THE

 Stanley Gibbons Philatelic Handbooks. 

 STAMP COLLECTING AS A PASTIME

 BY

 EDWARD J. NANKIVELL MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISTS MEMBER OF THE PHILATELIC SOCIETY OF LONDON

 London STANLEY GIBBONS, LTD. , 391, STRAND, W. C. New York 167, BROADWAY 1902

PREFACE

Many people are at a loss to understand the fascination that surroundsthe pursuit of stamp collecting. They are surprised at theclannishness of stamp collectors, and their lifelong devotion to theirhobby. They are thunderstruck at the enormous prices paid for rarestamps, and at the fortunes that are spent and made in stampcollecting. 

The following pages will afford a peep behind the scenes, and explainhow it is that, after nearly half a century of existence, stampcollecting has never been more popular than it is to-day. 

And perchance many a tired worker in search of a hobby may bepersuaded that of all the relaxations that are open to him none ismore attractive or more satisfying than stamp collecting. 

Its literature is more abundant than that devoted to any other hobby. Its votaries are to be found in every city and town of the civilisedworld. Governments and statesmen recognise, unsolicited, the claims ofstamp collecting--the power, the influence, and the wealth that itcommands. From a mere schoolboy pastime it has steadily developed intoan engrossing hobby for the leisured and the busy of all classes andall ranks of life, from the monarch on his throne to the errand boy inthe merchant's office. 

In the competition of modern life it is recognised that those whomust work must also play. The physician assures us that the man whoallows himself no relaxation, no recreation, loses his energy, andages earlier than the man who judiciously alternates work and play. 

As stamp collecting may be indulged in by all ages, and at allseasons, it is becoming more and more the favourite indoor relaxationwith brain-workers. It may be taken up or laid down at any time, andat any stage. Its cost may be limited to shillings or pounds, and itmay be made a pleasant pursuit or an engrossing study, or it may evenbe diverted into money-making purposes. 

So absorbing is the hobby that in stamp circles there is a saying, "Once a stamp collector, always a stamp collector. "

CONTENTS

I. STAMP COLLECTING AS A PASTIME

II. THE CHARM OF STAMP COLLECTING

III. ITS PERMANENCE

IV. ITS INTERNATIONALITY

V. ITS GEOGRAPHICAL INTEREST

VI. ITS HISTORICAL FINGER POSTS

VII. STAMPS WITH A HISTORY

VIII. GREAT RARITIES

IX. THE ROMANCE OF STAMP COLLECTING

X. PHILATELIC SOCIETIES AND THEIR WORK

XI. THE LITERATURE OF STAMPS

XII. STAMPS AS WORKS OF ART

XIII. STAMP COLLECTING AS AN INVESTMENT

XIV. WHAT TO COLLECT AND HOW TO COLLECT

XV. GREAT COLLECTIONS

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I. 

As a Pastime. 

According to the authorities, the central idea of a pastime is "thatit is so positively agreeable that it lets time slip by unnoticed; as, to turn work into pastime. " And recreation is described as "that sortof play or agreeable occupation which refreshes the tired person, making him as good as new. "

Stamp collectors may fairly claim that their hobby serves the doublepurpose of a pastime and a recreation. As a pastime, it certainlymakes time pass most agreeably; for the true student of the postalissues of the world, it turns work into a pastime. As a recreation, itis of such an engrossing character that it may be relied upon toafford the pleasant diversion from business worries that so many tiredmental workers need nowadays. 

For nearly half a century it has maintained unbroken its hold as oneof the most popular of all forms of relaxation, and its popularityextends to all classes and to all countries. 

But this very devotion of stamp collectors to their hobby has puzzledand excited the uninitiated. The ordinary individual, especially theman who has no soul for a hobby of any kind, regards it as a passingfancy, a harmless craze, a fashion that must have its day anddisappear, sooner or later. But the passing fancy has endured fornearly half a century, the harmless craze still serves its usefulpurpose, and the fashion has acquired such a permanence as to convincemost people that it has come to stay. 

Of all pastimes, and of all the forms of recreation, not one can claimmore lifelong devotees than this same stamp collecting. And where isanother pastime with such international ramifications? In everycivilised country, in every city, and in every town of any importance, the wide world over, thoughtful men and women are to be found formedinto sociable groups, or societies, quietly and pleasantly enjoyingthemselves in the harmless and enduring pursuit of stamp collecting. 

There must be some reason for this popularity, this devotion of allclasses to a pursuit, this unbroken record of progress. It cannot besatisfactorily accounted for as a passing fancy or fashion. It has toolong stood the test of years to be so easily explained away. Fanciesand fashions come and go, but stamp collecting flourishes from decadeto decade. Princes and peers, merchants and members of Parliament, solicitors and barristers, schoolboys and octogenarians, all followthis postal Pied Piper of Hamelin, "Grave old plodders, gay young friskers, Fathers, mothers, uncles, cousins, "

all bent upon the pursuit of this pleasure-yielding hobby. 

Why is it? Whence comes the fascination?

To the unprejudiced inquirer the reply is simple. To the leisured manit affords a stimulating occupation, with a spice of competition; tothe busy professional man it yields the delight of a recreativechange; to the studious, an inexhaustible scope for profitableresearch; to the old, the sociability of a pursuit popular with oldand young alike; to the young, a hobby prolific of novelty, and one, moreover, that harmonises with school studies in historical andgeographical directions; to the money maker, an opening for occasionalspeculation; and to all, a satisfying combination of a safe investmentand a pleasure-yielding study. 

Old postage stamps--bits of paper, as they are contemptuously calledby some people--may have no intrinsic value, but they are, nevertheless, rich in memories of history and of art; they link thepast with the present; they mark the march of empires and thefederation of states, the rise and fall of dynasties, and the peacefulextension of postal communication between the peoples of the world;and, some day in the distant future, they may celebrate even yet moreimportant victories of peace. 

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II. 

The Charm of Stamp Collecting. 

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in a letter to acorrespondent, referring to stamp collecting, wrote: "It is one of thegreatest pleasures of my life"; and the testimony of the Prince ofWales is the testimony of thousands who have taken up this engrossinghobby. 

The pursuit of a hobby is very often a question of expense. Manyinteresting lines of collecting are practically closed to all but thewealthy. But stamp collecting is open to all, for the expenditure mayin its case be limited at the will of the collector to shillings orpounds. Indeed, the adaptability of this hobby is one of its chiefestcharms. The rich collector may make his choice amongst the mostexpensive countries, whilst the man of moderate means will wiselyconfine himself to equally interesting countries whose stamps have notgone beyond the reach of the man who does not wish to make his hobbyan expensive one. The schoolboy may get together a very respectablelittle collection by the judicious expenditure of small savings fromhis pocket money, and the millionaire will find ample scope for hissurplus wealth in the fine range of varieties that gem the issues ofmany of the oldest stamp-issuing countries, and which only thefortunate few can hope to possess. 

In all there are over three hundred countries from which to make aselection. In the early days collectors took all countries, but ascountry after country followed the lead of England in issuing adhesivestamps for the prepayment of postage, and as series followed series ofnew designs in each country, the task of covering the whole groundbecame more and more hopeless, and collector after collector beganfirst to restrict his lines to continents, and then to groups orcountries, till now only the wealthy and leisured few attempt to makea collection of the world's postal issues. 

This necessary restriction of collecting to groups and individualcountries has led to specialism. The specialist concentrates hisattention upon the issues of a group or country, and he prosecutes thestudy of the stamps of his chosen country with all the thoroughness ofthe modern specialist. He unearths from forgotten State documents anddusty files of official gazettes the official announcementsauthorising each issue. He inquires into questions surrounding thechoice of designs, the why and wherefore of the chosen design, thename of the engraver, the materials and processes used in theproduction of the plates, the size of the plates, and the varyingqualities of the paper and ink used for printing the stamps--in fact, nothing that can complete the history of an issue, from its inceptionto its use by the public, escapes his attention. He constituteshimself, in truth, the historian of postal issues. The scope forinteresting study thus opened up is almost boundless. It includesinquiries into questions of heraldry in designs, of currency in thedenominations used, of methods of engraving dies, of the transferenceof the die to plates, of printing from steel plates and fromlithographic stones, of the progress of those arts in variouscountries, of the manufacture, the variety, and the quality of thepaper used--from the excellent hand-made papers of early days to thecommonest printing papers of the present day--of postal revenues andpostal developments, of the crude postal issues of earliest times, andthe exquisite machine engraving of many current issues. 

He who fails to see any justification for money spent and time givenup to the collecting of postage stamps will scarcely deny that theselines of study, which by no means exhaust the list, can scarcely failto be both fascinating and profitable, even when regarded from apurely educational standpoint. It is true it may be contended that allcollectors do not go thus deeply into stamp collecting as a study;nevertheless the tendency sets so strongly in the direction ofcombining study with the pleasure of collecting, that the man whonowadays neglects to study his stamps is apt to fall markedly behindin the competition that is ever stimulating the stamp collector in hispleasant and friendly rivalry with his fellows. 

Then, again, an ever-increasing supply of new issues from one or otherof the many groups of stamp-issuing countries periodically revives theinterest of the flagging collector, and binds him afresh to the hobbyof his choice. Old, seasoned collectors, whose interest once set neverflags from youth to age, relegate new issues to a back seat. They findmore than enough to engage their lifelong devotion in the grand oldissues of the early settlements. But the collector of modern issueswho cannot afford to indulge in the great rarities, finds new issues asource of perpetual enjoyment. They follow one another month aftermonth, and infuse into the collector's life the irresistible charm ofnovelty, and every now and again an emergency issue comes as asurprise. There is a scramble for possession, and a spice ofspeculation in the possibility, never absent from a makeshift andemergency issue, that the copies may be scarce, and may some day ripeninto rarity. 

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III. 

Its Permanence. 

Ever since the collection of postage stamps was first started it hasbeen sneered at as a passing craze, and it has been going to die anatural death for the past forty years. But it is not dead yet. Indeed, it is very much more alive than it has ever been. Still thesneerers sneer on, and the false prophets continue to prophesy itscertain end. 

To the unsympathetic, the ignoramus, the lethargic, the brainless, everything that savours of enthusiasm is a craze. The politician whothrows himself heart and soul into a political contest is "off hishead, " is seized with a craze. The philanthropist who builds andendows hospitals and churches is "a crank, " following a mere craze. The earnest student of social problems is "off the track, " on a craze. The man who seeks relaxation by any change of employment is certain tobe classed by some idiot as one who goes off on a craze. You cannot, in fact, step off the beaten track tramped by the common herd withoutexciting some remark, some sneer, perchance, at your singularity. 

The most ignorant are the most positive that stamp collecting is onlya passing fancy of which its votaries will tire, sooner or later; andyet for the last forty years, with a brief exception, due to anabnormal depression in trade, it has always been on the increase. Indeed, it has never in all those years been more popular with thecultured classes than it is to-day. The Philatelic Society of Londonhas an unbroken record of regular meetings of its members extendingover a quarter of a century. The literature devoted to stampcollecting is more abundant than that of any other hobby. Its votariesare to be found in every city and town of the habitable globe. 

"All very fine, " say our bogey men, our prophets of impending evil;"but blue china has gone to the wall, autographs are losing caste, oldbooks and first editions are on the downgrade, pipes are relegated tothe lumber-room, metallurgical cabinets are coated with dust, and evenwalking-sticks survive only at Sandringham!" Just so. We areall--Governments, people, and weather--going to the bad as fast as wecan go, according to the croakers, the wiseacres, and theself-appointed prophets. Nevertheless, stamp collecting has survivedthe sneers and the evil prophecies of forty years, and so far as humanforesight can penetrate the future, it seems likely to survive formany a generation yet. 

And why not? In the busy, contentious bustle of the competition of theday, the brain, strained too often to its utmost tension, demands therelaxation of some absorbing, pleasure-yielding hobby. Those who havetried it attest the fact that few things more completely wean theattention, for the time being, from the vexations and worries of theday than the collection and arrangement of postage stamps. In fact, stamp collecting has an ever-recurring freshness all its own, a scopefor research that is never likely to be exhausted, a literature variedand abundant, and a close and interesting relation to the history andprogress of nations and peoples that insensibly widens the trend ofhuman sympathies and human knowledge. 

What more do we want of a hobby? We cannot ensure, even for theBritish Empire, an eternity of durability: nations decay and fashionschange. Some day even stamp collecting may be superseded by a moreengrossing hobby. The indications, however, are all in favour of itsgrowing hold upon its universal public. The wealth invested in it isimmense, its trading interests are prosperous and international, andno fear of changing fashion disturbs either dealer or collector. 

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IV. 

Its Internationality. 

Wherever you go you find the stamp collector in evidence. The hobbyhas its devotees in every civilised country. Its hold is, in fact, international. In Dresden there is a society with over two thousandmembers upon its books; in out-of-the-way countries like Finland thereare ardent collectors and flourishing philatelic societies. The Princeof Siam has been an enthusiastic collector for many years, and even inKorea there are followers of the hobby. Australia numbers itscollectors by the thousand, and many of its cities have theirphilatelic societies, all keen searchers for the much-prized raritiesof the various States of the Commonwealth. In India, despite thedifficulty of preserving stamps from injury by moisture, there arenumbers of collectors; one of the best-known rajahs is collectingstamps for a museum, recently founded in his State, and the Parseesare keen dealers. There are collectors throughout South Africa, inRhodesia, and even in Uganda. Wherever a postage stamp is issued theremay be found a collector waiting for a copy for his album. In no partof the world can an issue of stamps be made that is not at oncepartially bought up for collectors. If any one of the Antarcticexpeditions were to reach the goal of its ambition, and were tocelebrate the event there and then by an issue of postage stamps, acollector would be certain to be in attendance, and would probablyendeavour to buy up the whole issue on the spot. The United Statesteems with collectors, and they have their philatelic societies in theprincipal cities and their Annual Congress. From Texas to Niagara, andfrom New York to San Francisco, the millionaire and the more humblecitizen vie with each other in friendly rivalry as stamp collectors. 

Many countries are now making an Official Collection, and there isevery probability that some day in the near future most Governmentswill keep a stamp collection of some sort for reference andexhibition. Under the rules of the Postal Union, every state thatenters the Union is entitled to receive, for reference purposes, acopy of every stamp issued by each country in the Postal Union. Henceevery Government receives valuable contributions, which should beutilised in the formation of a National or Official Collection. Andsome day stamp collectors will be numerous and influential enough todemand that such contributions shall not be buried in useless andforgotten heaps in official drawers, but shall be systematicallyarranged for public reference and general study. 

Not a few countries are every year rescued from absolute bankruptcy bythe generosity with which collectors buy up their postal issues; andmany other countries would have to levy a very much heavier burden oftaxation from their peoples if stamp collecting were to go out offashion. 

So widespread indeed is our hobby that a well-known collector mighttravel round the world and rely upon a cordial welcome at the hands offellow-collectors at every stopping-place en route. 

International jealousies are forgotten, and even the barriers of race, and creed, and politics, in the pleasant freemasonry of philatelicfriendships. 

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V. 

Its Geographical Interest. 

A few years ago many heads of colleges prohibited stamp collectingamongst their boys. They found they were carrying it too far, and werebeing made the easy prey of a certain class of rapacious dealers. Nowthe pendulum is swinging in a more rational direction, and manymasters themselves having become enthusiastic collectors, judiciouslyencourage the boys under their care to collect and study stamps asinteresting aids to their general studies. They watch over theircollecting, and protect them from wasteful buying. In some schools themasters have given or arranged lectures on stamps and stampcollecting, and the boys have voted such entertainments as rankingnext to a jolly holiday. 

The up-to-date master, who can associate work and play, study andentertainment, is much more likely to register successes than thefrigid dominie who will hear of nothing but a rigid attention to thetasks of the day. In the one case the lessons are presented in theirmost repellent form, in the other they are made part and parcel ofeach day's pleasant round of interesting study. 

The genuine success of the Kindergarten system in captivating thelittle ones lies in its association of play with work. The sameprinciple holds good even to a much later age. The more pleasant thetask can be made, the more ready will be the obedience with which thetask will be performed. The openings for the judicious and helpfuladmixture of study and entertainment are so few, that one wonders thatsuch a helpful form of play as stamp collecting has not become morepopular than it has in our colleges. 

