The morning call., 1894-02-04
STAMPS AT THE FAIR.

If the plans now under consideration by
the stamp collectors of San Francisco are
fully carried Out-and there is every proba
bility that they will bet ere will be q
display of postal curios at the Midwlntel
Fair as fine and varied as has ever beer
shown in public in this country, and one
which will certainly excel the exhibit
made by the American Philatelic socia.
ton at the Chicago Worlds Fair, which
though il cost in the neighborhood OF
$4,000. was far from being striking sue.
cess, owing to its obscure location.
| The idea of making philatelic exhibit
! Mt the California Midwinter International
Exposition originated with II. j. Crocker,
| one of the most enthusiastic of the local
collectors. and who has, it is generally
acknowledged. one Of the best collections
| in this city,
On the 23d of January Mr.. Crocker in
vited few of his fellow-membe bers of the
| Pacific Philateic Society to his house, where
discussion of the matter was entered
| upon. This informal meeting resulted in the
| appointment of a committee of three, con-
sisting of Mr.. Croeker. A. FL. Weber and
E. Gesvret TO secure the cooperation of
other collectors in the scheme.
The efforts of this committee resulted
in another meeting being called on the
evening of January 80, at the office of E.
j. Gardner, in the chair, Fl. j. Crocker.
DR.. Clark, A. II. Weber, Z. Gesvret, F.
koenig. W. Sellschopp, 81. b. Phillips, DR..
w. G. Sylvester and A. II. Green baum.
The two latter gentlemen, members If the
Philatelic Society of San Francisco, were
present by special invitation. 1he CON-
mittes reported that there had been placed
at their disposal room on the ground floor
of the Art building, connected with the
Russian art exhibit. which will be suitably
lighted, so that there will be no danger of
injury to the stamps from the direct rays
of the sun, while at the same time there
will be ample light to show off the various
cases to the best advantage. This entire
room, with the exception of the high wall
spaces will be given over to the use OF the
samples.
AS result of the discussion which en-
sued Mr.. Crocker will be allowed to carry
out and exclusively use his design for ex-
hibiting his collection. He will have con-
| structed pillar about feet high aud
about 10 inches in diameter. About this
| there will be fastened two circular shelves
of metal, each about 10 inches wide and
something over feet apart. The outer
edges of these shelves will be perforated
with 36 holes, through which will be run
iron rods, on which will be fastened the
frames TO contain the stamps. These will
| be of oak, faced with heavy glass, and
each will contain four sheets Of prettiIy
| OH WQicl the
stamps will be mounted. There will be
286 of these sheets, each holding about So
stamps. Thus Mr.. Crocker alone will ex-
hibit something over 10000 specimens
Among the great rarlJies that will be dis
| played will be the Saxony error, valued at
$500; a Brattleboro. valued at the same
| figure; Baton Rouge error, which is
worth S100; pair of the unperforated 80
cent United States of 1856, single speci-
mems OF which are so scarce that no cata-
lOgue attempts to price it. In fact, the
actual existence of this stamp in an un-
| perforated condition has been matter OF
| great doubt in philatelic circles, and Mr..
! Crocker's pair of them is. so lar as is
known by the most advanced collectors OF
this city. the only unsevered specimens
extant. Single specimens are known. put,
| as before stated. their genuine character IS
| Questioned. as they may have oeen mace
| by trimming the edges or perforated
/ stamps with wide margins. Inc aggre-
gate value of Mr. Crocker's exhibit Will be
| not less than S12,Oo0. 49,
Quite number of other collectors will
| also contribute TO the display. Their ex-
hibits will De arranged in frames similar
| to those used by Mr.. Croker, which will
be placed around the walls of the room.
| They will contain choice selections of
| suct countries as are best represented in
the albums of San Francisco's advanced
| collectors.
One of the most interesting will be a