THE

LondonPhilatelist:
THE MONTHLY JOURNAL OP

THE PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON.

VOL. IX. DECEMBER, 1900. No. 108.

The Survival of the Fittest.

IN the case of the collection of entires it is apparent that the
weakest have gone to the wall, and, following Dame Nature,
there is an inevitable tendency to the gradual extinction
of the least fit. The announcement recently made by
Messrs. Stanley Gibbons, Limited, following so shortly after
the cessation of business of M. Moens, has created feelings
of universal interest, strongly punctuated by regrets that so
genuine and honest a branch of Philately should have suffered
such a knockdown blow. Almost all the Philatelic journals
throughout the world have their remarks hereon, and as
representing the two important sections of stamp collecting"
in the United States and Germany, we quote the following ex-
cerpts, the first from Mekeel's Weekly, the second from Der Philatelist:—
"This firm (Stanley Gibbons, Limited) has decided to exclude all entires and
locals from their catalogue, and also from the Monthly Journal. In future they
will import nothing fresh in this class of Philately, and will make their specialty
the retail stamp trade and the publication of philatelic works. It is very probable
that this decision will prove a severe blow to the collectors of postal stationery.
The largest firm in England coming to a conclusion like this is sure to make some
of the smaller dealers follow their example. Meanwhile, Messrs. Stanley Gibbons,
Limited, have a little lot of nearly a million 'entires' going cheap."

" Herewith, then, the systematic importation of ' entires' by this widely known
firm ceases, and that after another big importer, Mr. J. B. Moens, has given up his
business. We consider this to be a very great blow to collectors of 'entires,' the
results of which will not be long before they are felt. In any case it will be very
much more difficult to obtain ' entires' in the future.
" It is undoubtedly not to be denied that the importation of ' entires' is much
more expensive and cumbersome than that of stamps. The advance in the prices
of unused 'entires,' therefore, must be proportionately higher if the importer is to
cover his expenses as well as gain something. Under the present conditions of
diminished interest in ' entires' he has too much stock left upon his hands, and on
this account must demand even higher prices. Thus Messrs. Stanley Gibbons' step
312 THE TAP LING COLLECTION.

can very well be understood, the more so when the growth of their stock, to the total
of 850,000 'entires,' is taken account of.
" Unfortunately, however, the firm will assuredly not alter its decision. Thus the
means of reviving interest in the collection of 'entires,' which we had hoped to
effect, ceases, and the effect of ceasing to chronicle these ' entires' will be particularly
injurious both in the excellent Monthly Journal as well as in the catalogue of this
widely known firm."
We cannot but express a feeling of sympathy with the general plaint
that entires should be dropped aside, and sincerely hope that some means
may be adopted in this country and others that at least a small number
of each issued card and envelope shall be imported in order that "the
species may not become extinct," and that the future recorder of philatelic
history shall not be deprived of his current records of new issues. We
understand that this feeling has a number of adherents in the Philatelic
Society of London, and hope to see some plan propounded by co-operation
among collectors, which should attain the desired end in the limited im-
portation of each newly-issued entire.
That Messrs. Stanley Gibbons should have decided to give up this form
of importation can be no surprise to anyone acquainted with their hundred-
weights of this stock; but we could wish, from a purely philatelic aspect,
that some other and less honest occupiers of catalogue numbers had been
the subject of excluded import. We could better spare the " locals," the
fiscals used postally, the " bisects," or even the Unpaid Letter Stamps!
The colossal increase of new issues must have a pressing-out tendency at
the other end. Collectors will not take, nor catalogues hold, the ever-
increasing number of varieties, and in Philately, as in ail e)se, the battle
will go to the strong, and those who are not of the fittest will not survive.

The Tapling Collection.

BY M. P. CASTLE.

WEhave much pleasure in making the following announce-

ment, which we have from a well-informed source, and
which bears every appearance of being authentic,
although we cannot give an official confirmation:—
" The Crown Agents for the Colonies have recently pre-
sented to the authorities of the British Museum a large series
of postage stamps manufactured for them for use in the Colonies. These stamps are
to be incorporated in the great collection bequeathed to the nation by the late
Mr. T. K. Tapling, which will thus be rendered more complete. Moreover, the
Crown Agents intend to deposit in the Museum specimens of future issues. The
whole of this magnificent collection will ere long be made accessible for purposes of
comparison."
This intimation, if efficiently confirmed, is of the highest import, as it
seems to inevitably foreshadow the contimiation of the Tapling Collection.
 MAFEKING STAMPS: ADDITIONAL NOTES. 313

This would be a consummation that is devoutly desired by all classes in

British Philately. It is universally felt that so magnificent a bequest should
be the groundwork of a national collection, which should remain for all time
available for the instruction and inspection of the numerous inhabitants of
Her Majesty's dominions who are connected with stamps and stamp collect-
ing. To maintain and perpetuate the value of the collection for the purposes
of comparison or instruction, it is clearly necessary that it should be kept up
to date. This object, we are convinced, could be attained at very little
expense by the department to which it has been entrusted. It is obvious
that the Government stands in a remarkably favourable position to acquire
almost all new issues without much trouble or any expense by exchange with
other nations. The question of filling up the blanks in the collection as
bequeathed by the late Mr. Tapling, or of completing the decade of new
issues from 1890, at which date we believe the collection finishes, up to
to-day, presents more difficulties. So keen, however, is the general desire to
have the collection made complete that we are convinced that, with the
willing contributions of all sections of Philately, this aching void would be
speedily filled. We cannot too earnestly impress upon the authorities of the
British Museum the desire of all sections of Philately to see the superb
collection not only—as fortunately has been promised—properly displayed, but
continued, as are other printed departments in the Museum. We cannot but
hope that this announcement indicates at once a new departure, and an
awakened feeling upon the part of the Trustees of the British Museum to the
true needs of the situation. Philately is not without its supporters among the
inner council of the Museum, and we are thereby emboldened to hope for
the due continuation and completion of the collection.
If the Trustees will agree to this, we are assured that no effort will be
spared on the part of collectors or dealers to render their labours or expense
as light as possible. We venture to predict that an influential committee
could and would be promptly formed that would not rest from its self-
imposed task until the Tapling Collection was made complete up to the
end of the expiring century.

Mafeking Stamps: Additional Notes.

BY J. R. F. TURNER.

REFERRING to Mr. Stamford's interesting article in your

previous issue, there is an error in his last sentence. He
says he believes there was a whole sheet (240) of the 3d.
on id. British Bechuanaland with inverted surcharge. Firstly,
there is no such stamp as the 3d. on id. British Bechuana-
land. Secondly, the two stamps he probably refers to were
the two copies of the id. on Jd. Bechuanaland Protectorate, sold by
Debenham, Storr, and Sons for £12 I2s. and £13 respectively. Mr. Stamford
314 MAFEKING STAMPS: ADDITIONAL NOTES.

was present when these were sold, and no doubt he had them in his mind
when he was writing. Thirdly, there is no evidence that more than a single
row of six stamps bears the surcharge inverted. Why a sheet of 240 ? Who
says so ? These stamps were surcharged in rows of six, not in entire sheets.
Three of the id. on id. British Protectorate have turned up, and there can
be no question that they are every bit as rare as the other stamps with
inverted surcharges.
Unless one of each has been destroyed, the postmaster is wrong in stating
that only five of each of the varieties he enumerates exist. There must
have been at least six of each, since, as I have before stated, they were
surcharged in rows of six at a time. In the case of the " Fancy Capitals"
varieties it is possible to say at a glance whether any given stamp is either
No. I or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6 on the strip, according to its variety of type.
This is a most important discovery, and renders the task of the would-be
forger practically a hopeless one. Nos. 5 and 6 on the strip have no comma
(not full stop, as stated in some quarters) after " Mafeking," and this fact
gives us eleven additional thoroughly collectible varieties.
By the way, what real evidence that the stamps were speculative at their
date of issue has been forthcoming? Up till now I have seen none what-
ever. Nobody says that the Orange River Colony and Transvaal V.R.I,
are speculative; but, as a matter of fact, there has been far more speculation
in these stamps than in Mafekings. Both Messrs. Stanley Gibbons and Ewen
have sold enormous quantities. I maintain that if the dealers—both amateur
and professional—had been able to secure unused sheets of Mafekings at
face value, and do a roaring business in them, not a word would they have
said against them!
Stamp collectors nowadays act and speak as though every issue of stamps
was made for their especial benefit. The real function of a stamp is to frank
a letter, not to adorn a stamp collection, and if, as I have no doubt was the
case, Colonel Baden-Powell authorised the issue, having regard to the postal
needs of the place without giving the slightest thought to stamp collectors,
it is absurd and illogical to say it was a speculative issue. Supposing I or
anyone else interested in stamps had been in Mafeking during the siege
and had heard that special siege stamps were being issued, what should
we have done? Hurried off to the post office to buy some, without the
shadow of a doubt. On being told that unused stamps were not sold
we should have asked by what means we could secure specimens, and on
being informed that we could get some sent through on a letter we should
have immediately taken one addressed to one of ourselves to the post office,
paid for the stamps that the post office official affixed to it, and departed in
peace. The next day we would have sent another similar letter, and so on
to the end of the siege. But it might also have occurred to us that we could
not possibly do any harm by applying to the fountain-head for a full set, and
the Colonel being a good-natured man, it is quite conceivable that he might
have instructed the postmaster to furnish a set carefully obliterated. We
might have tried other officials in Mafeking as well, and by a stroke of
luck may have succeeded in raising a few unused. Consequently, at the
end of the siege, we would find ourselves the owners of quite a nice assort-
 OCCASIONAL NOTES. , 315