Take, for example, the study of geography, so important to the boys ofa great commercial nation. The boy who collects stamps will readilyseparate the great colonising powers, and group and locate theirseparate colonies. How many other boys, even after they have passedthrough the last stage of their school life, could do this?Little-known countries and states are too often a puzzle to theordinary schoolboy, which are familiar places to the stamp collectingyouth. Ask the ordinary schoolboy in which continents are such placesas Angola, Annam, Curaçao, Funchal, Holkar, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nepaul, Reunion, St. Lucia, San Marino, Sarawak, Seychelles, Sirmoor, Somali Coast, Surinam, Tahiti, Tobago, or Tonga, and how many of allthese places, so familiar to the young stamp collector, will heproperly place? Not many; and the same question might probably beasked of many an adult with even less satisfaction. 

The average series of used stamps are now so cheap that a lad may gettogether a fairly representative collection for what he ordinarilyspends at the tuck shop. Some educationists have advocated the makingand exhibiting of school collections of stamps as aids to study. Suchcollections would certainly be much more profitably studied than mostof the maps and diagrams that nowadays cover the walls. 

With few exceptions, every stamp has the name of the country, orcolony, of its issue on its face; and most colonial stamps bear somefamily likeness to the stamps of the mother country. Our Britishcolonial stamps are distinguished by their Queen's heads; the stampsof Portugal and its colonies by the portraits of the rulers ofPortugal; those of Germany by the German currency; those of Francemostly by French heraldic designs; those of Spain by the portraits ofthe kings and queens of Spain. So that the postage stamp is a key tomuch definite, valuable, and practical information. 

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VI. 

Its Historical Finger Posts. 

When considered from the historical point of view, postage stampsattain their highest level of educational value. They are finger poststo most of the great events that have made the history of nationsduring the last fifty years. Here are a few out of many examples whichmight be quoted. 

The introduction of adhesive stamps for the prepayment of postagefound France a Republic. A provisional government had just beenestablished on the ruins of the monarchy which had been swept out ofexistence in the revolution of 1848. As a consequence, the firstpostage stamp issued by France, on New Year's Day of 1849, bore thehead of Ceres, emblematic of Liberty. Three years later Louis Napoleonseized the post of power, and, as President of the Republic, his headfigures on a stamp issued in 1851, under the inscription "REPUB. FRANC. " Two years later the Empire was re-established, and the words"REPUB. FRANC. " were changed to "EMPIRE FRANC. " over the same head. In1863 the customary laurel wreath, to indicate the first victories ofthe reign, won in the war with Austria, was added to the Emperor'shead. In 1870 the Franco-German War resulted in the downfall of themonarchy, and the head of Liberty reappears on a series of postagestamps issued in Paris during its investment by the German army. Theissue of the stamps of Alsace and Lorraine in 1870 marks theannexation of the conquered territory. 

Italy in 1850 was a land of many petty states, each more or less a lawunto itself, and each, in the fifties, issuing its own separate seriesof postage stamps. The stamps of the Pontifical States are madefamiliar by their typical design of a tiara and keys, and pompous KingBomba ordered the best engraver to be found to immortalise him in aportrait for a series of stamps. The other states had each its ownheraldic design till the foundations of the Kingdom of Italy werelaid, in 1859-60, by the union of the Lombardo-Venetian States, theKingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchiesof Parma and Modena, the Romagna and the Roman (or Pontifical) Stateswith Piedmont. The first issue of stamps of the newly formed kingdombore a portrait of King Victor Emmanuel II. With profile turned to theright. In 1863, after the Kingdom of Sardinia had been merged in theKingdom of Italy, a new series was issued for united Italy. The sameking's portrait appears, but turned to the left. In 1879 King Humbertsucceeded Victor Emmanuel, and his portrait appeared on an issue inthe year of his accession. The assassination of King Humbert and theaccession of his son as Victor Emmanuel III. Are followed by the newportrait of the new king on the current series of the stamps of Italy. 

The stamps of Germany tell a somewhat similar story. They mark thestages of gradual absorption into a confederation of states, and theultimate creation of a German Empire. The postal issues of Badenceased in 1871, when the Grand Duchy was incorporated in the Empire. Bavaria, though also incorporated, holds out in postal matters, andstill issues its separate series. Bergedorf was in 1867 placed underthe control of the free city of Hamburg, and thereupon ceased issuingstamps. Bremen, Brunswick, Hamburg, Lubeck, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Oldenburg, Prussia, Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein formed the NorthGerman Confederation, and closed their postal accounts with collectorsin 1868. Hanover became a province of Prussia after the war of 1866, and thereupon ceased its separate issue of postage stamps; and Thurnand Taxis followed suit in 1867. In 1870 the North GermanConfederation was merged in the German Empire, which issued its firstpostage stamp with the Imperial eagle in 1872. But the Empire is notyet sufficiently united to place a portrait of the Emperor upon itsImperial postal series. 

Indian postage stamps, overprinted with the initials "C. E. F. ", for theChina Expeditionary Force, _i. E. _ the Indian troops sent to China in1901 to relieve the besieged Embassies, mark an historical event of nosmall import. 

The early provisional issues of Crete of 1898 indicate the jointinterference of the Great Powers in its affairs, and the later issues, in 1900, bear the portrait of Prince George of Greece as HighCommissioner of Crete. 

The Confederate locals of America, issued, in 1861-3, by thepostmasters of the Southern States when they were cut off by the warfrom the capital and its supplies of postage stamps, and each town wasthrown upon its own resources, proclaim the period of the greatAmerican Civil War. 

Collectors are all familiar with the long series of portraits of pastPresidents of the United States, from Washington to Garfield. 

The stamps of Don Carlos mark the Carlist rising in Spain in 1873. 

But amongst the most interesting of all stamps that may be classed ashistorical finger posts, none equal in present-day interest the stampsof the Transvaal, for they tell of the struggle for supremacy in SouthAfrica. In 1870 the Boers issued their first postage stamp, and acrude piece of workmanship it was, designed and engraved in Germany. Till 1877 they printed their supplies of postage stamps in their owncrude way from the same crude plates. Then came the first BritishOccupation, when the remainders of the stamps of the first SouthAfrican Republic were overprinted "V. R. TRANSVAAL, " to indicateBritish government. Then, in 1878, the stamps of the Republic werereplaced by our Queen's Head. In 1881 the country was given back tothe Boers, when they in turn overprinted our Queen's Head series inBoer currency, to indicate the restoration of Boer domination. Andnow, finally, in 1900 we have the second British Occupation, and asecond overprinting of South African Republic stamps "V. R. I. ", tosignalise once more, and finally, the supremacy of British rule inSouth Africa. The Mafeking stamps are also interesting souvenirs of agallant stand in the same historical struggle. 

The war which Chili some years ago carried into Bolivia and Peru hasbeen marked in a special manner upon the postage stamps of Chili. Asin the case of our own troops in South Africa, so the Chilian troopsin Bolivia and Peru were allowed to frank their letters home with thestamps of their own country. So also the Chilians further overprintedthe stamps of Peru with the Chilian arms during their occupation ofthe conquered country in the years 1881-2. Chilian stamps used alongthe route of the conquering army, and postmarked with the names of thetowns occupied, are much sought after by specialists. These postmarksinclude Arica, Callao, Iquique, Lima, Paita, Pisagua, Pisco, Tacna, Yca, etc. 

And so the stamp collector may turn over the pages of his stamp album, and point to stamp after stamp that marks, for him, some developmentof art, some crisis in a country's progress, some struggle to be free, or some great upheaval amongst rival powers. In fact, every stampissued by a country is, more or less, a page of its history. 

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VII. 

Stamps with a History. 

There are numbers of stamps that have an interesting history of theirown. They mark some official experiment, some curious blunder oraccident, some little conceit, some historical event, or some crudeand early efforts at stamp production. 

What is known as the V. R. Penny black, English stamp, is said to havebeen designed as an experiment in providing a special stamp forofficial use, its official character being denoted by the initialsV. R. In the upper corners; but the proposal was dropped, and the V. R. Penny black was never issued. For a long time it was treasured up as ararity by collectors, but now that its real claims to be regarded asan issued stamp have been finally settled, it is no longer included inour stamp catalogues. In the days of its popularity it fetched as muchas £14 at auction. It is now relegated to the rank of an interestingsouvenir of the experimental stage in the introduction of PennyPostage. 

Of curious blunders, the Cape of Good Hope errors of colours areamongst the most notable. In 1861 the 1d. And 4d. Triangular stamps, then current, were suddenly exhausted, and before a stock could beobtained from the printers in England, a temporary supply had to beprovided locally. This was done by engraving imitations of theoriginals. Stereos were then taken, and made up into plates forprinting. By an oversight a stereo of the penny value was dropped intothe fourpenny plate and a fourpenny into the penny plate. Consequently, each sheet printed in the required red ink from thepenny plate yielded a fourpenny wrongly printed in red instead ofblue, its proper colour; and every sheet of the fourpenny likewiseyielded a penny stamp printed in blue instead of red. These errors arehighly prized by collectors, and are now extremely scarce, even poorspecimens fetching from £50 to £60. At the time, copies were sold bydealers for a few shillings each. Similar errors are known in thestamps of other countries. 

Now and again the sheets of a particular value have, by someextraordinary oversight, been printed and issued in the wrong colour. In 1869 copies of the 1s. Of Western Australia were printed in bistreinstead of in green, and a few years later the twopence was discoveredin lilac instead of yellow. In 1863 a supply of shilling stamps wassent out to Barbados printed in blue instead of black; but this lattererror was, according to Messrs. Hardy and Bacon, so promptlydiscovered, that it is doubtful if any of the wrong colour were issuedfor postal use. In 1896 the fastidiously careful firm of De la Rue andCo. Printed off and despatched to Tobago a supply of 6, 000 oneshilling stamps in the colour of the sixpenny, _i. E. _ in orange-browninstead of olive-yellow. Several are said to have been issued to thepublic before the error had been noticed. Indeed, the firm at home iscredited with having first discovered the mistake, and is said tohave telegraphed to the colony in time to prevent their issue in anyquantity. 

Another and much more common error in the early days of stampproduction was the careless placing of one stamp on a plate upsidedown. Stamps so placed are termed _tête-bêche_. They have to becollected in pairs to show the error. The early stamps of Francefurnish many examples of this class of error. They are also to befound on the 6d. And 1s. Values of the first design of the stamps ofthe Transvaal, on the early issues of Roumania, on some of the stampsof the Colombian Republic, and other countries. 

Stamps requiring two separate printings--_i. E. _ stamps printed in twocolours--have given rise to many curious errors in printing. A sheetpassed through the press upside down after one colour has been printedresults in one portion of the design being inverted. In the 1869 issueof the stamps of the United States no less than three of the valueshad the central portions of their designs printed upside down. The4d. , blue, of the first issue of Western Australia is known with theSwan on its head. Even the recently issued Pan-American stamps, printed in the most watchful manner by the United States officialBureau of Engraving and Printing, are known with the central portionsof the design inverted, and these errors, despite the most searchingexamination to which each sheet is several times subjected, escapeddetection, and were sold to the public. When, however, it isremembered that stamps are now printed by the million, it will bewondered that so few mistakes escape into the hands of collectors. 

As a bit of conceit, the issue of what is known as the Connell stampis probably unequalled. In loyal Canada, in 1860, Mr. Charles Connellwas Postmaster-General of the little colony of New Brunswick, which inthose days had its own government and its own separate issue ofstamps. A change of currency from "pence" to "cents" necessitated newpostage stamps. It was decided to give the new issue as much varietyas possible by having a separate design for each stamp. Two of theseries presented the crowned portrait of the Queen, and one that ofthe Prince of Wales as a lad in Scotch dress. Connell, apparentlyambitious to figure in the royal gallery, gave instructions to theengravers to place his own portrait upon the 5 cents stamp. Hisinstructions were carried out, and in due time a supply of the 5 centsbearing his portrait was delivered. But before many were issued thenews spread like wildfire that Connell had outraged the issue byplacing his own portrait upon one of the stamps. Political opponentsare said to have taken up the hue and cry. The matter was immediatelybrought before the higher authorities, and the unfortunate stamp waspromptly suppressed. Half a million had been printed off and deliveredfor sale, but very few seem to have escaped the outcry that was raisedagainst them, and to-day copies are extremely scarce. Poor Connelltook the matter very much to heart, threw up his appointment, andforthwith retired into private life. But the portrait of the bluffmechanic type of countenance will be handed down from generation togeneration in stamp catalogues and costly stamp collections long afterthe authorities that suppressed him are forgotten. 

Some folks question the appearance of the Baden-Powell portrait uponthe Mafeking stamps as a similar bit of conceit; but whatever may besaid in criticism of Baden-Powell's stamp, most people will beinclined to accept it as a pleasant souvenir of an historic siege anda determined and gallant stand against great odds. 

But of all the portraits that have appeared upon postal issues, noneprobably occasioned so much trouble and fuss as that of the notoriousKing Bomba of Sicily. The most eminent engraver of his day--Aloisio--wascommissioned to prepare an exact likeness of His Sacred Majesty. Aftermuch ministerial tribulation the portrait was approved and engraved, andto this day it is regarded as a superb piece of work. A specialcancelling stamp had to be designed and put into use which defaced onlythe border of the stamp and left the sacred portrait untouched. Duringthe preliminaries necessary to the production of the sacred effigy thefate of ministers and officials hung in the balance. One official wasactually marked for degradation for having submitted a disfigurementwhich turned out to be a carelessly printed, or rough, proof impression. 

Numerous stamps have been designed, especially of late years, torepresent some historical event in connection with the country ofissue. The United States, in 1869, in the confined space of anunusually small stamp, endeavoured to represent the landing ofColumbus, and in another stamp the Declaration of Independence. In amuch more recent series, stamps of an exceptionally large size wereadopted to give scope for a Columbus celebration set of historicalpaintings, including Columbus soliciting aid of Isabella, Columbuswelcomed at Barcelona, Columbus restored to favour, Columbuspresenting natives, Columbus announcing his discovery, the recall ofColumbus, Isabella pledging her jewels, Columbus in chains, andColumbus describing his third voyage. Greece has given us a set ofstamps illustrating the Olympian Games. But collectors look withconsiderable suspicion upon stamps of this showy class, for too manyof them have been produced with the sole object of making a profit outof their sale to collectors, and not to meet any postal requirement. 

Crude productions of peculiar interest belong more to the earlierstages of the introduction of postage stamps. Local attempts atengraving in some of our own early colonial settlements were of thecrudest possible description, and yet they are, because of their verycrudeness, far more interesting than the finished product supplied byfirms at home, for the local effort truly represented the country ofits issue in the art of stamp production. The amusingly crude attemptswhich the engravers of Victoria have made from time to time, duringthe last fifty years, to give us a passable portrait of Her lateMajesty Queen Victoria, have no equal for variety. The stamps of thefirst South African Republic, made in Germany, are very appropriate intheir roughness of design and execution. For oddity of appearance thepalm must be awarded to those of Asiatic origin, such, for instance, as the stamps of Afghanistan, of Kashmir, and most of the localproductions of the Native States of India, marking as they do theirown independent attempts to work up to European methods ofintercommunication. 

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VIII. 

Great Rarities. 

Of the many stamps that are set apart, for one cause or another, fromthe ordinary run, as having a history of their own, those that by thecommon consent of collector and dealer are ranked as great raritiesare the most fruitful source of astonishment to the non-collector. They are the gems of the most costly collections, the possession ofthe few, and the envy of the multitude. In a round dozen that willfetch over £100 apiece there are not more than one or two that can layany claim to be considered works of art; indeed, they are mostlydistinguished by their surpassing ugliness. Nevertheless, they are thegems that give tone and rank to the finest collections. Some of themare even priceless. 

To the average man it is astonishing that anyone in his senses can beso foolish as to give £1, 000 for an ugly little picture that hasmerely done duty as a postage stamp. He contends there can be nointrinsic value in such scraps of paper, and that settles the matter, in his opinion. But is it not so with precious stones and pearls? Theyare of value merely because they are the fashion. There is nointrinsic value in them. If they were not fashionable they would beof little or no value. Long-standing fashion, and fashion alone, hasgiven them their value. So it is with stamps; fashion has given themtheir value, and every decade of continued popularity adds to thatvalue as it has added to the value of precious stones and pearls. There is no sign that precious stones are likely to become worthlessby the withdrawal of popular favour. Fashion changes from one stone toanother without affecting the popularity of precious stones ingeneral. So it is with stamps. Fashions change from one line ofcollecting to another without in the slightest degree affecting thestability or popularity of collecting as a whole. Precious stones andpearls minister to the pride of the individual, and stamps to hispleasure; and each has its own strong and unshakable hold upon thedevotees of fashion and pleasure. There is a fluctuating market in thecase of each of these favourites, but I venture to think that thereis, and has been for the past forty years, a steadier rise in thevalue of stamps than in the value of precious stones. 

