The Washington herald., 1907-01-22

Correspondence Of The Washington Herald.
London, Jan. by royal proclamation,
recently issued, King Edward has def
niteIy established the status Of stamp col
lectors as scientists and OF stamp collect
Ing as "a science He has commanded that
the name OF the London Philatelic Society
be changed to the Royal Philateilc So
clety. that Il be incorporated under royal
charter. and has conferred upon It's mem
bers The title Of Fellows Of the Royal
PhIlatelic Society.
This recognition is an important to sci
entists generally as 1t Is gratifying 10
stamp collectors the whole world over
who have faithfully pursued their re-
searches alcng most interesting and in
structive lines. uncompldiningly shoulder
ing the titles of "faddists." Lobbyists, %
and even Of "cranks." that uusympathctic
persons unacqualnted with the value Of
their work have generously bestowed upon
then
The Kings action is Of interest 20 Amer
lea. not only because Of the great popu-
larity there Of phllately. but because the
new royal society has number Of mem
bers IN that land.
Prince of wales IL President
Edward VII IS not a member OF the
PhilateIic Society. but the Prince Of Wales
IL its president. and has one % the finest
collections Of stamps Ia the world. lie
became Interested in stamps when boy
and has made q thorough study Of the
subject He Is not a fgurehead iu the
society. but an active, eager worker. and
his interest is further attested by several
able and valuable papers ne has read he
fore the organization. The basis of HE
collection was laid when he was making
his world-round v0yG yes in the navy. but
he has made wonderful and valuable ad-
ditIons 70 it since. Three years ago this
month he secured his greatest rarity
the 2-pence Post-ofHce Nautilus stamp
He bought this at auction and paid for
the precious bit OF paper $500. His col
lection Is particularly strong In stamps Of
the British Empire PhllateIy credits him
with being largely instrumental in inhu-
enclng the King his father, in distinguish
Ing the cause as a scientific one.
The Royal Philatellc Society has many
members in the United States and Can
ada. and these include some Of the best
known and wealthiest collectors OF those
countries.
Finest Collection in AmerieH.
Among these Is II. J Duveen Of New
York. who has the finest general couec-
ton OF postage stamps Ia the United
States.
Another American F. r. P. s. Is G. Il
WorthinEton. OF Cleveland. whose collee-
ton Is second 81 value only 70 that Of Nj
Duveen.
Another Is II. J. Croker. OF san Fran
cisco. whose collection Of Hawaiian
stamps has u,ou the highest hOnors in
International exhibitions OF recent years
Stnl another Is c. A. Howes. Of Boston,
whose collections Of Korean and Chinese
treaty port stamps are the finest IN the
world
The finest collection Of French stamps
ever gotten together Is owned b. 81. II.
Lombard, Of Boston. a member Of the
Royal Philatellc Society. II was award
ed a medal at an exhibition at Paris.
Senator F. r. Alderman, Of New Jer-
sey, a F. r. p. s, has the finest known
collection Of the stamps of Norway and
Sweden.
Among the other members OF the Royal
Ph.lateiic Society who live "a America
are.
New York;. ". Andierni >. F. Bru-
ner, II. Clotz. c. b. CCrwin. Gordon Ire
land, ", Thorne, and J. 0. H. bby.
portlaud-F. O. Conant
Pennington, y. J.-H f. beats.
Chicago Holland.
Cleveiand-C. /. Pack.
Springfield. Mass-W. G. Stone.
Washington, D. George I. Toppe o.
Wisconsin-N. r. Withee.