ment of Mafeking stamps, which cost us next to nothing. But because

of all these circumstances how ridiculous it would be to say that the stamps
were speculative. Practically the same methods are being adopted at the
present time with all kinds of stamps. New issues appear, and collectors
will have them. If they cannot get them at the post office, they get them
somewhere else; but get them they will. There are many cases in point
(e.g. English Government Parcels and I.R. Official and U.S.A. Periodicals),
but though considerable speculation has taken place in them, they were
certainly not speculative issues. It seems to me that nearly all the adverse
criticism against Mafekings comes from people totally unconversant with
facts—people who, for the moment, actually appear to forget that Mafeking
was in a state of siege, and under strict martial law. Under the existing
circumstances, it is surely the height of folly to imagine that the stamps
as authorised could have been of a speculative character. All the evidence
to hand is diametrically opposed to such a conclusion.
Moreover, since not more than one out of every dozen stamps newly
issued is really necessary from a stamp collector's point of view, it is immaterial
whether Mafekings were absolutely necessary or not. At the same time it
should be apparent to every fair-minded Philatelist that the authorities at
Mafeking were far better able to judge of the postal needs of the place than
irresponsible people sitting comfortably at home over 6,OOO miles away! *
* Mr. Turner asks our insertion of following correction in his article in the last number.—ED.
Page 289. Foot of page. Sentence beginning "It appears. . . . aforesaid Private Tugwood"
should have been continued as follows :—"that some wear boots and some do not."
The words "(see illustrations)" in middle of same page are misplaced; they should have been
inserted at end of previous sentence.

OccasionalNotes.
THE EXPERT COMMITTEE OF THE PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON.

WEare requested by the Expert Committee to repeat the following

announcement:—
NEW ARRANGEMENT.
1. The Committee can in future examine stamps only once a month, and
will meet for that purpose at dates as nearly as possible at the commence-
ment of each month.
2. All stamps submitted to be expertised must be received not later than
the last day of the month preceding.
3. The fees must always be sent with the stamps, and in future will be
as follows:—
FOR STAMPS PRONOUNCED GENUINE.
Three shillings for a single stamp.
Two shillings and sixpence each for more than one stamp; a propor-
tionate return being made in the case of forgeries or reprints
3i6 OCCASIONAL NOTES.

FOR STAMPS PRONOUNCED FORGERIES OR REPRINTS.

One shilling and sixpence each.
Pairs, strips, and blocks counted as one stamp.
It should be remembered that the fee for genuine specimens includes a
certificate and photograph of the stamp, and it has been found that the
expenses of registration and postage between the various members of the
Committee, with the photographs, has on the average entailed a loss to
the Society. The difficulties that blocked the path of the Committee
have happily been removed, and we are confident that the announcement
of the continuance of this good work will elicit the approval of all classes
in Philately.

CAPE G.P.O. AND MAFEKING STAMPS.

THE Cape Government Gazette of November gth, I9OO; contains the
following interesting announcement. It will be observed that the
Postmaster-General calls the Mafekings "a reissue by the Military Authorities"
and "specially issued local stamps." We are indebted to Mr. H. L. Evven
for the copy of the notice:—
Departments of Posts and Telegraphs.

"MAFEKING BESIEGED" POSTAGE STAMPS.

It is hereby notified for general information that the reissue of Cape Colony and
Bechuanaland Protectorate Postage Stamps placed in circulation, by the Military
Authorities during the investment of Mafeking, as well as the specially issued
local stamps, are not available for the prepayment of any article of mail matter which
may be posted at any Civil Post Office in the Cape Colony. A list of the stamps
referred to is published hereunder.
S. R. FRENCH,
GENERAL POST OFFICE, Postmaster-General.
1st November, 1900.

LIST OF POSTAGE STAMPS ISSUED BY THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES AT

MAFEKING DURING THE SIEGE.
FACE VAI.UH. DESCRH'TIOX.
|d. Cape of Good Hope (old design), overprinted and surcharged " Mafeking id.
Besieged."
^d. Cape of Good Hope (new design), overprinted and surcharged " Mafeking id.
Besieged."
|d. Great Britain, overprinted " Bechuanaland Protectorate," surcharged and over-
printed " Mafeking id. Besieged."
id. Great Britain, overprinted "Bechuanaland Protectorate" and "Mafeking jd.
Besieged."
id. Great Britain, overprinted "Bechuanaland Protectorate" and "Mafeking 3d.
Besieged." (Smaller type.)
id. Cape of Good Hope, overprinted and surcharged "Mafeking 3d. Besieged."
2d. Great Britain, overprinted "Bechuanaland Protectorate" and "Mafeking 6d.
Besieged."
2d. Great Britain, overprinted " Bechuanaland Protectorate " and " Mafeking 6d.
Besieged." (Smaller type.)
 OCCASIONAL NOTES. T>\7
FACE VALUE. -DESCRIPTION!
3d. Cape of Good Hope, overprinted " Mafeking 6d. Besieged."
3d. British Bechuanaland (lilac series), overprinted " Mafeking 6d. Besieged."
3d. Great Britain, overprinted " Bechuanaland Protectorate" and " Mafeking 6d.
Besieged."
4d. Great Britain, overprinted "British Bechuanaland" and "Mafeking is. Besieged."
4d. Cape of Good Hope, overprinted "Mafeking is. Besieged."
6d. Great Britain, overprinted "Bechuanaland Protectorate" and "Mafeking is.
Besieged."
6d. Great Britain, overprinted "British Bechuanaland" and "Mafeking is. Besieged."
is. Great Britain, overprinted "British Bechuanaland" and "Mafeking 2s. Besieged."
3d. Local postage stamp, with photograph of Lieut.-General Baden-Powell's bust.
(Small size.)
3d. Local postage stamp, with photograph of Lieut-General Baden-Powell's bust.
(Large size.)
id. Local postage stamp, with photograph of Sergt.-Major Goodyear on bicycle.

A GERMAN VIEW OF OUR COLONIAL STAMPS.

THE noblest and most beautiful stamps have been, and always will be,
the old issues of the British Colonies, which will always be sought
after as long as Philately exists. Self-praise is no recommendation, but the
preceding sentence is no concoction of an English editor, being an excerpt
from an article in Der Philatelist of November 2Oth. It occurs in an able
article on the relative appraisement of stamp values by Dr. Szalay, which
goes minutely and with great discrimination into the several points that
should guide a collector in purchasing the various grades of stamps. It
is always good to see ourselves as others see us, and especially pleasant
when we are so favourably regarded, which in this mundane sphere does not
always happen!
«

PHILATELIC PRESENTATION TO THE U.S. POSTAL MUSEUM.

THE following correspondence, taken from the Metropolitan Philatelist,
affords at once pleasant reading and a wholesome example to this
country:—
"WASHINGTON, D.C., November 22nd, 1900.
" The Honourable the Postmaster-General.
"Sm,—It has been with much gratification that Philatelists throughout the
country have observed the interest which the Post Office Department has of late
been paying to the collecting of postage stamps. Especially do they appreciate your
efforts to secure for the Postal Museum a representative collection of the postal issues
of the United States.
" Closely allied with the collecting of United States postage stamps, and almost
inseparable from them, in the mind of any collector specialising in the issues of our
country, are its revenue stamps. It was during the Civil War that the first set was
issued, and this is of special interest from the historical standpoint as well as on
account of its beauty of design and workmanship.
"Stimulated by the interest your department has taken in our pursuit, and its
close connection with same, we take great pleasure in presenting to the Postal
Museum a complete set of the first issue of United States revenue stamps, framed,
318 OCCASIONAL NOTES.

and in uncancelled condition, consisting of 102 varieties, and ranging in face value
from i cent to $200.
" Trusting that it will prove an acceptable gift, and find a suitable place in the
Museum of the Department, we are
" Respectfully yours,
"J. M. BARTELS Co."
To the above the appended reply was received :—
"WASHINGTON, D.C., November z6tA, 1900.
" TheJ. M. Bartels Co., Washington, D.C.
"GENTLEMEN,—I am in receipt of your letter of the 22nd inst, presenting for
display in the Post Office Department Museum a handsomely mounted and framed
collection of unused United States internal revenue stamps of the first issue. Permit
me to assure you that the generous public spirit that prompted your action is duly
appreciated. I take pleasure in thanking you therefore on behalf of the Post Office
Department. A prominent position in the Museum will be given the collection, and
it will be, no doubt, of great interest to the many Philatelists among the daily visitors
to the department.
" Very respectfully,
"Cn. EMORY SMITH,
'' Postmaster- General.''
" This splendid collection came to the department as a personal gift from
Mr. J. M. Bartels. The stamps, which are in fine condition, were artistically
mounted upon cardboard by Dr. Tarr, and the collection provided with
a magnificent frame, the whole making an exhibit of which every Philatelist
in America would be proud. I will not undertake to name the value of the
collection, but it represents a cash equivalent that few Philatelists would care
to donate outright without expectation of substantial return. That this gift
will tend to elevate the pursuit of Philately in the estimation of the Post
Office Department goes without saying, and every stamp collector in the
land owes Mr. Bartels a vote of thanks for his generous offering."

