3.
" CALCUTTA, the 15^ April, 1895." ICELAND. —A new value of the Service
N EW Z E ALAND. —The letter card chronicled stamps.
Adhesive. 50 aur., mauve (Service)
on page 82 is now printed on fawn coloured
SERVIA. —Le T. P. chronicles the follow-
card. Letter Card, ijd., mauve on fawn.
ing cards with stamp of the new type :
QUEENSLAND. — A contemporary states Post Cards. 5 para, red on straw.
5+5 „ (repy).
that the Jrd. label with plain background has blue on white
only been seen at present upon wrappers ; 10+10 (reply).
Letter Cards. 5 carmine on grey-bl
-blue.
we, however, some weeks since saw an blue
entire perforated sheet of this stamp, and
AMERICA.
duly chronicled it. We understand that a
few sheets of the i d. with plain background ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. —The \ c. label
were printed on thin, unwatermarked paper, has appeared in slate-blue.
pending the arrival of a fresh supply with Adhesive. \ c., slate-blue.

the Q and Crown watermark. OTHER COUNTRIES.

Adhesive, id., vermilion ; new type ; no watermark.
DANISH WEST INDIES. —Le T. P. chron-
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.—Selangor.—The icles the 50 c. adhesive surcharged "10 cents
2 c. stamp of tiger type is now printed in — 1895," in black, issued on May i8th last.
orange. Adhesive. 2 c., orange. Adhesive. 10 c., in black, on 50 c., violet.
A new series of stamps for the Native PERSIA. — In addition to the 16 shahi en-
States of the Malay Peninsula (Pahang, velope, chronicled last month, there are also :
Perak, Selangor, Sungei Ujong, and Negri Envelopes. 5 shahi, blue, on white wove, 140 X 108 mm.
8 ,, brown ,, ,, ,,
Sembilan) will soon be issued.
The values prepared are i, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, T U N I S . — The American Journal of
and 50 cents, and i, 2, 5, 25, and 100 dollars. Philately has received the 75 centimes,
The colour for the "cents" stamps will be printed in black on orange, perf. 14 x 13^.
purple, and for the " dollar" stamps green, Adhesive. 75 c., black on orange.
with the name of the state, and the value, in TURKEY. —A i piastre Letter Card has
each case, in different colours. been issued, with stamp of the current type
The central design in the lower values is adhesives, and inscriptions in French and
a tiger's head ; and although there is still Arabian.
room for doubt whether an ideal tiger has Letter Card, r piastre, blue on rose.

been realized, the design is a distinct im- TRANSVAAL. — The following are the values
provement on that of the current issues. now in use, with the shafts of waggon
In the case of the "dollar" values, the altered to a pole.
stamps are oblong, and of a larger size than Adhesives. Jd., slate.
id., carmine.
the others, and the central design consists 2d., olive.
3d., violet.
of an artistic group of elephants. is. , green.
 PhilatelicSocieties'Meetings.
—±»
~-t-
THE PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON.
MEMBERS are reminded of the notice which Society's rooms being temporarily closed
appeared in our June number, as to the between July i8th and Aug. I4th, inclusive.

BIRMINGHAM PHILATELIC SOCIETY.

President—W. T. WILSON.
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer—G. JOHNSON, B.A., 208, Birchfield Road, Birmingham.

May 16.—Messrs. W. Vibert and W. Ward The January and February packets
(Jersey), were unanimously elected members. (£200 143. 11|d. and ,£197 55. id.) have
Offers of exchange were received from the been returned. ,£53 33. 4d., and ^58 us. 2d.
Milan Society, and were cordially accepted, had been purchased from them, in addition
to
but the final arrangements were deferred £1$ I3S. 7d. net cash, purchased from the
until the Autumn Session. Canadian packet, which was circulated with
Subscriptions were voted to the American the January packet. The last four packets
J. of P., Metro. Phil., Phil. J. of America, have been ,£248 193. sd., £247 us. i^d.,
Post Office, and The Australian Phil. ,£221 93. 6d., ,£254 45. 4jd. The summer
Messrs. Pimm and Johnson then exhibited seems to be enlarging, rather than diminish-
their collections of British North America. ing them.

