The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-28
STAMPSWORTHHALFAML
EARL OF CRAWFORDS FAMOUS
COLLECTION SHOWN HERE.

American Issues Mover Seen BY Couectors
Here-Has Forty Volumes Full NOW
hare Lot OF Early Dcdsns-Has
Full Set Of Sidney Wow stamps.
The Earl Of Crawford's famous collection
OF postage stamps, valued at more tnan
$500 900, was on exhibition at tho COLLECTORS
Club for several hours ct . reception hald
IN his honor two weeks ago.
Upon first learning Of the Earle o4ming
to this country with his yacht va balla.
TO take part In the ooeanra tho COLI Hors'
Club appointed . reception oonmi0ee to
entertain him. When this oommitteD made
known Its plans to entertain him, he offered
to bring over his collection
Lord Crawford, who u vice-president
OF the London Philateuo Society, has been
all his LIE an ardent stamp collector. 10 -
known as specialist, and ono Of his speo-
ialties is the gathering Of everything per-
tanning 10 United States stamps, Of which
he Is said to have tho most complete oollec-
ton In the world.
The collection was contained In four
Largo heavily bound chests. Tho stamps
were arranged In forty volumes. Gathered
at tho olubrooms wers many Of the prom
inent philetalists Of this city and many
from out Of town.
Tho first volume contained postmaster
provisional stamps, these being arranged
with tho utmost caro- and completeness.
When possible the page commenced with
the original sketch Of the stamp, proofs Of
part of the design, completed design. trial
oolors, accepted oolors, stamp in unused
condition. in shades, used detached, and
then on, the original envelope. Then
came the Albany stamp IN fancy and proof
gether easily worth 5000. This was fol-
Annapolis envelope, worth 5000 Then
10 cent black Baltimore stamp, with
Postmaster Buohanan's signature, the
With this Of the same issue, were both
the five cent and 10 cent Baltimore on origi-
nal envelope.
There were all the st. Louis bear stamps,
five, ten and 20 cents, each worth from 500
to 5000; the square New Haven stamp,
valued at $500, and then the Brattleboro
postmaster, worth $3.50. OF the New York
five cent stamps there were at least fifty,
under each Of which were the different sig
natures, ranging in value from 80 to $10O,
according t. rarity; Among the carrier
reconstructed sheets. OF Charleston Hon
ours there VS. a several pages. Among the
rarest Of these was sheet Of Grieg's carrier
stamps.
The seoond volume showed the differ
ent designs that were made before the one
finally adopted for the first issue Of United
States, the postmaster stamps first mem
toned not having been issued by the Govern
ment Half of this book was taken up with
designs, essays and proofs considered, re-
sary to provide copies Of the ls47 Issue for
the Centennial exhibition new die was
made by the Bureau Of Engraving. and
Printing. An accepted proof from this die
Of the five cent issue, with the signature OF
the department official was turned over to
guide, and even this ultimately has found
it's way to the Earl's collection. Not only
Is this signed specimen in the book, but
there are also other specimens of the FIVE
and n cent reprints in various AIDES.
All the type varieties Of 1875 are sho own,
together with all the designs and proofs
which invariably precede the final pro-
duction OF stamp. There we're also several
specimens Of the shifted die. The book
contains two fine copies Of the one cent
two varieties, each worth $500. OF especial
interest was the grilled issue, with emboss-
ing on the back. This was made because
there we're 80 many instances Of the can
celations being washed from used stamps
This was rendered impossible by means Of
the enclosing, which on the back retained
an impression Of the cancellation. The oigi-
nal designs hled with the application for the
patent for grilling st,mps a also shown.
There are only two originals Of these There
were sheets OF paper showing the grill
in blocks without printing but gummed.
One half sheet showed the whole surface
of the paper pinpricked all over-another
attempt TO- provide a. stamp from which
the cancellation could not be erased.
fusion. The Earl is the only one who pos
sesses such copies as far az known.
The famous 1869 issue was represented
with condolences that astonished the
collectors. There were varieties of this
The known issues Of the year range in
value up to $500, the latter sum being paid
for the ones with the inverted centers, or
inverted flags; OF these there were quite
and sheets Il obtainable, though the stamp
Is Of the most expensive variety.
OF the Confederate Provisional stamps
there was a ldrge number The collection
embraced every rarity Of these issues Of
little Southern towns. Included in this
Atlanta and Columbus. Ca; Greenville
and Bridgeville. Ala; Beaumont, Tex,
and Danville and Emory, Va, each one OF
which is valued at from $500 to s., 900.
One other speciality Of the Earl is the
gathering OF all the varieties Of the Sidney |
view stamps. These number more than |
2Oo every one OF which is represented in
he collect ion,, both cancelled and uncan-
oeled; This series alone u valued at more
,hsn &c., 900.
The collection also includes a host OF
all the we'll known rarities Of the st amp |
world, and Of course Is especially rich in |
English issues. The Earl Is the owner OF |
: pair OF the famous Mauritius stamps. |
These are In denominations Of one and |
,wo penny, and are worth $1,000.
Got the Better OF Gen. Butler.
From the Boston Herald.
During his boyhood Benz amin F. Butler