Evening star., 1936-09-13
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

ldtde, Oct0OeT ~ 10 Is.
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.
Confirming hints first circulated
several months ago, it now definitely
has become known that the philatelic
public is to be expected to pay the
costs of the celebration of the sesqui-
centennial of the formation of the
Constitution of the United States next
year.
Such is the fair inference Of state
ments printed in report OF the
United States Constitution Sesquicen-
tennial Commission, Seventy-fourth
Congress, second session, House Docu-
ment No. 311, recently published and
distributed.
1T is proposed" says the text, "to
issue a series of stamps commemorate
ing the sesquicentennial of the Con-
stitution, and the issuance OF a COM
memorative postal card will also be
considered. Not only would this be
a fitting tribute, but more practical
end is also in view. Four years ago,
in 1892, during the period in which
the bicentennial of George Washing
ton was celebrated, the Post Office
Department, at the request OF the
Bcentennial Commission, issued a
series of IL postage stamps. ranging
in denomination from one-half cent
to 10c, and more than 1000, 900
of those stamps were sold during the
bicentennial year. So profitable were
they that the receipts far exceeded
the appropriation for the bicentennial
celebration, actually resulting in a
profit of about s500,000 to the Gov
eminent. Thus it is submitted that
to issue a special series of stamps will
also prove desirable feature of the
Constitution celebration"
Representative Sol Bloom, Demo-
crat, of New York, as chairman of
the commission, submits two lists Of
stamps for congressional considera-
ton. Subjects included are por-
trait of George Washington. seated,
holding the Constitution in the form
of an unrolled scroll; reproduction
of a painting of the signing of the
Constitution, picture of the Consti-
tuition in the form of an open book,
with the words 1--WE the People"
standing out: picture of the shrine
in the Library of Congress contain
ing the Constitution, portrait of
James Madison by Stuart or Peale, a
portrait of Alexander Hamilton by
Trumbull, Stuart or Robinson; por-
trait of Benjamin Franklin by Du
Plessis, a portrait of James Wilson, a
picture of Independence Hall, por-
trait of John Marshall by Jarvis, a
portrait of Gouverneur Morris, "the
chief writer and stylist of the Con-
stitution," and a reproduction of the
Statue of Liberty.
Or, as alternatives, total series of
IS stamps, as follows: One-half cent,
Supreme Court Building; 1-cent,
Franklin; 1l2-cent, Constitution
shrine: 2-cent, Washington Scent,
Madison; Accent, Hamilton scent.
signing of the Constitution; Scent,
Morris; 7-cent. independence Hall;
Scent, John Jay, 9-cent, Marshall;
10-cent. Capitol; 12-cent, Statue of
Liberty; 13-cent to 25-cent, great
seals of the States or other designs
suitable for celebration by each State
of its ratification of the Constitution
or its admission into the Union, and
special cachets appropriate to the
celebration of the anniversary" as
well as one-half cent, 1-cent, 2-cent,
S-cent and scent stamped envelopes.
The report continues: This series
of stamps, destined to become of
great historic value. will be of special
interest to philatelists and historical
The revenue to be derived from sales
of special stamps may be more than
sufficient to defray all expenses in
CURED by the United States Consti-
tuition Sesquicentennial Commits
sion. All stamps may be placed on
sale at the Philatelic Agency of the
Post Office Department in Washing
ton on September II, 1887. The fol-
lowing day. September 18, those
stamps which honor particular
State or individual of that State
might be placed on sale at the State
capital. 1t is suggested that the
stamp bearing the portrait of Frank
lin, the founder of the American
postal SYSTEM be placed on sale at
Philadelphia. On the third day. Sep
tember 10, all the stamps would be
available at every post office in the
United States, its Territories and
possessions.
The face value of Mr.. Blooms first
list would be about so cents. while
that Of his second list would be ap-
proxinately 1888
Relatively few copies of the 3-cent
N. r. A. stamp of 1888 are current
in the philatelic market. Copies IN
superior condition are difficult to
locate. The explanation appears to
be that the edition, though large was
absorbed in commercial use. Perhaps
just because it was so common no
body bothered to preserve any con-
siderable part of it.
Reports to the effect that Post
Office Department officials are hostile
to the proposed Harvard tercentenary
stamp have been branded as false.
No responsible spokesman for the
Division of Stamps has authorized
any such statement. On the con-
trary, a favorable sentiment exists in
that quarter.
The forthcoming Eucharistic Con-
gress stamps of the Philippines may
STAMPS,
UYENO'S STAMP SHOP