[Illustration:]

British Guiana, 1856, 1 c. --In 1856 this colony was awaiting a supplyof stamps from England, and pending its arrival two provisional stampswere issued, a 1 c. And a 4 c. These were set up from type in theoffice of the _Official Gazette_. A small illustration of a ship, usedfor heading the shipping advertisements in the daily papers, wasutilised for the central portion of the design. Of the 1 c. Value onlyone specimen is known to-day, and that is in the collection of M. Philipp la Renotiérè (Herr von Ferrary). Doubts have been expressed asto the genuineness of the copy, but Mr. Bacon, who has had anopportunity of inspecting it, says: "After a most careful inspection Ihave no hesitation whatever in pronouncing it a thoroughly genuine onecent specimen. The copy is a poor one, dark magenta in colour, andsomewhat rubbed. It is initialled 'E. D. W. ', and dated April 1st, theyear not being distinct enough to be read. "

This stamp may safely be placed at the head of great rarities. Of itsvalue it is impossible to form any opinion. If a dealer had thedisposal of the copy in question, he would probably want between£1, 000 and £2, 000 for it, with a decided preference for the largersum. 

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Mauritius, "Post Office, " 1d. And 2d. --The best known, the mostquoted, and probably the most popular of all the great rarities is the"Post Office" Mauritius, so called because the words "Post Office"were inscribed on one side of the stamp instead of the words "PostPaid. " There were two values, 1d. And 2d. They were designed andengraved by a local watchmaker, and were printed from single dies, andissued in 1847. The tedious process of printing numbers of stamps fromsingle dies was soon abandoned, and only 500 copies of each value werestruck. Of those 1, 000 stamps only twenty-two copies are known toexist to-day. There are in the hands of leading collectors two copiesof the 1d. Unused, and three copies of the 2d. Unused, twelve copiesof the 1d. Used, and five copies of the 2d. Used. These rarities wereonly in use for a few days, and were mostly used in sending outinvitations to a ball at Government House. 

The value, according to condition, is from £800 upwards for eachvalue, but unused they are of course worth a great deal more. 

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Hawaii, 1851, 2 cents, blue. --Like so many rare stamps, this firstissue of Hawaii was designed and set up from type in a printer'soffice. About twelve copies are known to exist. The stamp was in usebut a very short time, as the Post Office of Honolulu was burnt down, and the stock of stamps of this first issue was completely destroyed. 

This 2 cents stamp is worth about £750. 

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British Guiana, 1850, 2 cents. --This is popularly known as the 2 centscircular Guiana, because of its shape. A notice in the local OfficialGazette, dated February, 1851, announced that "by order of HisExcellency the Governor, and upon the request of several of themerchants of Georgetown, it is proposed to establish a delivery ofletters twice each day through the principal streets of this city. "Certain gentlemen were named as having consented to receive lettersfor delivery at their respective stores, and it was further announcedthat "each letter must bear a stamp, for which 2 c. Will be charged, or it will not be delivered, and when called for will be subject tothe usual postage of 8 c. " A supply of the required 2 c. Stamps wasprovided by a locally type-set design enclosed in a ring. It is saidthat this delivery of letters was discontinued soon after it wasstarted, hence rarity of the stamp. 

Only eleven copies of this quaint postage stamp are known, and itsmarket value is probably somewhere about £600. 

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Moldavia, 1858, 81 paras. --This rare stamp formed one of a set of fourof the first postage stamps issued in Roumania. The values were 27paras for single letters travelling, and not carried more than aboutseventy miles, 54 paras for double that distance, 81 paras for heavierletters, and 108 paras for registered letters, all within the limitsof Moldavia. The 81 paras is the rarest of the series, as will be seenfrom the following inventory taken in February, 1859, of the thenunsold stock:--

 27 paras, printed 6, 000, sold 3, 675. 54 " " 10, 000 " 4, 756. 81 " " 2, 000 " 693. 108 " " 6, 000 " 2, 568. 

All these stamps were printed by hand on coloured paper in sheets ofthirty-two impressions in four rows of eight stamps. An unused copy ofthe 81 paras has fetched as much as £350. 

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United States, Millbury, 1847, 5 c. --In the United States the generaladoption of postage stamps was preceded by what may be termedpreliminary issues, of a more or less local character, and known as"Postmaster stamps. " These "Postmaster stamps" were issued by variouscountry postmasters by way of experiment. The Providence stamp is thecommonest example. One of the rarest is the 5 c. Stamp, with aportrait of Washington, issued by the postmaster of Millbury, inMassachusetts, in 1847. This stamp is said to be worth about £300. There are others reputed to be equally rare. Among the local stampsissued by various unofficial carriers and express agencies, there aremany of which very few copies are known, and as they are practicallyall held by enthusiastic collectors, and never come into the market, there are no data as to their current value. 

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Cape of Good Hope, 1861. _Errors of Colour_. --In making up the plateof a provisional issue of triangular stamps, pending the arrival ofsupplies from England, a stereo of the 1d. Got inserted by mistake inthe 4d. Plate, and a 4d. In the 1d. Plate. Consequently each sheet ofthe 1d. Contained a 4d. Printed in red, the colour of the 1d. , insteadof blue. And the sheets of the 4d. , in like manner, each contained a1d, which, when the 4d. Was printed in its proper colour of blue, wasalso printed in blue instead of red, the proper colour. These errorsare very scarce, especially in an unused condition. The 1d. , blue, isthe rarer of the two, and is worth about £70 used; it is not knownunused. 

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Tuscany, 1860, 3 lire. --In the early days of stamp production highvalues, such as we are now accustomed to get from most countries, werevery rarely issued. For nearly thirty years Great Britain was contentwith a shilling stamp as its highest value. In 1860 the ProvisionalGovernment of Tuscany issued a stamp of 3 lire, for which there seemsto have been very little use. It represented but two shillings andsixpence of English money, but it is nevertheless one of the greatrarities to-day, especially in an unused condition. Used copies areworth about £65, and unused about £120. 

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Transvaal, 1878. _Error_ "Transvral. "--This error occurred once ineach sheet of eighty of the 1d. , red on blue, of the first BritishOccupation. It was evidently discovered before a second lot wasrequired, as it does not recur in the next printing of 1d. , red onorange. It is a very rare stamp. Used it is worth about £50, butunused it is one of the great rarities, and has changed hands at about£150. 

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Ceylon, 1859, 4d. And 8d. , imperforate. --Several of the first issuesof this colony, designed and engraved by Messrs. Perkins Bacon andCo. , and issued in 1857-9, are esteemed as great rarities in animperforate and unused condition. The 4d. , 8d. , 9d. , 1s. , and 2s. Arethe rarest. The 4d. , so long ago as 1894, fetched £130 at auction. These stamps are amongst the few great rarities that may be entitledto rank as works of art, and every year they are more sought after andmore difficult to get in fine condition. 

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IX. 

The Romance of Stamp Collecting. 

The story of the development of stamp collecting, and of the tradethat has sprung up with it, is full of romance. 

Our publishers' business, with its world-wide ramifications, was begunby young Gibbons putting a few sheets of stamps in his father's shopwindow. The father was a chemist, and it was intended that the ladshould follow in his father's footsteps; but the stamps elbowed thedrugs aside, and eventually yielded a fortune which enabled thispioneer of the stamp trade to retire and indulge his globe-trottingpropensities to the full. He sold his business for £25, 000, and, stillin the prime of life, retired to a snug little villa on the banks ofthe Thames. The business was converted into a Limited LiabilityCompany, and the Managing Director may be said to be a product of theoriginal business, for it was a present of a guinea packet of StanleyGibbons's stamps that first whetted his appetite for stamp collecting, and eventually for stamp dealing. Mr. Gibbons had for a great manyyears conducted his business from his private house. The new broomchanged all that, and opened out in fine premises in the Strand, W. C. , where the Company now occupy the whole of one house and thegreater part of the adjoining premises. In every room busy hands areat work all the day long endeavouring to keep pace with a world-widebusiness which began with a few sheets in the corner of a chemist'sshop window in the town of Plymouth. 

And now, looking back on the humdrum days of the beginnings of thestamp trade, what opportunities do they not seem to have missed! Couldthey but have foreseen the present-day developments, a fewunconsidered trifles, valued at a few pence in those days, put away ina bottom drawer, would to-day net a fortune. Young Gibbons, amongsthis early purchases, bought from a couple of sailors at Plymouth for£5 a sackful of triangular Cape of Good Hope stamps, a largeproportion being the rare so-called Woodblocks, with many of theErrors described in the list of great rarities in another chapter. Those Errors he disposed of at 2s. 6d. Each. They are now worth from£60 to £75 each. And the ordinary Woodblocks, which were soplentifully represented in that sackful, are now catalogued at from50s. To £9 apiece. Strange as it may seem, those were the commonstamps of those days, and they are the rarities of to-day. 

A well-known collection, full of rare stamps of the value of from £5to £50, has been largely formed by the fortunate possessor out ofstamps for which he paid 2s. Per dozen just a little over twenty yearsago. 

A leading collector once conceived the idea of scouring thelittle-visited country towns of Spain for rare old Spanish stamps, anda most successful hunt he made of it. He secured most valuable andunsuspected hauls of unused and used blocks and pairs of rarePortuguese; but before returning home he decided to treat himself to atrip to Morocco, and during that ill-fated extension of his tour helost nearly the whole of his patient garnerings of rare Spanishstamps, for during an inland trip some very unphilatelic Bedouinsswooped down on his escort in the desert and carried off the whole ofhis baggage. He, being some distance ahead of his escort, escaped, andbrought home only a few samples of the grand things he had found andlost. 

In all forms of collecting the hunt for bargains adds zest to thegame, and probably more so in stamps than in any other hobby, not evenexcepting old china; and, as in other lines of collecting, the bargainhunter must be equipped with the expert knowledge of the specialist ifhe would sweep into his net at bargain prices the unsuspected gems tobe found now and again in the philatelic mart. Many a keen stampcollector turns his years of wide experience to good account as abargain hunter, and at least one innocent amateur is credited withnetting a revenue which would make many a flourishing merchant greenwith envy. 

Many a match has probably been due to stamp collecting. Not long agowe were told of a young lady who wrote to an official in a distantcolony for a few of the current stamps issued from his office. Thestamps were forwarded and a correspondence ensued. There waseventually an exchange of photographs, and finally the officialapplied for leave, returned home, and married his stamp collectingcorrespondent. 

Truly the scope of the stamp collector for pleasure, for profit, andfor romance is as wide as the most imaginative could desire. 

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X. 

Philatelic Societies and their Work. 

Most of the great cities of Europe, the British Colonies, and theUnited States have their Philatelic Societies. They are associationsof stamp collectors for the study of postage stamps, their history, engraving, and printing; the detection and prevention of forgeries andfrauds; the preparation and publication of papers and works bearingupon postal issues; the display and exhibition of stamps, and theexchange of duplicates. 

The premier society is the Philatelic Society of London, which wasfounded so long ago as 1869, and has as its acting President H. R. H. The Prince of Wales. For over thirty years, without a break, thisSociety has held regular meetings during the winter months. Itsmembership comprises most of the leading collectors in Great Britainand her Colonies and many of the best-known foreign collectors. On themembership roll are three princes, several earls, baronets, judges, barristers, medical men, officers in the Army and Navy, and manywell-known merchants. This society has published costly works on thestamps of Great Britain, of the Australian Colonies, of the BritishColonies of North America, of the West Indies, of India and Ceylon, and of Africa. It publishes an excellently-got-up monthly journal ofits own, which now claims shelf-room in the philatelic library for tenstately annual volumes. It has held two very successful InternationalPhilatelic Exhibitions, one opened by the late Duke of Edinburgh andthe other by the Prince of Wales, then Duke of York. At itsfortnightly meetings, papers are read and discussed on various mattersrelating to the hobby. Other meetings are held for the friendlyexchange of duplicates. 

In the provinces, the principal societies are those of Manchester andBirmingham. The Birmingham Society possesses a collection of its own, which it keeps up to date, as a work of reference for its members. Several of the societies hold periodical exhibitions, in which memberscompete for medals, and in many other ways they lay themselves out toencourage and promote the collection of postage stamps as a popularpastime. 

The names of the various societies and the addresses of thesecretaries are published at the commencement of each winter season inStanley Gibbons' _Monthly Journal_. 

Apart from their pleasant sociability, these societies are of immensehelp to the collector, especially to the beginner. At each meetingpapers are read and discussed, in which the most experiencedcollectors retail, for the benefit of the less experienced, the resultof their latest researches, and eminent specialists display theirsplendid and carefully-arranged collections for the inspection, edification, and enjoyment of their fellow-members. This continualmeeting and comparing of notes, this concentration of study upon theissues of a particular country, gradually ripens even the veriest tyrointo an advanced and experienced collector. 

Under such conditions difficulties are cleared up, and the way madeplain for wise and safe collecting. In too many lines of collectingthe specialist carefully guards his knowledge for his own ultimatepersonal profit. The Philatelist, on the other hand, is morefrequently than not generously and candidly helpful to his lessadvanced fellow-collector, especially if he happens to be afellow-member of the same philatelic society. 

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XI. 

The Literature of Stamps. 

Few hobbies, if any, can boast of such a varied and extensiveliterature as stamp collecting. Expensive works have been published onthe postal issues of most countries. They have been published inEnglish, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, and Swedish. Those published in English alone would make a library of some hundredsof volumes. 

From its foundation, in 1869, the Philatelic Society of London has setitself the task of studying and writing up the postal history of GreatBritain and her Colonies. Towards the accomplishment of this greattask, it has already presented its members with splendid monographs onthe Australian Colonies, the Colonies of North America, of the WestIndies, of India and Ceylon, two volumes on the British Colonies ofAfrica, a separate monograph on Tasmania, and last, and most ambitiousof all, a massive and comprehensive history of the postal issues ofGreat Britain. All these works are expensively illustrated with aprofusion of full-page plates and other illustrations, and theyrepresent years of patient toil, far-reaching investigation, anduntiring research. The _History of the Adhesive Postage Stamps ofEurope_ has been written in two volumes by Mr. W. A. S. Westoby, andthe same author, in collaboration with Judge Philbrick, some twentyyears ago published a work on _The Postal and Telegraph Stamps ofGreat Britain_. Messrs. W. J. Hardy and E. D. Bacon, in a workentitled _The Stamp Collector_, have sketched the general history ofpostage stamps. Other works too numerous to mention here have beenwritten from time to time for the edification of the stamp collector, and the list is continually being increased by the addition of evenmore important works. 

One of the most interesting and comprehensive series of philatelicworks, still in course of publication, was commenced by Messrs. Stanley Gibbons, Ltd. , in 1893, in the form of philatelic handbooks. These handbooks are written by leading philatelic authorities. Eachimportant country, _i. E. _ important from the stamp collector's pointof view, has a separate volume devoted to it, and into each handyvolume is condensed as much as may be necessary to guide the advancedcollector in specialising the postal issues of the country which hefavours. There have already been published:--_Portuguese India_, byMr. Gilbert Harrison and Lieut. F. H. Napier, R. N. ; _South Australia_, by Lieut. F. H. Napier and Mr. Gordon Smith; _St. Vincent_, by Lieut. F. H. Napier and Mr. E. D. Bacon; _Shanghai_, by Mr. W. B. Thornhill;_Barbados_, by Mr. E. D. Bacon and Lieut. F. H. Napier; _Reprints andtheir Characteristics_, by Mr. E. D. Bacon; and _Grenada_, by Mr. E. D. Bacon and Lieut. F. H. Napier. 

For the instruction of the beginner, Major Evans, R. A. , has compiledan excellent glossary of philatelic terms, under the title of _Stampsand Stamp Collecting_; and there is, further, _A Colour Dictionary_, by Mr. B. W. Warhurst, designed to simplify the recognition anddetermination of the colours and shades of stamps--a by no meansunimportant matter when the value of a stamp depends upon its shade. 

But the most popular of all the philatelic publications are, ofcourse, the monthly periodicals. The first stamp journal is said tohave been _The Monthly Intelligence_, published at Manchester in 1862. It had but a short life of ten numbers out of the twelve required tocomplete Vol. I. But other journals followed in rapid succession, withmore or less success, from year to year, till in 1893 a list of thevarious ventures in this line totalled up to nearly a couple ofhundred. _The Stamp Collectors' Magazine_, started in 1863, may besaid to survive in Alfred Smith and Son's _Monthly Circular; ThePhilatelic Record_, established in 1879, is now in its twenty-fourthyearly volume; Gibbons' _Monthly Journal_ is in its twelfth yearlyvolume; and _The London Philatelist_ is in its eleventh yearly volume;and all may be said to be going strong. How many ordinary periodicalscan boast of equally robust lives? And yet some people are still to befound who speak in all seriousness of stamp collecting as only apassing craze. 

