The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-27
FINE STAMPS AT AUCTION.

For the third time this spring San Fran
cisco collectors were treated to an auction
sale of stamps, on the evenings of May IS
and 10, when W. II. Hollis made his in
itial venture in this field. The stamps
offered were the property of DR.. W. G.
Sylvester. who has left the ranks of the
general collectors to devote himself to the
revenue stamps of the United States.
Every stamp was picked specimen. as
DR.. Sylvester was. as stated in the preface
TO the auction catalogue, almost hyper
critical as to the condition of the stamps he
placed in his album. 1t was due to this
fact that such excellent returns were Sc
cured. Fourteen lots went above the regu-
lar catalogue prices. several went for cata-
lUgue and many sold close up to full rates
There were 713 lots and the total
amount realized was close 10 $1400. Bid
ding. particularly on the first night, was
exceedingly lively. the attendance being
the largest ever seen at stamp auction
in San Francisco, and the proportion of
stamps that went 20 local collectors was
somewhat out of the usual. Following are
the stamps that realized over So; United
States-1660. 90 cent. unused, 81 05; same.
used. SO; 1861. Scent pink, unused. Sc 30;
1869, "a cent. unused, ST; 1869, 80 cent,
tive, 6 cent, Sc SO; justice, 90 cent, dam
aged, 50 10; State, 50. ST So. Foreign
Azores, 1875. 24O refs, SIS 80; Bahamas,
1852 l penny, So 80; same, unused fair.
S11 O5; Fiji Times, 1870. pence. So Is; 6
pence. SO so; 1 shilling, SIS 80; Schles-
wig Holstein, 1850. 2-shilling red, unused,
Sc so; Virgin Islands. 1867, l shilling.
So 90.
Dealers and collectors alike experience
considerable trouble when importing
stamps from foreign countries and for
several years Intellectual efforts have been
made to get stamps, used and unused. on
the free list. Up to date they have paid
% per cent ad valOrem duty.
The Treasury Department has ruled
that stamps are properly classified as
printed matter and that under the tariff
laws printed matter not specifically men
toned must pay duty at the rate named.
1t Is held that they are merchandise and
that duty must be paid on them In accord
ance with their invoice or foreign market
value. In the absence of accurate infOr-
nation customs collectors have been In
structed to appTaiSe them at the rate OF 10
cents a thousand, and that whenever the
duty upon single package shall amount
to less than 80 cents the duty shall be re-
mitted as not worth the cost Of collection.
Samples, however, claim that stamps
sh ould be classified as securities and should
be EXEMPT from any import tax, pariicu-
larry as the printed matter contemplated
to be taxed under the tariff law is such as
could be produced in this country.
A philatellc committee is now again at
work at Washington endeavorIng to have
stamps classified according to their idea
by che Treasury Department, and have
employed counsel To aid them. Their
prospect of success is said to be very good.
novel postal device is attracting con-
siderable attention among business men at
Washington, whers an effort is being made
to nave it adopted by the Postoffice De-
partment. The object of the inventor,
who has his idea patented, is to arrange
for the hostage on cards and letters being
paid by the recipient. The device is in
tended TO be used by those wishing to
nclose card or envelope to be returned
with reply. 1t would be of great adYan-
tage TO business men, as it would save
them paying postage unless their CORE
spOndents made use Of the card or envel-
Ope sent them.
a description of the card is as follows
In the upper left hand corner is the in
scription: Order card. Unlawful to
change address" Near the center of the
card is printed: Use this order card in
any business correspondence with us.
Postage guaranteed" At the side appears
coupon resembling the general appear
ance OF stamp. with the following in
| scripti0n: This coupon is TO be detached
| by Postmaster. Good for postage when
| delivered to addressee. United States
| Economic Postage Association"
| Large holders of Columbian stamps are