BRIGHTON AND SUSSEX PHILATELIC SOCIETY.

President—M. P. CASTLE.
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer—A. DE WORMS, 27, Adelaide Crescent, Brighton.

THE fourteenth meeting of the season was Mr. J. W. Gillespie proposed a vote of
held at Markwell's Hotel, Brighton, on thanks to the Hon. Secretary, which was
Monday, 22nd April, at 7.45 p.m. Present seconded by Mr. Willett, and carried.
—Sir Henry Bunbury, Messrs. J. W. Gilles- A. DE WORMS, Hon. Sec.
pie, W. T. Willett, Otto Pfenninger, E. J. 27, ADELAIDE CRESCENT, BRIGHTON.
W. Sang, Herbert Davis, P. de Worms, E.
E. Manwaring, A. de Worms, R, J. Wood- THE sixteenth meeting of the season was
man, and H. Stafford Smith; and one held at Markwell's Hotel, Brighton, on
visitor, Mr. Harry Hilckes. Monday, May 2oth, at 7.45 p m. Present
In the absence of the President and Vice- — Colonel R. Alexander, Messrs. M. P.
President, Mr. J. W. Gillespie took the chair. Castle, J. W. Gillespie, O. Pfenninger, H.
After the minutes of the previous meeting Davis, R. J. Thrupp, P. de Worms, H. J.
had been read and confirmed, Colonel R. Gillespie, A. de Worms, H. H. Thomas, E.
Alexander, proposed by the Hon. Secretary, J. W. Sang, H. Stafford Smith, E. E. Man-
waring, A. Upton. The President in the
and seconded by Mr. Willett, was duly elected
chair. After the minutes of the previous
a member of the Society. The Hon. Secretary meeting had been read and confirmed, the
then read some notes on the pence issues President explained that a Society had been
with crown and CC watermark, and the cent formed by the London Philatelic Society
series of Ceylon. He showed several fine for the suppression of unnecessary stamps.
specimens of each variety, and said that of After a discussion, Mr. J. W. Gillespie pro-
the pence values there were two distinct sets posed a resolution, "That this Society
—the first being the long stamps, printed on cordially approves of the action of the
paper with four panes of 60 watermarks, and London Philatelic Society, and the trade,
the words " Crown Colonies" through the in endeavouring to suppress the issuing of
centre of the sheet; the latter, or short unnecessary stamps." Mr. H. Davis secon.
stamps, being printed on paper with 240 ded the resolution, which was carried
watermarks not divided into panes. unanimously. The President then gave an
196 PHILATELIC SOCIETIES' MEETINGS.

account of the stamps of Spain, and ex- Castle, M. P. Redman, J. H.

hibited his magnificent collection of this Clark, H. Sang, E. J. W.
country, every variety being represented by Cofton, S. H. Smith, H. Stafford.
several unused specimens in perfect con- Cruttwell, W. H. G. Thomas, A. H.
dition. A vote of thanks was accorded to Davis, H. Thrupp, R. J.
the President. Dill, G. F. Gordon. Upton, A.
Gillespie, H. J. Willett, W. T.
LIST OF MEMBERS. Gillespie, J. W. Woodman, R. J.
Alexander, Colonel R. Manwaring, E. E. Griffith, H. Worms, Baron de
Biggs, C. N. Marshall, C. F. D. Harrison, W. (Hon. President.")
Brown, Colonel A. M. Morse, C. R. Hodgson, G. G. Worms, A. de.
Bunbury, Sir H,, Bart. Murray, B. C. Hughes, W. E. Worms, P. de.
Burrows, S. Pfenninger, O. Wright, H. E.

MANCHESTER PHILATELIC SOCIETY.

President—VERNON ROBERTS.
Hon. Secretary—W. DORNING BECKTON, Daisy Bank, Swinton Park.

