The times., 1897-08-22

to tie public. Stamps that have been
withdrawn from the use OF the public are
called obsolete and their value is based
on the length of time they We're In use
or the quantity issued. or course there
arc all KINDS of collectors OF stamps. Some
gather only staiaps that have passd through
the mails and show the cancellation mark
of the mailing clerk, Others collect only
unused and uncancelled specimens, while
many collect both kinds. In fact, 1t Is
next to an impossibility, no matter how
much you have 90 spend on stamp collect
ing, to secure a complete collection of all
the varieties that have been issued FROM
$40 down TO the present time.
Stamps are printed in sheets containing
from to 400 on sheet There have been
so many stamps issued that very few
collectors nowadays try to take in the
whole range Of stamp collecting.
but make speciality of orc
or more countries. know of a number OF
collectors who collect only the stamps of
North America; others who make spe-
ciaIty of Great Britain and her colonies,
etc. There are also many in this country
particularly who only collect the stamps
Of the United States. The largest col
lippe de Ferrary, OF Paris. Monsieur Fer
rary is soid topossess collection of stamps
that Is worth at least 100000. 1eis iii
direct communication with the stamp deal
ers all over the world, and when rarity
turns up he is given the first chance TO bid
on it. He has two secretaries, whose sole
duties are to look out for his stamp col
lection and answer letters. The next in
order was probably the late T. K. Tap
ling. NJ Z. He was collecting for twenty
years and left his splendid collection in
tact to the British Museum. II is said to
be valued at goo, ,0G0, or about $3.50, 900.
The next great collection is that OF the
Gar OF Russia, who is an enthusiast on
the matter OF stamp collecting. The Prince
Of Wales and his BROTHER, the Duke Of
Edinburgh, are said to be the next in
order Of Importance. ollowed by the
| Prince OF Wales son, the Duke OF York.
! II is har1 TO say who has the finest col
| lecIion Of stamps in this country. ii Il.
| Deats, of Fle:nington. n. j . is said to pos
! ses sthe most complete collection OF
| United states stamps. and w. G Van Der
/ lip, law yer in Boston, is reputed To have
one of the very best collection OF the older
issues OF obsolete stamps The late j. X.
| Tiffany, of st. Louis, vas another old and
| extensive Collector. F. w. Aver, of Ban
| gor, Me, had until recently the very finest
collection in the United States Some idea
of its value may he inferred when it is
stated that he recently sold II to large
| London firm Of stamp dealers for f50 900
| or $250,ono Many fine collections arc
| held in Washington, that run in values
from $1,000 to $500 The meeting
| of the Postal Congress at the present time
in Washington is ali important event, from
the fact that they only convene III an in
ternational way every six years. One oil
the most important things that interested
stamp collectors the most was the dispo.
sition OF the International or Universal
Postage Stamp. that has been talked oi
| fot years 1t is about settled that it viii
not be adopted. Washington may be said
to rank second only to New York as a
stamp center. There are five dealers
in stamps here, " bo do an extensive trade
both in this city and abroad, and many
| collectors whose books of stamps VIII
compare favorably with any in the country
j. NJ. BARTELS.