FEDERAL AUSTRALIAN PROSPECTS.

ONthe 14th of November the permanent heads of the Post and Telegraph
Departments of the Australian Colonies met in Sydney to discuss
the arrangements consequent on the establishment of the Commonwealth.
Among the subjects to be considered, the following were included :—A
uniform rate of postage; date on which the Departments will be handed
over to the Federal authorities ; temporary arrangements pending the estab-
lishment of the General Post Office and Government Printing Office at the
Federal capital; stamps postmarked to order ; the Commemoration stamps ;
the Federal stamps; universal postage.—Australian J. P.

A PHILATELIC CENSUS.
WITH a most laudable spirit of energy Herr J. Walter has compiled for
Der Philatelist the following list of new issues during the last decade.
The varieties, which are taken from Messrs. Senf's catalogue, do not include
 REVIEW. 319

variations of type, watermarks, or any small differences. Were these all

counted, as also the marked shades, the total number of "varieties" issued
in the last ten years would be well over 10,000! No wonder that the tribe
of specialists increases!
1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900
Europe 146 89 69 71 61 73 31 56 44 140= 780
Asia 90 124 TOO 98 107 119 120 158 148 64=1128
Africa 137 221 230 293 260 221 173 319 128 75= 2 °57
America 223 259 217 149 207 235 206 333 219 144=2192
Australia 52 67 121 20 37 12 35 30 39 65= 478
Totals 648 760 737 631 672 660 565 896 578 488 = 6635
The relatively small number of the issues of Europe and Australia is
doubtless an important factor in their popularity.

Review.
BRIGHT AND SON'S CATALOGUE*
IT seems hard to realise that nearly two years have elapsed since
the appearance of a former edition of this now well-known
Catalogue, but the fact is self-evident, alike in the vast number
of new issues now incorporated and the greatly increased
5 volume of pages. In the Preface the publishers call attention
to this fact, saying that " while no objection can be raised
against the legitimate issue of new stamps, we are of opinion that unnecessary
issues have lately been alarmingly frequent." But this statement will be, in
the minds of some collectors, somewhat discounted by one in the preceding
paragraph to the effect that " the improved condition of stamp collecting
and dealing, especially during the past nine months, is, doubtless, a good
deal due to the issues of the various War Provisionals." Many of these have
undoubtedly excited and re-aroused collectors, but some of them are
assuredly not free from the suspicions that Messrs. Bright have themselves
correctly expressed. An especial feature of this edition is the excellent
lists of all the latest provisionals of South Africa, of which Orange Free
State and Transvaal are remarkably inclusive, are illustrated with correct
representations of the types of surcharge, and embrace some varieties that
have not yet, as far as we are aware, been included in any other catalogue.
The lists of many other countries have been thoroughly modernised—in
many cases by the aid of specialists—and will be found to be excellent guides
to the collector.
Another pleasing feature is the large number of new illustrations, which,
* A £ C Descriptive Priced Catalogs- of the World's Postage Stamps : Fourth' Edition,
Bright and Son, 164, Strand, London, W.C.
loS6
320 REVIEW.

needless to say, are far more satisfactory than those produced from oJder
blocks. Apropos of these Messrs. Bright write to us:—

" If you are reviewing our Catalogue we shall be glad if you would kindly mention
that by error the blocks illustrating the varieties of type of the 25 cents. Belgium
of 1884 have been transposed; blocks illustrating Type II. in the place of Type I.
Also that in the price of Mafeking stamps on page 592, Number no quoted at 253.
should be Number in."

In accordance with our custom in reviewing priced catalogues, we do not

propose to go closely into detail, as almost every collector becomes the pro-
prietor of the leading catalogues; nor do we consider it advisable to refer to the
question of prices, beyond perhaps to call attention to the fact that the South
African issues show a remarkable and doubtless deserved j u m p in their esti-
mated prices. The ABC Catalogue, taken in its present entirety, is a remark-
ably good production ; it represents a laudable determination on the part of
its publishers to " come and stay," and we are assured that, as representing a
wholesome and healthy spirit of competition, it will receive a general and
thoroughly well-deserved recognition at the hands of collectors. The
initiation of so great an enterprise represents a considerable amount of
" pluck" on the part of the publishers, and we cordially wish them the
widest possible sale for their valuable work.
We mentioned in our last issue that a new feature in the ABC Catalogue
was that of quoting prices for fine and medium used stamps, as in Great
Britain ; but Mr. W. Morley correctly calls our attention to the fact that
the last edition of his handbook on the English stamps contained the first
attempt to introduce this innovation. Messrs. Bright have, however, gone
a good second, and we cordially approve the plan, where countries are
either of prime importance or where the attainment of lightly postmarked
specimens is the exception. We have pleasure in congratulating Messrs.
Bright and Son upon their success in the production of so sound a
catalogue in this as in almost all other respects.
 [ 321 ]

New Issues.
NOTES O F N E W , A N D V A R I A T I O N S O F C U R R K N T , I S S U E S .
(Varieties of Obsolete Stamps, and Discoveries, will he found under " Philatelic Notes.")
We do not profess to chronicle everything, but, with the kind help of correspondents, are desirous that
all the important novelties may be included. Speculative stamps—i.e. those not really required for
postal purposes—will be considered on their merits, and fiibilee issues will not be chronicled.
Members of the London Philatelic Society, and other readers generally, are invited to co-operate with us
in making the columns as interesting as possible. Our foreign readers can especially help us in
this direction, by sending copies of any official documents relative to changes in the current issues,
or early intimation of any new issue, accompanied, when possible, by a specimen ; such information
•will be duly credited to the correspondent, and, if desired, the specimen promptly returned.
Address: EDITOR "LONDON PHILATELIST," EFFINGHAM HOUSE, ARUNDEL STREET, STRAND,
LONDON, W.C.

BRITISH EMPIRE. " 5 and 6 have no stop after ' MAFEKING.'

" 5. The tip of the bottom line of the third
BRITISH GUIANA.—A change in the colour ' E' in ' BESIEGED' is gone.
of the 48 cents stamp is announced. " 6. The left upper corner of the third ' E'
Adhesive. 48 cent.-, dark grey and lilac-brown. of 'BESIEGED' is gone.
" There are, of course, other little points
INDIA. — Cochin. — The 2 pies post card, also, which will aid in the detection of
carmine on buff, has been issued in reply forgeries."
form.—M. J. The M./.'s correspondent also states that
Post Card. 2 + 2 pies, carmine on buff.
the surcharged stamps were genuinely used
MAFEKING. — Further valuable informa- in Mafeking from March 6th to May i/th
tion is given in the M.J. Our contemporary only, and that—
writes :— "All the letters received from Mafeking
" Our publishers have obtained, from a were checked at the ' Base Camp Post
thoroughly trustworthy source, some small Office,' and again in my office here, with a
unused blocks of the stamps with the fancy view to checking the postage. The examin-
type surcharge, from an examination of ing clerk at both offices initialled the en-
which we are enabled to place on record velopes and marked the value of the stamps
the following details. Although the distance affixed ; all genuine entires, therefore, which
between the words 'MAFEKING' and 'BE- escaped the Boers south of Mafeking should
SIEGED' differs considerably in'the different be so marked."
settings used upon different natures of Upon reference to the list of dates of
stamps, the type does not appear to have
been entirely reset, but 'only the Spaces in- issue of the various surcharges given, in this
creased or reduced ; thus the same broken journal, page 292, it will be noted that the
and damaged letters probably appear in the first printing (id. on £d., green, and 3d. on
same positions on the sheets of stamps of id., red, Cape) took place on March 23rd,
each value (they do so in the blocks we have
examined). The surcharge seems to have and not March 6th.
been set up in a row of six, and thus the MAURITIUS.—Changes have been an-
minor varieties described below are repeated
all down the sheet. Taking them from left nounced in the Continental journals, and
to right we find— the following are listed :—
" i. In ' MAFEKING' the ' E' is battered at Adhesive*. One cent, grey-black and black.
the top, so that the serif of the centre line Three cents, lilac and violet.
Four ,, lilac on yellow, and carmine.
joins the top line ; ' K' has both legs broken.
In 'BESIEGED' the third 'E' has the lower ST. LUCIA.—From Even's Weekly we
half of the upright stroke and part of the
bottom line gone. note the issue of a id. envelope stamp for
" 2. All the lettering is fairly good. this island.
"3. The 'B' of 'BESIEGED' is battered It is described as impressed in carmine
almost into a bad figure '8.' (same type and colour as that of the id.
" 4. The bottom line of the ' E ' in
' MAFEKING ' is broken in the middle; newspaper), on white laid paper ; size 5^ x 4^
there is a break in the back of the 'G' of inches.
' BESIEGED.' Envelope, id., carmine, on white laid ; size 5lx.jJ inches.
322 NEW ISSUES.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. — Federated The |d, id., 2jd., and 4d., without stops
Aftilay Slaies.—The M. J. includes in its after "V", and the 105. without stop after
list of the new high values a 25 dollars, it T JJ

green and orange, stamp. The Jd., id., and 2d., with dropped letter
Adhesive. 25 dollars, green arid orange. " I ", and the id. with thick heavy stops.
Adhesive*.
Perak.—More surcharged stamps reach \&. and id values, with surcharge "V.R.I." inverted.
us from Messrs Whitfield King and Co., |d., id.. 2i<t., and 4d., without stop after " V ".
IOP., without stop after " I ".
or are chronicled. We have, therefore, to ^d., id., and 2d., with dropped letter " I ".
list the following :— id., with ihick heavy stops.