THE fourth annual meeting was held on the Society are tendered to them, also to the
17th May, at the Blackfriars Hotel, Mr. Manchester City A'aws, and the various
Vernon Roberts in the chair. After the' philatelic journals, for the insertion of the
minutes of the last annual meeting had reports of our meeting. After careful con-
been read and confirmed, the President sideration, the committee have decided not
gave a brief address, congratulating the to publish an epitome of the papers read
Society on its continued success, and the before the Society during the last session,
great interest taken in it by the members, but arrangements have been concluded for
as evinced by the large attendance at the the publication in the Philatelic Journal of
meeting. The Hon. Secretary then read Great Britain of the papers read by Mr.
the annual report. During the past session, G. B. Duerst on the " Stamps of Roumania."
which is the fourth of the Society's existence, After their appearance in this journal, it is
fifteen ordinary and sixteen list meetings contemplated to issue these papers in book
have been held. At each of the ordinary form. It is to be hoped that philatelists
meetings, as hitherto, papers have been and collectors will communicate to Mr.
read, which contained matter of a useful Duerst particulars of any varieties he may
kind for the information and guidance of not have chronicled in his papers, and will
members. The past session has not been also criticise the articles as they appear, so
at all sensational, but future events will show that the book, when published, may be as
that good work has been done. There has reliable a guide as present knowledge can
been a slight increase of members during make it. The Hon. Treasurer then pre-
the year. The opening meeting proved sented his financial statement, showing a
most successful, and the lantern display, balance in favour of the Society of ^106^. \od.
which inaugurated the session, received a The ballot for the election of officers
most flattering notice in the leading philatelic for the ensuing year resulted as follows :
journal. The lantern exhibitions have be- President, Mr. Vernon Roberts ; Vice-Presi-
come more or less identified with this Society, dents, Messrs. W. D. Beckton and J. H.
and all philatelists are greatly indebted to Abbot; Treasurer, Mr. G. B. Duerst ;
Mr. Ridpath for bringing prominently for- Librarian, Mr. F. Barratt; Hon. Secretary,
ward a means by which much more can be Mr. W. W. Munn ; Assistant Hon. Secretary,
learned from the stamps themselves, than Mr. C. H. Coote. Committee, Messrs. G.
by a study under a microscope, however F. H. Gibson, W. Grunewald, and E. Petri.
careful such study may be. The usual After some discussion, it was resolved to
annual dinner was held at Christmas. The try a Stamp Exchange Packet, to circulate
Society is again indebted to Messrs. Stanley amongst members of the Society only. A
Gibbons, Limited, Mr. William Brown, and secretary and sub-committee were appointed
others, for gifts of books and magazines to to draw up rules, so as to start at the begin-
the library. The hearty thanks of the ning of next session. The meeting was
 PHILATELIC SOCIETIES' MEETINGS. 197

brought to a close by a private auction of F. J. Beazley. M. Litchfield.

members' stamps. The bidding was brisk, W. D. Beckton. T. L. Marsden.
and a large number of lots were sold. G. Blockey. W. W. Munn.
On the 25th May, the session was termin- E. P. Collett. J. C. North.
ated by a picnic to " ye ancient city of C. H. Coote. D. Ostara.
Chester," with a sail up the River Dee, past G. B. Duerst. R. Fellow.
E. A. Ehlinger. P. L. Pemberton.
Eaton Hall.
W. E. Farrar. E. Petri.
LIST OF MEMBERS. E. Fildes. F. A. Prout.
Honorary. J. Flohr. Vernon Roberts.
The Earl of Kingston. F. A. Philbrick, Q.C. G. F. H. Gibson. F. A. Roberts.
M. P. Castle T. Ridpath. W. Grunewald. J. W. Simpson.
W. Hanmer. A. Wallace.
Ordinary.
A. H. Harrison. R. H. Whapham.
J. H. Abbott. J. E. Heginbottom.
F. Barratt. J. R. Hesketh. W. W. MUNN, Hon. Sec.
J. S. Baruxachi. W. Jones. ASHFIELD, PEEL CAUSEWAY, NEAR ALTRINCHAM.

