COMMERCE STAMPS

Evening Star, Issue 22465, 9 October 1936, Page 11

COMMERCE STAMPS

HIGHER VALUES SOLD OUT FIRST DAY FIRST DAY COVERS 10/OVERSEAS DEMANDS SATISFIED FIRST 7 “The Chamber of Commerce stamps have either been supplied in tremendous quantities to overseas buyers, whereby the Government lost the 25 per cent, exchange, as well as to the detriment of New Zealand collectors, or the issue printed is very small.’’ In these words a local stamp dealer explained what he considered to be the acute shortage in the new stamps. Although the penny and halfpenny stamps are still on sale the three other values were sold out in Dunedin on the first day. Dealers are not yet quoting prices for the issue, but first-day covers are retailing in the city at 10s a cover.

The stamps were put on sale for four weeks, or_ until the issue sold out. From inquiries made at the Post Office this morning it was learnt that an unprecedented demand was made for the issue on the first day. It seems probable that the 2id stamp normally used for foreign correspondence will be the scarcest, this issue being the first to sell out. The 4d stamp, which is mostly used on registered mail, will be a close second, while the 6d stamp is not expected to be so scarce. The penny and halfpenny are still on sale. “ The Postal Department should have learnt from experience the demand for the new stamps,” said a local dealer, when interviewed this morning. “ Both the Jubilee and Anzac stamps had exceptionally good sales, and there must have_ been very bad management to let the issue sell but in the first few days. No doubt overseas philatelic firms bought large stocks, whereby the Government lost 25 per cent on exchange. while dealers in the Dominion naturally expended a lot of money on the issue. The man in the street, however, did not get a fair spin, and in

many cases did nob as much as see the stamps.’’ One traveller in Central Otago visited post offices at Queenstown, Roxburgh, and Alexandra, but in none of these places was he able to secure the 2Jd. According to his statement, none of those offices ever obtained that denomination. “ Philatelists well know that certain places, such as the Cayman Island, St. Helena, and Ascension, secure practically the whole of their revenue from stamp issues, and a little more foresight might have brought the Government more money.” continued the dealer. For a face value of £I,OOO worth of stamps, the Government would expend a very small sum in proportion, and all the rest would be profit. Apparently the Government did not print the same number of 2jd stamps as the other values, which from the collectors’ point of view was very bad, as a complete set of five stamps was desired, whereas now the majority of philatelists will be one stamp short.” When questioned about probable prices for the commerce stamps, it was answered that probably no dealer would quote prices until the figures for the total number of stamps printed were available. If there should be a reprinting (although the Government stated prior to the issue being put on sale that no reprints would be made), the prices would be naturally comparatively low, but it there was no reprinting prices might rise considerably. First day covers have proved popular in Dunedin. Prices vary according to the value of the stamps on each letter, but they range from Is with a penny stamp on a commemorative cover, to ]os for an envelope with the five stamps. Good sales are reported for the covers, even in the higher priced envelopes. A continual demand has been made for the stamps from every part of the country. Local dealers, both large and small, have received orders from places such as the West Coast, Ashburton, Timaru, Tapanui, and Queenstown, One dealer receives from 50 to 60 letters a day inquiring for the issue, but at the present time it is hard work finding anybody in Dunedin willing to part with the stamps.