Adhesive*. One Cent, on $2, green and carmine.

Three Cent, on Sfi ,, emerald. EUROPE.
Three Cent, on $2 ,, carmine.
BOSNIA.—Messrs. Whitfield King and Co.
It is almost too much to expect this inform us that three values have been issued
profitable surcharging to cease just yet. to complete the new set.
There is, however, a faint hope in this Adhtsives. 40 heller, orange.
direction, for our Ipswich friends write 1 krone, carmine.
2 ,, blue.
us :—
"LIST OF SURCHARGES ON PERAK FINLAND.—A mourning label and post
STAMPS. card, as reported in the daily press, was
One Cent, on 2c. (No. 17) lately issued unofficially in this country,
ONE CENT, on 4C (No. 20) being promptly suppressed by the Russian
One Cent, on jc. (No. 21) Whitfield authorities. A correspondent in the M. J.
One Cent, on $2 (No. 29) gives the following further details :—
Three Cent, on 8 c. (No. 22) >• King & Go's
Catalogue.
Three Cent, on 50c. (No. 27) " On the 1/14 of August, when the Finnish
Three Cent, on $i (No. 28) stamps were replaced by those of Russia,
Three Cent, on $2 (No. 29) there was issued, by way of protest (not
"In each sheet of 120 3c. on 50c. one officially, but by private enterprise), a
stamp has no period after ' Cent'. funereal label, with a solid black ground,
bearing the Arms of Finland in yellow and
"The following is a copy of a notice issued red, and the words '.SUOMi-' above and
by the Government of Perak when no more ' F I N L A N D ' below, in 'white. There was
stamps were available for surcharging :— also a. post card, with the same device in
'"GOVERNMENT OF PERAK. the right upper corner, ' UNION POSTALE
UNIVERSEI.LE—CARTE POSTALE ' at top,
' '"POSTAL NOTICE. four dotted lines for the address, and an
instruction in four languages at foot, on pale
" ' The stock of Postal and Revenue stamps of buff card 140x91 mm.
the smaller denominations having given out, until "The price of the label, ' i PENNI," is
further notice articles on which the postage is marked on the back, and the profits, if any,
less than four cents must be handed in at the were to be devoted to the national schools.
stamp vendor's window, together with the post-
age required in cash. The stamp vendor will These labels were to be placed on the
give a printed receipt for the amount, stamped address side of the letters, and the Russian
with the office date-stamp, and the public are stamps on the other side.
requested to see that they get this. "The Governor-General soon put an
"'(Signed) P. J. NELSON,
end to these demonstrations. Referring the
matter to the Russian Ministry of the
" ' Superintendent Posts and Telegraphs. Interior, he obtained authority to forbid
" 'Taiping, 22nd October, 1500.' absolutely the use of these labels and cards,
which were in circulation for not more than
"The 'printed receipt' referred to in this about forty-eight hours.
notice is a perforated square of white paper " These labels were never sold at the post
about the size of a postage stamp, type- office at Helsingfors, as has been stated in a
printed in three lines, ' Postal Receipt for French journal."
3 cents,' which is affixed to the envelope
and postmarked the same way as an or- FRANCE.—The new issue was put into cir-
dinary stamp; the word ' P A I D ' is also culation on December 7th, and Mr. Franz
stamped on the envelope and initialled by Reichenheim has kindly sent us the full set.
the P.O. clerk."
Accompanying illustrations will save a de-
TRANSVAAL.—Messrs Bright and Son in- scription of a set of stamps inferior, in our
form us that they have had the following judgment, on the whole to any of the pre-
varieties of the stamps surcharged "V.R.I." vious issues of this country. The oblong
The |d. and id. values with inverted over- values are little, if any, better than the
print. French Congo issue so generally condemned.
 NEW ISSUES. 323

The French philatelic journals express entire RUSSIA.—Advices from this country fore-
dissatisfaction with these new. stamps, and shadow an entirely new issue on the ist
echo our own profound disappointment. January next. The reason is stated to be
that it has been found necessary to take
greater precautions to prevent the frequent
removal of obliteration that has taken place
with the existing series. We are promised
a very bright and handsome series of stamps,
as indeed have been all the Russian issues.
WURTKMBERG.—It is reported that a
25 pfg. has been added to the Municipal
Service set, but the colour is not given.
Adhesive. 25 pfennig, colour ?

AMERICA.
CHILI.—A post card must be added to the
list of new stationery.
The value is 2 centavos, and the design
of the new issue of adhesives.
The stamps appear to be umvatermarked, Our contemporaries differ as to colour of
but the five higher values are bicoloured. stamp and card ; the M.J. has it red on pale
The centre, showing, we presume, a laurel blue, and the M. C. carmine on white.
branch or tree, is in pale blue or lavender on A pair of 2 centavos adhesives of the
the 40 and 5o'centimes, and yellow on the I, current issue is reported by the former
2, and 5 francs. All are perf. 14 x 13^. journal imperforate vertically.
Adhcs ires. Post Card. 2 centavos, colour, elc. ?
i centime, grey ; Type *•
z centimes, claret
3 orange-red
NICARAGUA.—Particulars of the Asenjo
4 brown issue of stationery are coming through slowly.
5 pale green
10 carmine; Type 2. Two envelopes are reported, design similar
15 yellow-brown to the adhesives, in a transverse oval frame.
20 brown-lilac
25 blue Some officials are reported by the M. C. to
30 mauve
40 red and blue ; Type 3. have been made by surcharging four values
50 , brown and blue
1 fc., lake and yellow of the Postage Due stamps of 1896, " Fran-
2 fcs., mauve ,, queo Oficial," in two lines.
5 „ blue „
Envelopes. 5 cents., dark blue on white.
GERMANY.—We have received from Mr. 10 ,, violet on white.
Officials, i centavo, orange.
Franz Reichenheim specimens of the 5 marks 2 centavos ,,
stamp just issued. 5
20
.,
,,
„
,,
This handsome stamp is printed in black
and lake, the centre being of the latter PARAGUAY.—Three values of a new set
colour. are listed by the M. J. on the authority of
The design shows His Majesty the German Le T. Beige. Design, arms in an oval band,
Emperor surrounded by his generals and inscribed "UNION POSTAL UNIVERSAL" in
ministers. the upper part, "PARAGUAY" on a fancy
At the top of the stamp we have the word label below, and value at foot.
" Reichspost," and at foot, in a scroll, " Ein Adhesives. 2 centavos, olive-grey ; perf. 1(3.
5 „ deep green „
Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Gott," with " 5 M " in 10 „ carmine „
each top corner, and a shield in each lower
corner. UNITED STATES.—Information has reached
Adhesive. 5 marks, black and lake ; perf. 14^. us that the ordinary U.S.A. stamps without
surcharge may now be used in all the U.S.A.
Levant (German P.O.).—In addition to the colonial possessions, and that the overprinted
adhesives announced on page 304 there are, stamps of Porto Rico, Philippines, etc., are
we are told, two post cards. equally serviceable on letters circulating in
fust Cards. the United States only. We doubt whether
20 paras on 10 pf., black and carmine.
20 + 20 ,, jo+io pf. ,. many will be used in the latter fashion, and
324 NEW ISSUES.

probably none of the Guam can be spared. Some envelopes of the mother country
Cuba, being under protection, will have her are reported surcharged for use here, with
own set. value at top and "NED-INDIE" in block
VENEZUELA.—More of the stamps for in- capitals at foot, in black.
land postage are chronicled by the M. /., We listed some surcharged envelopes on
changed in colours and surcharged " 1900" ; pages 232 and 257, but believing the under-
also the 50 cents., yellow, official, of 1898, noted to be a fresh issue, we chronicle them.
with similar overprint. Envelopes. 10 cents on ro cents, grey-lilac.
12^ ,, on 12.^ ,, blue.
Adhesives. 5 centavos, orange, surcharged " 1900." 15 ,, on 15 ,, yellow-brown.
ro ,, blue 20 ,, on 20 ,, yellow-green.
25 „ purple
50 ,, yellow-green
i bolivar, grey-black FERNANDO Poo. — Mons. J. Bernichon
Official. 50 cents., yellow
sends us the 4 c., orange, of 1899 with the
" Habilitado" surcharge, No. 3 of Gibbons, in
OTHER COUNTRIES.
violet, and also with a double overprint, first
COREA.—On page 232 we referred to the in green and secondly in violet.
25 poon, surcharged " i," and gave our Further, the 10 cents. Timbre Movil of
reasons for thinking the new value was in- 1900, surcharged obliquely "CORREOS"
tended to be 15 poon. in red, similar to No. 8 of Gibbons.
This stamp now reaches us from Messrs.
Adhesive*.
Whitfield King and Co. The copy before q c., orange, of 1899, surcharged " Habilitado,'' 50 cents.,
us (see illustration) is surcharged " i " ex- 4 c. ditto
(Gibbons' Type 3), in violet.
double surcharge, as above, in
green and violet.
10 c., blue, Timbre Movil of 1900, with oblique over-
print "CORREOS," in red, in large
letters.

