Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-14

O1A1CA C0uoCo, SuCkl do pOOT
choice Of subject, the attempt
to get every related detail into
a stamp instead of highlight-
ing the essentials (not the
fault OF the Bureau of Engrav-
ing and Printing designers but
Of allowing any group asking
for stamp to dictate the de-
sign and several other handi-
caps.
These "other handicaps," Mr..
Lindquist explains, include the
speed with which bureau artists
and craftsmen "are called upon
to produce new stamp"
In the same issue of Stamps
Magazine, George B. Sloane
raises a question about what
would happen to the plate block
aspect of philately if stamps
were to be manufactured by
rotogravure, pointing out that
"even if they have plate numbers
of their own they would not
fit in with the bureaus num-
bers." He also insists: ut
would be natural to expect a
greater number" of errors from
a plant new to the work"
Mr.. Sloane likewise mentions
the possibility that stamp coll
lectors accustomed to obtaining
data on all phases Of United
States stamp production might
find that private contractors
would not feel obligated to CO.
operate and cites the flags
stamps of 1943 to illustrate his
reason for this opinion. He
adds: II wonder, too, how happy
an outside contractor would be
when the Government moves in
with Federal agents and sur
rounds the plant with security
regulations-when all the en-
ployes likely would have to be
'mugged' and f1ngerprinted and
probably bonded as we'll"
AS to artistry. Mr.. Sloane
writes that it could be achieved
to a great extent If the depart
ment could resist political pres
sure in the designing of many Of
our stamps and leave it to the
bureau to work up designs for
stamps that are suitable for re-
production in steel engraving.
That trucking stamp would still
be a monStrosity no matter how
it was printed and no combina-
ton of colors could have i'm
proved it-and they can't hang
that one on the bureau"
A reader notes that during
1858 the Secret Service cap
tured" Is counterfeiting plants
where bogus currency was be-
ing manufactured and COM
ments: Despite the hullabal-
loo to the effect that engrav-
ing makes counterfeiting diff
cult, apparently it is not a
sure prevention of counterfeit
ing" A representative of the
Secret Service answers that
the engraved process does not
stop efforts to counterfeit cur
rency and stamps but merely
makes those endeavors less
likely to be successful. All Is
counterfeiting plants seized,
were using Photographic pro-
cesses. In none of them was
any engraving of currency at
tempted.
Greece has produced a Sc
ries of IL new stamps illustrate
ing classic painting, sculpture
and architecture.
Centennial slogan dies are
available at Chenoa and Jack
sonville, ILL.,, and Evansville,
Ind.
The Washington Lincoln
Group extends a special in
vitation to stamp collectors to
attend it's annual Lincoln Day
meeting at the Lincoln Mu-
scum. Ford'S Theater, Sill
Tenth street NV, this after
noon at 2:30. DR.. Robert v.
Bruce of Boston will speak on
Lincoln and the Tools of
War" ard the United States
Army Band Chorus will sing.
Ronald F. Lee. assistant di-
rector Of the National Park
Service, is to preside, and the
invocation and benediction
will be given by the Rev. Will
liam H. Foster. jr., pastor.
Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Arlington. Va.
The Collectors Club OF
Washington invites visitors to
attend its meeting at 419
Seventh street NV, Wednes-
day evening at 8.
The Washington Philatelic
Society will meet at the Arts
Club, 2017 I street. NV. to
hear a talk on street railway
post Offices by Robert A. Truax,
a specialist in that branch of
philately.
Knickerbocker Stamp Co.,
1876 Twelfth street NV, Is
distributing copies of a new
price list of United States and
British North American
stamps, gratis on request.
STAMPS AND COINS.
Columbia Stomp Co.
1911 G st. NV. Phone ME. s-37s5
Coins Bought and Sold