Evening star., 1933-11-12
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

James II. Houston. 81, veteran Wash
ington philatelist. known throughout
the world. died Sunday evening last at
his home, S15 North Carolina avenue
southeast He had been in impaired
health for several months. but had re-
manned active until he suffered pain
ful fall On a stairway about two weeks
ago.
A man of happy and trustful tenn
permanent. MIR. Houston was exceedingly
popular in stamp circles. Albert F.
Kunze. president. Washington Phlla-
telc Society. has said Of him: For
many years local stamp auctions were
attended by a tall gaunt old man. He
was one of that thinning group who
could speak with personal knowledge of
events in Abraham Lincoln's time.
From boyhood he had collected stamps.
and he never lost interest in them. He
did not specialize; he had no contempt
for the cheaper grades of specimens
all stamps appealed to him.
But he refused to become a hoarder
or miser. 1t long was his practice to
visit orphanages and schools, distrib-
uting stamps to the children-a phila-
telic Santa Claus.
He was an outstanding figure and
will be remembered for his generosity,
loyalty and enthusiasm"
Frederick r. Rice. president. Wash
ington branch. Society of Philatelic
Americans. also has paid tribute to Mr..
Houston'S memory. His familiar fig
ure" he wrote, will be missed not only
by members of the Capital stamp So
cieties. but by stamp collectors in other
parts of the country as well, for he had
been a regular attendant at national
conventions until failing health pre-
vented travelling.
MIR. Houston was one of the earliest
stamp dealers in Washington and was
widely patronized by members of Con-
gresS diplomats and other collectors. l
never tired of listening TO his reminis-
cences. and 1 especially recall what he
laughingly termed the greatest mistake
Of his life He had been purchasing
departmental stamps from a messenger
IRON time TO time, and one day the
messenger called at his shop with the
request that Mr.. Houston come to his
home and make him an offer of a bar
rel OF stock which he had accumulated
The price the man wanted was more
than Mr.. Houston cared to pay But
later. thinking the matter over, he de-
cided that he would go back and buy
the barrel. He did go back. but he was
too late-another dealer had acquired
the treasure. Mr.. Houston, telling the
story, said that he estimated the con-
tents at 100000 in the values Of to-
day.
::of late years MIR. Houston had been
retired, but he never permitted his in
terest in stamps to abate"
Funeral services were held Wednesday
afternoon, Rev. John c. Ball officiating.
Pallbearers included Mr. Kunze. Alton
B. Whitney. vice president Washington
branch, Society of Philatelic Ameri-
cans, and Albert E. Gorham. Washing
ton collector and dealer Others at
tending were Mrs. Rice. James F. Du-
hamel, Frank B. Hungerford. Harry B.
Mason and w. Hayden Collins. all well
known in stamp organization work.
The Star stamp department has re-
ceived a radiogram from Rear Admiral
Richard E. Byrd. on board the Jacob
Rupert, en- route to the Antarctic. The
message says: Have appreciated your
articles very much. Best of good
wishes"
Third Assistant Postmaster General
Eilenberger announces that the de-
partment's stock of 3-cent Century of
Progress stamps has been exhausted.
Inc Lincoln 3-cent, perforated II by
lOi-. stamp is no longer available at
the philatelic agency.
Stamps of the scent and 10-cent
sidewise coil type are becoming rarer in
current use. and endwise coils of the l.
~. and cent values also are dis
appearing.
Sales reports for the Zeppelin stamp
show: New York City, 88947: Chicago.
34,854; Miami, 1889. and Akron. TO-
923 In other words. collectors spent at
least $4,000 for specimens of this sim
gle issue.
Rumors are current to the effect that
the projected series of 80 regular
stamps, expected January /, will consti-
tute gallery Of portraits of hitherto
neglected Presidents. But no definite
announcement has been made. and the
philatelc agency has no information on
the subject.