The morning call., 1892-11-13
CURIOUS STAMPS.
Some of the Choicest Coll
leCtiOnS. !.
THE BAND OF PHELATELIsTS.
A Famous Exhibition in LondOn-The
Largest Variety Owned by
FrenCf,man-Amateu

age stamps, independent Oh lHeif HHduCiai
Importance, as marked as the tide of appar-
emily more fashionable articles, says Lon
don letter In the New York Sun.
There has been a periodical recurrence Ia
the interest attached to the little colored
francs" extending from collectors with
high aims to the general public with modest
ones.
Some eighteen years 'ago very urgent
appeal was made simultaneously in various
European countries for large amount of
used stamps, and as soon as the motive was
known it was generously responded TO.
Five hundred thousand stamps would, if
deposited in the hands of certain specified
persons, provide for a bed in hospital or
the schooling of pauper child. Within
the last six months a somewhat similar re-
quest has been made, but on much larger
scale, and the newspapers frequently con-
tain paragraphs demanding contributions Of
defaced stamps.
- The amount now required is 10000, 600,
and the avowed object is the construction
of village ia the Congo with the money
supplied by their sale. 1t is wonderful TO
note how ever the most unpTetendiDg enter
prise OF private persons unc0nDected with
any trade or profession can perceptibly
swell the collection.
1t is not uncommon to find these sending
at intervals OF only few weeks as many
as 80, coo or 40, 600 stamps TO the receivers.
and there is, therefore, every chance that
within 4 measurable distance of time the
whole immense quantity will be forthcom-
ing.
What is in reality done with the stamps
when obtained still exercises the minds Of
many.
The most plausible opinion is that they
are used for the more ordinary kind of JAP
anese lacquer or paper mache; but there
are, nevertheless. increduious cyuics who
declare that by ingenious piercing OF the
Dudehled portions of the stamps some appa-
rently sound ones may be obtained and
passed as new; but this fashion of cheating
the postal authorities hardly seems re-
muneratlve enough to compensate for pos
slDe exposure and penalties.
The genuine stamp collectors, of course.
absolutely ignore any such spurious indus
try; they call themselves 'Philatelists," and
are more numerous than is generally known.
The Duke of Edinburgh is president of
the English Association of Philatelists it
was he who organized, in 1890, an exhibition
Of stamps on the lines of the one of which
Is in course of preparation in Paris to-day.
The most attractive feature of the exhi-
bition was the exact reproduction of a cam
paigning postoffice in time of war, with the
officials wearing their linen costumes. In
one day more than 10000 post cards OF a
special model were sold they had the usual
stamp on the right side, but, in addition,
they had the London coat Of arms on the
other.
They were sold for sixpence, and are now
worth Is 10 20 shiliings. The stewards of
the exhibition wore an enamelled English
postage stamp in their butt0nhOle.
The phllatelSts worthy of the title ac-
knowIedged about 100000 collectors on a
larger on smaller scale. Germany. America
and England are the countries showing the
most important contingent.
France comes fourth in numbers at least,
but Paris can boast of the richest and
most complete collection belonging to M.
Philippe de Ferrari, the son of the late
wealthy Duchess de Galliera, whose gener-
oslty and beneYolenee riyaled her immense
fortune.
NJ. de Ferrarl's collection is UNIQUE, and
bids fal to remain so for the reason that he
always purchases, at whatever price put
upon them, any stamps which he does not
already possess. He is in direct eommuni-
cation with the philatelists of the whole
world. and the first offer OF rare specimens
is always made to him.
For many years NJ. de Ferrari has had
two secretaries solely devoted to the care and
classification of his collection; their salaries
are 4400 "a year, and their position is no
slneeure, as they have, in addition to other
duties, on an average 10 answer about thirty
or forty letters per diem.
Next 10 order ranks the Emperor of Rus
sia, by many enormously supposed to be
first among the philatelsts.
The albums of Alexander III are worth
$4,000; he is himself deeply interested in
tile question; lie has a decided preference
for Asiatic stamps; for those of Maurice
Island. issue of 1S47, of the French colony
OF La Reunion 1852.
The former cost 1900 francs, the others
about 1000 francs each. The stamps of
British Guiana of 1850 and of Hawaii 1872
are worth el60 70 $3.50.
The Prince of Wales and his brother, the
Duke OF Edinburgh, come next, although
at measurable distance. Baron a de
Kotnschlid was Tor long time jealous
collector and had brought together stamps
to the value OF $4,000, but he has since
parted with them; others, like the two
"lmpressionist painters, the brothers
Callleootte, have done the same, selling
their collection to Mr.. Tapling. an Eng.
lish member of Parliament. for GSO0O.
This gentleman died last wear and he.
queathed all his stamps TO the British
Museum. which gratefully received the col.
lection, providing special room and guar.
dian to the albums of Mr.. Tapling Mr..
Philbrlck, q. c., likewise owned rare speci
mems OF all countries. but has disposed of
all the foreign ones, retaining only those
of the British Empire.
NJ Donatis. Frenchman, did the same
Tor french stamps, ani both these gentle-
men are credited with possessing an nm.
usually perfect collection of national
stamps.
Among other phlatelsts renowned for
the beauty OF their collections are the |
NJ. Legrand, president of the committee for |
the exhibition; j. Vickers Painters Mr.
Arthur Edwards, etc.
Besides the collectors who limit them |
serves 20 sticking their stamps in albums or |
on sheets of cardboard, there are those who |
aim at producing picturesque combinations !
OF form and color.
Nj. Maury. director of the Collection |
neuT, has created tapestry and frieze |
OF singular effectiveness. At the Hospee of |
RrOtlarS n 4 Laos do ~
can De seen an immense wall surface. on |
which, IN japanese landscape birds. dogs |
and butterflies are disposed in every variety |
OF attitude and notion
One million stamps have been employed |
ior this picture, and the mere sorting of |
them occupied the brothers for three |
months. Equally curious is room i'm /
restaurant at Basle, in Switzerland. dec |
Grated with l,So0,oO0 stamps of all lands |
and at Leipzig there is another wall doeora- |
ZION ZION or hanging representing the Emperors |
William l. and Frederick, the King of |
oaxony. annd Prince de Bismarck.
Durlug the exhibition of 1889 an enter |
prlsing wine merchant Of the Rue I.afayette |
III III tasis had erected In his shop window |
model on large scale OF the Eiffel tower |
entirely In postage stamps, which proved |
very attractive 10 his customers
fagarles OF all sorts have been INDUCED |
In by minor collectors, not always with |
happy or artistic results; but nevertheless |
az iso Nuloe kOEu is harmless. 1
and affords innocent amusement to MANY
who never thought of emulating Ferrari |
or an Alexander Ill
More than one schoolboy has been able
TO sell his patiently accumulated hoard for
prices varying from 60 10 e5: not a bad re.
turn for the pennies he has spared out of
MS pocket money TO buy stamps he could
neither beg or exchange
|
Friday Not Unlucky.
Friday has lain under the accusation of |
peing an unlucky day. fhe Figaro takes |
up its defense and puts Christopher Column