FRENCH COLONIES AND POST OFFICES.

—China.—The 2 francs French stamp has
also been surcharged for use here " Chine,"
and Messrs. Whitfield King and Co. send us
a specimen, and inform us that on October
26th 3,000 provisional 25 c. on i franc
stamps were issued.
actly between the " 2 " and " 5 " of " 25," and Adkesives.
we are told the value Is I poon. 2 francs, French, overprinted *' Chine," in black.
25 c. on i fc. French, provisional issue.
Two new values of the current set are
reported, and we are promised a new set in Senegal.—It is reported in several quar-
cents, etc., shortly. ters that owing to the expected change
Adltesives. i poon on 25 poons, lake. of colour of the 10 cents, to carmine (so
15 cheun, purple-grey.
25 „ red-brown. often denied, too), as in the new set for home
use, to comply with the requirements of the
DUTCH INDIES.—An interesting discovery U.P.U., the 50 cents, is to be printed in
has been made by a correspondent of the brown colour, with the name of the Colony
Philatelic Record, and we copy the following in carmine, and that indeed the change has
from our contemporary :— actually taken place for this Dependency.
" Mr. R. Macalpine, writing to us from Adhesive. 50 c., brown on bluish and carmine.
Java, says :—' In the July, 1900, issue of
10 cents Dutch Indies postage stamps, It is not surprising to hear through the
which are the present issue Holland stamps,
surcharged with value above and '• NED- Monthly Circular that eight new sets of
IXDIE" at bottom of stamp, there occurs stamps are in preparation for the French
an error. On an average one stamp in Post Offices in foreign parts, and we can
every 400 or thereabouts has the surcharge only hope to see something more artistic
at bottom as follows, " NED-INDIE," that than the new issue for home use.
is, without the two dots above the "E" of
" INDIE." Our correspondent kindly incloses Vathy.—It would appear that a 20 piastres
a specimen, which is very clearly minus the
usual disresis, or dots, over the final vowel stamp has been issued here, the 5 francs
of the word ' INDIE ' Mr. Macalpine adds stamp having been so surcharged.
that he has also seen a few specimens with Adhesive.
only one dot over the ' E'". 20 piastres on 5 francs, lilac ; overprinted in black.
 PHILATELIC SOCIETIES' MEETINGS. 325

GERMAN COLONIES.—Le T. Beige, supple- ' For German East Africa the values are —
ments the information we gave on page 56, 2 pesa, brown.
green.
as follows: — carmine.
blue.
" Le T. Beige chronicles a complete outfit black and orange.
,, ,, carmine.
of adhesives for all the colonies, in two new ,. ,, violet.
40 , carmine.
designs, each of which bears a Ship as a i rupee, blue.
central device. The lower values, up to 80 violet.
carmine and black."
pfennig (or 40 pesa), are of rectangular List of post cards to follow.
shape, the Ship is shown almost end on,
the name is on an arched scroll above, and JAPAN. — A 3 sen letter card with stamp of
the word 'PFENNIG' (or 'PESA'), between the new design is chronicled by the Ameri-
numerals, on a scroll at foot. The higher can Journal of Philately.
Letter Card. 3 sen, violet on brownish buff.
values are oblong, and bear a side view of
the Ship ; the name is on a scroll above and MOROCCO (GERMAN P.O.). —The new set
the value in the lower corners. must have added to it four post cards, de-
" For the Cameroons, Caroline Islands, scribed by the M. C. as follows : —
Post Cards. 5 centimes on 5 pf., green.
German New Guinea, German South West 5+ 5 ,, 5 + 5 Pf. „ .
Africa, Marianne Islands, Marshall Islands, 10 ,, 10 pf., carmine.
10+10 ,, 10+10 pf. ,,
Samoa, and Togo the following is the list:—
PERSIA. — On page 278 we listed a 5 ch.
2 pf., grey.
3 brown. overprinted with some undecipherable de-
5 green.
10 , carmine. vice, and it would appear from the P.J. G. B.
20 , blue. that other values on white paper have met
25 , black and red on yellow.
30 , ,, „ orange on buff. the same fate.
40 , ,, ,, carmine. Adhesives.
50 , violet on buff, i ch., grey on white paper ; violet surcharge.
So ,, ,, ,, carmine. brown
1 m., carmine. violet
2 ,, blue. red
3 ,, violet. orange
5 ,, carmine and black. carmine

PhilatelicSocietiesMeetings..
The chair was taken by the Vice-President, and
Philatelic Society, London. the minutes of the meeting on the 26th October,
Council for the Year 1900-1901.
1900, were read and confirmed.
President— H.R.H. THE DUKE OF YORK, K.G.
A letter was read from the President of the
Vice-President—M. P. CASTLE.
Chili Society at Santiago, and it was resolved to
Hon, Secretary—]. A. TILLKARD. make a grant to that Society of such of the
Hon. Treasurer—C. N. BIGGS. volumes of the London Philatelist as were still
Hon, Assistant Secretary—H. R. OLUFIELD. available.
Hon. Librarian—T. MAVCOCK. Mr. E. D. Bacon then read a short note upon
W. B. AVERY. L. L. R. HAUSBUKG. new varieties recently discovered in the letter
E. D. BACON. C. E. MCNAUGHTAN. "G" of the 4d. Griqualand West stamp, being
W. D. BECKTON. R. MEYER. Type I. of the 4d. blue stamp, with a small sur-
R. EHRENBACH. F. RANSOM. charge. This surcharge had formerly been con-
H. J. WHITE. demned, but owing to discoveries recently made
by Lieutenant F. H. Napier it now appeared that
THE second meeting of the season 1900-1901 was the same were genuine varieties.
held at Effingham House on Friday, the 9th The meeting then proceeded to examine the
November, 1900, at 7.45 p.m. magnificent collection of the German States
Members present:—M.4P. Castle, Herbert R. stamps, eight volumes of which had been brought
Oldfield, Rudolph Meyer, William Silk, jun., by the Vice-President to the meeting, and were
E. D. Bacon, B. D. Knox, Earl of Crawford, inspected with very considerable interest.
Franz Reichenheim, F. E. Horton. L. S. Wells, A vote of thanks was subsequently passed to
J. A. Tilleard, A. R. Burnett, W. B. Avery, the Vice-President, on the motion of Mr. E. D.
Rudolph F'renlzel, T. Maycock, L. L. R. Bacon, seconded by Mr. H. R. Oldfield, and the
Hausburg, C. Neville Biggs. proceedings then terminated.
Visitor, Herbert Smith.
326 PHILATELIC SOCIETIES' MEETINGS.

