Evening star., 1937-04-18

BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.
A drastic change in policy is needed
II the postage stamps Of the United
States are to compare in beauty and
power of attraction with those Of
other nations. Such works Of graphic
art as the 1926 Nibelungen series Of
Austria simply cannot be produced
under prevailing conditions in the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing. A
different technique Of manufacture
would have to be adopted if results 80
distinctive were wanted.
The bureau makes stamps by what
IL known as wet process" Of en-
craving Paper is dampened before
printing. The fiber of the paper thus
Is prepared to receive a deep impress
sion from the plates. Ink is literally
sunk into the fabric. And the paper,
naturally enough. is dragged out of
shape by the wetting and the pressure
applied. Of-center- perforations are
one consequence; blurred lines and
variation of color are among others.
: A philosophy of economy and eff
of the difficulty. The bureau manu-
features stamps principally for pub
lie that does not care very much about
the appearance the adhesive labels
present Primarily, all that Is de-
manded is that the stamps shall show
prepayment of postage. Beauty Is
q secondary consideration to the great
majority of people. It signifies an
objective worthy of effort and ex-
pense only to the philatelic fraternity
and to few professional designers.
But the Government is interested
It happens that collectors pay into the
Philatelic Agency and post Offices
throughout the country an average
Of perhaps five million dollars year
for specimen stamps. The profit has
been estimated at 95 per cent. Hence,
1t may be argued that philately sup
ports the stamp division Of the bureau
and that the postal issues of the Gov
ernment cost the Government nothing
There Is no economic reason, then.
for inferior stamps. Rather, it is in
dicated that more beautiful designs
and more attractive printing would
have the effect Of increasing the
philatehc revenues of the Post Office
Department, especially those from
foreign sources. Collectors in Europe.
the Orient and elsewhere might be
persuaded to entertain a more ardent
enthusiasm for United States issues If
the desired Improvements were ef-
fected
Congressional action, however, would
be required for the necessary reform.
Money for new machinery would have
TO he appropriated, if dry process" re-
plsced "wet"-"a consummation de-
voutly to be wished"
Meanwhile, as step toward bet
ter understanding of the problem, 1t
has been suggested that a conference
be called to discuss the whole mat
ter. Those to be asked to attend would
include, OF course, representatives of
all the branches Of the Government
concerned and Of all philatelic organ
1zationS.
The name OF the artist invited to
o0CSluV OColSIAn lOI tllc O-CEIIL ATHy
and Navy CWest Point and Annapolis)
commemorative" Is Stephan Do
hanos. He is native Of Ohio, born Of
Hungarian parentage on May l8, 1907.
At l6 he left school to work success
sively as gardener, a pattern maker
and an Office clerk. His first instruc-
ton in design was acquired through a
correspondence school, but later he
attended evening classes at the Cleve-
land School of Art. In recent years
he has specialized in advertising illus
trations. The Treasury Art Project
sent him to the Virgin Islands to make
series of water color drawings.
Clipper ship airpost service between
the United States and the Philippines
already has cost American taxpayers
approximately $500, ,OO0-about $40 900
. trip, The loss would have been even
greater had it not been for the patron
age of cover collectors.
Reports from the West suggest q
gradual collapse Of speculation in re-
cent United States stamps. A find Of
more than 5000 sets of the expert
al