Evening star., 1934-03-18
lgsVSl@NSSsA ~ MM
gSTAMPS6AgASs "a
Ia aES,EA9fsSkax@
BY JAMES WALDO FAwCETT.

BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.
The eyes of Washington philatelists
this week are focused on st. Marys
City, Md, because it will be at that
little village that the Maryland Ter
centenary commemorative stamp will
90 on sale Friday morning.
Actual anufacture of the stamp
began at the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing Wednesday noon. Post
master General James A. Farley
threw the switch which started the
big flatbed presses, and Alvin w. Hall,
director, superintended operations.
Others present in the printing room
at the moment included L. w. Robert,
jr., Assistant Secretary of the Treas
ury; David c. Winebrenner, Sd, sec
retary of State of Maryland; former
Senator John S. Cohen of Georgia,
William L. Slattery, controller; Am
brose O'Connell, executive assistant;
Harold F. Ambrose, chief, informa-
ton bureau, and Robert E. Fellers,
superintendent, division of stamps,
Post Office Department.
Chester L. Lankford, president
Franklin D. Roosevelt Stamp Club,
Douglas, Ga, represented the phila-
telic public.
Mr.. Ambrose announced that 50,-
900 900 copies of the stamp will be
printed. approximately Seven-eighths
of an inch By one inch in size, 1t
shows in its design the two ships,
the Ark and the Dove, in which the
Maryland coloniSts crossed the At
lantic in 1884. The denomination is
3 cents, and the color red on a white
background.
Plate numbers are 81, 1873 and
2ll9l.
A group of local philatelic writer's
are planning to make the trip to St.
Marys City Thursday evening or early
Friday morning, the party including
Michael L. Eidsness. jr,; Albert F.
Kunze, David H. Davenport and
others.
But first-day cancellations Of the
Maryland stamp at Washington Sat-
urday eventually may prove as val
liable as those at St. Marys City, and
the wise collectors will make arrange
fl1ents for both. Postmaster William
M. Mooney will have a special window
open in the City Post Office lobby Sat-
urday morning in anticipation of a
rush of business He says: Collectors
who desire clean philatelic cancella-
tions should carry their covers to the
receiving, window and make their
trrtc RI tho atfnrlor rot fharn
1t is a serious mistake to be content
to deposit philatelic mail in any ordi-
nary mail slot or collection box that
may happen to be convenient. Postal
clerks wish to cooperate with stamp
enthusiasts in every reasonable way,
but they handle such vast quantities
of postal matter that it is highly de-
sirable for cover fans to specify items
on which they want good cancella-
tions. No such matter should be left
to chance"
James Abbott Macneill Whistler.
painter of the celebrated Portrait of
My Mother" which is to be the CEN
tral feature OF the design of the
Mothers day stamp, also was one of
the most talented conversationalists
and wits of his day. He was famous
for the sharpness of his sarcasm, the
keenness of his invective and the sin
cerity as well as the belligerency of
his temperament. All his life he
fought the artists battle against the
Indifference, the ignorance and the
intolerance of the mob. Some cru
sading impulse in his mind and heart
made him a propaganda against
ueliness, meanness, greed and sham.
He painted as he lived, with free
dom and independence, and the can
vases which bear his signature reflect
his high ideals his courage and his
personal genius.
Among the anecdotes told of him
is one about a bumptuous lady who
approached him at public gathering,
gushing: "Oh. came from the coun-
try this morning along the Thames,
and there was a positively exquisite
haze in the atmosphere which re-
minded me so much of some of your
little things. 1t was really perfect
series of Whistlers!"
Yes, madam" the artist respond
ed mature is creeping up"
A second tale has to do with Dis
raeh, the celebrated statesman. Walk
ing with Whistler in London, he was
observed by several persons who later
spoke to the American about the in
cident. What we're you thinking
about, Mr.. Whistler" asked one man,
"while you strolled arm in arm with
Lord Beaconsfield?"
What was I thinking about? Why,
I was thinking. If only my creditors
could see me noW'"
In third story the painter is rep
resented in conversation with a very
grimy little street boy. How old are
you. child?" Whistler inquired
Seven, sir" replied the youngSter
'Oh. but you must be older than
that. aren't you?"
mo, sir. I'm only seven"
Whistler resumed his stroll, a puz-
Zled expression on his face. His COM
panion solicited an explanation.
Well" the artist said, Il can't be-
lieve he is that young. He must be
older. He couldn't possibly have got
that dirty in only seven years"
When critic died. the painter was
very sad. I'm lonely" he declared.
Il have hardly warm personal en-
emy left"
On the occasion of a visit of the
Prince of Wales to an art gallery in
which Whistler was interested, the
heir apparent said: Il never had
heard of this place. Mr.. Whistler,
until you brought it to my attention.
What Is its history?"
1T has none. your highness," the
painter rejoined. Its history dates
from today"
A girl student asked: ''Mr. Whist
Ter, is there any reason why 1 should
not paint things as I see them?"
None whatever" replied the artist.
"The dreadful moment will come when