Properly speaking, tradesmen's catalogues can scarcely be regarded asliterature, and yet it would be very remiss on my part to close thischapter without a reference to the excellent catalogues with whichstamp collectors are provided. What other hobby can boast of suchcomprehensive and detailed catalogues, giving the actual selling priceof almost every item, and regularly revised and brought up to datefrom year to year? Messrs. Stanley Gibbons' Priced Catalogue iscomprised in four volumes:--Part I. , The British Empire, 244 pages;Part II. , Foreign Countries, 458 pages; Part III. , Local PostageStamps, 122 pages; Part IV. , Envelopes, Post Cards, and Wrappers, 317pages; in all, 1, 141 closely printed double-column pages of smalltype, with thousands of illustrations. This excellent catalogue is atonce guide, philosopher, and friend to the stamp collector. Somepeople irreverently style it "the Philatelist's Bible. " It does notprofess to be anything more or less than a mere catalogue of goods forsale, but it is an open secret that it represents the combined workand the combined knowledge of the best Philatelists of the day, andthat neither trouble nor expense is spared to include within its pageseverything that a collector needs to know to enable him to gather histreasures together, and to arrange them in the best possible and mostauthoritative order. 

Much the same story might be told of the literature of stampcollecting in other countries. In the United States, in France, and inGermany there are numbers of robust periodicals, some stretching backinto the early days, and there are scores of volumes of philateliclore, many of which find a well-deserved place on the shelves ofEnglish collectors. 

As an indication of the value attached to philatelic literature, I maymention the fact that an English collector recently paid over £2, 000for a by no means complete collection of works relating to stampcollecting. 

[Illustration:]

XII. 

Stamps as Works of Art. 

Some artists scout the idea of attempting anything that may beconsidered a work of art in the ridiculously limited space of apostage stamp. The restriction of a postage stamp when viewedalongside a canvas measuring several yards in length and height isprobably hopeless enough. Nevertheless, many a stamp collector who isnot devoid of art can find stamps which seem to him to be entitled torank high even in the art world. In beauty of design, in the exquisiteworkmanship of the best modern steel engraving, aided by the mostdelicate machinery, and in unequalled printing, there are many gemswithin the very limited space of a postage stamp that excite anddeserve, and not unfrequently win, the admiration of the most exactingcritics. There are scores of little medallions, mostly on the postagestamps of foreign states, that surely would pass muster with animpartial judge of art. They are not the rarities of the stamp album. Some are even regarded as weeds in the philatelic garden. They are toooften made to serve the revenue-producing necessities of the issuingstate, and for that reason probably, more than for any other, theyare made as attractive as modern art applied to stamp production canmake them. 

Great commercial countries, producing their postage stamps by hundredsof millions, are as contemptuous in their consideration of the artpossibilities of a postage stamp as the cynical artist whose days andyears are devoted to the disfigurement of wall space. This country hasno cause to be proud of the designs or the printing of its postagestamps. The chief consideration seems to be a low contract price forthe production of recognisable labels for the indication of theprepayment of postage. That is the commercial view. And yet there aresome foolish people who believe that an artist who could design aneffective and acceptable postage stamp for the British Empire wouldadd materially to his own fame and to the art standard of the Empireitself. 

Brother Jonathan across the sea is not unmindful of art in theproduction of his postage stamps, despite his commercial inclinationsand training. From the first he has put his patriotism into hispostage stamps. The portraits of the Presidents, from GeorgeWashington to Lincoln, and from Lincoln to McKinley, who have ruled, wisely and well, the destinies of the great Republic, Jonathanengraves in his best style, in his own official engravingestablishment, and proudly places upon his postage stamps for theadmiration of all good citizens and the edification and envy of theeffete old countries beyond the seas. 

We, with our richer memories and our stately galleries of great menwho have ruled or governed or fought through the centuries, must becontent with an Empire postage stamp that is little better, from anart point of view, than an ordinary beer label, and we must becontent to be told that it is the penalty of success, of the direnecessity of long numbers, and of a needy Treasury that sorely hungersfor still greater profits from the Post Office. 

Meanwhile, small struggling states revel in beautiful stamps. Thelatest trend is in the direction of miniature portraiture. TheArgentine Republic and Bolivia have in recent years issued some veryfine examples in this direction. A very useful innovation is theaddition of the name under the portrait. In this way thousands havebeen familiarised with the names and faces of men who before werealmost unknown beyond their own country. Historic features, such asthose of Columbus and Pizarro, have occasionally been added to thegrowingly interesting gallery of stamp portraits. 

The recently issued New Zealand picture series, illustrating mosteffectively some of the choicest bits of colonial scenery, and some ofthe rarest birds of the colony, engraved by Messrs. Waterlow and Sons, afforded an interesting and successful experiment in an art direction. As a result it is said that a strong demand has been generated inother colonies for similarly beautiful and localised designs inpreference to the stereotyped mediocrity supplied by the ordinarylabel process. 

[Illustration]

XIII. 

Stamp Collecting as an Investment. 

When a stamp collector is charged with being extravagant, withspending money lavishly and foolishly on a mere hobby, he may veryjustifiably reply that even his most extravagant spendings may beregarded as an investment. 

The ordinary investor in, say, industrial securities is fairly contentif he can, with a little risk, secure a steady six or seven per cent. If he launches out into more speculative shares, yielding higher ratesof interest, he must be content to face a much greater risk of thecapital invested. Now, the severest test of an investment is the yieldof interest over a series of years covering periods of depression aswell as periods of prosperity. The stamp collector who has usedordinary discretion in his purchases may confidently submit hisinvestment to this test. 

Some years ago, when I was writing in defence of stamp collecting asan investment, I received a very indignant letter from a collector whohad made a large collection, complaining that he had then recentlyendeavoured to sell, but could get only a very small percentage of hisoutlay back, and that the very firms from whom he had bought most ofhis stamps scouted the idea of paying him anything like what they hadcost him. He therefore ridiculed the idea that stamp collecting couldbe regarded as a safe investment, as in his case it had been adelusion and a snare. He was quite right, and it is still possible tomake big collections--of, say, five thousand, ten thousand, and evenlarger--of stamps that are never likely to appreciate, and it ispossible to buy those stamps at such a price that any attempt torealise even a small percentage of the original outlay must result ina woeful eye-opener. 

Let me explain. In the stamp business, as in all other branches ofcommerce, there are wholesale and retail dealers. The wholesaler buysby the thousand stamps that are printed by the million. I refer, ofcourse, to used stamps. In some cases the price paid per thousand isonly a few pence for large quantities that run into millions. Thewholesaler sells to the retail dealer at a small advance per thousand. Those stamps the ordinary dealer makes up into packets at a furtherprofit, but still at a comparatively low price. Good copies he picksout for sale in sets and separately. Those have to be catalogued. Therefore, the catalogue price of common stamps bought and sold by themillion eventually comes before the general collector at "one pennyeach, " and the man who makes a collection of common stamps of the "onepenny each" class can scarcely be expected to realise a fortune out ofhis stamp collecting. When he offers his gatherings of years to theself-same dealer, and asks, say, only the half of what he paid, he isastounded when the dealer has the audacity to tell him frankly, "I canbuy most of those stamps at a few shillings per thousand, and you wantan average of a halfpenny each for them!" "But, " retorts thecollector, "I paid you one penny each for them years ago, and now youwon't give me half that amount. A pretty thing investing money instamps!" The reply of the dealer will be, "My dear fellow, you haveput your money into the wrong stamps. I bought, and can still buy, those stamps wholesale at a few shillings per thousand, some of themat a few pence per thousand; but I have to pay clerks for handlingthem and sorting them out, other assistants for cataloguing them, andthe printers for printing the catalogue, so that in the end I cannotafford to sell them _separately_ for less than about one penny each, but if you want a few thousand of any value I can sell them to you ata price enormously below what you ask for your collection. " Thecollector's eyes are opened. 

It is impossible to get away from the necessity of regarding stamps asan investment. Even the schoolboy cannot afford to put his shillinginto stamps unless he can be fairly assured that he may get his moneyback at critical periods, which will crop up even in school life. Indeed, it may be said that there are few, if any, stamp collectorsnowadays who do not put more money into stamps than they could affordto do if there were not some element of investment in view. In someinstances large fortunes are actually invested in stamps, and I wasonly recently told of a collector who had taken his money out of avery profitable business and put it into stamps, and had netted verymuch larger profits than he ever realised in his regular business. Butto do that sort of thing requires a profound knowledge of stamps and aready command of a very large banking account. 

Generally speaking, the best countries from an investment point ofview are British Colonials, especially those of the small coloniesthat have small populations, and therefore very small printings ofstamps. Obviously, countries that put stamps into circulation by themillion can never be a very good investment, so far as their commonvalues are concerned. Those who buy with a keen eye on the investmentpurpose, always buy unused copies of uncommon values. Unused are notlikely to depreciate, and they may appreciate. 

In fact, it may be safely said that, all round, the thing to do instamps is to buy _unused_ for investment. When stamps are printed bythe million, _used_ supplies will be available for no one knows howlong; but in the case of unused, when a new issue is made, theobsolete stamp is on the road to an advance in value. It is truedealers stock large quantities of all stamps, but there are so manycountries to be stocked now that no dealer can afford to hoard unusedto any great extent, and even if he did, the dead capital would be anitem which would compel him to advance the price of unused to protecthimself from loss. Let us say a stamp becomes obsolete this year, anda dealer buys £100 worth. It would be a moderate estimate to place theearning power of stamps at 10 per cent. In seven years that £100 hoardwould, reckoning compound interest, represent £200, or double face. Ofcourse, no dealer would hoard up £100 worth of a common stamp, butfrom the day that it becomes obsolete it must be hoarded up bysomeone, and interest must be accruing on the investment which willhave to be added to the value of the stamp, unless someone is to standthe loss. It will, therefore, be obvious that unused stamps mustappreciate while used may remain stationary, for the simple reasonthat the limit of supply has been reached in one case but not in theother. 

Taking almost haphazard a few stamps, most of which have been withinthe reach of all collectors during the last fifteen years, thefollowing table will give some idea of the appreciation in priceswhich has been steadily going on in good stamps:--

 |1875 |1880 |1886 |1890 |1893 |1897 |1902 | |s. D. |s. D. |s. D. |s. D. |s. D. |s. D. |s. D. |Bremen, 1867, 5 sgr. , green, | | | | | | | |_unused_ |1 0 |1 6 |2 6 |4 0 |5 0 |25 0 |17 6 |Bechuanaland, 1886, 1s. , | | | | | | | |_used_. |-- |-- |-- |2 6 |2 6 |6 6 |30 0 |" 1888-9, 4d. , | | | | | | | |_unused_ |-- |-- |-- |1 0 |2 0 |2 0 |3 0 |British Guiana, 1860, 1 c, | | | | | | | |brown. Perf. , _used_ |3 6 |4 0 |12 6 |30 0 |32 6 |80 0 |80 0 |Cape of Good Hope, 1d. , | | | | | | | | [triangle]_unused_ |0 4 |0 6 |1 6 |2 0 |4 0 |8 0 |15 0 |Cape of Good Hope, 1d. , | | | | | | | | [triangle] Woodblock, | | | | | | | |_used_ |2 6 |3 6 |15 0 |25 0 |45 0 |90 0 |95 0 |Cyprus, 1880, 6d. , _unused_ |-- |-- |1 6 |7 6 |12 0 |30 0 |25 0 | " " 1s. , _unused_ |-- |-- |2 6 |10 0 |15 0 |40 0 |55 0 |Danish West Indies, 1872, | | | | | | | |4 c. , blue, _unused_. |0 6 |0 6 |1 6 |3 6 |5 0 |17 6 |25 0 |Danish West Indies, 1873, | | | | | | | |14 c. , _unused_ |1 0 |1 0 |2 6 |3 6 |5 6 |24 0 |32 0 |Egypt, 1866, 5 piastres, | | | | | | | |_unused_ |2 0 |2 0 |5 0 |8 6 |16 0 |22 6 |25 0 | " " 10 " |2 6 |1 6 |6 0 |12 0 |20 0 |26 0 |27 6 |Gambia, 4d. , imperf. , | | | | | | | |_unused_ |0 8 |0 8 |2 6 |5 0 |6 0 |20 0 |32 0 |Gibraltar, 1886, 1s. |-- |-- |1 9 |3 6 |7 6 |70 0 |75 0 |Hayti, 1881, 20 c. , _unused_ |-- |-- |2 0 |2 0 |2 6 |7 6 |20 0 |Hungary, 1871, 3 k. , litho. , | | | | | | | |_used_ |0 2 |0 2 |1 6 |3 6 |6 6 |30 0 |40 0 |Newfoundland, 1866, 5 c. , | | | | | | | |brown, _used_. |1 0 |2 6 |3 6 |7 6 |12 6 |28 0 |25 0 |New South Wales, 1d. , Sydney | | | | | | | |Views, _used_. |2 6 |4 0 |17 6 |30 0 |35 0 |40 0 |40 0 |Orange River Colony, 1877, 4 | | | | | | | |on 6d. , _unused_ |-- |1 0 |1 0 |3 0 |3 0 |5 0 |30 0 |Tonga, 1892, 8d. |-- |-- |-- |-- |2 0 |5 0 |10 0 | " " 1s. |-- |-- |-- |-- |3 0 |4 0 |15 0 |Transvaal, 1878-9, 4d. , | | | | | | | |_unused_ |-- |0 8 |1 0 |1 0 |0 9 |1 6 |20 0 | " " 1s. " |-- |1 9 |2 0 |2 0 |4 6 |15 0 |40 0 |Trinidad, 1896, 10s. |-- |-- |-- |-- |-- |14 0 |70 0 |Turks Islands, 1879, 1s. , | | | | | | | |blue, _unused_ |-- |1 9 |2 6 |3 0 |5 0 |20 0 |25 0 |Zululand, 1888, 9d. |-- |-- |-- |1 6 |1 6 |12 0 |17 6 |

Of foolish investors there will always be a generous supply, who willever be ready to offer themselves as evidence of the worthlessness ofany and every form of investment, forgetful of the fact that the shoeis more often on the other foot. In stamps, as in every other class ofinvestment, the foolish may buy what is worthless instead of what isvaluable. There are stamps specially manufactured and issued to catchsuch flats, and they are easily hooked by the thousand every year, despite the continual warnings of experienced collectors. 

But if we turn to the result of experienced collecting we findabundant evidence of the fact that the stamp collector may enjoy hisstamps and, when the force of circumstances compels him to abandonthem, he may retire without regret for having put so much money into amere hobby. 

Mr. W. Hughes Hughes, B. L. , started his collection in 1859, and kept astrict account of all his expenditure on his hobby, and in 1896 hesold to our publishers for close on £3, 000 what had cost him only £69. 

In 1870 a stamp dealer in London, as a novelty and an advertisement, papered his shop windows, walls, and ceiling with unused IonianIslands stamps, which were then a drug in the market. The same stampswould now readily sell at 10s. Per set of three; in other words, thematerials of that wall-paper would now be worth at least £5, 000. 

The late Mr. Pauwels, of Torquay, made a collection which cost him£360 up to 1871, when it was put on one side and left untouched until1898. It was then purchased by our publishers for the sum of £4, 000, and yielded them a very fair return on their investment. 

In the International Philatelic Exhibition, held in the Galleries ofthe Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in Piccadilly, London, in 1897, one collector marked over each stamp of his exhibitthe price which he had paid for it, and the market price of the day. The collection had been got together during the previous fifteenyears, and had cost its owner £25 2s. , while by the then latestcatalogue value it totalled up to £368 1s. 3d. 

Shrewd business men are those who frequently invest large sums instamps. The amounts spent annually by some wealthy collectors rangefrom £1, 000 to £10, 000. One well-known Parisian collector, whose lifehas been largely devoted to his philatelic treasures, and who employstwo secretaries to look after his collection, has, it is estimated, spent at least £200, 000 on his stamps since 1870. 

If investment were the Alpha and Omega of stamp collecting, everycollector of standing would bemoan lost opportunities. Many a greatrarity of to-day could have been had for a few shillings a few yearsago. The Cape errors were sold by Stanley Gibbons at 2s. 6d. Each. The"Transvral" error was sold by the same generous firm at 4s. , andothers in similar proportion in the day of opportunity. 

