The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-30

are score or more of small stamp papers,
most of which are published monthly. The
stamp trade of the world is governed by
the stamp catalogues issued every year.
In this country the standard postage stamp
catalogue published in New York regulates
the prices. In England, Stanly Gibbons &
Co., in Germany Sent Bros, Leipsic. and in
Belgium. j. Is. Moons, Brussels. These are
the four standard price regulators in the
stamp marts of the world
a GOOD INVESTMENT.
The question is often asked how much it
will take to start stamp collection? You
can start one with a dollar or with $4,000 as
your pocket book will allow you. Get some
information about the stamps you want to
collect and buy as your means will allow
from reliable parties. Stamps are a good
investment and If there are 100000 collecting
them now there will be 100000 in twenty
years from now. When one drops off there
are sure to be two to take his place. Near
ly all of the stamp issuing countries are
members OF the Universal Postal Union, the
headquarters OF which are at Berne, Switz-
erland. All new stamps issued by the coun-
tries composing the union sent there
as soon as issued to the 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that have been withdrawn from the use of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
were in use or the quantity issued. OF
course there are all kinds of collectors OF
stamps. Some gather only stamps that
have passed through the mails and show
the cancellation mark of the mailing clerk,
others collect only unused and uncanceled
specimens, while many citizens both kinds.
In fact it is next to an impossibility. no
matter how much you have to
spend on stamps to secure a complete col
lection of all the varieties that have been
issued from 1910 down to the present time.
Stamps are printed in sheets containing
from eight to 100 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
a specially of one more countries. L
know number of collectors who collect
only the stamps of North America; others
who make a speciality 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 collector in the world is undoubted-
ly Nj. Philippe de Ferrary, OF Paris. Mgr.
stamps that is worth st least 100000 He is
in direct communication with the stamp
dealers all over the world, and when a
rarity turns up he is given the first chance
to bid it, He has two secretaries whose
sole duties are to look out for his stamp
collection and answer letters. The next in
order was probably the late T. X. TAPPING,
NJ. z. He was collecting for twenty years
and left his splendid collection intact to
the British Museum. 1t is said to be valued
at $50, 600, about $45O.OO0. The next great
collection is that of the Car of Russia
who is an enthusiast on the matter of
stamp collecting. King Edward of England
and his brother the Duke of Edinburgh,
are said 10 be the next in order of impor-
lance. followed by the Duke of York.
II is hard TO say who has the finest col
lection of stamps i'm this country. III. T..
beats, of Pennington. n. j., is
said To possess the most complete collec-
ton of United States stamps, and w. G.
Vanderlip. a lawyer of Boston. is reputed
TO have one of the very best collections of
the older issues of obsolete stamps. The
late J. X. Tiffany. of st. Louis was an
other old and extensive collector. +. w.
Aver, of Bangor, Me, had until recently
the very finest collection i'm the United
States. Some idea of its value may be
inferred when IL is stated that he sold IL
to a large London firm of stamp collectors
for 100000. $250,OO0. Many fine collec-
tions are held i'm Washington, that run in
values from 5000 TO $4,000.