(he chair. After the ordinary business of the

Birmingham Philatelic Society. evening was disposed of, including Ihe election
//'on. Sec. attd Treasurer—
of a new member, a very interesling colleclion of
G. JOHNSON, B.A., 208, Birchfield Road, Birmingham. forgeries was exhibited. Those shown by Mr
Perrell were especially so, consisting of both
DECEMBER 6th.—The members held their first Colonial and Continental slamps in blocks, in
auction on the above date at the Great Western some of which it required the critical eye of an
Hotel, Mr. li. W. Plumridge, of Chancery Lane, expert to delecl ihe differences between ihe
London, wielding the hammer. The attendance genuine and the forged slamp. Messrs. McPherson,
was the largest that has ever been at a philatelic Dafton, and Stooke showed several specimens.
auction in the city, and showed the effect of Mr. Datum's exhibit contained a reconstructed
advertising, and the increasing interest of the sheet of ihe 2d. lilhograph; also a copy of the
public in stamp matters. The auction was ar- L Q. Messrs. Lloyd and Carlwrighl, who were
ranged for the benefit of members and to en- unable to be present, also senl specimens, Mr.
courage Philately locally, and to this end the Cartwright sending Ihree values of Ihe lale
Committee allowed a proportion of small lots to Orange Free Slale stamps, with forged "V.R.I."
be included. They made no charge on unsold surcharges, likely to entrap ihe unwary collector.
lots, and there was no minimum commission, the A vote of thanks was heartily accorded to Mr.
Society being prepared to meet any loss incurred, Perrett for his interesting and instructive exhibit
but it was so successful even under these con- of many years' gathering, and this largely con-
ditions that all expenses will be covered. tributed to what was considered by all present to
For fine stamps good prices were realised, but be a most enjoyable evening. The nexl meeting
poor specimens ruled low. Some collections of will be on November 1st, when the President
fiscals and entires went very cheaply. (Mr. P. J. Lloyd) will read a paper on "The
The best prices realised were :— Stamps of tine United States of America."
Triangular Capes, four unused, 505. (cat. 855.);
twelve used, 555. (cat. 985.); fourteen used, in
pairs, 233. (cat. 345.); eight used singles, 385.
(cat. 6os.). New South Wales, id., Plate I., CardiffPhilatelicSociety.
2is. (cat. 28s.); Plate II., 195. (cat. 255.); 2d., President—WALTER SCOTT.
Plate II., 195. (cat. 255.); Plate II., 2is. (cat. THE first annual meeting of ihis Sociely was
255.); 2d., Plate III., 195. (cat. 255.); Plate
III., first retouch, 2is. (cat. 255.); 2d., Plate held on the 16th October, when the secretarial
III., laid paper, 193. (cat. 225. 6d.); Plate III., and financial reports for the pasl year were
second retouch, 155. (cat 255.). Hong Kong submilled.
96 c., yellow-brown, mint, but slight tear, 645. Twenty-six members had joined, and six
Grenada, is., mint, i6s. Antigua, is., mint, meetings were held, one being formative, and
145. 6d. St. Kills, is., mint, 145. Great Britain, five being Displays with inlroduclory remarks.
2s., brown, 303. West Australia, block of six, The financial slatemenl showed a balance in
fcd., CC, 445. Many of the mixed lots and some Ihe Treasurer's hands of ^i Ss. 40?., which was
original envelopes with "V.R.I." Orange Free considered salisfaclory.
Stale stamps on also fetched good prices. The officers and committee were elected for the
The ordinary meeting followed, and the follow- ensuing year as follows :—
ing were unanimously elected members :—Mrs. President—MR. WALTER SCOTT.
Vice-Presidents—MR. E. W. SHACKELL, J.P.,
R. H. Harris, Dr. W. J. Tivy, Messrs. J. E. ALDERMAN W. J. TROUNCE.
Joselin, F. J. Henderson, J. B. Vickerman, C. C. Committee—MESSRS. C. J. BEDLINGTON, J. L. EVERETT,
Bentzen, M. Z. Booleman. G. E. PETTY. W. H. RENWICK, and B. ROWLANDS.
Voles of thanks were accorded Messrs. Bright Hon. Sec.—Ms. W. A. JUTSUM.
and Son, Th. Lemaire, J. W. George, and H. E. Librarian-MRS. GROVES.
Deals (American Philalelic Association) for dona- Al Ihe conclusion of business Mr. Everelt gave
tions to the library. a paper on "The Slamps of Cuba," and displayed
It was decided to form a colleclion of priced his collection. The Presidenl and Mr. Pelly also
auclion catalogues, and lo have them bound in displayed Iheir colleclions of lhal counlry.
volumes for reference. Any member who has any
old catalogues, priced or unpriced, which are of 1900. PROGRAMME.
no use to him, would confer a favour by sending Oct. 16. Annual Meeting.
them to the Hon. Sec., who will defray expenses. Nov. 13. Display with Notes, "Ceylon."
MR. WALTER SCOTT.
If anyone has bound volumes priced, he would Dec. ii. Display with Notes, " Brazil."
greatly oblige by lending them to ihe Sociely for 1901. MR. G. E. PETTY.
a short lime in order lhal ihe prices may be copied. Jan. 8. Display with Notes, "Canada."
NEXT AUCTION.—The nexl auclion will be MR. W. H. RENWICK.
held on February i.4th, 1901. Lots must reach Feb. 12. Display with Notes, "United States."
MR. W. J. TROUNCE.
the Hon. Sec. by Jan. 28th at latest.
Mar. 12. Display with Notes, "Greece and Ionian Isles."
NOTICE.—The so-called Birmingham Philatelic MR. E. W. SHACKELL.
Exchange recently advertised by Mr. W. G. April 9. Display with Notes, "Gibraltar and Morocco
Watson has, of course, no connection whalever Agencies." MR. W. A. JUTSUM.
with Ihe Birmingham Philalelic Sociely or its
exchange packels, All meetings are held al ihe Y.M.C.A. Hall
(opposile Ihe Taff Vale Railway Slalion) on the
second Tuesday in each month, al 7.30 p.m.,
Bristol and Clifton Philatelic unless olherwise nolified.
Society.
THE opening night of the present session, which
THE usual fortnightly meeting was held on was held in the Society's new room at the
Thursday. In the absence of the President, Y.M.C.A. Instilute, on the \y\\ Nov., at 7 30,
Mr. D. H. McPherson was requested to take proved to be a very enjoyable one. The Presidenl
 PHILATELIC SOCIETIES' MEETINGS. 327

was down for a paper on the Stamps of Ceylon,

followed by a display of his collection. The paper, Suburban Exchange Club.
a very exhaustive one, dealt with the various issues
in detail, and displayed a grasp of the subject such JULY packets have come back from circulation,
as could only come from one who had well studied and balances have been submitted and sheets
the stamps of that Colony. Mr. Scott's display returned within four days. Total sal6s on the
was simply grand. There were specimens of packets, ^109 is. 4d. Four packets, containing
almost every variety, invariably in the finest 191 sheets, valued in the aggregate at .£1,717
condition, and it would be invidious to attempt 45. ad., were despatched on the October circuit
to single out any specimens, as the collection in good time. Many rare and valuable stamps
appeared to the members present to be as near were offered at reasonable prices, and good sales
perfection as possible. The next display will be are expected.
on December nth, when Mr. G. E. Petty is to During the past month five collectors have been
give "Brazil," with exhibit. admitted to membership, and two applications
W. A. JUTSUM, Hon. Sec. are pending for inquiries. Members who cannot
371, COWBRIDGE ROAD, CARDIFF. contribute sheets regularly, but wish to see the
packets, should notify the same to the Secretary.
Club sheets (supplied at cost price) should only
be used. All Philatelists desirous of participating
Herts Philatelic Society. in the advantages of a good Exchange Club are
welcomed, but references are indispensable, and
A GENERAL meeting was held at Anderton's should be sent with every application. Packets
Hotel, Fleet Street, E.G., on Tuesday, Novem- are kept in circulation no longer than thirteen
ber 6th, at 7. 15 p.m. weeks, and accounts are settled with the least
Present: Messrs. Reichenheim (in the chair), possible delay. Full particulars, rules, etc., can
Bois, Boyes, Bradbury, Cool, Frentzel, Gaffe, be obtained from the Secretary.
Mardon, Melville, Meyer, Standen, Sutherland,
Thomson, Wane, Slade, and two visitors.
The following elections were made: W. B. J I J N B and July packets came back from circulation
Avery as a Vice-President, Messrs. Willy Jacoby within the specified time, and sheets were returned
and H. Hill Smith as ordinary members. Dona- to their owners and balances adjusted with the
tions to the Forgery book were received from least possible delay. Sales for the July packets
Messrs. Mardon and Reichenheim. amounted to nearly ,£120.
The general business being transacted, Mr. Four packets were made up for the November
M. Z. Kuttner gave a display of a portion of his circuit and were all despatched by the 25th
collection of South Australians, accompanied by instant. One hundred and seventy-one sheets,
explanatory notes. At the conclusion of the valued in the aggregate at .£1,889 I 9 S - 4^., were
display a hearty vote of thanks was passed by contributed by ninety-five members, and con-
the Chairman to Mr. Kuttner for the entertain- tained some good specimens of rare and medium
ment and instruction he had afforded the members, stamps, marked at very reasonable prices. South
which drew a grateful response from the recipient. Africans and Australians were perhaps more
A vote of thanks to Mr. Reichenheim for the strongly represented than other sections, old
efficient manner in which he had filled the chair Europeans coming next. Collectors having rare
brought an enjoyable evening to a close at 9.30. duplicates to dispose of are invited to apply for
H. A. SLADE, Hon. Sec. and Treasurer. membership, as the Suburban Club contains many
INGLESIDE, ST. ALBANS. non-contributors who are prepared to buy good
stamps to a large amount. Satisfactory references
should be sent with every application. Sheets
for December packets should be sent in early
Manchester Philatelic Society. if possible to escape the Christmas holidays.
During the past month fifteen new members
President—W. DORNING BECKTON. have been enrolled, and one resignation has
been accepted: six applications held over for
THE fifth meeting took place at the Grand Hotel examination. For copy of rules, etc., apply to
on Wednesday evening, November 2ist. The the Secretary, H. A. Slade, Ingleside, St. Albans.
President occupied the chair, and there were
eleven other members present.
Messrs. A. D. Leigh and S. W. Massey were
elected members.
Subsequently the annual dinner was held, and
The Collectors' Club..
was attended by twenty-three members and nine 351, FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK.
guests, amongst the latter being Mr. A. H.
Stamford, President of the Bradford Philatelic THE fifty-eighth meeting of the Board of
Society. Governors was held at the Club House on
In proposing the toast '' Success to the Man- Monday, October 8th, igco. Present: Messrs.
chester Society," to which the Hon. Secretary Bruner, Luff, Perrin, and Scott. The resigna-
responded, the President announced that the sale tions of Messrs. Baker, Hyatt, Levick, and
of the War Fund stamps issued by the Society Serfling were read and accepted with regrets.
had realised the sum of £101 45., which amount Other communications were received and read.
would be handed over to the Lord Mayor. The Treasurer's report, showing a cash balance
Songs, recitations, etc., were contributed after in bank of $403.40, exclusive of U.S. bonds,
dinner by some of the members and friends. was read and approved. The House Committee's
G. FRED II. GIBSON, Hon. Sec. report was accepted as read. After the trans-
KERSAL, MANCHESTER. action of business of minor importance, the
Board adjourned at 9.40 p.m.
ALBERT PERRIN, Secretary.
 [ 328 ]

Correspondence.
COMMUNICATIONS.—^// communications of Philatelic matters and Publications for Review should
be addressed to the Editor of THE LONDON PHILATELIST, Kingston Lodge, Richmond Place,
xJngnton.
ADVERTISEMENTS should be sent to MR. A. CHURCHILL EMERSON (Advertising Department), Effing-
ham House, Arundel Street, London, W.C.
SUBSCRIPTIONS. —THE LONDON PHILATELIST will be sent, post-free in Great Britain or the countries
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LONDON, W.C.