THE NEW YORK PHILATELIC SOCIETY.

ROOM—i, EVERETT BUILDING, 25, ANN STREET.

FOUNDED JANUARY 23, 1891. INCORPORATED FEBRUARY i, 1892.
Governing Committee for 1895:
President—WILLIAM THORNE. | Vice-President—WILLIAM HERRICK,
Secretary—FREDERICK AUGUSTUS NAST. | Treasurer—HENRY CLOTZ.
FREDERICK DE COPPETT. CHARLES GREGORY.
JOHN WALTER SCOTT. HORATIO NELSON TERRETT.
FREDERICK WILLIAM HUNTER.
AT the meeting of the Society Monday many of them in complete sheets, and
evening, April 15th, Mr. Herrick was called almost all in both used and unused
to the chair, in the absence of the President. condition.
On motion, the reading of the minutes of A vote of 'thanks to Mr. Herrick was
the preceding meeting was dispensed with. passed, and the paper ordered to be printed
Mr. Scott showed specimens of the new in The Metropolitan Philatelist.
"white line" variety of the current 2 c. At the next meeting, May igth, Mr. Deats
stamp, both used and unused. The proba- will read an article on the Petersburg, Va.
bilities are that a new mother die has been stamp, which he has been plating.
made, and that all the later sheets will be of Adjourned at 10.30 p.m.
the new variety. The sheets of the new
variety so far known run between Nos. 145
THE regular meeting of the Society was
and 155.
held in its enlarged quarters at No. 25, Ann
No member present had as yet seen any
Street, on Monday evening, May 2Oth, 1895.
of the "counterfeit" 2 c. stamps, concerning
which so much has been written in the daily Mr. Henry C. Lawrence, 166, West 88th
press during the past fortnight. The general Street, New York, Dr. B. M. Feldman, 170,
opinion is that the stamps referred to are East 79th Street, New York, and Mr. E.
not counterfeits, but are a portion of the lot C. Hartshorn, 9, West 5ist Street, New
stolen from the Bureau of Engraving some York, having passed the governing com-
time ago, most of which have been recovered. mittee, were up for election. Messrs. Scott
The possibility of henceforth printing United and Hobby, tellers, reported the unanimous
States stamps on watermark paper will add election of each of the above-named gentle-
new interest to the collection of issues of men.
this country. The Committee on new room reported that
Mr. Herrick read his paper on the stamps the additional charge to the Society would
of the French Congo, quoting copies of all be $ 180 per year.
the different decrees authorizing many issues Mr. Deats read a very interesting article
of these stamps, and illustrated his paper by on the Petersburg Confederate Local Stamp,
specimens of all the stamps mentioned, illustrating the same by thirty-eight different
 PHILATELIC SOCIETIES MEETINGS.
specimens, mostly on the entire envelope, stamps, illustrating the same by proofs and
and by photographs of the sheet as com- specimens of the different issues loaned
posed by him. by Mr. Deats for the purpose. On motion,
On the motion of Mr. Gregory, Mr. Beats the paper was ordered to be made part of
received the thanks of the Society for his the Society's Reference List, and ordered to
extremely able paper. Difficulties in the be printed in the Metropolitan Philatelist.
way of plating a sheet were almost in- The Secretary exhibited' blocks of the
surmountable, owing to the want of pairs or sheets containing the left capped 2, the
strips ; the only method feasible being the right capped 2, and the left and right capped
one pursued by Mr. Deats, using stamps 2's., with margins showing plate numbers.
which accidentally contain a portion of the Mr. Davidson will read a paper on
next stamp on the sheet. "Things not generally known about the
Mr. J. W. Scott read an article on the U. S. Stamps " at the next meeting.
secret marks of the 1873 issue of United States FREDERICK A. NAST, Secretary.

