Evening star., 1932-10-03
Philatelist at Museum
CALLS HERSELF "OLD FASHIONED" COLLECTOR
: OMEWHAT hidden in an obscure


corner of the National Museum
is one of the most interesting
~ stamp collections in the world.
1t was not until 1908 that the
museum began to be seriously con-
cerned with philatelic matters. A small
miscellaneous collection of stamps had
accumulated through the last years of
the nineteenth century. but nothing
had been done in an organized way to
add to the exhibit
However, the death of David w.
Cromwell, a New York philatelist. and
the news that he had bequeathed some
10000 specimens OF United States and
foreign issues to the Museum brought
the subject to the fore in the minds of
the Museum authorities.
Make Up for Lost Time.
Their attention once directed to
stamps they promptly set about making
up for lost time In 1912 they secured
from the Post Office Department large
assortment of stamps stamped en-
velopes and post cards, and since that
date they have received all new issues
Of stamps of countries belonging to the
Universal Postal Union. The collection,
therefore, steadily grows in number and
in value.
Pending the construction Of a better
shelter, the philatelic cabinets Of the
Museum are housed in the south end OF
the coin and medal hall. There are at
present 620 frames, approximating 1850
album pages A 1880 estimate gave the
total number of individual varieties on
display as 50 900 Eventually, it is hoped
that a separate and distinct room may
be available for the philatelic depart
ments use.
The specimens in the museums
United States collection are mostly
unused Some postmasters' PROFESSIONALS
and carriers, however, are included.
Special rarities are: The 1-cent type
lila 1851 issue, inverted medallions
of the 1869 issue. 12-cent and 24-cent
grilled of the 1870 issue; and the Scent
and 8-cent 1895 issue on revenue paper.
Pre-stamp covers. sets OF specimen
stamps. cardboard proofs, die proofs
and general Confederate issues also are
represented There is small exhibit
of commemorative.
Foreign Specimens.
The foreign specimens also for the
most part are in unused condition. Ex-
ceptions to this rule are stamps from
Australia. Nauru, New Guinea, north
west Pacific islands and few others.
The stamps Of Great Britain. the Brit
ish Dominions colonies and protec-
torates are generally surcharged or per-
forated with the word specimen"
Through the Universal Postal Union
foreign prepaid impressions are re-
ceived
The museum collection is in charge
of Mrs. c. L. Manning.
A collector since her girlhood-a
period. she says, when stamp collecting
was considered merely boys fad"
Mrs. Manning's first album cost but 25
cents From that small beginning,
gift from a cousin. she developed such
knowledge Of philatelic matters that
when but Is she was employed by a
collector and dealer in stamps.
"Old- Fashioned Collector
Gradually. Mrs Manning became an
acknowledged expert in her field. For
years she was philatelic secretary to
Senator J, S. Frelinghuysen. OF New
Jersey. She also assisted Judge c. E.
man and other well known collectors.
Today she is in correspondence with
professional and amateur philatelists
throughout the world.
Il am an old-fashioned collector"
Mrs. Manning explains. Il believe In
generalizing, rather than in specializing.
A good all-round international collec-
ton is Of more value in terms of educa-
ton and enjoyment than mere pursuit
of oddities ever can be. I have seen
philately develop from something grown
men were somewhat ashamed to be
interested in to one of the most widely
popular, instructive and valuable hobbies
to be found anywhere on earth"