To-day it is the fashion to look back with regret on those lostopportunities, and to nurse the belief that such opportunities arenever likely to return. But experience shows that in every decade ofstamp collecting the common stamp of to-day may be the rarity ofto-morrow. In many a series of stamps some one of the lot from somecause or another gets scarce, and the price appreciates from year toyear till the original price paid for the stamp in pence isrepresented by pounds. 

[Illustration]

XIV. 

What to Collect and How to Collect. 

The questions, "What to collect?" and "How to collect?" are much moreeasily asked than answered. Each individual will differ in taste, ininclination, in method, in time at his disposal, and last, but notleast, in the depth of his pocket. The most that can be done is tooutline a general plan, founded upon general experience. 

Collectors are divided into two classes--the general collector and thespecialist. The general collector takes everything that comes in hisway, and knows no limitations, no exclusions of this country or that. The specialist, on the other hand, confines his attention to thestamps of one or more particular groups or divisions, or even to oneparticular country. 

The most experienced collectors, whether general or specialist, almostinvariably advise the beginner to start as a general collector. As abeginner he will have no experience to guide him in the choice of aparticular group or division; and until he has travelled over theground as a general collector it will be difficult for him to make achoice which he may not have cause to regret. As a general collectorhe will gather together a general knowledge of stamps in all theirpeculiar varieties, which can scarcely fail to be immensely useful tohim even should he subsequently drift into specialism. Indeed, it isan accepted truism that the man who starts as a general collectorinvariably makes the best specialist in the end. 

Starting, then, as a general collector, the beginner purchases analbum--for choice say the "Imperial, " published by Stanley Gibbons, Ltd. , which on one page has a printed and illustrated list of thestamps of a country, and on the opposite page ruled and numberedspaces for every stamp mentioned in the printed list. A catalogue, setting forth the prices at which stamps may be purchased, should alsobe obtained. 

One of the very first questions to be settled at the start will be thechoice that must be made between the collection of used and of unused. The general collector who wishes to collect economically shouldcertainly start with what is cheapest; and as the common stamps arecheapest in the used condition, used should be selected. When acollector can afford to spend his money liberally, the best andsafest, and cheapest in the long run, will be stamps unused and in thepink of condition. Such stamps generally turn out to be a safe and notunfrequently a splendid investment. 

The beginner will find that he can fill up a large proportion of thespaces in his album with comparatively common stamps, and these aremuch more economically purchased in the form of cheap packets. Theblanks that remain will then represent stamps worth searching forseparately, and buying singly as good opportunities occur. Many may beobtained in exchanging duplicates with other collectors. 

After some experience as a general collector, preferences willgradually materialise, and the utter hopelessness of making a thoroughcollection of the postal issues of the world will be apparent. At thisstage the collector generally sells the bulk of his collection, reserving only a few countries to be followed up in future onspecialist lines. The remedy and the change are drastic, and, likemost drastic remedies, are much too sweeping. Wiser and keenerPhilatelists nowadays retain their general collections, so far as theyhave gone with them, and upon their basis give play to theirspecialist inclinations. That is to say, they single out a country, and work at that exclusively on specialist lines; and when they tireof that country, or exhaust it so far as their means allow, they havein their general collection the nucleus of another country with whichto build up another specialist collection. On this plan a collectorcan always be working in sympathy and on the lines of the fashionablecountry of the day. He can take up and open out whatever countryhappens to be the vogue. In this way a neglected country every now andagain comes to the front, and the nucleus of that country which may befound in the general collection may suddenly acquire an interest and avalue never dreamt of. A recent case in point is that of the OrangeFree State. Its stamps went a-begging for purchasers. Then trouble, and unrest, and war brought them into notice, and now the almostworthless have become valuable, and the pence have run into shillings, and the shillings into pounds. 

For many persons, however, limitations and exclusions are necessaryfrom the start. In their case a choice must be made, and the safestchoice will be that of the British Colonies, or, if a still morerestricted line must be drawn, one of the Continental groups ofColonies. A glance at a priced catalogue will be the best guide forselection. If it must be an economical selection, the catalogue willspeak for itself. There is abundant choice in every direction. Thereare colonies with few and simple and inexpensive issues, and there areothers that require ample means and patient research. But the cheapestcountries, from an expenditure point of view, are foreigncountries--such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, German Empire, Italy, Chili, China, and so on. 

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

XV. 

Great Collections. 

Great collections of postage stamps, like great collections ofpictures, in these days acquire an international rank and reputation. The great stamp collections of to-day are in a few hands, and havebeen built up by lavish wealth and lavish industry. Wealth alone willnot suffice to gather together a really great philatelic collection. There must be patient research, and there can be no research apartfrom that full knowledge which comes only to the industrious andpainstaking Philatelist. The gem that is wanted to complete the finestpage in the rich man's collection has not unfrequently to bepersonally sought for in the byways, the alleys, and lanes of stampcollecting; and despite the keenest search of the wealthy, itsometimes, after all, falls by grim mischance into the laboriouslygathered collection of the man of very limited means. 

The Prince of Wales is known to be an enthusiastic and keen stampcollector. He is the acting President of the Philatelic Society ofLondon. During his recent tour round the world he displayed his greatinterest in the postal issues of the colonies which he visited, andbrought home much valuable philatelic information and a number ofproofs of sheets of old colonial stamps which will help to clear upmany doubtful points. H. R. H. Collects only the stamps of Great Britainand her colonies, and he possesses many specimens that are absolutelyunique. 

The collection which was made by the late Mr. T. K. Tapling, M. P. , isnow in the keeping of the British Museum, having been bequeathed tothe nation by its possessor, who was one of the most cultured andshrewdest collectors of his day. His collection was hislife-work--from boyhood till his early death in 1891. It was largelymade up of the amalgamation of great collections. In his day Taplinghad the first pick in every direction, and, as a result, hiscollection is to-day one of the grandest and richest and mostscientific general collections extant. Great rarities may be said tobe conspicuous by their prominence and by their matchless condition. 

But the greatest collection of all is that of M. Philipp la Renotiérè, of Paris, known to most collectors as Herr von Ferrary. In the courseof the last thirty years he has purchased many well-known oldcollections, amongst which may be mentioned that of Judge Philbrickfor £7, 000, Sir Daniel Cooper's for £3, 000, W. B. Thornhill'sAustralians, etc. M. La Renotiérè has been a large buyer in theleading capitals of Europe for a great many years. His expenditurewith our own publishers is said to average from £3, 000 to £4, 000 ayear. He employs two secretaries who are paid large salaries, one tolook after the postage stamps and the other the post cards, envelopes, and wrappers. 

Mr. F. Breitfuss, of St. Petersburg, who has been collecting since1860, is credited with the third finest collection in the world. Heis an omnivorous, but scientific general collector. 

Mr. H. J. Duveen, the well-known art connoisseur of London and NewYork, although he did not take to stamp collecting till 1892, hasalready got together the finest collection, outside the BritishMuseum, in this country. It is celebrated not only for the beauty ofits specimens, but also for its completeness, neatness, and scientificarrangement. The value of the collection is probably close on £80, 000. It is enclosed in seventy handsome Oriel albums. 

Mr. W. B. Avery, head of the well-known firm of scale-makers ofBirmingham, has one of the finest general collections. It is justlycelebrated for the large number of great rarities that it contains, amongst which are the two rare "Post Office" Mauritius in superbunused condition. The collection cannot be worth at present far shortof £50, 000. 

Mr. M. P. Castle, the Vice-President of the Philatelic Society ofLondon, who succeeded the late Mr. Tapling in office, is one of thekeenest of keen collectors. His general collection became so largethat he parted with it in 1877, and then specialised in Australians. This latter collection he sold, in 1894, to our publishers for£10, 000, at that time the largest sum ever paid for a singlecollection. He subsequently made a grand specialised collection ofEuropeans. This, arranged in sixty-seven volumes, he sold, in 1900, for nearly £30, 000, and he has now returned to his love forAustralians. 

The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres is a collector of only recent date, but he has already formed a really magnificent collection based onbroad historical lines. He confines himself mostly to the stamps ofthe British Empire, the United States, and the Italian States. Hislordship is a member of the Council of the Philatelic Society ofLondon, and, when in England, a regular attendant at its meetings. 

The Earl of Kintore is also the possessor of a very fine collection ofEnglish Colonials, etc. ; among his greater rarities being the "PostOffice" Mauritius, the complete set of Hawaiian Islands (first issue), the 2 cents, rose, British Guiana, and many other gems. He also is amember of the London Philatelic Society. 

In France the place of honour, after M. La Renotiérè, is deservedlytaken by M. Paul Mirabaud, the well-known banker of Paris, whosemagnificent collection of Switzerland was shown in the last ParisExhibition. It forms, however, only a small portion of his finecollection. 

In Italy probably the most famous collection is that of Prince DoriaPamphilj, which is exceptionally rich in the interesting issues of theItalian States. 

In the United States of America there are many notable collections, several of them being worth from £30, 000 to £50, 000, amongst which maybe mentioned the Crockers', of San Francisco, Mr. F. W. Ayer's, ofBangor, Maine, and Mr. Paul's, of Philadelphia. 

In Germany the greatest collection is doubtless that of Mr. MartinSchroeder, the well known merchant of Leipzig. 

[Illustration:]

Stanley Gibbons, Ltd. 

_CAPITAL, £75, 000. ESTABLISHED 1856. _

HIGHEST POSSIBLE AWARDS. 

_GOLD MEDAL, Paris, 1892. _

_GOLD MEDAL, Chicago, 1893. _

FIVE MEDALS(_Highest in each Class_), GENEVA, 1896. 

FOUR MEDALS(_Highest in each Class_), LONDON, 1897. 

The above-mentioned high rewards gained by the Firm have been awardedfor the perfect condition and completeness of Stamp Collections, andfor general excellence in Stamp Albums, Catalogues, and Handbooks. 

 * * * * *

RareStampsBought, Sold, or Exchanged. 

 * * * * *

_LARGE NEW PROSPECTUS_(_Seventy-six Pages_), With full details of allSTAMP ALBUMS, CATALOGUES, HANDBOOKS, and List of nearly2, 000 SETS and PACKETSat Bargain Prices, _sent post-free on application_. 

 * * * * *

STANLEY GIBBONS, LIMITED, New Announcements. 

_ANNUAL SALE OVER THIRTY THOUSAND PACKETS. _

NOW READY, the following Popular Series of

PACKETS OF FOREIGN POSTAGE STAMPS

_All the Stamps contained in the following Packets are warrantedabsolutely genuine, free from reprints. They are also in goodcondition and perfect. _

These Packets cannot be sent by book post to Postal Union Countries. The cost by letter rate is 2-1/2d. For every 100 Stamps. The amountrequired for postage can therefore be reckoned, and should be addedwhen remitting. 

 * * * * *

_New and Improved Packets of Used and Unused Stamps. _

No. 1. --The Sixpenny Packet of Mixed Continental Stamps contains 100, including many obsolete and rare. (This packet contains duplicates. )Post-free, 7d. 

No. 2. --The Sixpenny Packet of Used Foreign Stamps contains 50varieties, all different, including Egypt, Spain, Chili, New SouthWales, Transvaal, Roumania, Porto Rico, Argentine, Sweden, Brazil, Turkey, &c. Post-free, 7d. 

No. 3. --The Sixpenny Packet of Used Colonial Stamps contains 12varieties, including Natal, Ceylon, India H. M. S. , Cape of Good Hope, British Guiana, Mauritius, Tasmania, New South Wales Service, Victoria, Jamaica, South Australia O. S. , &c. All different. Post-free, 7d. 

No. 4. --The Shilling Packet of Used and Unused Foreign Stamps contains50 varieties, including French Soudan, Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal, Sandwich Isles (head of King), Italy, Turkey, Finland, Brazil, Roumania, Portugal, Argentine Republic, Ecuador, Salvador, Greece, Mexico, Shanghai, Philippine Isles, Japan, and others rare. Alldifferent and warranted genuine. Post-free, 1/1. 

No. 5. --The Shilling Packet of Colonial Stamps contains 25 varieties, including Cyprus, Natal, Jamaica, provisional South Australia, Victoria 1/2d. Rose, surcharged Ceylon, Straits Settlements, IndiaService, Queensland, Hong Kong, Barbados, Swan River, South Australia, Centennial New South Wales, Mauritius, Malta, and others rare. Alldifferent and warranted genuine. Post-free, 1/1. 

No. 6. --The Eighteenpenny Packet of Used Foreign Stamps contains 100varieties, including Mauritius, Hong Kong, Finland, Japan 15 and 25sen, Barbados, Chili, Brazil, Greece, Russia, Porto Rico, Indiaenvelope, Jamaica, Belgium, Spain, Canada, &c. All different andwarranted genuine. Post-free, 1/7. 

No. 7. --The Two Shilling Packet of Rare Used and Unused Foreign Stampscontains 100 varieties, including Porto Rico, Colombia, New Zealand, registered Canada, rare Turkish, Dutch Indies, Ceylon, Mozambique, Mauritius, Portugal, French Colonies, O. F. State, Cyprus, Norway, Sardinia, Belgium, West Australia, Chili, Egypt, Bavaria, and othersrare. All different and warranted genuine. Post-free, 2/1. 

Approval Sheets and Collections of Stamps. 

NEW SHEETS OF STAMPS FOR BEGINNERS AND MEDIUM COLLECTORS. 

We have just been arranging our Approval Sheets of Stamps on anentirely new and much simpler plan than formerly. The Stamps aremounted on Sheets, containing an average of 100 Stamps per Sheet. Theyare all arranged in the order of our New Catalogue. First, GreatBritain and the Colonies, then all Foreign Countries. These Sheetscontain about 5, 000 different Stamps, and a Sheet of any particularcountry will be sent on demand. The Sheets arranged to date are overforty in number, and contain all Great Britain and the Colonies, andall Foreign Countries. 

TO ADVANCED COLLECTORS. --For Collectors more advanced we have anassortment of many hundreds of small books of Choice picked Stamps ofevery Country or District in the World. Most of these special bookscontain twenty pages (5×3-1/2 inches), and can be sent by post in anordinary registered envelope to all parts of the world. These books, as a rule, include Used and Unused Stamps, but Special Approval Bookswill be made up to suit individual requirements. Collectors writingfor such should state if they wish for Used or Unused Stamps; ifsingles, pairs, or blocks of 4 are required; also, in Used Stamps, ifspecial Postmarks are sought for. In all cases, in these books, weshall lay ourselves out to meet the special requirements of eachindividual client, whether the amount required be large or small. 

Great Rarities are our Speciality. We have a large number of Stamps onhand from £100 to £750 each, and shall be pleased to give prices andparticulars to advanced Philatelists. 

We purchase really Rare Stamps at a much higher Cash Price than thatpaid by any other Stamp Merchant. 

Grand Collection Packets. 

NEW AND GREATLY REDUCED PRICES FOR 1902. 

No. 64 CONTAINS 100 VARIETIES, Including used and unused. Price 6d. ; post-free, 7d. 

No. 65 CONTAINS 250 DIFFERENT VARIETIES, Both used and unused Stamps, Envelopes [box] and Post Cards [box] and iswell recommended as a capital start for a collector. Price 3/-;post-free, 3/1. 

No. 66, 500 VARIETIES, And is strongly recommended as the cheapest collection of 500different Stamps ever offered--the Stamps could not be boughtseparately for three times the marvellously low price at which it isnow offered. The Stamps, &c. , are clean, picked specimens fit for anycollection. The best 500 varieties in the trade. 

Price 6/-; post-free, 6/1. 

No. 67, 1, 000 VARIETIES. 

This packet contains 1, 000 different Stamps (and no Envelopes, Bands, and Cards), and is the cheapest packet ever offered by S. G. , Ltd. , satisfaction being absolutely guaranteed. The price it is offered atis the lowest ever quoted for such a collection, embracing as it doesscores of scarce varieties, provisionals, new issues, and many veryfine and obsolete varieties. 

Price £1, post-free and registered. 

No. 68, 1, 500 VARIETIES. 

Each specimen is in perfect condition, and the 1, 500 different Stampsform a noble start for anyone. A large number of really rare andvaluable Stamps are contained in this collection; but it is impossibleto enumerate them, as we are constantly adding New Issues and OlderStamps when we purchase such. Satisfaction is guaranteed. Price £210s. , post-free and registered. 

No. 69, 2, 000 VARIETIES. 

