The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-07-24
STAMPS.
Something of Interest to Young and
Old Collectors.

Something of Interest to Young and
old Collectors.
Not a week passes that numerous
readers do not write to inquire the value
of some more or less rare stamps in their
possession, not realizing how difficult it
is to fix such values. Stamps, apart
from their intrinsic value of 2 or cents
when uncanceled) are merely curiosities
and have no actual value.
Some people would not give dollar
for hundred of the rarest stamps in the
world, while others would mortgage a
house to obtain possession OF single
stamp. Some OF the prices paid tor
stamps in this country are such as may
we'll amaze the young stamp-collector,
and in Europe the mania is SO great that
some collections are almost priceless.
NJ. Philippe de Ferrari has collec-
ton of 100000 stamps, and he has sold
one collection to Partisan stamp-lover
for $50, 900.
Mr.. Burnett, an English collector, has
stamps valued at $4,000, and many col
lectons by no means remarkable. ave
been sold in England for $4,000.
The late Duchess de Galhera accu-
| INFLATED 5000 albums, which are now
valued at $4,000.
At the Paris Mint there is remark
! able collection, and the Rothschild col
lection in Paris is 50 costly and SO highly
priced by its owner that it is guarded
| like the Koh-i-noor, and only experts are
allowed to see it.
At recent London auction some re-
markable prices were realized. British
| Guiana stamps brought the following
prices: A "blue 4c." OF 1856, Cancelled,
| 1885,; uncanceled, $3.50; four 1c. issue
| 1858, So each, and pair OF &c. Magentas
of 1853, $50.
These prices are paralyzing to the ordi-
nary reader, but much higher figures
have been reached in other sales. Here
are few samples:
The Is cents and 80 cents Reunion
stamps bring $500, and the New Bruins
wick cent stamp finds a ready pur'
chaser at $3.50. The set of four 1857
Hawaiian stamps, including the inter
national stamp with the words "U. S
and Hawaii" on it, are valued at 81 800
and the 1847 Mauritius stamps, 2 cents
and cents, can rarely be had under
$500
Old Brazil black stamps range in value
from 20 TO SIZ 0U; the green ana yellow
ones OF Buenos Ayres bring as high al
$25 each, while the red ones are worth
$50.
The vermillion l franc French staml
of 1S49 and "V. R." black English
penny stamp are considered cheap at So
apiece, while the Mulready wrapper OF
India paper, issued in 1840, has beer
sold for $500.
The prices are enough to send COLI
chill down the back of the youthful col
lector who is rejecting whether he ca
| afford to invest so cents for an "185
Peruvian one penny red" But that
no reason why the collector could nc
, collect, if it gives him pleasure. 1t is
harmless amusement. and incidentall
attaches history to the col .ector.
!. But there is drawback, as there is
every amusement. All rate stamps ar
counterfeited, and the rogues ar
l so skillful that only an expert can detec
Q the imposition.
Many collector has stamp h
prizes as the gem of his collection, SUP
l posed to be worth dollars when it is ne
t worth cents. However, it is a console
ton to know that counterfeit gives jus
> as much satisfaction as genuine staml
D until its spurious character is discovered
q and such discovery rarely happens.-[E E.