The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-19
ABOUT STAMP COLLECTING.
Phiiatelism Mild Mania, but an I'm
pOrtant Industry.
New York Times.


There is one branch OF trade. and a very
important branch il is. that has not been
yet affected by the rapid increase in bicy-
cling during the past few years This is
the stamp trade. which to many appears
TO be merely a form OF mid insanity or
monomania, whereas TO enthusiastic col
OF their lives. Fhilatelist is q word OF
Greek origin. which signifies literally love
of stamps and the expression is certainly
none too exaggerated to describe the pas
sion of the couectCr. his patient researches
and his triumphant Joy at the discovery
and acquisition of some unusually rare
specimen.
Postage stamps in their present form
were first regularly issued in 1885. but IL is
only since 1850 that stamp collecting be-
gan TO be heard of. Ingres. the vlolinist.
was one of the first amateurs, and devoted
much attention 10 his hobby. As he was
at the same moment devoted TO his violin,
IL seems remarkable that he found SO
much spare time for his stamp album. In
1859 there were already several stamp
don and Paris, but the first regular stamp
exchange was started in Paris in 1860 and
had its first quarters at the foot or the
Hunting Diana. in the Tul.eries GARDENS
Mothers and nurses soon protested, how
ever against this invasion of their terri
tory. as the number oil stamp amateus in
This deliyhtful part OF the Parisians' ia
vor!te Measure resort. The police found
themselves obliged TO forbid the premises
to all stamp collectors. who then took ref
uee in a quiet part of the Champs Ely
secs and finally settled themselves perma-
nently on the Avenue Marigny, where the
exchange was held On Sundays and Thurs
days.
that yearly changes hands merely through
hostage stamps one realizes that this trade
has become something more than mere
chilt's play. The most valuable collection
in the world is owned by Nj. Philippe de
Ferrari son of the Duchess of Galiiera,
and is estimated 10 be worth over 500. 900.
NJ ne Farrari is in constant comrunica-
tir,,,1 With ali the principal phila telists the
u-orld over and has two stamp librarians.
II the term may be employed. 10 attend to
All the necessary business such as classi-
fying. These men are each paid salary
of So 900 a year. When NJ de Farrari de-
LET'S fhe question OF expense interfere with
his purpose He recently bought two
s nts-ans Of the 1917 issue or Mauritius. for
which he paid $4,000. Among the rare spec
irnens of his collection are the issue of
p'.itish Guiana 1870. and Hawaii. 1852. which
are worth from 81 900 to $1,000 each.
Stamo collecting is said to be more popu-
lar in Germany than in any other country.
The United States coming next: with some
s sae oaa Collectors Then come England and
rance That stamp collecting may de-
re- into a mania of the most danger
So rins1 has been recently shown in Paris
where the latest sensational murder was
hrnugbf about by the assassin's desire to
ohtef n valuable collection belonging TO
waIi-known Partisan collector. of the
ma me of DeiehaefI. Aubert. who Is now on
trial for the murder. has long been a col
iacfor and there is the strongest evidence
- show that he murdered the unfortunate
nejahaeff merely 10 obtain the latter's col
ton