Evening star., 1941-08-24
AMONG THE STAMP COLLECTORS
News of the Phaec World Its and People-Revew of
the Stamp Press-List of Local Meetings
Bv James Waldo FawceH.

The Post Office Department does
not wish to exploit the stamp-col-
lecting public. Third Assistant Post
master General Ramsey S. Black,
speaking at the annual banquet OF
the American Philatelic Society,
Baltimore, Friday evening, took ad-
vantage of an appropriate oppor-
tunity to deny repeated charges that
the Philatelic Agency is profit
seeking institution.
Since coming to the department"
Mr.. Black explained, Il have de-
voted a good part of my official time
to the development of policy or at
titude toward philately which will
insure it's permanency as our fore
most national hobby.
Those of you who keep abreast OF
the philatelic press will undoubtedly
appreciate the magnitude and COM
pleXity of this undertaking as well
as the fact that it can not be ac-
complished without dissatisfaction
in some circles. For example,
dealer who augmentS his income by
acting as agent at first-day sales
would probably be glad TO see a
steady procession of special issues
regardless of justification. The col
lector required to foot the bill would
no doubt become diSpleased. The
specialist who now fails to find the
necessary time for thorough study
of specimens already acquired would
be exasperated. Patriotic organiZa-
tions successfully sponsoring new is
sues feel particularly gratlfied, While
the unfortunate societies whose ap-
plications have been denied, are
disappointed. And then there is the
operator at the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing. who in his haste to
have the issue prepared in time, per-
mits a sheet or two to escape perfor-
alton and thereby places his job in
Jeopardy. The wonder is that with
the printing of more than 100000
stamps annually at the bureau there
are not more errors released. So it
goes-never dull moment.
Thus with the diversity of opin-
ion which exists and the varied
interests to be considered, the de-
partment has found it difficult at
times TO proceed in any direction
which will be accorded unanimous
approval.
Il truthfully can say that the
official attitude of the third assist
ants bureau has never been mott
waited by a desire to increase postal
receipts through the sale of stamps
it might be apropos to consider
briefly the actual extent of the
profit accruing to the department
through philatelic receipts. There
can be no denial that the cost of
distribution to collectors is mate
rally higher than to the mailing
public. Then there is the matter of
operating expenses of the philatelic
agency, and the cost of selecting
stock at the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing, which are additional
services not otherwise required.
"The United States Government
has not demonetized any of its
stamp issues since the 1851 series,
SO that all stamps placed in circu-
lation since that date which have
been carefully preserved and re-
main undefaced continue as an out
standing obligation of the postal
service. On the contrary, stamps
purchased by the careless shipping
clerk, who spills bottle of ink over
them, do represent nearly a 100 per
cent profit because defaced stamps
are not redeemable and have no
postage value. Many of you are now
probably thinking, "YeS, but our
stamps will never be used for post
age" Well, maybe not. But I do
know that there are many stamp
collections started by youngsters
that finally find their way into the
mails stamp by stamp. Thus it
would seem that guarantee of some
sort, such as periodic demonetlza-
ton, would be the only means of
establishing these annual eXpendi-
lures as a clear profit to the postal
service, and I can definitely assure
you that this means will not be
considered.
THE Post Office Department is
interested in encouraging philately
solely from the standpoint Of its
advantages as a hobby. We do not
publicize it from the standpoint of
q speculation or even an attractive
investment. For those reasons those
of us connected with the produc
ton of stamped paper feel that we
have a serious obligation to this i'm
portant science and to its several
million practitioners.
After some years of careful study
and intimate contact with outstand-
ing collectors, students of research
and the proprietors of long -estab-
lished stamp firms, I have reached
the conclusion that the interests of
philately are best served when they
are subordinated to the efficient and
effective operation of the postal
service insofar as the issuance of
postage stamps is concerned,
whether or not this is the most pop
ular course to pursue. An occa-
sional commemorative issue upon
the anniversary of some outStand-
ing event of national significance
AL lIle ll1SbOIy y VI Jul SOIllIAy 10 Cll-
tirely worthwhile and serves use
full purpose. Generally speaking,
however, I am inclined to feel that
postage stamps should be issued in
new denominations and designs only
to meet some specific postal re-
quirement."
Referring to complaints about the
mutilation of stamps in transit
through the postal system, Mr.. Black
said: Il am particularly interested
In preventing any abuse in the use
of canceling equipment or the appli-
cation of cancellation marks in any
manner which will tend to confuse
postal history for the succeeding
generations. My office insists that
postmaSters apply neat and legible
STAMPS AND COINS.