A grand packet for a dealer or collector, every Stamp being differentand genuine, and thus forming a choice collection in itself or a stockto make up sheets or for exchange purposes. Price £4 10s. , post-freeand registered. 

No. 69A, 3, 000 VARIETIES. 

A very fine packet, containing many rare stamps, all arranged inorder, and mounted ready to price or remove to a collection. 

Price £11 10s. , post-free and registered. 

No. 69B, 4, 000 VARIETIES. 

A valuable collection, all mounted on sheets in order. Really goodvalue; being sold by us to collectors at less than the price usuallycharged in the trade. 

Price £18, post-free and registered. 

Grand New Variety Packets. 

In order to meet the wishes of a great number of our customers, wehave prepared a series of packets, as under, entirely different fromone another, no stamp in any one packet being in any of the rest ofthe series; and the purchaser of the series of eight packets will have1, 305 extra good varieties, and no duplicates. 

These packets do NOT contain any Post Cards, cut Envelopes, Fiscals, or Reprints, and are well recommended as good value, and are only asmall proportion of the Catalogue value of the single stamps containedin them. 

No. 70 contains 500 Stamps of Europe, all different. Price 7/6; post-free, 7/8. " 71 " 125 Stamps of Asia " 7/6 " 7/7. " 72 " 125 Stamps of Africa " 7/6 " 7/7. " 73 " 105 Stamps of Australia " 7/6 " 7/7. " 74 " 125 Stamps of West Indies " 7/6 " 7/7. " 75 " 125 Stamps of South America, all different. 7/6 " 7/7. " 76 " 100 Stamps of North America " 7/6 " 7/7. " 77 " 100 Stamps of Central America " 7/6 " 7/7. 

The set of eight packets, containing 1, 305 varieties, if all bought atone time, will be supplied at the special reduced price of 55/-. Postage abroad 2-1/2d. Extra for each 125 stamps. 

 * * * * *

_THE JUBILEE EXHIBITION PACKETS. _

No. 78. --The "Queen's Portrait" Packet. 100 Stamps. Price 10s. 

The Ten Shilling Packet contains 100 Unused Postage Stamps, each onebearing a likeness of HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA. This packet containsperfect specimens only, nearly all with original gum. This is a realbargain, but as an extra inducement to purchasers we present aspecimen of a Diamond Jubilee Stamp with each packet; thus each buyerbecomes a subscriber to H. R. H. The Prince of Wales' Hospital Fund. 

No. 79. --The "Queen's Portrait" Packet. 100 Rare Colonials. Price £110s. 

The Thirty Shilling Packet contains 100 rare unused Postage Stamps, each one bearing a likeness of HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA. The stampsin this packet are entirely different from those in No. 78, andpurchasers of both will thus possess two hundred distinct varieties. Most of the English Colonies are represented by carefully-selectedspecimens of the higher value stamps. With this packet we present theHalf-crown Diamond Jubilee Stamp; thus each purchaser subscribes thatsum to H. R. H. The Prince of Wales' Hospital Fund. 

No. 80. --The "Picturesque" Packet. 100 Pictures. Price 12s. 6d. 

Contains 100 Unused Stamps in perfect condition, each one beingespecially selected for beauty, quaintness, or originality of design. Among others, we mention:

Natives Paddling on the Congo River. Native Village and Scenery in the Congo District. A Native Village in Djibouti. The Bridge of Sighs in Kewkiang. 

ZOOLOGY IS REPRESENTED BY--The Elephant, the Hippopotamus, the Bird ofParadise, the Stag, the Codfish. 

Three of the exquisite Portraits of Her Majesty, as depicted on theCanadian Jubilee Stamps, showing the Vignettes of the Queen in 1837and 1897, form an appropriate addition to this choice and remarkablepacket. 

GREATER BRITAIN PACKETS

OF

_British Colonial Stamps_. 

NO DUPLICATES. 

EVERY Packet of this series contains different varieties, no Stampbeing included in two Packets, and purchasers will by this novelmethod be saved the inconvenience of acquiring duplicates, which is asa rule the bane of most packet buying. 

 |Price. |Post-free. | |s. _d. _ |s. _d_. |

No. 111| contains |20 varieties of Stamps of ASIA| 0 6 | 0 7 |

 112| " |25 " " " | 2 0 | 2 1 | | | | | | 113| " |40 " " " | 3 6 | 3 7 | | | | | | 114| " |40 " " " | 6 6 | 6 7 | | | | | | 115| " |50 " " " |16 6 |16 7 | | | | | | 116| " |45 " " " |12 0 |12 1 | | | | | | 117| " |30 " " " | 4 0 | 4 1 | | | | | | 118| " |40 " " " |21 0 |21 1 | | | | | | 121| " |20 " " " AFRICA| 0 6 | 0 7 | | | | | | 122| " |25 " " " | 2 6 | 2 7 | | | | | | 141| " |20 " " WEST INDIES| 0 9 | 0 10 | | | | | | 142| " |20 " " " | 2 0 | 2 1 | | | | | | 151| " |25 " " AUSTRALASIA| 0 6 | 0 7 | | | | | | 152| " |30 " " " | 1 6 | 1 7 | | | | | | 153| " |30 " " " | 4 6 | 4 7 |

FOREIGN COUNTRIES PACKETS

OF

_European Stamps_. 

EVERY Packet in this series contains different varieties, noparticular stamp being included in two Packets, and purchasers will bythis method be saved the inconvenience of acquiring duplicates. 

 |Price. |Post-free. | |s. _d. _ |s. _d_. |

No. 201 contains| 50 varieties of Stamps of Europe|0 9 |0 10 |

202 " |40 " " " " " |1 0 |1 1 | | | | |203 " |50 " " " " " |2 0 |2 1 | | | | |204 " |30 " " " " " |2 6 |2 7 | | | | |205 " |50 " " " " " |3 6 |3 7 | | | | |206 " |60 " " " " " |7 6 |7 7 |

THE 20th CENTURY PACKETS

Of Envelopes, Registered Envelopes, Wrappers, and Letter Sheets, ALL UNUSED, ENTIRE, AND GUARANTEED GENUINE ORIGINALS. 

NO DUPLICATES. 

Every Packet of this series contains different Envelopes, etc. , nopiece being included in two Packets, and purchasers will by this novelmethod be saved the inconvenience of acquiring duplicates, which is asa rule the bane of most packet buying. 

The prices of these new Packets are wonderfully cheap, as we areclearing off our stock of entires. 

_These Packets cannot be sent by book post abroad. The average rateabroad by letter post or parcel post varies so much that sufficientshould be remitted, and balance, if any, will be credited or returned. The prices quoted "post-free" are for Great Britain only. _

 * * * * *

ENVELOPE PACKETS. 

_Section I. --GREAT BRITAIN & COLONIES. _

No. 601. --Contains 29 common varieties, including Bechuanaland, Chamba, Cochin, Leeward Isles, etc. Price 2/-; post-free, 2/1. 

No. 602. --Contains 36 scarce varieties, including Great Britaincompound, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Cape, Ceylon, Gibraltar, Grenada, Heligoland, etc. Price 8/6; post-free, 8/7. 

No. 603. --Contains 36 scarce varieties, including Newfoundland, NewSouth Wales, St. Vincent, South Australia, Trinidad, and a reallygrand lot of Victorian. Price 10/-; post-free, 10/1. 

No. 604. --Contains 47 varieties of Great Britain only, including asuperb lot of the rarer compound Envelopes, old dates and high values;also scarce Registered Envelopes, Wrappers, etc. A very fine packetand good value. Price 40/-; post-free, 40/2. 

No. 605. --Contains 50 _rare_ varieties of Bahamas, Barbados, BritishBechuanaland, British Central and East and South Africa, BritishGuiana, Canada, Cape, and Ceylon. Price 25/-; post-free, 25/3. 

No. 606. --Contains 45 _rare_ varieties, including some very scarceCeylon registered, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Gold Coast, Grenada, Heligoland, and India. Price 27/6; post-free, 27/9. 

No. 607. --Contains 34 varieties of the Indian States, includingChamba, Gwalior, Jhind, Nabha, Puttialla, Bamra, Charkhari, Cochin, Duttia, Holkar, Hyderabad, and Travancore. Price 10/-; post-free, 10/1. 

No. 608. --Contains 29 scarce varieties of Leeward Isles, Malta, Mauritius, Newfoundland, New South Wales, New Zealand, and NigerCoast. Price 12/-; post-free, 12/2. 

No. 609. --Contains 29 scarce varieties of Queensland, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Sierra Leone, South Australia, Straits Settlements, Tasmania, Tobago, Trinidad, and Victoria. Price 12/6; post-free, 12/8. 

SPECIAL OFFER. 

Packets 601 to 609 inclusive, containing 335 different varieties ofEnvelopes, Wrappers, etc. , of Great Britain and her Colonies. Price £610s. Postage extra. 

ENVELOPES. 

_Section II. --FOREIGN COUNTRIES. _

No. 610. --Contains 20 common varieties. Price 1/-; post-free, 1/1. 

No. 611. --Contains 21 scarcer varieties. Price 2/6; post-free, 2/7. 

No. 612. --Contains 21 varieties, including Argentine, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, etc. Price 4/6; post-free, 4/7. 

No. 613. --Contains 24 varieties, including Persia, Russia, Shanghai, Uruguay, etc. Price 6/6; post-free, 6/7. 

No. 614. --Contains 41 scarce varieties of Argentine, Austria, AustrianItaly, Hungary, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chili, and Costa Rica. Price16/6; post-free, 16/8. 

No. 615. --Contains 62 varieties of Danish West Indies, Ecuador, Egypt, France, and Envelopes of _twenty_ different French Colonies. Price12/6; post-free, 12/8. 

No. 616. --Contains 43 _rare_ varieties of the German States, includingvery scarce Lubeck, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Prussian, Saxony, Thurn and Taxis, Wurtemberg, etc. A really goodpacket and exceptional value. Price 50/-; post-free, 50/3. 

No. 617. --Contains 40 varieties of Guatemala, Hawaiian Isles, Holland, Dutch Indies, and Honduras. Price 12/6; post-free, 12/8. 

No. 618. --Contains 35 scarce varieties of Japan, including rare platenumbers, Liberia, Mexico, Monaco, and Montenegro. Price 20/-;post-free, 20/3. 

No. 619. --Contains 30 varieties of Nicaragua, especially strong in theolder issues. Price 6/-; post-free, 6/1. 

No. 620. --Contains 38 scarce varieties of Paraguay, Persia, Peru, Portugal, Roumania, Russia, etc. Price 18/6; post-free, 18/9. 

No. 621. --Contains 39 scarce varieties of Finland, Russian LocalEnvelopes, Shanghai, Transvaal, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and Uruguay. Price 17/6; post-free, 17/9. 

No. 622. --Contains 77 varieties of Salvador, including many reallyrare and provisional issues. A very fine and interesting set. Price25/-; post-free, 25/3. 

No. 623. --Contains 32 old varieties of the United States of America, including scarce dies and papers of the Reay and Plimpton issues, andthe old 3 cent letter sheet on blue paper. Price 15/-; post-free, 15/3. 

SPECIAL OFFER. 

PACKETS 610 to 623 inclusive, containing 527 varieties of Envelopes, Wrappers, etc. , of Foreign Countries. Price £9 5s. Postage extra. 

THE 20th CENTURY PACKETS

Of Post Cards and Letter Cards. 

_ALL UNUSED, ENTIRE, AND GUARANTEED GENUINE ORIGINALS. _

NO DUPLICATES. 

POST CARD PACKETS. 

_Section I. --GREAT BRITAIN & COLONIES. _

No. 650. --Contains 13 common varieties. Price 1/-; post-free, 1/1. 

No. 651. --Contains 13 common varieties, different from the last. Price1/-; post-free, 1/1. 

No. 652. --Contains 16 common varieties, all different from those inthe other packets. Price 1/3; post-free, 1/4. 

No. 653. --Contains 24 scarce varieties of Cards, including Bangkok, Barbados, British Central Africa, etc. Price 4/6; post-free, 4/7. 

No. 654. --Contains 26 scarce varieties, including Falkland, Gibraltar, Heligoland, Hong Kong, etc. Price 4/6; post-free, 4/7. 

No. 655. --Contains 23 scarce varieties, including Nevis, Newfoundland, North Borneo, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, etc. Price 4/-; post-free, 4/1. 

No. 656. --Contains 24 scarce varieties, including Tasmania, Tobago, Trinidad, Turks Islands, Virgin Isles, Zululand, etc. Price 4/-;post-free, 4/1. 

No. 657. --Contains 38 rare varieties, including scarce Cards fromGreat Britain, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, etc. Price 10/-;post-free, 10/2. 

No. 658. --Contains 47 rare varieties from British Central, East, andSouth Africa, Canada, Ceylon, Cape of Good Hope, Cyprus, Gambia, etc. Price 10/6; post-free, 10/8. 

No. 659. --Contains 47 rare varieties from Gibraltar, Gold Coast, Grenada, Heligoland, Hong Kong, India, Chamba, Gwalior, Puttialla, etc. Price 12/6; post-free, 12/8. 

No. 660. --Contains 39 rare varieties from Sirmoor, Cashmere, Jamaica, Labuan, Montserrat, Natal, Nevis, etc. Price 12/6; post-free, 12/8. 

No. 661. --Contains 41 rare varieties, including New South Wales, NewZealand, Niger Coast, North Borneo, Queensland, St. Lucia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, etc. Price 9/6; post-free, 9/8. 

No. 662. --Contains 41 rare varieties from South Australia, Straits, Tasmania, Tobago, Trinidad, Turks Islands, Victoria, WesternAustralia, etc. Price 10/-; post-free, 10/2. 

SPECIAL OFFER. 

Packets 650 to 662 inclusive, containing a really grand collection of392 varieties of Post Cards of Great Britain and Colonies. Price £4. Postage extra. 

Section II. --FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 

No. 670. --Contains 20 common varieties. Price 1/6; post-free, 1/7. 

No. 671. --Contains 27 other common varieties. Price 2/6; post-free, 2/7. 

No. 672. --Contains 38 varieties, including some scarce. Price 3/-;post-free, 3/1. 

No. 673. --Contains 35 varieties, including some scarce ones. Price3/6; post-free, 3/7. 

No. 674. --Contains 31 scarcer varieties, including Austrian Italy, Hungary, Belgium, Congo, and Brazil. Price 6/-; post-free, 6/1. 

No. 675. --Contains 31 scarce varieties, including Bulgaria, Chili, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Morocco, Tunis, etc. Price 4/-;post-free, 4/1. 

No. 676. --Contains 36 scarce varieties, including German East Africa, Greece, Guatemala, Hawaiian Islands, Holland, Curaçao, Dutch Indies, Surinam, etc. Price 6/-; post-free, 6/2. 

No. 677. --Contains 45 scarce varieties, including Italy, Eritrea, SanMarino, Japan, Luxemburg, Mexico, etc. Price 8/-; post-free, 8/2. 

No. 678. --Contains 48 scarce varieties, including Monaco, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Orange Free State, Paraguay, Persia, Peru, Azores, Madeira, etc. Price 10/-; post-free, 10/2. 

No. 679. --Contains 39 scarce varieties from Roumania, Russia, Finland, Servia, Shanghai, Siam, South African Republic, Spain, etc. Price 7/-;post-free, 7/2. 

No. 680. --Contains 45 scarce varieties from Cuba, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay, etc. Price 9/6; post-free, 9/8. 

No. 681. --Contains 39 rare varieties from Argentine, Austrian Italy, Hungary, etc. Price 6/6; post-free, 6/7. 

No. 682. --Contains 51 rare varieties from Belgium, Congo, Bolivia, Brazil, etc. Price 15/-; post-free, 15/2. 

No. 683. --Contains 54 rare varieties from Bulgaria, Chili, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Iceland, etc. Price 10/-; post-free, 10/2. 

No. 684. --Contains 54 rare varieties from Ecuador, Egypt, France, Tunis, Baden, Bavaria, etc. Price 10/-; post-free, 10/2. 

No. 685. --Contains 72 rare varieties from Wurtemberg, Greece, Guatemala, Hawaiian Islands, Hayti, Holland and Colonies. Price 15/-;post-free, 15/3. 

No. 686. --Contains 62 rare varieties from Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Mexico, etc. Price 14/-; post-free, 14/3. 

No. 687. --Contains 50 rare varieties from Monaco, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Persia, etc. Price 10/-; post-free, 10/2. 

No. 688. --Contains 59 rare varieties from Peru, Portugal and Colonies, Roumania, etc. Price 15/-; post-free, 15/3. 

