Evening star., 1936-11-08
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.
The reelection of President RooSe-
welt foreshadows a resumption of
philatelic activity on the part of the
Government. AS previously indicated
1t signifies the likelihood that the
stamp program of the Post Office De-
partment will be carried on as plan
ned. The Army and Navy Heroes
series almost certainly will be revived,
and there is reason to believe that a
new regular postage set of approxi-
mately 26 denominations will be au-
thorized. 1t also is expected that
further additions will be made to the
State commemorative in line with
the administration policy of catering
to local sentiment and neighborhood
pride. Some frankly political is
sues. of the genus of the Susan B
Anthony novelty, likewise may ap-
pear-the Mother Seton and Fred
erick Douglass projects are supposed
to represent promises definitely pledg-
ed by Postmaster General Farley. For
trans Atlantic service, there may be
pelin and clipper ship types. A reg
ular airmail set might follow changes
in airpost rates. The destiny OF
Representative Sol Blooms request
for stamps to finance the celebration
of the sesquicentennial of the Constl-
tuition remains undecided.
Meanwhile, reconciliation between
the philatelic public is not impossible
A gesture in that direction is con-
tanned in an editorial printed in the
American Philatelist for November
The alternative, it would seem, would
be another four-year period OF mis-
understanding, disagreement and mu-
tual disappointment.
c. Robert Kay, stamp editor Of the
Associated Press, reports from New
York: prices of the Farley special
printings of 1885 are sagging at stamp
auctions in the metropolitan district
while SPECTATORS concentrate on mini
ature sheets of exhibition imperfo-
rates.
THE 16-cent, steel blue, airmail-
special delivery imperforate, specu-
1ative favorite last Spring, is now ad-
yertised at 55 cents stamp by some
dealers who previously were charging
IS cents.
Miniature sheets-Byrd, 1-cent
and 3-cent Parks, and Tipex-con-
tinue to boom, while dealers attempt
to fill their stocks. The Tipex in par
ticular is sought by some dealers offer
ing as high as 80 cents sheet.
"Tipex used singles reached new
high. selling at auction for $3.50 a
hundred. The highest price reached
for 100 imperforate Byrd used singles
was Sc.
Market observers believe that the
next stamps destined for speculative
whirl are the perforated 16-cent, steel
blue, airman-special delivery and the
perforated Parks issues of 1884. If
another bull market develops next
Spring as was the case last year.
sheets of these stamps are expected
to move up in sympathy.
These are exciting days at stamp
auctions, ordinarily quiet affairs. Bid
ders hold their breath while quotations
on commemorative sheets mount to
unexpected high marks. When the
auctioneer finally says, "Sold!" con-
certed exhalation of 'whe-e-o-o-o' and
whistles relieves the tension.
This is understandable when it Is
remembered that most of those at
tending the auctions have supplies of
unused sheets laid away as invest
ments. Naturally, they are jubilant
when their prices 60 up."
Don Kendall, writing in Western
Stamp Collector for November 4, urges
specialization in nineteenth century
United States stamps Gin the best of
condition" He says: Totally sound
copies of early issues are disappearing
from the scene. When the wave OF
frantic 'specumulation' has passed,
leaving scattered on the beach OF
philately a few who have developed
into genuine collectors, the supply of
classics and semi classics will be found
insufficient to meet honest, sensible
demand"
Charles j. Phillips, former philatelic
adviser to King George ", announces:
II do not stock issues Of the past 10
years, as too many of them are in
deposit boxes all over the country"
Mason Ward of Baltimore asks:
"How do you explain the enormous
increase in the market prices of Far
ley reprints, Tipex sheets, 50-cent
Zeppelins, Century of Progress i'm
perforate panes, etc.," The answer
is that the boom has been created In
large part by the rivalry of specu-
lators themselves, not by the legiti-
mate demand of the philatelic public.
Hence, the danger of a crash. De-
cline in prices would be natural
result of effective sales-resiStance by
collectors now scheduled to be ex-
plotted by the spectators.
Third Assistant Postmaster Gen.
eral Clinton B. Eilenberger, confined
in hospital at Stroudsburg, Pa, fol-
lowing a heart attack, is reported i'm
proving. His physician has stipulated
however, that he must have "a COM
plete rest"
Philatelic agency sales during Octo-
Der were 5000, 0,98s.14, as compared
with 71,502.11 in 1885.
vaans for the second American
Philatelic Congress, to be held at the