Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-06

owes its birth to the fact that stamp
collectors were looked upon as being
nuts"
So says the Second Assistant Post
master General, W. Irving Glover, who
is interested in philately and has done
more perhaps to make life easier for
the stamp collector than any other
person.
Well do remember" says Glover,
my first efforts to establish the phila-
telic agency in the Post Office Depart
ment. The straw that broke the camelS
back was when an enthusiastic stamp
collector addressed letter to me say
ing that in his city he had asked for
block of four well-centered 2-cent
stamps, and the answer of the stamp
clerk at the window was that he had
mo time to waste on nuts please step
out of the line"
This was in the early part of 1921
and Glover set about trying to do
something to remedy the situation.
At one of the weekly conferences of
the Postmaster General and his staff,
Glover suggested the establishment of
a philatelic bureau. His associates
looked at him in surprise. DR.. Hubert
Work, then assistant to the Postmaster
General, looked sidewiss at Glover and
said he had been doctor for many
years thaving formerly been president
of the American Medical Association +,
but had never heard the word 'phila-
telic' used as a medical term.
The Postmaster General tat that time
Will H. Hays broke loose with hearty
laugh and attacked the scheme.
And SO the suggestion was laughed
off and forgotten by all but Glover.
Some months later he again proposed
creation of such bureau. This time
he made the proposition that If the
agency did not sell $4,000 worth of
stamps to collectors in the first two
months, he would willingly give up the
idea. The Postmaster General con-
sented
And Glover proved that he was right.
During the first year sales to collec-
tors amounted to $176157.95, while the
total sales from its establishment up to
and including April 30, 1928, amounted
to S800,918.55. Seven employees are kept
busy.
Advice of an expert philatelist is now
with small collection.
On the grounds of Washington Cathe-
dral. within q small iron Enclosure,
there grows one of the most famous
trees in all Christian history.
1t Is the Glastonbury thorn-a part
of the original thorn at Glastonbury In
England, which tradition says was a
growth from the staff Of Joseph OF
The popularity of the thorn is that
it blooms irregularly. True to tradl-
ton, for which there is evidence run
ming back to the first century OF the
Christian era. this tree occasionally
blossoms on Christmas day.
In medieval times, whenever English
ROYALTY visited Glastonbury. bit OF
the bloom was plucked. placed in q
silver box and presented to the men,
Der of the royal family making the
visit.
This custom was revived in the
United States in 1919 when the Prince
of Wales visited washington Cathedral.
Although it was the month of Novem-
Der. the tree shot forth two or three
blossoms They were plucked. placed in
silver box and presented the prince
by the Bishop of Washington on the
day OF his visit 1t was on the occa-
sion that the Prince of Wales planted
a tree near the peace cross at the
cathedral.
The Glastonbury thorn. however, is
not the only plant material of hist ri"
interest to be found In the cathedral
gardens. There are others, and in erea;
abundance.
Ivy from Canterbury Cathedral grows
there. along with some cedars brought
from Lebanon Is years ago. which are
in the bishops garden. There IS an
ancient yew from Port Royal, Va, and