No. 689. --Contains 78 rare varieties from Russia, Finland, Salvador, etc. Price 15/-; post-free, 15/3. 

No. 690. --Contains 48 rare varieties from Shanghai, Siam, Spain andColonies, Sweden, etc. Price 16/6; post-free, 16/8. 

No. 691. --Contains 43 rare varieties from Switzerland, Turkey, UnitedStates, Uruguay, Venezuela, etc. Price 9/6; post-free, 9/8. 

SPECIAL OFFER. 

Packets 670 to 691 inclusive, containing a superb collection of 1, 005varieties of _Post Cards_ of Foreign Countries; a bargain. Price £810s. Postage extra. 

SIXTIETH THOUSAND. 

_1/- each_. 

THE SEVENTH EDITION OF

The Improved Postage Stamp Album, No. 0. 

THE BEST AND LARGEST SHILLING ALBUM EVER PUBLISHED. 

176 large pages. Spaces for 4, 700 Stamps. 

48 extra pages added in this Edition without extra charge. 

_This Album is now selling at the rate of over 1, 000 copies a month_. 

The demand for this Album has simply been phenomenal, and it givesuniversal satisfaction--not a single complaint has been received. Thelast Edition had nearly 20 extra pages added, and now another 48 pageshave been added, and all the Geographical and Historical Notes broughtup fully to date. All the newest Stamp-issuing countries, such asIchang, Las Bela, Tientsin, Bundi, Dhar, etc. Etc. , have been added. At the top of each page there is the name of the country, and a massof valuable information, including date when Stamps were issued, population, area, reigning sovereign, capital, etc. Spaces of propersizes are provided for all Stamps, and the book is bound in a superiormanner in gilt cloth. The Album contains a pocket to hold duplicateStamps, and fifty Stamps will be presented _gratis_ with each Album. There is also an Illustrated Frontispiece of the Rarest Stamps, withprices attached that we pay for each. 

Price, bound in handsome gilt cloth, 1/-, or post-free 1/3. 

 E. S. Says: "I asked a friend where the best place was to buy a Stamp Album cheap. He referred me to you, saying that he had bought one and sold it next day for 1/6, after keeping the stamps. "

 A. A. Writes: "I received your Stamp Album on Thursday, and I wonder how you can sell it so cheap; for as soon as a friend saw it he offered me 2/- for it. Please send me another. "

 C. A. W. Writes: "Please send me one of your marvellous 1/- Albums, with packet of stamps, in order that I may convince my incredulous friends that such a thing is possible. "

 Miss M. R. Writes from Piccadilly: "I was greatly pleased with the Album I received this morning, which all my friends admired, and thought it very cheap. "

THE

Improved Postage Stamp Album. 

_FOURTEENTH EDITION_. 

GREATLY ENLARGED AND RE-WRITTEN. 

Size of Page, 10 by 7-3/4 ins. 

_One Hundred Stamps, all different, are presented with each Albumsold_. 

[Illustration: COVER OF NO. 3. ]

This new Edition is printed on a _superior_ quality paper, especiallymade for it. The shape is oblong, and spaces are provided according tothe different requirements of the various countries. 

A large number of guards have been provided so that the Album shallnot bulge when full. 

The Album is divided into Continents, and the name of the country onlyis given at the head of each page. 

Fifty-seven different watermarks are illustrated in actual size, andlists are given of the various watermarks of the different countries. 

Two pages of illustrations of _rare stamps_ are given, with the priceunder each stamp that we will pay for it. 

Special attention has been paid to the binding, which is exceptionallystrong, and the covers are artistically designed. 

 * * * * *

_PRICES (all well Packed). _

No. 2. --Strongly and neatly bound in Plain Cloth, gilt lettered backand sides, 304 pages. Price 3/6; post-free, 3/11; abroad, 4/6. 

No. 3. --Well bound in Art Vellum, as illustration, blocked in gold andcolours, 304 pages. Price 5/-; post-free, 5/6; abroad, 6/2. 

No. 4. --Handsomely half-bound, Art Vellum sides, gold lines and giltletters on back, gilt edges, with extra leaves after each continentfor new issues, making in, all 368 pages. Price 7/6; post-free, 8/-;abroad, 8/9. 

 * * * * *

EXTRA LEAVES

_Can be supplied to this and the older small sizes, as under. _

14th (New) Edition. Plain edges, for Nos. 2 or 3 . . . 9d. Per doz. ; 5/- per 100. Gilt " " No. 4 . . . 1/3 " 8/6 "

12th or 13th Edition (smaller size)-- Plain edges, for Nos. 2 or 3 . . . 6d. " 3/9 " Gilt " " No. 4 . . . 1/- " 7/- "

NEW EDITION. 

_100 POSTAGE STAMPS, all genuine anddifferent, and of a catalogue value of over 8/-, are presented witheach STRAND ALBUM_. 

THE STRAND POSTAGE STAMP ALBUM. 

Well arranged, reliable, and thoroughly correct. 

 * * * * *

The book, which is printed on an unusually good quality paper, isbound in a new and specially designed cover. The shape is asillustrated, and the size a new and convenient one, viz. 9-1/2 in. By7-1/2 inches. Sufficient guards have been inserted so that when theAlbum is full the covers shall be level with each other, and notbulged, as is often the case in imperfectly constructed books. 

Nos. 15 and 16 include a series of Six Maps, specially engraved forthis Publication, and beautifully printed in Colours. 

No. 14. 320 pages. Spaces for 8, 000 Stamps. 

Nos. 15 and 16. 400 pages. Spaces for 11, 000 Stamps. 

Concise Geographical and other particulars with Illustrations aregiven at the head of each country, the pages being divided intorectangles, as is usual, with this most important innovation, thatthey vary in size so as to conveniently accommodate the Stamps desiredto be placed in position. This is an advantageous improvement thatwill commend itself to every collector. Post Cards are not providedfor, as all Philatelists of experience know it is best to collect themseparately. 

A new and very important departure has been made in Nos. 15 and 16, inincluding for the first time in any Philatelic Album a series of Sixspecially drawn Maps, printed in colours, and giving the names of allStamp-issuing Countries. They are of course fully brought up to date, and are not needlessly encumbered with unnecessary names, so as toincrease their usefulness for easy and instant reference. 

Each Album now has four full-page Illustrations of the Watermarksfound on all Stamps. 

 * * * * *

PRICES. 

No. 14. --Strongly and neatly bound in plain cloth, gilt lettered, 320pages, 2/6; post-free, 2/11; abroad, 3/4. 

No. 15. --Strongly and handsomely bound in plain cloth, with gilt edgesand lettering, and 6 Maps, and 80 extra leaves, 5/-; post-free, 5/5;abroad, 6/-. 

No. 16. --Handsomely bound in half morocco, lettered on back, plaincloth sides, with 6 Maps, gilt edges, 400 pages, 8/6; post-free, 9/-;abroad, 9/6. 

BLANK LEAVES. For No. 14. --9d. Per dozen; 5/- per 100, post-free. ForNo. 15 or 16, gilt edges. --1/3 per dozen; 9/- per 100, post-free. 

THE CENTURY ALBUM. 

[Illustration: ALL THE WORLD IN ONE VOLUME. ]

_NOW READY. In One Volume, 580 pages. Size of each page 10 by 13inches. _

The CENTURY ALBUM

OF THE

Postage Stamps of the World. 

_Including a full Descriptive Catalogue, and Illustrated with severalthousand full-sized reproductions of the Stamps_. 

 * * * * *

This Album is produced in a very large edition at a cost of between£2, 000 and £3, 000, and will be found to fulfil a long-felt want for anAlbum in One Volume, of high-class style, and on thoroughly good andhighly surfaced paper, well and strongly bound. 

The Century Album is printed on one side of the paper only, catalogueand illustrations on the left, and numbered spaces to correspond onthe right-hand pages. 

All minor varieties of perforation, watermark, and type are omitted, and only such varieties are included as can be distinguished by theyoung Philatelist. 

Space has been provided for some 18, 000 stamps, and provision made fornew issues by the insertion of numerous blank pages. 

IN TWO QUALITIES. 

No. 21. --On extra stout highly glazed paper, strongly bound in cloth, gilt lettered and artistically designed cover, coloured edges. 

Price 12/6; post-free in Great Britain, 13/4. 

No. 22. --As last, but half bound in morocco, plain sides, raisedbands, and gilt lettering on back, gilt edges; supplied in strong box. 

Price 25/-; post-free in Great Britain, 26/-. 

Extra Blank Leaves for this Album, 8d. Per dozen, plain; or 1/- perdozen with gilt edges. 

THE IMPERIAL ALBUM

(OPEN), SHOWING GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS. 

[Illustration:]

The Sale of these Albums averages over 6, 500 per annum. 

IMPERIAL ALBUM. 

_NOW READY. NINTH EDITION_, 1902. 

Great Britain and Colonies. 

504 pages. Size of pages, 8-3/4 by 11-1/2 inches. About 1, 800Illustrations. 

Since the publication of the previous edition of this Album, we havepublished the "Century" Album, designed for those who desire tocollect in the simplest form, without regard to perforations orwatermarks, and who desire a complete Album in one volume. 

In order, however, to further the wishes of those who collect on moreelaborate methods, the present edition has been prepared and veryconsiderably enlarged, and for all practical purposes runs parallelwith our current Postage Stamp Catalogue. 

The close of the century marks an epoch in the history of postagestamps, and the present edition may be considered as

A PERMANENT ALBUM

_Of the Postage Stamps issued during_

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 

New issues appearing after the date of this edition are best collatedand arranged in blank albums, preferably with movable leaves, such asour ORIEL or PHILATELIC ALBUMS. 

 * * * * *

_This Album is issued in FOUR qualities only (No. 6 has beendiscontinued) of paper, binding, &c. _

No. 5. --On extra stout paper, bound in embossed cloth, gilt lettering, sprinkled edges. _Marone-colour covers_. 

Price without postage, 10/-; post-free in Great Britain, 11/-. 

No. 7. --On extra stout paper, handsomely bound, extra gilt, bevelledboards, gilt edges, and patent expanding clasp. _Dark green covers_. 

Price without postage, 15/-; post-free in Great Britain, 16/-. 

No. 8. --On highly rolled plate paper, extra strongly bound in halfgreen morocco, lettered on back, cloth sides, gilt edges, no locks orclasps. 

Price without postage, 25/-; post-free in Great Britain, 26/-. 

No. 9. --On highly rolled plate paper, magnificently bound in finestgreen Levant morocco, rounded corners, with gold line round thebevelled edges, lettered on back, gilt edges, patent expanding lock. 

Price without postage, 50/-; post-free in Great Britain, 51/-. 

 * * * * *

IMPERIAL ALBUM. 

_NOW READY. NINTH EDITION, 1902. _. 

Foreign Countries. 

870 pages, measuring 8-3/4 x 11-1/2 inches. About 2, 400 Illustrations. 

 * * * * *

_This Album is issued in FOUR qualities only of paper, binding, &c. (No. 66 has been discontinued. )_

No. 65. --On extra stout paper, bound in embossed cloth, giltlettering, sprinkled edges. _Marone-colour covers_. 

Price without postage, 15/-; post-free in Great Britain, 16/-. 

No. 67. --On extra stout paper, handsomely bound, extra gilt, bevelledboards, gilt edges, and patent expanding clasp. _Dark green covers_. 

Price without postage, 21/-; post-free in Great Britain, 22/-. 

No. 68. --On highly rolled plate paper, extra strongly bound in halfgreen morocco, lettered on back, cloth sides, gilt edges, no locks orclasps. 

Price without postage, 30/-; post-free in Great Britain, 31/-. 

No. 69. --On highly rolled plate paper, magnificently bound in finestgreen Levant morocco, rounded corners, with gold line round thebevelled edges, lettered on back, gilt edges, patent expanding lock. 

Price without postage, 60/-; post-free in Great Britain, 61/-. 

 * * * * *

These Albums are too heavy for book post abroad, but can be sent byparcel post where same is in operation; the weight is about 8 to 10lbs. , and cost can be calculated for each country. 

The PHILATELIC ALBUMS A to E. 

_As described on page_ 20. 

[Illustration]

The "ORIEL" Albums are of a similar style, but more portable and in asuperior binding. _See page_ 21. 

The leaves in this Album are retained in their places by an originaland newly patented plan, entirely doing away with the unsightly screwshitherto necessary on the outside of books of this class. 

Pronounced by all who have seen it an ingenious and admirablearrangement, pre-eminently adapted for the purpose, and completelysolving a difficulty experienced by collectors in general. 

 * * * * *

THE FIFTH EDITION OF

THE PHILATELIC ALBUM. 

The most suitable Album published for Advanced Collectors. 

 * * * * *

Several important improvements have been introduced into this NewEdition, suggested by increased experience, and greatly enhancing theuse of this Work. Especially produced in answer to numerous inquiriesfor a really permanent blank Album. It will be found suitable for thereception of the most extensive and complete collection possible. Itis also adaptable for Post Cards, Revenue Stamps, or entire Envelopes. Collectors using Albums of this class frequently resort to books notspecially manufactured for the purpose, and hence unsuitable, or themore expensive and very often unsatisfactory mode of having themexpressly made; it is to meet this want that this Album is published, and all that experience can suggest has been carried out to make itworthy the use of even the most advanced collectors, and adaptable toany arrangement that may be desirable. 

It is likewise especially applicable for the use of those Philatelistswho arrange their collections by the Catalogue published by ourselvesor any other standard list. This Album is also peculiarly suitable forthose who collect special countries only, taking as their guide thevarious lists published by the London Philatelic Society, etc. Eachleaf has a double linen joint on an entirely new plan, allowing theleaves to set properly when the book is opened, and giving strength atthe same time. A narrow marginal border embellishes each page, with asemi-visible network of quadrillé dotted lines, designed to assist thecorrect insertion of the specimens to be mounted. The leaves are 100in number, and printed on one side only, on a very fine quality whitecard paper. They are movable, allowing rearrangement or extension intotwo or more volumes, as may be desired at any future time. It ishardly necessary to point out the advantage of this; moreover, if apage becomes spoilt, it can be at once replaced. A handsomely arrangedtitle is included. An inspection is desired where possible. 

PRICES. 

A. --Strongly bound in half morocco, gilt ornaments and lettering;packed in a box, 30/-; carriage extra. Under 11 lbs. , can be sent byparcel post for 31/-. 

B. --Handsomely bound in full Persian morocco, bevelled boards, giltedges, double-action expanding lock and key; packed in a box, 50/-;carriage paid, 51/-. 

Spare blank linen-jointed leaves can be had, 1/9 per dozen, or 2/3 perdozen if with gilt edges, post-free; abroad extra. A sample leaf sentfor 2-1/2d. , post-free. 

 * * * * *

At the request of several London collectors we have prepared an Albumof portable size, and convenient for taking to meetings of thePhilatelic Society, etc. Our large blank Albums, as described above, are found to be too heavy and cumbersome for such purposes, and ournew book will be found a very suitable one. 

The size of the pages in E is 11 x 9-1/2. Weight, 7 lbs. 100 leaves. 

E. --Strongly bound in half morocco, gilt ornaments and lettering;packed in a box, 25/-, or 25/9 by parcel post. 

THE ORIEL

Postage Stamp Album. 

This new album has been based on a special order from Mr. M. P. CASTLE, Vice-President of the Philatelic Society of London, to whom wehave supplied 60 of these books, and to whom reference is kindlypermitted. It has met with such an unusually favourable reception fromthose Collectors who have already used it that, on account of itsgeneral adaptability, it must undoubtedly quickly take a front rank inthis class of publication. Amongst its numerous advantages, oneespecially may be named, and that is, its convenient size, renderingit extremely portable, and suitable for attending philatelic meetings, etc. 

To those Philatelists who are unable to personally inspect same at ourEstablishment, a brief description will be acceptable:--

Each Album contains 50 leaves of the best hand-made paper, faced withJapanese tissue paper, so as to prevent all friction, and is bound inhalf red morocco, with cloth sides finished in gold. A space on theback of the cover is left plain, so that a Collector can have hisbooks lettered or numbered to show the contents. Each Album iscontained in a cloth drop-in case lined with lamb's wool. The leaves, unless specially ordered, are supplied perfectly blank, without anylined border or background, but if desired special leaves can besupplied with a fine quadrillé background, as supplied to the otherPhilatelic Albums of this form. Exact size of leaves from the outsideedges, 10 inches by 10-1/4; available for mounting stamps, 8-3/4inches by 10-1/4. 

The price of the Album is 30/-; post-free, 30/7 (too heavy for postabroad, so will be sent carriage forward). 