PLYMOUTH P H I L A T E L I C SOCIETY.
President—A.. R. BARRETT. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary—A. LEVY.
The Plymouth Philatelic Society brought Messrs. De La Rue, in an immense variety
the series of displays which have been of shade, watermark, &c. Among the
held during the past session, to a successful varieties were the 4d., large garter on
close with an exhibition of the postage stamps apparently bleute" paper, and the same stamp
of Great Britain. With the exception of both on very thick and on glazed paper,
those varieties which, although printed, have printed in the colour usually found in the
never been in active circulation, the ex- medium garter ; also a fine used copy of the
hibition included representatives of every scarce 2s. brown.
die and each plate from which the adhesive Mr. H. W. Mayne. Used Mulready
postage stamps of this country have been envelope, bearing early dated postmark;
produced during the past fifty-five years, unused block of six imperforate twopence,
in the great majority of cases in both the and forty halfpenny, Plate 8; registered
unused and used state. As the latest cata- envelopes and post cards, and the id. brown
logue of these stamps fills a closely-printed perforated 16 large Crown.
book of sixty-four pages, it is impossible to Mr. J. Milton. A good general collection,
enumerate the whole of the exhibits. The containing no rarities, but all fine specimens.
following summary of the chief items in Mr. M. Z. Kuttner (London) sent thirteen
each collection will, no doubt, be of interest. large frames containing a mass of valuable
Mr. A. R. Barrett (president). All unused, stamps, prominent among which was a fine
several specimens of the 1840 black, id., block of four id. reds, printed on the
and blocks of various shades of the im- Dickinson paper (silk thread); Archer
perforate id., red. The id. perforated 14 rouletted id., used; pair unused 6d.
small Crown, Die I.; two pairs and strip of octagonal; used 2s. brown (fine); entire
three of the same stamp, Die I I . ; perforated pane is. Plate 4, several fine used specimens
16, Die II. (3), one being on paper shewing of the lod. octagonal; a reconstructed sheet
no signs of the blue discoloration. The of the id. rose, perforated 14 large Crown ;
twopence perforated 14 small Crown ; ditto Beaufort House essays; 150 varieties of
large Crown pair and strip of three. The foreign and colonial cancellations on British
small halfpenny and twopenny plate numbers stamps; Guildhall post card and invita-
in blocks ; ijd. rose-lilac with and without tion to Guildhall conversazione ; House of
"specimen." The values from zjd. to is. Commons envelope; Kensington ditto with
nearly complete. The octagonal 6d., is., Harry Furniss's caricature ; Mulready en-
and rod. pair. A complete unsevered sheet velopes and covers, ante-postage stamp
of the id., red, Plate 177. cancellations, &c., &c., also a large quantity
Mr. R. T. Stevens (Vice-president). This of unused adhesives, the same marked
display was mounted on the movable leaves "specimen," and several imperforate varieties,
of the exhibitor's newly-patented Desider- including 4d., drab, Plate 15.
atttm album, and comprised used specimens Mr. F. A. Pearse contributed five sheets
of the surface-printed stamps produced by of British fiscals or revenues, containing
 CORRESPONDENCE. 199

