Evening star., 1934-02-11
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

Tne central event OF the past week
in the field Of philately was Presi-
dent Roosevelt's abrogation of all ex-
isting airmail contracts. A veritabie
bombShell, the announcements flrs'
result was confusion. Collectors found
themselves in a quandry not unlike
that of the owners and employees OF
the air transport companies. Pending
further information from the White
House, the War Department and the
Post Office Department. they perforce
could do nothing. But statement Il
expected tomorrow or Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Louis J. Heath, vice
president, Washington Airmail So
ciety, said: There can be no question
about the philatelic significance OF the
Presidents announcement. Frst-day
covers flown in Army planes and by
Army personnel are certain to be
exceedingly valuable In years to come
Whether the new arrangement lasts
only a short time or very long time
does not matter. The covers will be
wanted by every first-day enthusiast
in the United States"
Post Office Department officials ap-
peared to be agreed that no special
cachet will be arranged. They con-
tradicted the notion that there may
be a collapse of the service, and gave
assurance that Everything will be
normal" February 10, when the Army
is scheduled to take over the work.
Last-day covers, also dated February
10. it is indicated, likewise will be
fheiy
value will be less than first-day Army
covers.
A rush of business may occur Sat-
urday and Sunday in anticipation OF
the change Collectors therefore
should not wait until the last minute
to purchase stamps.
The National Stamp Exhibition
Radio City, New York, opened yester-
day under the management of the
New York American, a Hearst news
paper. Postmaster General Farley
and other officials attended, and
Washington collectors were repre-
sented by Michael L. Eidsness, jr.
Francis B. Leech, Philip S. Warren
Albert F. Kunze and David H. Daven-
port.
Special sheets Of Byrd Scent i'm.
perforate stamps, prepared for the
/ occasion, went on first-day sale.
Mr.. Farley's remarks at the open.
ing ceremony were in part as follows
"Philately most certainly today is q
definite science. Our eminent chief
the President, displays a keen interest
in stamp collecting and prizes hi,
extensive collection highly. While
make claim to only an academic
| knowledge Of stamp matters, since
March 4, last. it has been my pleasure
to authorize the issuance Of six com.
memorative stamps and found tht
art so fascinating that readily be.
came a substantial patron of first-daJ
cover service.
Il shall not attempt to 60 into de.
| tail as to past issues Of stamps of my
department for the reason that vol
are more familiar Herewith than
Beginning with the Columbian serie'
of stamps issued in 1893, the depart
ment has striven to commemorate II
| this manner events of unusual i'm
pOI W Oul dS WCAl dS
! heroes of national esteem. 1t Is anc
will continue to be my policy to care
fully review all proposals for stamps
so that the issues authorized may bt
restricted to those that most aptly
reflect the best in our national life
traditions, hopes and aspirations. They
rightly should be expressive OF oul
countrys integrity and high ideal;
under which the fabric of our Govern.
ment has been finely woven.
The Philatelic Agency in Washing
ton was established in 1921 as a dis
tinct service to philatelists and deal
ers. 1t has grown from a very modes
beginning with clerical force o
only one employe and annual sales o
| s1O.O 900, to a most important section
with a force of % people and esti
mated sales this fiscal year OF NOR
than S500,0O0. All available issues ar
kept on sale and purchases may b'
made in person or by mail. 1t Is es
pecially equipped, through employment
of experienced personnel, to meet tn,
exacting requirements of your needs.
During the calendar year 1913;
three stamps were issued in excess o.
| our contemplated program for thu
year, which. together with lack O.
| available space for expansion, ha!
made for some delay in the filling o
orders. In the new Post ONCE Build
! ing, which We are shortly to occupy
commodious quarters have been pro
vided for the agency, so that you peo
pie may receive the service to which
you are entitled.
THE educational and scientific ad
! vantages of stamp study. the frs
attribute of stamp collecting, are o
| inestimable value to the youth of tn,
country as well as 10 the grown folk.
AS announced in The Star Wed
nesday last, commemorative STAMP
for the tercentenary of Maryland. au.
| thoriZed by Postmaster General Far.
| ley, probably will be issued March 25
No official statement on the subject
has been given out, but it Is likel,
that st. Mary's City will be selected
for flrst-day sale. The value. colo
and design have not yet been de
| ternined.
"A commemorative stamp III CTlDuCt
| to Jean Nicolet, first explorer of Wis
consin, 1884, also is expected. Pres.
ent indications are that 1t will b,
ready late in the Spring or early II
the Summer.
A new printing of the Lincoln g.
cent stamp Of 1922 became availabl,
at the Philatehc Agency Wednesday
last, but a mere corporars guard OF
| collectors secured f1rst-day covers.
Support for the appeal for Moth.
er's day stamp has been forthcoming
from widely scattered groups of col.
lectors, patriotic organizations. vet.
Grams posts, schools and churches
But Mr.. Farley has not yet decided
| whether to grant the petition or not
An indication of the will of the
people" in the matter doubtless woulc
be of assistance to him in the circum.
stances.
The Bureau of Engraving ane
Printing reports that 100000
copies of the Byrd Scent stamp, per.
forated, have been printed. Mort
will he rI!-, off IL thev are needed