The Leaves, either plain or with quadrillé background, can be suppliedat the price of 4/6 per dozen, or 32/6 per 100. 

THE PHILATELIST'S COLLECTING BOOK. 

FOR THE COAT POCKET. 

With Patent Fastening to Flap. 

_Size, 6-1/2 by 4-1/4 inches. Handsomely bound in Art Cloth. _

Each book contains 12 pages, having four strips of linen, 3/4-inchwide, arranged horizontally, glued at the bottom edge and with theupper one open, for the safe retention and preservation of recentpurchases or duplicates. A large pocket is also provided at the backfor Envelopes or Stamps in bulk. In daily use by leading LondonCollectors. 

No. 17. --As illustrated. Price 2/6; post-free, 2/7. 

No. 18. --Oblong, twenty-four pages, six strips on each page, interleaved with strong glazed paper to prevent rubbing. Price 5/-;post-free, 5/3. 

 * * * * *

THE MONTHLY JOURNAL. 

_Edited by MAJOR E. B. EVANS. _

Published on the 1st of each month, and chiefly noted for:--

1st. --Verbatim Reports of all Law Cases of Interest to Philatelists. 

2nd. --Earliest Information on New Issues. 

3rd. --Largest Stamp Journal Published: recent numbers containing from50 to 72 pages. 

4th. --Quality of its Articles; with MAJOR EVANS as Editor this can betaken for granted. 

5th. --Entirely Original Articles by the leading Philatelic Writers ofthe day. 

SUBSCRIPTION--2/- per annum, or 5/- for three years. 

_Sample Copy sent gratis and post-free on application. _

All Subscriptions must be prepaid, and commence with the JULY Number. The Prices for Back Numbers will be found in the current number of the_Journal_. There is no discount to the Trade. 

_The Monthly Journal_ now includes the Addenda to our Current PricedCatalogue. The old method of publishing addenda quarterly has beendiscontinued; and in the months of March, June, September, andDecember a Special Number of the Journal is sent to all Subscribers, containing lists of all Stamps, etc. , that have appeared since thepublication of the Catalogue. In the other months there will be quotedSpecial Bargains, Rarities, and prominent Alterations in Prices. 

_We therefore_ STRONGLY RECOMMEND _all purchasers of the Catalogue to_SUBSCRIBE TO "THE MONTHLY JOURNAL"--_forming, as it does, a completecontinuation of the Catalogue up to date. _

The Stamp King. 

A PHILATELIC NOVEL. 

BY MESSRS. BEAUREGARD AND GORSSE. 

_Translated from the French by_ EDITH C. PHILLIPS. 

 * * * * *

_The story commences at the New York Philatelic Club, and traces outin a most amusing manner the struggles of the two leading members tosecure the rarest stamp in the world. The chase leads these collectorsto London, Paris, and Naples, and ends, after many curious adventures, in New York. _

 * * * * *

EXTRACTS FROM REVIEWS. 

The Daily News says: "A delightful addition to modern books ofadventure. . . . Incidentally, there is a marvellous revelation of theinner affairs and methods of the stamp-collecting world; but the maininterest of the book, to our mind, is its remarkable story, and it canand will be read with pleasure by many who care nothing whatever aboutthe philatelic mania. . . . It would be spoiling a very good thing totell the rest of the story of the adventures of these two, . . . And weshall be much mistaken if this book, in popular form, does not meetwith phenomenal favour. "

The Spectator says: "A most diverting extravaganza, rather in thestyle of Jules Verne. . . . The apology of the translator for the lack ofverisimilitude in the last scene is entirely unnecessary; otherwiseshe has done her work with credit, while M. Veilliemin's spiritedillustrations heighten the attractions of a most entertaining andingenious story. "

The People: "A novel that will certainly interest the ordinary readerand doubly interest the Philatelist. It is profusely illustrated, andwith a class of illustration that puts to shame much of the rubbishthat we find in English novels. "

The London Philatelist says: "It may at once be said that it isamusing in the extreme, and cannot fail to entertain all its readers. We have to heartily congratulate the translator upon the accuracy andexcellence of her handiwork. _The Stamp King_, we should add, is bothsuperbly illustrated and beautifully printed, and will assuredlycommand a wide circle of readers. "

Vanity Fair: "This very sprightly novel on the stamp-collecting maniais most amusing, and might be just the thing for a present to youngfolks who are ardent collectors and readers of cheery, harmlessfiction. It is excellently 'got up, ' the illustrations are very good, and the story itself is quite exciting. All people who love (orloathe) stamp collecting are honestly advised to read the racy storyof Miss Betty Scott. "

The Liverpool Mercury: "The enthusiasm of Philatelists in theirfavourite pursuit is well illustrated in this capital story. Itpossesses many merits, the interest being sustained throughout. Thetranslation is admirable, scarcely a trace is to be seen of Frenchidiom, while the rendering into American vernacular is particularlyclever and satisfactory. "

The Court Circular: "A very great amount of interest is taken in stampcollecting, and a book pleasantly dealing with the stamp hobby, suchas the one before us, will be sure to find a wide circle of readers. "

The Lady's Pictorial: "This curious story is unique, for never beforeor since its publication has the stamp-collecting hobby been turned toaccount as the central idea of a really interesting romance and lovestory. "

Gentlewoman: "The story is full of exciting incidents. "

_Half bound in Art Buckram, cloth sides, gilt lettering, plain edges, 200 pages, 80 fine illustrations. Price 6/-; post-free, 6/4; abroad, 6/8. _

The Stamp Collector. 

By HARDY and BACON. 

This well-known and most interesting handbook was published in 1898 byMr. George Redway in his _Collector Series_. On the failure of thispublisher lately, we purchased the balance of the edition--about 1, 200copies--and are now able to offer the work at a great reduction on itsoriginal price. 

_The chief contents are as follows:_

The Issue of Postage Stamps. Collecting--Its Origin and Development. Stamps made for Collectors. Art in Postage Stamps. Stamps withStories. History in Postage Stamps. Local Stamps. The Stamp Market. Post Cards. Famous Collections. List of Philatelic Societies. 

 * * * * *

Well bound in art cloth, gilt lettered, 247 illustrations, 294 pages. Price 4/6; post-free, 4/10; abroad, 5/1. 

 * * * * *

The Mulready Envelope and its Caricatures. 

This Work is a reprint in book-form, with a few alterations andadditions, of a series of papers that have appeared in "The MonthlyJournal. " The book consists of 240 pages and some 45 full-pageIllustrations of the most curious varieties of these interestingCaricatures. This New Work will be of interest, not only to StampCollectors, but also to those interested in Engravings--especially inthe works of LEECH, MULREADY, CRUIKSHANK, DOYLE, PHIZ (H. K. BROWNE), THEO. HOOK, etc. Etc. The Work has been produced in a very superiormanner, and is printed on special paper with extra large margins; andby the kind permission of the Board of Inland Revenue an Illustrationof the original Mulready is also included. 

 * * * * *

No. 1. --Strongly bound in extra cloth, gilt lettering, marbledburnished edges, &c. , 6/-; post-free, 6/4; abroad, 6/8. 

No. 2. --_Edition de Luxe_, handsomely bound, extra gilt, hand-madepaper, with uncut edges, 10/-; post-free, 10/4; abroad, 10/8. 

 * * * * *

[Illustration]

The "Philatelists' Vade Mecum. "_(SECURED BY LETTERS PATENT. )_

Is an entirely New and Original Invention for enabling Collectors toMount Stamps without handling them, and is a _multum in parvo_ ofPhilatelic requisites. 

It consists of a pair of broad-headed flat metal tongs, one of whichis fitted with a solid wedge. The object of this is to permit the freeend of a mount held by the tong to be bent over, moistened, applied tothe back of the stamp, and pressed down, and the mount can then bereleased, the stamp lifted, the other end of the mount moistened, andthe stamp fastened thereby on the page. In the handle is inserted aglass of high magnifying power. On one side of the middle part is amillimètre scale (divided to half millimètres), and on the other atwo-inch scale (divided to sixteenths), both accurately marked off. The stamp can be firmly held along either scale by the tongs. Thetongs are made of solid nickel, polished, and fit into a handsomevelvet-lined case, the size of which, when closed, is slightly lessthan 6 inches long, 1-3/4 inches wide, and only 1/2 inch thick. 

_PRICE, with case complete, 2/6; post-free, 2/7; abroad, 3/9. _

SECOND EDITION. REVISED TO DATE. 

A GLOSSARY FOR PHILATELISTS, ENTITLED

Stamps and Stamp Collecting. 

BY MAJOR E. B. EVANS. 

This Work is intended to fill a void which has hitherto existed in thePhilatelist's Library. It will be found invaluable as a most usefuland indeed a standard book to refer to in all cases of doubt orobscurity appertaining to Postage Stamps and their surroundings. 

The Collector is not infrequently perplexed by the various termsemployed, and the fullest explanations are here given of such. 

Much interesting information is also included as to the variousclasses of and the manufacture of the paper employed, the typography, the embossing, the perforating or rouletting, together with manyinstructive and interesting details connected with the fascinatingscience of Stamp collecting. 

_Price 2/- in strong Paper Cover, 4/- in Gilt Cloth; post-free, 3d. Extra. _

 * * * * *

A COLOUR DICTIONARY, GIVING OVER

_Two Hundred Names of Colours used in Printing, &c. _

Specially prepared for Stamp Collectors by B. W. WARHURST. 

Useful for many businesses in which coloured articles are bought andsold, and to give a more definite idea of the colours represented bycertain names in common use, which are very frequently misunderstood. 

SUITABLE FOR USE IN SCHOOLS. 

Printed in TEN differently coloured inks on as many different papers, and further explained by diagram and ILLUSTRATED IN FIFTY-EIGHTCOLOURS. 

_Price 2/6 in strong Paper Cover, 4/6 in Gilt Cloth; postage 3d. Extra. _

 * * * * *

POCKET MAGNIFYING GLASSES. 

After examining some scores of different sorts, we have been able toget one combining the greatest power with the largest field obtainablefor pocket use. These glasses are mounted in handsome vulcaniteframes, and are very compact. There are two lenses in each, which maybe used singly, or if a very strong power is desired, may be combined. 

_Price 7/6; post-free, 7/7; abroad, 8/4. _

 * * * * *

SURCHARGE MEASURER. 

[Illustration:]

The accompanying illustration will give the best idea of what this is. It consists of a pair of needle-pointed spring compasses, capable, bymeans of an adjusting screw, of measuring with the greatest accuracyall surcharges up to 40 millimètres in length. In addition to themeasure a millimètre gauge is obtained by running the head of thescrew along a piece of paper, a series of lines exactly a millimètreapart being thus indented in the paper. For measuring surcharges onsuch stamps as Natal, Straits Settlements, &c. , this will be foundinvaluable, and also in the detection of forgeries--a forgery orforged surcharge very seldom being _exactly_ the same size as theoriginal. 

_Price 7/6; post-free, 7/7; abroad, 7/11. _

 * * * * *

Prepared Stamp Mounts. 

ACTUAL SIZE AND SHAPE. 

[Illustration: No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. ]

For affixing Stamps in Collections neatly and expeditiously. Farsuperior to the old plan of gumming the Stamps, and inserting them sothat it is only with great difficulty they can be withdrawn. TheseMounts are made of a thin strong white paper, and are ready gummed. Bytheir use, Stamps can be removed at any time without injuring them, orin any way disfiguring the Collection. They are invaluable to thosewho collect watermarks. They should be used on the hinge system; thus, Moisten the Stamp, attaching the back of it to one half of the mount, the other half being fastened to the Album. The Stamp will then befacing the page; but do not turn it over until perfectly dry. ACollection with the Stamps mounted in this manner is far morevaluable, if at any time a sale is desired. Three sizes are kept instock: No. 2, medium size, suitable for ordinary-sized adhesives; No. 1, smaller size; No. 3, large size--for such Stamps as old Portuguese, or for cut Envelopes. This size may also be used for Cards by usingtwo mounts for each card. 

PRICES:

_No. 1, 2, or 3 size, 3d. Per 100; 1/6 per 1, 000, post-free; 5, 000, 6/6; 10, 000, 12/-. _

_The Prepared Paper can be supplied in Large Sheets, ready Gummed, at3d. Per Sheet, post-free_. 

 * * * * *

[Illustration: No. 4. No. 5. No. 6. ]

NEW CHEAP MOUNTS. At the request of many clients we have prepared aNew Cheap Mount, made from a thicker paper; a gum is employed thatpermits the Mount to be removed from a book or sheet without damage tothe paper, or tearing the Mount, which can thus be used several timesover, such Mounts being particularly serviceable for exchange clubs, or for use in dealers' stock books, &c. The Mounts are put up in neatglazed card boxes, 1, 000 of a size in a box, and are sold in sets ofthree sizes, viz. , three boxes and 3, 000 Mounts for 2/6; 9, 000, price6/6; or _separately, any size_, at 1/- per 1, 000 post-free. 

 * * * * *

NEW SPECIALITY. 

FOR STAMP COLLECTORS. 

_SPECIAL POCKET BOOKS, PURSES, _

AND

CARD CASES. 

Each of the following New and Useful Specialities has separatecompartments provided for Postage Stamps, consisting of strips of thincelluloid protecting the stamps, and enabling them to be seen at once, and arranged so that the stamps can be put in or withdrawn in aninstant without damage. 

70. --TUCK CASE FOR THE WAISTCOAT. Pocket size. _s. D. _3-1/2 x 2-3/8. Very thin, made in morocco leather, linedleather of a neutral colour, with transparent pockets throughwhich stamps can be seen. Price 2/6; post-free, 2 7

71. --BEST MOROCCO GENTLEMAN'S CARD CASE, with usual pockets forvisiting cards, and special compartments for stamps secured by atuck flap fastening. (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. ) Price 4/6; post-free, 4 7

72. --BEST MOROCCO WALLET. 5-3/4 x 3-1/2 inches. Lined leatherthroughout, flap and nickel lock fastening, gusset and tightpockets for letters; special provision for stamps undertransparent pockets secured by an inner flap, and tuck fastening;leather covered notebook. (Highly Recommended. ) Price 10/-; post-free, 10 2

73. --LIMP MOROCCO LETTER CASE. Size, 6-1/4 x 4 inches. Withgusset pocket for private letters, tight pocket for foreign postcards, and an array of transparent pockets for stamps. Price 3/6; post-free, 3 7

74. --Ditto, ditto, with a gilt-edged ruled book under an elastic. Price 4/-; post-free, 4 1

75. --BEST MOROCCO LETTER CASE, lined leather throughout, withgusset pocket for private letters, and special pocket containingan ingenious receptacle to hold a large assortment of stamps. Being detachable, it can be used either with or without the outercase. Price 5/6; post-free, 5 8

76. --BEST MOROCCO PURSE. 4 x 2-1/2 inches. Flap and nickel lockfastening, stitched expanding pockets. The front to open out, displaying transparent pocket for stamps, with a separate flap tofasten. The purse can be used independently of the stampcompartment. Price 6/6; post-free, 6 7

STANLEY GIBBONS'

New Stamp Catalogue. 

_5, 000 NEW AND ENLARGED ILLUSTRATIONS. _

POCKET SIZE, IN TWO VOLUMES. 

VOL. I. Contains all

ADHESIVE STAMPS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND THE BRITISH COLONIES. 

New and Enlarged Edition. Price 2/-; post-free, 2/3. 

 * * * * *

VOL. II. Contains the

POSTAGE STAMPS OF THE REST OF THE WORLD. 

Price 2/-; post-free, 2/3. 

 * * * * *

Orange River Colony, Transvaal, and Mafeking Siege Stamps aretransferred to Part I. , being now English Colonies. 

Particular attention has--in both volumes--been given to theproduction of enlarged illustrations of many minor varieties, whichcan easily be distinguished from a large print, but which aredifficult to describe. 

Many important countries have been thoroughly revised and re-written. _One hundred extra pages_ have been added to the two volumes withoutany extra charge. 

 * * * * *

REAL MARKET PRICES. 

It is, above all things, highly important that Collectors and Dealersshould know the exact and real market values of all Stamps. This Firmhas taken the greatest pains to arrive at these prices, and the pricesquoted in these Catalogues are those at which STANLEY GIBBONS willsupply the Stamps if unsold at the time of the order. 

To facilitate business in all parts of the world, an Introduction, Details as to Approval Selections, Glossaries of Philatelic Terms, etc. , are given in English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. 

 * * * * *

STANLEY GIBBONS, LTD. , 391, STRAND, LONDON, W. C.