Evening star., 1934-08-05
BY JAMES WALDO FAwcErT.

BY JAMES WALDO FAwCETT.
The American Philatelic Society
Convention of 1885 may be held in the
Nations Capital. A formal invita-
ton to meet here will be extended by
the Washington Philatelic Society and
The Star, and the Greater National
Capital Committee has expressed a de-
sire to cooperate in arrangements for
the entertainment of the city's phila-
telic guests, If the pronered hospitality
is accepted.
Two first-day occasions in one
week have left Washington stamp
circles exhausted. But 1t was great
fun, and nobody complained. The
scent National Parks (Yellowstone)
stamp came out Monday and the
Scent (Mt. Rainier) value Of the
same series Friday. No special
ceremony had been arranged for
either event, and in the circum-
stances the junior collectors Of the
city took charge.
First to reach the Benjamin Frank
lin station Monday morning was
william Meggers. jr., 10, and his
sister, Betty Jane, IL. Son and
daughter of stamp collecting parents,
they arrived at $50 and waited pa
tiently for the sales widow to open.
Alfred w, Holden, clerk, filed their
order.
Others present were: Earl Miller,
IA, Aurora Hills, Va; Carmine
Saccardi, Mrs. Caroline Cleaver,
Gerard Ten Eyck Beeckman, National
Park Service; Robert w. Weaver.
Chester L. Lankford, president,
Franklin D. Roosevelt Stamp Club,
Clark Bates, and Alden H. Whitney,
vice president, Collectors Club.
The scent stamp was voted es-
pecially beautiful. One enthusiast
spoke of the geyser as resembling the
celebrated Winged Victory in its
graceful contours.
Fridays distribution Of the Scent
denomination found william Shrader,
president, Chevy Chase Stamp Club,
dawn to gain the privilege of maxi
Meggers children, Earl Miller,
Robert Bilsborough and little Char
lotte Elizabeth Wyatt, first patron
July "a. also were early comers.
Adult philatelists present included:
Clyde De Binder, Bureau Of Engrav-
ing and Printing; L. A. Reynoldson,
Mrs. Cleaver, Mrs. Meggers and Mr..
Beeckman.
No announcement as yet has been
forthcoming regarding first-day ar
rangements for the remainder Of the
Parks set, but 1t is indicated that the
stamps for Glacier and Crater Lake
viii be made available before Sep
tember /. These Fairgrounds close
September is and 20, respectively,
and the Post Once Department
wishes to anticipate the end of the
season. Mesa Verde, Zion and Aca-
dia, on the other hand, viii be open
until October Is. and Great Smoky
Mountains all the year. Hence, there
is no need for panic haste In their
case.
American Airmail Society Convention,
Chicago, August 30, the Post once
Department necessarily now is faced
with the problem of what to do
about the annual gatherings of the
American Philatelic Society and
the Society of Philatelic Americans.
For the former special sheet of one
of the Parks stamps may be printed.
imperforate. But no decision has been
reached in the matter, and to date the
only convention novelty in sight is the
first sale of the Decent airmail-spe-
cial delivery stamp at the airmail con-
clave announced last Sunday.
The Washington correspondent Of
the New York Sun writes to his paper
under date of August 4; yellow
stones great sale victory for those
who want first days only at the sites
intended to be commemorated."
But the opinion so expressed may
not be entirely accurate. A fairer
test than great sale" would be that
of inquiring of collectors as to which
covers were the more efficiently,
neatly and promptly serviced. Com
plants about Parks cancellations are
both general and violent, whereas the
Washington City Post ONCE has done
its work with its usual high regard
for the perfection philatelistS desire
Moreover, the fact that there are
fewer Washington covers than Parks
covers adds to the value of the
former. In time to come National
Capital postmarks will rate above
those Of the Parks because Of their
scarcity, If for no other
reason
And If the matter be argued back
to its basic factors it will be seen
that had the Yellowstone stamp had
exclusive flrst-day distribution in
with Postmaster General
James A. Farley presiding. the total
sale would have been just as great.
The subject, however, is academic,
and further debate about it win
serve no useful purpose. MFR. Farley
has given his word that there win be
40 unjust discrimination against the
Capital so long as he is in Office, and
the rank and file of collectors accept
his pledge as final.
1t viii bear repetition that the
PARKS stamps are not commemor-
atives. They were not issued TO
honor or memorialize anything.
New plate numbers are: 2-cent
Grand Canyon, 21250 to 2l261;
s-cent Mount Rainier, 2l262 to 2i265.
Lichael L. Eidsness. IT,, writing In