Evening star., 1933-01-22


monarch's intercession, the museum
might have lost what is today one OF
its most priced possessions.
In 1852 q French schoolboy, return
ing home for . holiday. brought with
him q few common stamps which, in
moment Of passing enthusiasm, he
had collected. These he showed to his
father. busy physician. The latter
became interested, and started q coliec-
ton Of his own: In the course Of
and abandoned 1t, but his parent per-
severed. Forty-two years of age when
the subject first attracted him, he lived
to complete q half century Of devotion
to the science Of stamps. His name
was Jacques Amable Legrand, and he
has been called the Father Of French
Philately." His monographs, aligned
''Dr. Magnus," are famous. He was .
tireless research worker and writer, and
his labors made easier the path Of ad-
vanced collectors in his own and the
present period. He died In 1912, uni
versally lamented by philatelists.
Roger w. Babson, noted statistician
and writer on financial matters, says:
II believe that adults not only have In
stamp collecting q legitimate form Of
investment, but 1t gives them . greater
interest in other nations, which they
would IN no other wise acquire"
The portrait Of William Penn, used
in designing the commemorative stamp
issued October ~ last, Is the property
Of the Historical Society Of Pennsyl-
vania. The name OF the painter Is un.
Knnurn q ~
the great Quaker leader, and the pic
ture therefore has antiquarian value as
well as esthetic and historical merit.
The stamp was designed by Victor L.
McCloSkey. and was chosen In prefer
ence to two sketches submitted by other
artists.
The Bureau of Engraving and Print
ing reports the following totals produced
for the George Washington Bicentennial
series Of 1882: hc, s7.s7s.soo; lc,
l'2s5 2s5 sS5 LOO: aoo ,lhe, so4s2e's 800; &c,
soo se :S soo &C., II
400; 7c, S3,257,4oo; &c, se,5oe, 100; sc,
75,7os, 200; and loc, i47,2l6,ooo. Grand
total! 7,l6s,l43,l00.
1t has been estimated that at least
half Of the Bicentennial issues used and
Cancelled have passed out of existence
Probably the proportion of destroyed to
preserved should be much higher.
United States mail planes are said
to be flying 10000 miles daily.
Employees Of the Metropolitan Life
Insurance Co. Of New York have organ
lied stamp club. The Travellers and
the Aetna companies of Hartford also
| have nhilatelic sncieties
In the year just closed there was no
decrease In production in the stamp in
dustry, for according to q recognized
stamp census quoted by the London
Daily Mail, l.728 new issues were made
to frank the worlds correspondence,
an increase Of l21 over the issues of
the previous year.
Three new countries, Inini, French
South American possession; Latakia, q
Syrian state, and Morvi an Indian ma
tive state. made their first appearance
The new state Of Manchukuo issued
stamps whose status is still being ques-
toned, specifically by China and Rus
Sia.
In many cases the original purpose
OF the postage stamp was lost sight
of and the reasons for issuance were
very slight indeed. There was, for in
stance, a San Marino issue celebrating
the opening Of q new electric railway.
A South American country printed
stamp in honor Of the electric refrig-
orator.
The stamps of 1882 fairly teemed with
personalities. 1t is generally agreed here
and abroad that the Washington BIZ
! centennials head the list in this field
Even in this country, where they should
be comparatively easy to obtain they
are selling above face In the used con-
dition.
Two issues stand in a category Of
their own. Peru got out q set Of three
for the Piura centenary which were
available for use for one day only.
Afghanistan issued q stamp which bore
as q caption ITO commemorate the
liberation Of the country from stu
ptdity."