representative embossed and surface-printed with shades. With few exceptions, the
stamps, some of which are of exceeding whole of the values up to is., with their
rarity. They were divided as follows: plate numbers complete, unused. Fine
England, English Municipalities, Scotland, used copies of the los. and £i Maltese
Ireland, Isle of Man. cross and anchor, white and bleutd paper.
Mr. A. Levy (Hon. Secretary) exhibited Mulready id. and 2d. envelopes and covers,
a portion only of his well-known collec- used and unused, also caricatures of same.
tion. The principal items were an un- Used and unused I. R. officials, Govern-
severed block of 48 imperforated 2d., Plate ment parcels, telegraphs, unused letter
4, the top four lines of sheet with margin sheets, Post-office Jubilee Christmas card,
and inscription; large blocks and single reconstructed sheets of the id. black and
copies of the id. with the various perfora- id. red, imperforate. Unused silk-thread
tions and watermarks, in numerous shades envelopes, dies 31, 57, 58, 63» 64, 67, 70, 79,
of brick-red to crimson ; a fine specimen 80, 83, 84, 85, 87, 95, including several of
of the large Crown perforated 16 rose, all the scarce large size.
unused; the same being also shown complete The exhibition, which was largely attended
with all the twopenny stamps on the original by visitors and members, did not close until
letters, including a pair of the early Archer a late hour. We are requested to state that
perforated stamps on envelope, postmarked the exchange branch continues in operation
October 24th, 1850, although the Archer during the recess, and all communications
perforating machine was not adopted officially should be made, as usual, to Mr. H. Tucker,
until 1854. The penny and halfpenny red jun., the exchange secretary, Belvedere,
plate numbers complete, nearly the whole Mannamead, Plymouth.
being in blocks of six or nine. The ASHER LEW, Hon. Sec.
twopence plate numbers complete, unused, 190, UNION STREET, PLYMOUTH.

Correspondence.
"A CALIFORNIAN FIND." Mr. Stanley Gibbons, whom I had the
DEAR SIR,—On page 141 of your valued pleasure of entertaining recently, mentions
paper, issue of May, 1895, and under the my collection in his monthly journal, issued
heading, "A Californian Find," reference is May 3ist, 1895. I showed him some rarities
made to the genuineness of my Hawaiian that he thoroughly enjoyed.
5 c. " Missionary " stamp. Your paper does Yours respectfully,
not state what the " find " was. HENRY J. CROCKER.
I wish to state that one look is sufficient 508, CALIFORNIA STREET, SAN FRANCISCO,
jfvne ntk, 1895.
to any well-versed collector to convince him
not only of the authenticity, but also of the I N D I A N FISCALS POSTALLY USED.
great beauty and perfect condition of this
stamp, which would ornament any collec- To the Editor of the "London Philatelist."
tion. I have, however, two others of the DEAR SIR,—Perhaps you may care to use
same stamp on original covers, aH of which this below, for an " occasional note " in the
I would be pleased to forward for your London Philatelist. An early return of the
inspection if you would like to see them. specimens enclosed will much oblige. I had
The stamp you write of is on the original been told that the current I anna receipt
letter, the letter itself speaking of interesting stamps were available for postage in India.
historical events, such as the news of the In order to test this, I had these two posted
death of Daniel Webster, etc. The other at different towns in India. Both were
two are simply on the envelopes, and were accepted, as you see, in each case making up
sent from Massachusetts, U.S.A., prepaid the postage to the 25 annas required for an
with an unsevered pair of 3c. U.S. stamps. English letter.
The ship charge of local postage caused the Believe me, Sir, yours truly,
Hawaiian stamps to be applied, and they are A COLLECTOR.
without a vestige of a tear or mar. The [The specimens submitted were com-
margins are complete on each of the ponent fractions of the proper postal rate,
stamps. and indubitably paid postage.—Ed.]
 [ 200 ]