INVERTED WATERMARKS ON TRANSVAAL PROVISIONALS.

EGYPTIAN STAMPS.
To the Editor of the "London Philatelist." DEAR SIR,—With reference to your remarks
in the October number, the inclosed cutting from
DEAR SIR,—In answer to the letter of Mr. a Cape paper to hand yesterday will, I think,
W. F. Hughes, the 1879 issue of Egypt exists throw some light on the authenticity of stamps
with reversed watermark in all the six values. overprinted with apparently a rubber stamp. My
The 10 paras, lilac-rose, according to my ex- opinion is that all such stamps issued at Rusten-
perience, is always with reversed watermark, and burg, Zeerust, Marico, etc., not having been
I doubt very much whether it exists with the authorised by the Controller of the Transvaal, are
watermark in the normal position. nothing more than forgeries. I would like to have
In the 1881 issue I know of only the 10 paras, other opinions on these curious issues.
grey, and this is a scarce stamp with reversed
watermark. In the 1888 issue the I millieme, " POSTAGE STAMPS.
but probably the others also, exist. The 20 "The following extract from Army Orders is
paras on 5 pi. is known with reversed watermark, published for information :—
but I have heard it said that in this state it is the
rarest stamp in Egypt. "' HEADQUARTERS, PRETORIA,
I cannot agree, however, with a statement of " 2yd October, 1900.
this kind, because however rare it may be it is '" I. Overprinting of Transvaal Postage Stamps.
putting an altogether exaggerated value upon this —It is notified for information that the overprint-
class of variety, a value which is not warranted ing of Transvaal Postage Stamps "V.R.I." by
by the present feeling collectors evince towards any person but the Controller of the Transvaal is
reversed watermarks. In a specialised collection an illegal act, and must not be resorted to. Any
they certainly tend to make it more complete, but Transvaal stamps which may have been over-
the interest attaching to them is very small. printed without authority should at once be
Collect them if you will, by all means, but don't withdrawn from sale and forwarded to the
look upon them as objects of all-absorbing Administrator of Civil Posts, Pretoria. Postage
interest, otherwise you will some day have a cruel stamps, etc., found in public buildings in the
awakening. Transvaal should be forwarded to the Adminis-
I venture to refer Mr. Hughes for further in- trator of Civil Posts, Pretoria. By order. —
formation upon Egypt to an article by Mr. Duerst W. F. KELLY (Major-General), D.A.G.'"
in the Philatelic Record, vol. xviii. Yours faithfully,
Yours faithfully, W. DORNING BECKTON. W. H. EARL.
DAISY BANK, November ^th, 1900. TRANSVAAL, November 26th, 1900.

The Market.
NOTE.—Under this title will be inserted all the information that may refer in any way
to the financial aspects of Philately, e.g. the sales or values of stamps, the state
of the Market, Trade publications, etc.

THERE has been considerable animation in the excellent sales. The trade in South Africans has
Market during the past month, and some of the« been remarkable, and the cry is, "Still they
auctions have attracted large attendances. The come !"
appearance of such valuable items as the Maur- * * *
itius Plates (Messrs. Ventom, Bull, and Cooper) MESSRS. PUTTICK AND SIMPSON'S sale of Nov-
and the blocks of Great Britain (Messrs. Puttick ember I3th and 141)1.—Ceylon, 9d., imperf., un-
and Simpson) naturally created great interest, and used, fair, £6 IDS. British South Africa, 1896,
it is satisfactory to note that sales were in all cases pair of id. on 3d., grey, used, £7 75.; a single
effected commensurate with the values of the lots ditto and a id. on 45., used together, ^5 7s. 6d.
submitted. Cape Woodblock, id., red, used, £4 45.; and a
* # * block of five is., yellow-green, used, £$ 53.
THE general features of the stamp trade in the Mafeking, Is. on 6d., brown on red, with sans-
Metropolis during the month have been satis- serif surcharge, used, £,(>; 2s. on is., green,
factory, most of the leading dealers reporting used, £,•$ 55. and ^3. Transvaal, Queen's head,
 THE MARKET. 329

pair of rs., green, mint, unused, £2 6s.; and pair triangular (De la Rue type), id., bright brown-
of 2s., blue, also mint, ,£4. U.S.A., Providence, red, rare shade, a superb mint pair, £2 8s.; ditto,
an entire uncut sheet of twelve, £6 6s.; 1861, 4d., slate-blue, an equally superb mint pair, £2 6s.;
5 c., brick-red, unused, with gum, £7 lOs.; ditto, 6d., bright mauve, a grand mint pair,
Agriculture, set complete, unused, £3 Js. ; £3 5s. Ceylon, CC, 12^, 4 cents, grey, with gum,
Executive, set complete, unused, £t> 53. ; also £28. Great Britain, wmk. large Crown inverted,
a used set, £3 125. 6d.; Justice, set complete, id., black, mint pair, £2 IDS. ; "I.R. Official"
used, £4 143. Nevis, Is., yellow-green, No. on IDs., blue, used, £2 6s., and ^i, green, £2 2s.
10, unused, no gum, £ll los.; 4d., orange, litho, Geneva, the double stamp, unused, ^30. Trinidad,
unused, mint, No. 4, £3 IDs.; another, No. 5, surcharged "O.S.", mint set, ^d. to 53., £$ los.
£3 I2s. 6d.; 6d., grey, unused, mint, No. ir, Virgin Islands, 4d. on Is., strip of five unused,
£4; another, No. 12, £4 55. New. South Wales, £4 IDS.
diadem, 6d., grey-brown, wmk. 8, unused, large * * *
margins, no gum, £7 155. A collection of 7,047 MESSRS. VENTOM, BULL, AND COOPER'S sale
stamps went for ,£44. of November 22nd and 23rd.—This catalogue is
* * * mainly made up of big, though very useful, lots.
MESSRS. PUTTICK AND SIMPSON'S sale of Nov- Upon running through it we notice: Gibraltar,
ember 27th and 28th.—The following superb lots first issue, complete, unused, £3 153. A collection
of British stamps were the feature of the sale : of Greek (454), £il. Labuan, 12 c., carmine,
Great Britain, 1840, imperf., id., black, V.R., a unused, £(>. U.S.A., 1869, 24 c., inverted
block of six, unused, in mint state and in brilliant centre, used, ,£20 los. St. Vincent, id., rose-
condition, one stamp at left has the outer line red, with compound perfs, £4 73. 6d. A book
very slightly cut into, in all other respects the of scarce stamps (351) realised £60, and collections
block is superb, £40; ditto, a pair, unused, in sold as follows: British Colonial (744), £34;
mint state, superb, £14 153.; ditto, 2d., blue, general (3,507), ^30, and another (5,010) £35.
without lines, a magnificent block of twenty-four, * * *
unused, in mint state and in brilliant condition, MESSRS. VENTOM, BULL, AND COOPER'S sale
being the two rows from the bottom of the sheet, of December 6th and 7th.—Great Britain, 1855-
with full margins and inscription (there is a slight 57, 4d., rose-carmine on white, wmk. medium
crease between the two rows, which, however, does Garter, a very fine unused horizontal pair, mint,
not affect its appearance), the finest block of this £16 IDS. ; 4d., sage-green, plate 15, an entire
scarce stamp which has ever been offered for sale unused pane of sixty, mint, £10 153. Gibraltar,
by auction, £i$$; ditto, id., red-brown on bleutt, first issue, with gum, all but the jd. and id.,
a similar block, unused, in mint state and very £3 123. 6d. Afghanistan, 1290-91, shahi, purple,
fine, but slightly creased, £8 53.; Mulready id. horizontal pair, unused, £5. Ceylon, 2d.,
cover, an entire .uncut sheet of twelve, £4; emerald - green, CC, unused block of four,
ditto, £$ • ditto, ad. cover, £8; ditto, £g 5s. £6 23. 6d.; similar blocks and strips of 4d.,
Ceylon, 8d., imperf., used, £11 los. Hong Kong, rose, £1 143., £2 2s.; 8d., reddish brown, £2.
18 c., lilac, CC, unused, with gum, £3 IDs. British East Africa, first issue, set complete,
Mafeking, is. on 6d., lilac-red, sans-serif used, £3 I2s. 6d. Lagos, 23. 6d., olive-black,
type, used, £6 53.; 2s on Is., green, £3 2s. 6d. unused, £3 los. Mauritius, Post Paid, id.,
and £3 55.; a pair of Baden-Powells, large size, vermilion, an entire made-up plate, consisting
used, £3 73. 6d. Lagos, IDS., lilac-brown, CA, of one vertical pair and ten singles, of which the
penmarked, £6 IDS. Nevis, 6d., grey, litho, un- pair and three others are on bluish—each stamp
used, No. 2, mint, £4 4$.; another, no gum, No. is fine and of the earliest state, nine of which
9> £3 I23. 6d. A collection, about 5,ooo, went can be called superb, .£110; large fillet, 2d., blue,
for £32, and one of 1,250 in a Lallier, ^18. an entire made-up plate, consisting of a superb
* * * vertical pair and ten singles, of which six are
MESSRS. PLUMRIDGE AND Co.'s sale of Nov- fine, and the other four cut close, £178; Post
ember 20th and 2ist.—Barbados, id. on half 53., Paid, 2d., blue, an entire made-up plate, consist-
used, £5. British South Africa, 1891, Jd., zd., ing of a superb block of four, used on piece, and
4d., and 8d. provisionals, unused, £$. Jamaica, eight singles, all of which are of the earliest
fiscal, postally used, on entire, 5s., lilac and blue, state, and include five very fine specimens, ^245;
£i I2s. St. Vincent, CA, 4d , bright blue, un- small fillet, 2d., blue, an entire made-up plate,
used, £2 45. Spain. 1851, 2 reales, used and all early impressions and fine, £18. Transvaal,
repaired, £8 53.; 1853, 2 reales, unused, no gum,
£7. Trinidad, litho, blue on thick paper, used,
£4 IDs. Tuscany, 2 soldi, used, £$ 73. 6d.;
? ueen's head, is., green, unused block of four,
3 73. 6d.; ditto, provisional issue, I penny, in
black, on 6d., black, an entire unused sheet of
9 crazie, on white, used, £3. A duplicate collec- sixty, showing all the various types, extremely
tion (3,000), £<). rare and probably unique, .£155. Zanzibar, on
* * * India, I anna, plum, with blue surcharge, hori-
MESSRS. PUTTICK AND SIMPSON'S sale of Dec- zontal pair, used, £3 153. Canada, I2d., black,
ember nth.—A catalogue of good useful stamps, heavy postmark, ^25.
but containing little worthy of special notice. A set * * *
of nineteen Mafekings sold for .£19, and another MR. W. HADLOW'S sale of November 2gth
set without the is. on 6d. British Bechuanaland, and 30th.—British East Africa, first issue, J, I,
£14 ; two specimens of the stamp last mentioned and 4 annas, mint, ^5 2s. 6d. and £$. Ceylon,
went for £4 123. 6d. and £4 155., and the 2s. on 8d., imperf, used, ,£12 55.; same, but perf., used,
Is., green, £2 i8s.; a block of four unused Baden- £3 35. Gibraltar, first issue, is., used, £2.
Powells, large size, realised £9 155. Collections Gwalior, i rupee, short surcharge, mint, £2 153.
sold: 3,250 for £15; 5,150, ^23; and 3,500, Nevis, is., green, No. 12, o.g., £3 35.; 4d.,
£16 Ss. orange, No. 10, unused, £3 gs.; is., blue-green,
* * * o.g., No. 2, £2 l8s.; is., yellow-green, with
MESSRS. PLUMRIDGE AND Co.'s sale of gum, No. I, £12 ios.; 4d., orange, with gum,
December 4th and 5th.—Cape of Good Hope, No. 3, £4 I2s. 6d., and No. it, £4 I2s, 6d.;
33° THE MARKET,

