Evening star., 1937-01-10

might be reduceQ II laws were euhCtcQ
preventing the reproduction of illus
trations 'in such similitude as might
deceive the average man into believ.
ing them to be original stamps One
act of Congress did not appear to
be sufficient Several from time to
time were passed, and the policy
formulated with view to their en-
forcement fell to the hands of one
man, who during the past week was
relieved of all official duty. He had
held Office for a long term Of years,
during which time he felt that the
most successful enforcement of the
legislation affecting the illustration
of postage stamps was to be achieved
through terrifying the public into
believing that nothing whatever in
the nature of reproductions could be
published, even though 1t was not
of such similitude as to deceive an
average man. Backed by the strength
Of his office, he decided what might
deceive an average man. He now
no longer holds Office, and it is highly
probable that the future concept Of
the extent of an average mans men,
tality is destined for more compli-
mentary broadening"
Eugene Klein, president Of the Amer
lean Philatelic Society, has announced
that the Illustrations Committee of his
organization consists of only two per-
sons-Carter Glass, jr., Lynchburg. and
Hugh M. Southgate, Washington.
Arrangements for THE World Is
Yours" N. B. c. red network broad
cast for 1880 am. Sunday, January
"a, are practically complete. AS pre-
viously announced, the program will
dramatize the division of stamps of
the Smithsonian Institution. BY way
of introduction to the feature, Mrs.
Catherine L. Manning, philatelic
curator, has said: THE transmission
of written communications between
men distantly separated can be traced
back as far as the civilization of extinct
races. AS primitive life merged into
society, trading into commerce and in
dividual craftsmanship into manufac-
turing, a need arose for dependable
system of communication. Shrewd
men foresaw the possibility of profit
in furnishing this need, and during
the early nineteenth century several
took advantage of the opportunity to
establish private systems of posts.
Most notable among them were the
Counts of Thurn and Taxis, who began
operating In the former German states
| and later spread their activities to
neighboring kingdoms. In France and
England similar systems were inaugu-
rated until Europe was virtually COW
cred with network Of private posts.
However, the rates were high, and
the service poor A monopoly gained
control, and improvement appeared
impossible. but in 1910 the government
of Great Britain inaugurated the oper-
alton of an exclusively government
owned system of posts with minimum
rates.
1.-THE prepayment Of charges was
evidenced by the afflxing of an ad-
hesive postage stamp, showing the
head of Queen Victoria in outline
either in black or blue. Thus the first
postage stamp was born.
THE success of the plan attracted
other governments to follow suit.
Brazil adopted government postage
stamps in 1543, and was followed by
the United States IN 1847.
with the accumulation Of these
government labels, signifying SOW
ereign postal authority, stamp collect
ing had its inception. The fad of
that day spread until the present-day
participation by millions in the United
States and other countries has become
recognized as philately, an avocation.
professional and military leaders.
captains of industry and rulers of
nations join the ranks of the collect
ing group, which Postmaster General
Farley has estimated exceeds 10,000,-
600 persons in the United States alone.
''The tastes of collectors naturally
vary. In philately one person might
have a general collection of stamps.
whereas another collects those of a
single country or period Of time En-
velopes of the pre-stamp period and
airmail stamps and covers are very
popular.
"a great industry has grown up
about stamp collecting. Stamp albums
are manufactured to meet many types
of collecting interests. One CONNER
cial concern publishes an annual
catalogue of more than 1,100 pages CT
small type listings and quotations. A
score or more periodicals and many
text books are published each year.
The Government Philatelic Agency, a
unit of the Post Office Department,
makes monthly sale of more than
100000 face value current United
States stamps. This figure does not
include stamps no longer current nor
any of the vast numbers Of foreign
stamps.
1.-THE greatest value Of stamp COL
lecting is the general education which
Is almost unconsciously absorbed by
the collector in his enjoyment Of the
stamps. Natural curiosity prompts
inquiry as to associated geography,
history, language, monetary equiv
alents. and the biography of the out
standing men and women depicted on
the stamps. A knowledge of the rea-
sons and background behind the pic
lures constitutes a knowledge Of the
high lights of civilization. The notion
that the hobby is for the wealthy alone
is erroneous, since the great majority
of stamps in used condition are OF
nominal value.
Through stamp collecting, minds
overtaxed with the strain of business
are relaxed, the imagination of the
romantic mind is given free rein, and
the mind of youth is stimulated toward
the assimilation, through entertairi-
ment, of added knowledge"
Gossip in England foreshadows
''more ornate" stamp designs for the
new reign. It is reported that the
coronation issues will appear several
weeks in advance of the coronation
ceremonies American collectors are |