Evening star., 1940-01-07
AMONG THE STAMP COLLECTORS
News the Phaec World Its Interests and People-Revew of
the Stamp Press-Lst of Local Meetings
Bv James Waldo Faucet.

Postmaster General James A.
Farley, speaking from Radio City,
New York, on coaSt-to-coaSt hook
up of the National Broadcasting Co.
yesterday, said: II am proud to
have had a part during the past
seven years in directing the policies
of the far-flung postal service with
its roll of more than 100000. en-
ployes, which brings the blessings
of efficient postal communication to
people everywhere without fear or
favor and at a cost which defies all
competition. AS contemplate the
vastness and complexity of the daily
postal task, I am filled with ad-
miration for the men and the wom-
en- composing veritable army of
faithful employees who toll early
and long that letters of joy and
friendship and business or pleasure
may not be delayed
Since the humble postage stamp
occupies very important position
In the economy of the dispatch and
delivery of mail matter, it was only
natural that I should become in
terested in the study of postage
stamp designs and the vast educa-
tional possibilities offered by our
postal issues for the portrayal and
dissemination of historical and geo.
graphical knowledge
What greater medium could be
hoped for than the yearly issues of
more than 100000 900 postage
stamps in the publicizing of the
stirring events of history that mark
the beginning and successive steps
in the development of our beloved
Nation?
I'm keeping with such a program,
we have sought in these recent
years to utilize pictorial matter of
this nature to the fullest extent
practicable in connection with our
yearly stamp schedule. I feel, and
believe my stamp-collecting listen
ers will agree, that we have met
with success in the working out of
our stamp program along this line
look back, therefore, with sense
of pride and satisfaction to the long
list of stamps of commemorative
and other special issues that have
been made available. They
have by means of their authentic
designs served to unfold more and
more the story of the American
Commonwealth.
You are all more or less familiar
with the major stamp undertaking
this year in the form of the already
highly publicized Famous Ameri-
cans series. This issue has been
very aptly called the Heroes of
Peace series in that men and wom-
en- who have made definite contri-
buttons to the happiness, entertain
ment and comforts of society in
general in the realm of literature,
science and art are at last to be
given place on our stamps. -
TT was not possible, of course,
In a series of stamps containing
even so many as IS designs to pay
tribute to more than a small pro-
portion of those entitled to this
honor. In making the selections
every effort was made to give rec
ognition to representative men and
women in the respective callings
and professions"
Mr.. Farley then announced that
commemorative will be issued for
the 50th anniversary of the admis-
sion to the Union of Idaho on July
3 and Wyoming on July 10. Mean
while, he explained, a stamp to mark
the 50th anniversary of the found
ing Of the Pan American Union
will be released on April IA. The
Postmaster General also disclosed
that the proposed commemorative
for the Spanish explorer Coronado
is being given official consideration.
Concluding his address, Mr.. Far
ley again praised philately as
hobby. Il need not repeat what I
have emphasized on prior occasions"
he declared, but stamp collecting
Is the most attractive and WORTH
while of all recreational activities
and deserves and will continue to
receive the fullest possible Coop
Grafton on the part of the depart
ment. To this end during the past
year we have placed in service
special philatelic truck containing
a complete collection of all prior
issues of postage stamps with ex-
hibits illustrating the manufactur-
ing processes employed in their pro-
duction. In the few months that
this travelling display has been in
use more than 25O,OO0 stamp en-
thusiasts have visited the truck and
obtained first-hand information
never before available to them.
The facilities of the Philatelic
Agency have also more recently
been extended to include migratory
bird hunting stamps and special
sets of Government stamped en-
velopes which include specimens of
every denomination, including the
higher values not readily available
at post Offices generally. In short,
1t is our desire to have the Philatelic
Agency function as a distinct aid
to collectors whose requirements are
beyond the scope of the facilities of
the average post Office"
Mr.. Farley spoke under the aus
pices of the National Federation of
Stamp Clubs.
Photographs for the 1c Washing
ton Irving and &c James Fennimore
Cooper stamps were obtained from
the L. c. Handy collection, each
being reproduction of Brady
daguerreotypes. The Sc Ralph Wal
do Emerson design is based on
photograph furnished by the Lii
brary of Congress, while the Sc
Louisa May Alcott composition was
drawn from a photograph in the
album of the Demorest family,
copied by the Handy Studio. For
the 10c Samuel L. Clemens mark
Twain) portrait the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing had recourse
to the Washington Public Library,
which supplied photograph which
STAMPS.