The Market.
MESSRS. R. F. ALBRECHT AND Co.
(New York City.) Ditto, 1859, engraved, 6d., imperf.,
green, used . . . 3 2 0
WE are always glad to record any notable
Turks Islands, i/-, prune, unused. 20 4 o
sales held outside Great Britain, and as we
go to press receive a priced catalogue of the Virgin Islands, perf. 15, 6d., rose,
unused . . - 5 7 °
magnificent collection of stamps of the British Columbia, 2^d., pink, im-
Western Hemisphere, the property of Mr. perf., unused . . . 25 o o
Louis Levison, sold by the above Company. Ditto, ioc., blue, imperf., unused . 3 14 o
Prices ruled extremely high. We have Ditto, perf. 12^, ioc., rose, unused 3 2 6
endeavoured to give the most notable, but Canada, 6d., purple, imperf., un-
would advise those interested to send for a used, wove paper . . 4 7 6
priced catalogue, as in the 1,225 l°ts dis- Ditto, 6d., slate grey, imperf., un-
posed of many of the smaller lots realised re- used . . . . 6 4 o
markably high prices. At this rate, we shall Ditto, 7^d., green, imperf., unused 10 13 o
be needing fresh editions of our catalogues Ditto, iod., blue, unused . . 6 6 o
monthly! The total amount realised was New Brunswick, 6d., yellow, un-
,£2,062 ($5=.£i-) used . . . .15 4 o
£ s. d.
St. Louis, ioc., black IS O O Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, used . 4 11 O
United States, 1851, 5c., brown, Ditto, i/-, violet, unused . . 45 6 o
imperf., unused . .816 Newfoundland, 4d., orange, unused 7 4 o
Ditto, ditto, ditto, 24.0., lilac, Ditto, 6d., orange, ditto . .15 4 o
Ditto, ditto 13 o o Ditto, 4d., carmine-vermilion, un-
Ditto, ditto, 1861-66, 30., scarlet, used . . . .20 o o
unused . . .10 Ditto, 6d., ditto, ditto, ditto . 38 16 o
Ditto, ditto, 1868, 3c., rose, grilled Ditto, 6|d., ditto, ditto, ditto . n 12 O
all over, unused 5 4 0
Ditto, ditto, 1869, goc., unused 3 10 o Ditto, i/-, ditto, ditto, ditto . 56 8 o
Ditto, ditto, ditto, reprints, com- Nova Scotia, 6d., yellow-green,
plete, unused set . . 15 10 unused . . . 5 4 o
Ditto, ditto, 1893, Columbus,. Ditto, ditto, 6d.,dark green, unused 9 o o
unused o 19 o Ditto, ditto, i/-, violet, unused . 20 8 o
Ditto, ditto, State Sept., $5 unused 18 6 o Ditto, ditto, i/-, ditto, used . 16 o o
Bahamas, 1861, 6d., violet, perf. Ditto, ditto, I/-, mauve, used . 28 8 o
16, unused 3 4 0
British Guiana, 1850, I2c., dark MESSRS. CHEVELEY & Co.
blue, curled tail to 2 . .10 o
Ditto, ditto, 1856, 4c., magenta . 17 4 AT a truly midsummer sale, on July I2th,
' Montserrat, 4d., blue, CA, unused 4 16 this firm effected satisfactory results, as will
Nevis, engraved, greyish paper, be seen from a few of the prices attained,
4d., rose, unused 3 8 which we quote as under :
Ditto, engraved, white paper, 4d.,
orange, unused . . 2 8 Naples, Arms . . . 1 2 0 0
Ditto, lithographed, 6d., olive, un- Ditto, Cross . . . 4 5 0
used . . . . 8 4 Cape, wood blocks, 4 (average) 212 o
Ditto, CA, 6d., green, unused . 6 18 Virgin Islands, 6d., small perf.,
St. Christopher, id. on 2^d., blue, unused . . . 5 10 o
small surcharge, unused .15 o Newfoundland, 6J, carmine, no
St. Lucia, CA, perf. 14, 3d., blue, margins . . . 6 6 0
red surcharge. 7 4 Nevis, 6d., green, unused . . 8 5 0
St. Vincent, wmk. star, I/-, claret, S t . Vincent, is., brown, unused . 4 5 0
unused 3 16 o Montserrat, 4d., blue, CA . . 4 10 o
Ditto, ditto, 5/-, rose red, unused . 6 1 2 o ,
Tobago, 1883, CA, 6d., brown, un- Tobago, 6d., ochre, CA . . 1 2 0 0
used . - . - 7 1 1 Nevis, is., perf. 15, yellow-green . 4 4 0
Trinidad, Lady McLeod, pen- Ditto, 4d., rose on bluish, unused . 4 15 o
marked, on original envelope . 1 5 i Collection of 3,000 varieties . 30 o o