The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-11-03
LOCAL PHlLATELTSTS
INTERESTED IN THE NEW
ISSUE OF STAMPS,
And Needlessly Alarmed Over the Old
Dies-Some Prominent Local
Stamp Collectors

There is much interest manifested
among local stamp dealers and collect
ors over the proposed new issue of
Hawaiian stamps, tenders for designs
for the same having been asked for by
the Post flee Department and opened
yesterday. Inquiry at the postofflce
this morning shows that four artists
have sent in designs for the proposed
new issue, but as 10 award has been
made and probably will not be until
the Postmaster General returns from
Hawaii the authorities do not feel
justified in making public anything
about them at present. They are now
in the hands of the Minister of the
Interior.
From Mr.. Rothwell it is learned that
the local demand for stamps of the
present issues has about died out, only
an amount sufficient to meet the
ordinary demands of the postal service
being sold. The foreign demand still
continues, however, and large orders
are received by the department by every
steamer. The extent or period of this
foreign demand cannot, of course, be
estimated. There are stamps enough
on hand of the present issue to meet
the ordinary postal requirements of the
Hawaiian Government for the next
eighteen months. Should the foreign
demand increase, or even continue at
the present rate, the supply might not
last six months, and it is to provide
against this emergency that the Gov
eminent is preparing the new issues
Some local dealers having become
alarmed over report that the Gov
eminent proposed to sell the dies OF
the old issues, the reporter asked Mr..
RUthwell about the matter and was in
formed that the report was absolutely
without foundation. The dies are kept
in the vaults Of the American Bank
Note Company in New York, and are
not accessible to anyone If any action
is taken by the Government at all con
corning them it would be to order them
destroyed, but as long as they are safe
it is deemed best to keep them for the
purposes of Identification in acts o.
forgery The American Bank Note
Company keep the original dies of al
bank notes, currency, bonds and stamps
ayarnta1 hx than, THAR fire.
vaults for that purpose; even the die;
of the United States stamps being KEEP
there.
In making call on one Of our prin
cipal stamp dealers and collectors thi:
morning the reporter found that loca
interest in stamp collecting is still o.
the increase, although the demand fu
Hawaiian stamps is about satisfied
Many collectors send away for foreign
stamps, some for complete issues anc
others tor ass rted packages. Th'
best collection of stamps in town i
conceded to e. A. Brown by long odds
w. M. Gifard and +. B. Thrum hav,
valuable asSortmentS and come next
ames Steiner has collection of sew
eral thousand but he says there ar
several better than his in the city. II
can lay claim to the best album, how
ever, as he keeps his collection in al
elegant brass bound book importe,
from Austria at an expense of SIS
He considers it valuable enough to b
keep in safe. Hugh Mcintyre an
w. f. Brown are also stamp fends, i
fact there is scarcely household in tn
city without one or more collectors
both male and female.