6d., grey, unused, No. I, £4 75. 6d , and No. 4, many stamps were not up to the usual standard
£4. New Brunswick, 6d., unused, mint, £14 ics. as to centering, it was well known that better
Sydney Views, Plate I, id., rose, vertical pair, were exceedingly difficult to obtain, and were
used, £4. Orange River Colony. "V'R'I"", eagerly sought by those who are looked upon
6d., rose, with raised stops, mint blocks of six, here as among the most difficult to please. But
£(> 153. and £6 53. Queensland, 2s. 6d., scarlet, aside from all this the prices realised tend to
mint pair, £2 2s.; Is., mauve, perf. 9x12, show that catalogue quotations are very erroneous
horizontal strip of three, fiscally used, £3 35 when those stamps not listed high, but ' hard to
St. Vincent, 55., Star, with gum, £g 2s. 6d. get,' were offered. The total catalogue value of
Transvaal, 1877, 6d., blue, surcharged "V.R. the collection was about $24,000. The total
Transvaal, "imperf., unused, without gum, £i 125.; amount realised was a little less than $13,100,
another, without stop after "Transvaal", unused, a percentage far greater than has been realised in
no gurn, £2 l8s.; same .surcharge, is., green, several years. These facts tend to strengthen the
fine roulette, unused, with o.g., ^455.; Jd., in red, market and give tone to business "
on is., green, error "Pennij," used, £l 143.; # * *
1883, is., green, vertical strip of four, the top AUCTION sales seem to be taking their place at
stamp being inverted, £2; ditto, is., green darker Berlin in grand style. Messrs. Philipp Kosack
shade, block of six, containing the tete-blche pair, and De Vries introduced them here, and by means
£2 ; Jd., in red, on Is., green, entire sheet, con- of well-timed advertisements and invitations to all
taining the " Pennij" error, mint, ,£3. the well-known dealers, together with a generous
* * * distribution of catalogues, produced a large attend-
THE Metropolitan Philatelist makes the follow- ance at the first sale, which took place at the
ing comment upon the sale recently referred to in Restaurant " Hopfenblute," Unter den Linden,
the London Philatelist:— on October 22nd.
" The superb Dionian collection is now a thing There were many good things in the sale which,
of the past. The splendid aggregation of stamps however, unfortunately by no means realised high
which had taken so much money to amass, patient prices, and mostly fell into the hands of collectors.
search to secure, and loving care to protect, has Collectors were particularly well represented,
now been scattered among some hundreds of though of course dealers were not wanting.
amateurs, all of whom, we trust, will be made The representatives from abroad who were
happier by the beautiful additions to their albums. present were bidders also, and the spacious room
From a business standpoint the auction was a provided was full to overflowing.
great success, as practically every lot sold at an Thus the first auction sale was a complete
advance over prices secured at last season's sales. success, and we may take it that after so success-
No small part of this desirable showing is owing ful an introduction of this mode of selling stamps
to the publicity given to the sale in the pages of it wil) continue to flourish.
this paper—an advantage not shared by the auc- * * *
tions with which a collector would naturally com- THE first sale by auction of stamps was held in
pare the Dionian sale. Many stamps sold much Berlin on October 22nd of the present year in a
above catalogue price, some as high as three limes room of the Restaurant, Unter den Linden 27.
the regular quotations, all of which goes to show This attempt to introduce these auction sales,
that no hard and fast rule can usurp the place now long established in London and Paris, into
of a careful study of the market by intelligent Berlin ought to be regarded as most satisfactory.
amateurs. Three-quarters of the collection will The sale attracted a very numerous assembly,
remain in New York City, the out-of-town buyers including practically all possessors of the larger
usually sending very inadequate bids. Perhaps the collections in Berlin. We noticed Herr Heften,
most curious feature of mail bids is the insistence jun., whose collection stands unrivalled in Berlin,
on every stamp being in perfect condition when Herren Huff, Blankertz, Elster, Schneider, etc.
the price offered could only secure very poor Representatives were present from London, Paris,
specimens. In a collection like the one under Stockholm, Wiesbaden, and Dresden, as well as
review, where every stamp was perfect, conditions from many other places.
were superfluous, but bids should in no case fall Many of the stamps which came under the
below half catalogue price, while many thousands hammer went out of the country, as, for instance,
were offered at from one-quarter to one-third. Mr. v. Blume, of the Parisian Rothschild's house,
There is certainly not a single dealer in the United availed himself of this opportunity to select many
States who had the cash who would not gladly particularly rare things. The Roumanian 81 paras,
have purchased the entire collection at these prices, blue, 1858, fetched the highest price in the four
and yet amateurs expected to get their pick of a hours' sale. The hammer fell after a bid of 5,000
part at less than the value of any portion of the marks for the stamp, which is considered to be the
whole. One notable instance of this was the bid rarest of Europeans. As we ascertained afterwards,
on lots 1,320 and 1,321—the penny and two- a dealer of this place had a commission to bid to
pence Mauritius; these were catalogued as grand 6,000 marks for the stamp, so the purchaser has
specimens and very early impressions, and yet saved 1,500 marks. There was also a second bid
several hundreds of collectors sent bids of from which ran to 4,800 marks, while a third ran to
half to full list price ($3 to $15) of ordinary 15 marks ! The 27 paras, Roumania, belonging
stamps. They sold, after much competition, at to the same collection, was also bought by Mr. v.
$31 and $50 respectively." Blume, of Paris, for the sum of 750 marks.
* * * Among the rest of the stamps other than the
Mekeel's Weekly, in referring to this sale, takes Europeans the 5 c., Brattleboro', U.S.A., fetched
a favourable view of the result, and we quote the highest bid—1,000 marks. Two St. Vin-
their conclusion of the whole matter: — cents—the 55., 1880, and the 4d. on is., 1881—
"The value of condition was fully exemplified went to London for 200 and 100 marks respect-
in the prices realised. Very few great rarities were ively. The 6d., Tobago, realised in marks.
offered, but catalogue prices seemed at times to A ics., Swazieland, found a purchaser in Eng-
be almost entirely unconsidered. While very land for the sum of 130 marks.