The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-07

n0OQ OF 2,0UU,UUU 1TancSs OF S0OU,UOO' 1no
only other element in human affairs TO
which he has devoted any considerable
portion Of his time and thought Is social
ism, an interest to which he is devoted to
an almost equal degree as to phllately. de
is able to give almost his entire attention
to these two hobbies by reason OF the TACT
that he was left fortune OF 50,OOU,OOO
francs by his parents.
For his stamp collection he had special
rooms constructed in his mansion and en-
ploys several secretaries to arrange his
stamps and to take care of his phllatellc
correspondence. In every phllatelIc center
he has an agent to seek and purchase such
specimens as may be lacking In MS collec-
ton, and no price is too high for any
stamp he may want. frequently, now
ever, be takes a run to London and TO the
larger cities of the Continent and makes
his purchases direct. His knowledge OF
bis hobby is simply phenomenal, as he
seems to have the philatelic history OF
every country at his finger ends. His
memory, too, must be extraordinary, fol-
despite his gigantic collection be always
knows just what stamps he has and just
what he wants. So thoroughly trained
have his faculties become in this direction
that he can recognize a shade. perfOra-
ton or a minute variety at glance.
Among the things related Of him is that
on being handed an album containing
thousands of stamps he Will let the PAGES
run rapidly through his fingers, stopping
now and again to quickly extract such
stamps as he desires, and that he very
rarely makes mistake in his apparently
hurried selections. Though taking such
an intense interest in phiately, this klDg
of collectors is extremely sensitive about
his possessions being made the subject of
general discussion, particularly In publ
cations.
His collection is particularly strong in
entire envelopes, and MS specimens oil
British Guiana are probably the finest loi
possessed by any collector. Ot the first
issue of Mauritius Count Ferrari possesses
two each OF the penny and twOpence. These
stamps to-day bear the distinction of hav-
ing brought the highest price ever paid fol
phllatelic curos, pair OF them having re-
Gently been sold for $500.
Next in Importance and celebrity TO the
Ferrari collection is that which was the
property of the late Mr.. TAPPING of Lon
don. So much store did he set by his
stamps as a collection that he devised
il to the British Museum to insure its be-
ing preserved intact. It's valued at about
100000. Although it is several years since
Mr.. 1apling died and his collection came
into the possession OF the museum II
is only recently that the work IF arrang-
ing it for inspection by the general public
was begun. This task is in the hands OF
a prominent London collector. and it is es-
timated that he will not be less than two
years in concluding his labors.
Tapling's method of securing his stamps
differed radically from that Of his French
rival. Tapling made frequent tours of the
world, mainly for the purpose of buying
rarites for his albums, and seldom de-
pended on an intermediary.
Being asked TO compare the TAPPING and
Ferrari collections, a well-knOwn London
collector, VINO had seen both, stated that
a mparson was Impossible, as the
Frenchman's collection was so much su-
perior, particularly IN unused adheslves.
He stated, however, that there were many
fine entire envelopes in the TAPPING books
which Ferrari lacked.
Among tie noted collections of Eng
land is that possessed by the Duke of
York. 1t naturally eXcelS in the stamps
of Great Britain and her colonies; it is
specially strong in the stamps of those
dependencies of the British Government
which the Duke visited while on his grand
tour of the world. Wherever they were
obtainable he was presented with CON-
plete sheets of each stamp, and in cases
where issues had become obsolete re-
prints were made of them for MS special
benefit. In one case only a single stamp
was struck off for the Duke, and he thus
became the pOssessor of a stamp Of which
only one specimen exists.
While many fine collections are owned
in the United States. there are none that
represent the same amount of money as
those of European ownership. What was
probably the most celebrated collection
in this country was broken up a little less
than year ago. 1t was that of +. de Cop.
pet. Some idea Of its magnitude and value
may be gained when it i stated that &c.,
GOO was realized at auction from the sale
of only a portion of it, comprising the
stamps Of the countries Of the American
continent, except Mexico. Among the
stamps sold was a Accent circular British
Guiana of 1850, which brought SOLO, the
highest price ever paid for single speci
men at auction. The need of ready money
is said to have been the reason for the col
lection being broken up.
John K. Tiffany of st. Louis, though 9
general collector. makes specially of The
stamps OF the United States. His cOllec
ton is worth in the neighborhood Oi
$4,000.
H. f. beats Of Pennington, n. j.. has {
collection of United States adhesives, en-.
yelopes, revenues, locals and Confederate
issues that is unsurpassed in the world.
Both beats and Tiffany are also col
lec,ors Of phiatelic literature. and the
latter's library stands without rival In
this line.
Among the half dozen largest collection
IN tue ODlGtu SIdteS may D6 NUN DeTeC
that of President Van Derlip Of the Bos or
Phiatelic Society. His albums contain il
the neighbOrhood of 10000 specimens
which he was more than a score of year:
in accommodating.
In this city the most noted collections
are owned respectively by Fl. j. Croker
w. A. II. Conuor, +. Gesvret and w
Sellschopp. OF these Mr.. Crocker's is the
most valuable and is worth about $4,000
the other three range in value between
$1,000 and $4,000.
Croeker's collection includes such
rarities as the Sax0ny error, valued a
$500, and the Baton Rouge error, valued a
500. COnnor's collection is particularly
strong 10 United States stamps and those o
Australasia and Oceanica, and Buchanan
local, worth $780, is the rarity of his col
lection. GesVrets albums excel in unused
adhesive stamps, and he makes specially
Of those of the British colonies. Tn,
strong point of Sellschopp's collection i:
his accumulatiOns OF the stamps of the old
German States, particularly entire
envelopes. Among his best stamps ar
the 81 |. K. official Of Great Britain. valued
at $685. and a 10-cent Pony Express staml