Evening star., 1937-06-06

tNe Ahu -LONe pictures. Ne COVeTN-
ment has recognized the logic of the
contention OF philatelists that illustra-
tions are necessary and desirable.
Especially for young collectors. the
booklet is 4 victory for which every
body, seniors and juniors alike, should
be grateful.
DR.. Thomas P. Martin, assistant
chief Of the Division OF Manuscripts,
Library Of Congress, was guest Of
honor and principal speaker at
meeting OF the Washington Philatelic
Society, Hotel Carlton, Wednesday
evening. He discussed the signifi-
canoe Of autograph collecting to the
biographer and historian and urged
the preservation Of important ma
terial intact.
The meeting was in charge Of Will
liam M. Stuart, philatenc editor Of
the Washington Post, who exhibited
letters and documents bearing the
signatures Of Presidents, Postmaster
Generals and other notable characters.
Alvin r. Meissner, a member Of the
society, was introduced as the designer
OF the entire series OF Navy COM
memoratives," and DR.. M. G. Skinner,
also = member, was recognized to
move = vote Of thanks to the Post
once Department for the publication
Of the illustrated oficial list of STAMPS
The annual sale OF unclaimed arti-
cles. including stamps and covers, con-
Quoted each year by the Division of
Dead Letters and Dead Parcel Post,
will be held at room 3083, third floor,
Washington City Post ONCE Building,
Massa chusetts avenue and North Cap
itol street, Thursday, June II.
AS usual the philatelic portion Of
the auction comes at the end Of the
program. The hour is definitely speci-
ned as pm. Patrons are requested
to enter by the G street door.
Eighty lots are listed in the an
nouncement. Boxes of United States
and foreign stamps. stripped and un-
stripped, packets, sheets, first-day COW
ers. commemorative covers of many
different varieties, airmail covers flown
by Wiley Post and other famous avia-
tors, Little America and Hawaii COW
ers, transPacific covers, Canadian
silver jubilee dollars and foreign
nickel and copper coins are included.
Printed copies Of the catalogue may
be had by application to the superin-
tendent Of the Division OF Dead Let
ters and Dead Parcel Post, Post Once
Department.
Harry M. Konwiser, writing in
Stamps Magazine for May 20, says:
washington postmarks appear to be
in demand. Several active folks in
stampless covers, are after Washing
ton, D. c., especially seeking some OF
the rarer varieties OF the early 1900
period. The Collectors Club Philatel.
list ran a story on Washington post
marks. illustrating many OF the types.
in 1929"
c. Robert Kay. stamp editor Of the
Associated Press. wires from New
York collectors and dealers inter-
ested in United States precanceled
stamps have fears for the future OF
their hobby because of the Post Once
Departments efforts to prevent re-
use OF such stamps for postal pur-
poses
The department is waging cease
less war against fraudulent accummu-
lators who ship these stamps back to
the cities OF origin, regum them and
| sell them IN pcn1
who use them on mail and defraud
the Government of postal fees.
The practice has become so preva-
lent that post ONCE inspectors are
urging that no stamp of a higher
value than 2 cents be precanceled.
This, they argue, would eliminate the
practice by taking the profit out of
the illegal business.
Already, postal clerks have been
advised to mark with a crayon over
high-value precancels used on large
packages to prevent their refuse. This
practice in itself ruins many desir-
able precancels for collecting pur-
poses, because precancel enthusiasts
reject stamps so marked as defective.
department orders also have been
issued to deny precancel permits to
dealers in precanceled stamps. This
order is hardship to honorable deal
ers: but they are not complaining
because it serves to eliminate the
not-so ethical ilk that obtain permits
| from small towns, then induce mex
perienced postmasters to sell them
precancel for collecting purposes.
'Postmasters and clerks are not per-
mitted to sell precancels to any one
except permit holders, but a permit
holder may obtain quantities of de-
sirable stamps, soak of the gum and
sell them to collectors as If they had
been used on mail. This practice, In
the trade, is called ath-tubbing,' be-
cause OF the standing joke that many
collectors soak their stamps in their
bath tubs.
"Crayoning Of high-value pre-
cancels will cause these varieties to
become increasingly scarce in the fu-
ture, and If the proposed regulation
to prevent precanceling any stamps
higher than 2 cents face value is
adopted, few new varieties will be
issued for collectors and interest In
the hobby may wane"
Collectors interested in the corona
ton issues Of the Crown colonies and
the self-governing dominions OF the
| British Empire are advised to act at
once. Delay might be expensive.
| President Roosevelt was personally
responsible for the authorization of
the Virginia Dare stamp. He gave his
assurance Of approval to Represent
ative Lindsay c. Warren of North
Carolina.
The American Guide Line Society
has been organized for the service of
those who collect corner straight edges
and guide lines. Rodney Varney is
secretary and treasurer. and may be
addressed at P. o. Box 1858, San An
tonic, Tex.