Evening star., 1936-02-16
RY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

| BY JAMES WALDO rA"SE4A'
Representative Theodore Christian
son of Minnesota has taken up the
fight on the existing illustrations law.
In H. r. 10935, introduced February
S, he proposes that nothing in Sec
tions 16l, 172, 2l9 and 220 Of the
act entitled an act to codify. revise
and amend the penal laws Of the
United States, approved March 4, 1909.
as amended (U. s. c., 1894 edi-
ton, title IS, sections ATS, 286,
348 and 349), shall be construed to
forbid or prevent the printing or
publishing Of illustrations in black
and white of United States and for
eign postage or revenue stamps from
plates so defaced as to indicate that
the illustrations are not adapted or
intended for use as stamps, or to pre-
vent or forbid the making Of such
defaced plates, If such Illustrations are
for use in philatelic or historical arti-
cles, books, journals, or albums, or
the circulars of legitimate publishers
of or dealers in such stamps, books,
journals or albums"
Collectors interested are invited to
communicate their views to MIR. Chris
tianson. They also may address their
own Representatives.
When a stamp design is criticized,
the fault lies with the Post ONCE De-
partment and not with the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing. Few COL
lectors are aware of the fact that it
is the former that dictates to the lat.
ter. Yet such is the truth. The re-
lation between the department and
the bureau is that of master and
servant. Hence esthetic errors trace
back to the artistic taste or lack of
taste in the Postmaster Generals
Office and it should be to the Post
master General that complaints
should be sent.
First-day sales figures for the new
16-cent bicolor airmail-special delivery
stamp, released Monday last in Wash
ington exclusively, were: Philatelic
Agency, $17.77S24; city post Offices,
S11,71888. Total, $29,497.12. Covers
Cancelled reached 1881.
Some collectors obtained cancella-
tions for both the original steel blue
issue and the revised blue and red
reprint.
The initial order for the new Texas
stamp calls for an edition of 75,000.-
000 First distribution, as previously
announced, will be at Gonzales, Tex,
March 2.
In connection with the jubilee cele-
bration to be staged for the Statue
of Liberty, Bedloes Island, New York
Harbor. October %, a commemorative
has been requested. The statue.
of course, already appears on the cur
rent 15-cent value, but the sponsors
of the present appeal desire its repro
duction in stamp design more popu-
larly used.
The Harvard Stamp Club has re-
quested stamp in tribute to Harvard
University. If granted, many other
institutions will ask consideration Of
their claims for similar recognition.
May 4. 160th anniversary Of the
States declaration of independence"
probably will be specified for first-day
distribution of the Rhode Island COM
memorative. The design suggested
would include portrait of Roger
Williams, if one could be discovered;
but thorough search has failed to dis
close any. No authentic likeness of
the founder of Providence is known to
exist.
The Philatelic Agency reports jan
uary sales as sl398S4.86, compared
with s106,61S11 in 1885.
The Scent Parks American Phila-
teIc Society Convention and Scent
Byrd Radio City exhibition souvenir
sheets have been removed from the
agency list.
Collectors are requested not to ap-
peal to the Cunard White Star Line
for special cachet markings for the
maiden voyage of the new liner Queen
Mary. An announcement will be re-
leased in plenty of time to accom-
modate everybody.
Meanwhile the British postal au-
thorities are considering a special
stamp to be issued in conjunction
with the event. If the final verdict
is affirmative, ample notice will be
given.
The Associated Press says: What
may prove to be one of the last reg
ular issues of the British Empire bear
ing the portrait Of King George VI
is that now coming from Ceylon, the
island colony in the Indian Ocean.
-Four more have been received.
Island scenes constitute the general
design of these stamps, but the late
Kings portrait has been Incorporated
In the frame of each. The set was
made ready some time before the
Kings death.
Five values appeared last year. The