Evening star., 1933-06-18

sailing a boat. But if had kept the
collection, am sure that it now would
be worth several thousand dollars.
Stamp collecting in the United
States has been growing by leaps and
bounds. I asked my friend, Michael L.
Eidsness, superintendent of the division
of stamps, if he could give any accu-
rate estimate of the number of peo-
pie now engaged in collecting postage
stamps, and he told me that there
are today approximately million COL
lectors CT unused stamps in this coun-
try and that throughout the civilized
world there are more than twenty mil
lion. He said he based these calcula-
tionS on information received from
philatelic authorities.
Speaking Of Mr.. Eidsness. it may be
| interesting to you to know that the
/ Philatelic Agency, over which he has
direct supervision, was established In
| 1921 with one part-time employe.
Stamp sales for the first fiscal year
approximated 100000. During the
past three years sales have averaged in
excess of 100000 a year. A large
the Post Office Department, since no
postal service Is rendered for stamps
purchased for collection purposes. So
there is one agency of the department
which has contributed its share toward
wiping out the much talked of postal
deficit. During the current fiscal year
to date mail orders to the number of
$4,000 have been filled by the Philate-
lie Agency"
Mr.. Gregg paid tribute to Postmaster
General James A. Farley for his helpful
interest in stamp collecting. Mr. Far
ley" he prophesied, "is going to be
just as liberal as he possibly can in
authorizing special issues of stamps
Naturally. he cannot act favorably upon
all requests Of this character that have
reached the department, but he will
| give consideration to all worthy re-
! quests which have a historic or SCI
/ entific bearing. He does rot intend to
/ lower the standard Of philately by ap-
proving issues simply because of a de-
mand. Each case will be decided on its
merits
The George Washington Bicentennial
series. Mr.. Gregg said, brought the
Post Office Department profit Of ap-
proximately million dollars.
Two members of the John Quincy
Adams School Stamp Club ON Friday
last were awarded the coveted "a" Of
the school in recognition of their
philatelic endeavors. They are Mar
jofy Ranney and Jan Rus.
Charles H. Vaughan well known local
collector. has left for Bar Harbor, Me,
where he will spend the Summer.
j. Finney Englc one of the pioneer
philatelists of Washington. died at
/ Slbley Hospital Tuesday last. He was
/ one of the charter members of the
/ Washington Philatelic Society and
served for 10 years as its secretary. A
/ man of great personal charm, loyalty
and devotion. he was ardently appre-
| ciated by the members of "the old
guard" to which he belonged. eulogy
| in his memory was pronounced by Phil
| 10 S. Warren at the societys meeting
| Wednesday evening. and a letter of
| sympathy was sent to Mr.. Engle's fam
| lily.
The stamp cases of the National Mu-
scum, Smithsonian Institution, are to
be equipped with overhead electric
! lights. Mrs. Catherine L. Manning
curator, believes that this convenience
will be appreciated by visitors. 1t is
| hoped that, as the collection grows, it
eventually may have more modern and
| commodious quarters.
/ The New York Sun says: THE recep-
! ton Of the Century of Progress stamps
! is mixed. The consensus on the l.
cent value is generally negative, due
! to the light, garish coloring and the
amount of condensed material included.
The 3-cent value is more attractive
because of its simplicity, but does not
stand up as well under the glass. Incl
dentally, this Is the third time that
a United States stamp has appeared