Evening star., 1939-11-26
AMONG THE STAMP COLLECTORS
News of the Phlatec World Its Interests and PeopRevew of
the Stamp Press-I.ist of Local Meetings

AoouCo oVAlA COlllIilcLIluI htc Vic cVCIltS
of that conflict and will continue to
do so for many a day.
"The German government claims
as its chief motive for melting armed
resistance a desire to regain terri
tories lost in the World War. A
brief survey of the changes which
have taken place in these same terri
tories since the fateful summer of
1914 reveals an enormous and mo-
mentouS group of philatenc up
heavals.
ut is not so long, in point Of
years, since the armored figure of
Germania held undisputed and pro-
phetic reign over Teutonic postage
paper, but in that time the map of
the world has been changed and
so has its philately. Will history
repeat? If so, philately will follow
the changing boundaries with the
atlas, and usually precede it.
I'm the World War, repercussions
were not long in making their ap-
pearance in stamps In August, 1914,
the troops of New Zealand occupied
the German possession Samoa in
the Pacific Ocean, and that colony's
stamps Immediately were confiscated
and overprinted G. R. T. (Georgius
Rex Imperator). Similar overprints
we're soon making their appearance
throughout the German colonies
occupied by France and Great
Britain. On the other hand, the
German invasion of Belgium led to
part of that Kingdoms stamps being
suppressed and their place taken
by German adhesives bearing the
surcharge 'Belgien'. Use of these
stamps, however, was short-lived as
the invaders were swept from
Belgian territory.
The duration of the war saw
many Of these overprinted issues, as
we'll as sets constantly surcharged
to follow the financial reverses of q
nation. The terms of the Treaty Of
Versailles in 1919 led to the record
breaking year of 1920, in which more
stamps were issued than have ap-
peared in any other g12-month
period in postage history. Many
new governments issued definite
issues, among them we're Lithuania,
Estonia, Czecho- -Slovakia, Yugoslav-
la, Albania and Irak. Two of these
have already passed from the scene
as independent governments. Other
issues appeared in countries such as
Armenia, the Saar. North Ingerman-
land and Marienwerder, which had
but short existence as stamp
issuing entities.
Besides occupation stamps and
those released by new governments.
the war led to many special series
for charity, war relief, the Red Cross
and various war organizations. The
years following the war saw several
sets issued in commemoration of
peace and victory. One of the most
notable of these was released by
New Zealand in 1919. Our own
Government also issued a splendid
victory stamp in 1919. This was a
Scent violet adhesive with a SYM
bolic design showing the Goddess of
Liberty and the flags of the allied
nations.
Should the present war prove ex-
tensive, increased postage rates are
bound to be placed in effect in the
countries directly involved. The
possibilities for speculation are al
most endless, but let us hope that
the swift coming of peace will make
the 1939-l940 output of war-inspired
stamps small one"
Stamp meetings for the week are
listed as follows:
Tomorrow evening at 8-Capital
Precancel Club, room s. Thomson
School, Twelfth street NV. Pro-
gram and bourse.
Tomorrow evening at 8-Wood-
ridge Stamp Club, 2206 Rhode
Island avenue NE. Auction of
stamps and covers under the direc-
ton of A. D. Nicely.
Tuesday evening at 8-Collectors'
Club of Washington, Thomson
School. Program, exhibition and
bourse.
Wednesday evening at 8-Wash-
ington Philatelic Society, Hotel
Mayfower, Connecticut avenue NV.
Report on the Fifth American Phila-
telic Congress, Atlantic City; auc-
ton and bourse.
Wednesday evening at 8-Men's
Club of St. Pauls Church, Rock
Creek Church road, NV. Albert
F. Kunze, leader Washington Stamp
Club of the Air, guest speaker.