Evening star., 1933-08-20

N.
Clinton B. Eilenberger, Third Assist
ant Postmaster General. has issued the
received many complaints from phila-
telists in regard to the defacing by
postal employees of stamps on letters and
parcels which are mailed in order to
obtain distinct cancellations and add to
their philatelic value. The department
recognizes that the activities of the
thousands of stamp collectors, or phil
atelists, provide profitable source OF
revenue, and since the number OF per-
sons becoming interested in collecting
stamps is constantly increasing, this
business is of proportions worth seek
ing. Considering its financial impor-
tance, postal employees should appre-
ciate the advantages Of cooperating as
far as consistent with the protection
of the postal revenues to encourage the
growth of this business.
"All postal employees engaged in de-
facing mail must be constantly on the
alert for letters and parcels appearing
to have philatelic value. Such letters
and parcels are often indicated by some
exceptional arrangement Of the stamps
on the cover. by stamps that differ in
design from the stamps in current use
by special Endorsements. or other pc
culiar distinguishing marks. Mail OF
this character particularly should be
given clear and distinct cancellations
with black cancelling ink furnished by
the Department, that are so much de-
sired by collectors. Heavy daubers or
rubber cancellers that obliterate the
stamp and render the stamp unfit for
collection purposes should never be used
on recognized philatelic mail.
supervisors and foremen should give
this business their personal and par
ticular attention"
This ruling should be received with
enthusiasm by philatelists of all de-
grees. professional and amateur. 1t
signifies victory over practice
against which numberless complaints. as
Mr.. Eilenberger says, have been regis
tered. If the order is cbeyed. the results
should be notable. President Roosevelt
had promised stamp collectors share
in the new deal Evidence now Is
available to show that he has not for
gotten that pledge.
The new N r. A. Scent stamp, as
scheduled, went on sale Tuesday morn
ing. But because of a change in time,
from O'Clock to 10, the crowd attend
ing the ceremonies was not exceptionally
large. The Post Office personnel did
its part without delay. but Recovery
Administrator Hugh S. johnson did not
appear until 10:15
Postmaster General James A. Farley
then took his place behind sales win
dow grill. and while flashlights flared
and cameras clicked sold to Gen. john
son the first full sheet Of the new issue
Each of the principals made a brief
speech for the movie-tone gallery.
Miss Robbie Robinson, Gen. john
sons secretary, purchased the second
sheet.
But the unofficial sale had been in
progress for hours at that time, and the
real honors Of the occasion 60 to Rob-
ert w. Weaver, 16, 81 Franklin street
northeast, q schoolboy who arrived at
the city post Office at 3l5 am, via
bicycle. A junior at Mckinley High
School. he is member of the stamp
club there His collection was begun
four years ago. and now runs to approx
imately 5000 specimens His purchases
Tuesday totalled 134 stamps, and he Sc
cured the autographs of Mr.. Farley and
Gen. johnson for the asking. He has
been a reader of The Star stamp de-
partment ever since it began. and has
preserved each issue for future refer
ence
James A. Howard. 2915 Connecticut
avenue. was second in line The ninth
early-riser vas woman philatelist.
Among the clerks serving the public
was DR.. Edward Lord, quarter of a
century on the job and beloved by lit
orally hundreds of collectors, old and
young Mrs Myrtle c. Shaughnessy,
assistant philatelic agent. and Miss
Louise Shawen, philatelic office secre-