Evening star., 1936-07-18
MECCA OF HOBBIES
Washington Leads Nation in Variety OF
Things Collected and in Number of
Occupations With Side Lines.

stamp collecting and in Washington
can be found some of the outstand-
ing philatelists in the country. Stamps
and maritime prints are the. Presi-
dents chief hobbies.
"A hobby, a pastime, recreation
and not exceptionally precious" is
Mr. Roosevelt's description Of his 20
900 specimens pasted in about 80 vol
umes. About one-fourth of all the
stamps ever issued are in Roosevelt's
collection. He is interested in stamps
of all countries.
Secretary Of Interior Ickes and
William Philips, Undersecretary of
State, are among the several hundred
fellow philatelists of the Presidents
in Washington.
One of the finest collections of
stamps from China and Italy belongs
to Rear Admiral c. H. T. Lowndes.
Lothrop Stoddard. famous publicist,
collects stamps issued during the
nineteenth century. Stamps. but only
those manufactured in the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing, occupy the
spare time of Hugh M. Southgate,
well-known engineer. Mrs. c. K. Ber-
rymans lilac, lavender and purple
stamps are regarded as among the
most beautiful collections in the coun-
try.
THE buster the person the surer he
or she is to have hobby, In Mr..
Lightner's opinion. Such is the case
with several acknowledgement women
in Washington.
The former Mrs. Ruth Bryan Owen,
American Minister to Denmark, COL
lects opals. Some Of her largest and
most beautiful stones she had put into
a gold medieval tiara, to wear on
ceremonial occasions in Denmark.
Oriental things, especially buddhas,
intrigue Mrs. William E. Borah, wife
of the Senator. She has been adding
to her collection for % years, she says.
A collection of old manuscripts are
among Alice Roosevelt Longworths
choice possessions.
Miss Frances Perkins hobby runs
along more feminine lines. The Sec
retary of Labor has one of the finest
patchwork quilt collections in the
country.
Elephants with f1oppy ears, cats
twisted, long necks, pompous looking
frogs and almost every other species
of animal make up the fascinating and
unusual display of porcelain and china
Ha1Nv,nfrn RI NGrc
lyn Walsh Mclean. Numbering close
to a thousand pieces. Mrs. Mclean
keeps them in her home, Friendship,
its spacious rooms q perfect setting
for her hobby.
The collecting has escaped few
professions. Doctors. lawyers, mer-
chants
Frank Hogan's handsome library
holds many a first edition and no few
manuscripts. The well-known lawyers
original edition of THE Village Black
smith" is one Of the favorite items In
his valuable collection. Nathan Wal
lack also owns a notable group Of first
editions all autographed.
A glittering display Of gold, silver
and bronze commemorative medals Is
the result of years of collecting on the
part Of Bishop James e. Freeman.
Rev. DR.. Anson Phelps Stokes has an
unusually fine collection of books and
manuscripts on the history Of various
European and American universities.
MANY of those prominent In po-
A'A litical circles find relaxation and
recreation in their hobbies. In the
office of Postmaster Farley are car
toons of himself which afford him
much amusement. Representative e.
A. Kenney Of New Jersey is an ardent
proponent of national lottery to raise
Government income. Set up in his
office Is o museum on this subject, en-
tightening to his many visitors.