Evening star., 1935-09-15

When the estate was inventoried last
year it had Shrunk to $1,3l6.453, OF
which $680,000 had been received
from the sale of stamps-$245,0O5 by
direct sale of the United States and
Confederate stamps to the public and
s435, 900 from an English syndicate in
a lump sum for the balance of the
collection. The syndicate sales which
were held in London totaled $3.50. 900.
making the price paid for the collec-
tion by the public s875. 900, or some
thing better than II per cent Of their
cost, as against an 80 per cent shrink
age for the entire estate.
I'VE wonder just where an investor
would find a soldier property into
which to put his savings"
Michael L. Eidsness, jr.. associate
editor, Is the author Of the following
story, printed in Stamps Magazine for
September IA:
Miss Natalie Sumner Lincoln, his
torian and novelist, died last week at
her home in Washington and her
passing recalls to my mind one of the
most interesting of my experiences
as superintendent Of the Division Of
Stamps in the Post Office Department.
Il was familiar with Miss Lincoln'S
valuable work as editor of the Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution
Magazine and with her mystery
stories, but had not had the pleas
ure of personal acquaintance with her
until one day in April, 1880. when she
came to my office to ask question.
THE query was: What is this?'
and the object to which she invited
my attention was an envelope bear
ing a 10-cent James M. Buchanan
Baltimore provisional stamp of 1845.
by the next morning all the news
papers of the United States reported
the discovery. 1t was the best phila-
telic news of the season, and even
editors and publishers who were en-
tirely ignorant OF stamp values made
the most of it.
Miss Lincoln, 1t seemed, had been
moderately practicing the collecting
art as a pastime. She was isolated.
however, from other collectors and not
in touch with current developments
in the philatelic field. Thus it hap
pened that the treasure with which
her name now is so indelibly associated
had rested for years in wicker work
basket in her attic, neglected and
forlorn. Only the chance Of accident
suggested the precious character Of
the ancient cover.
But Miss Lincoln's first guess had
to be verified. Hence her visit to my
Office and to the Philatelic Agency.
I think this might be worth some
thing she said. Can you tell me, If
it is?'
"One glance was enough. The stamp
was beautiful specimen of the rare
Buchanan. 1t was in perfect condi-
tion unSpoiled BY time, and bore upon
its face the proof of its authenticity.
A red paid cancellation remained
unfaded and clear beside the label.
The communication inclosed in the
envelope was a note expressing regret
at being unable to attend commence
ment exercises at Dartmouth College
1t was written by DR.. Nathan Ryno
Smith, celebrated Baltimore surgeon,
to DR.. Nathan Smith Lincoln, his
nameSake. The latter was Miss
Lincoln's father-himself a famous
physician who died in 1898.
I'VE in the Division of Stamps who
viewed this famous cover advised
Miss Lincoln to place her prize in
safe deposit and to await the offers
which We knew would come immedi-
ately as news of the discovery had
reached dealers and collectors.
And our expectations were abun-
dainty justified Within a few days
there we're many bids. One of our
wealthy collectors proposed $4,000,
and I have been told that he did not
obtain the stamp in the end. Mean
while, Miss Lincoln, acting through
c. J. Gookeler. vice president of the
District National Bank, sold for $10,-
900. The purchaser was the Nassau
Stamp Co., New York. I find the
date in my journal as April rs, 1890.
The transaction was reported in the
New York Times of April rs, 1890.
Il, of course, was delighted. The
incident, I thought was symptomatic
Of what may happen-and really does
happen-frequently.
II am sorry Miss Lincoln has gone.
She was a charming and kindly per-
son. exceedingly active and indus
trious."
A. w. Bloss, writing in the Los
Angeles Times. pleads the case of
'sideline" stamps. I'm addition to
postage stamps" he says, there are
other kinds of stamps equally collecti-
ole. Among these are stamps used to
prepay kilograms and telephone mes
sages, foreign revenues and postal
fiscals, and official seals; stamps is
ued by local posts or companies carry
ing mail or express, and private char
ity stamps.
Since the American catalogues and
do not include these stamps,
the novice finds them diflcult to ar
range. The more advanced collector
often includes pages Of the sideline
stamps, for many are closely related
to postage stamps. Other collectors
fancy these unlisted stamps because
they offer a field for pioneer study
n manv raSaS. tho StarnY,e roy, ,,s,,oIIx,