NEW STAMP

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1931, Page 5

NEW STAMP

LATEST AUSTRALIAN ISSUE. COL LECTOR S CAUTIO l"S. SYDNEY, -March 26. During the past «c-k Australia lias been almost inundated with a new stamp—the Kings, ord SmlLt' commemoration issue, commemorating that aviators woi id-wide flight^—winch has been avauaolc in three denominations, 2d, 3d, and lid. PliiiaL'lm.s, while agreeing with the idea which prompted tile issue, are inclined to look upon i.t witu a certain amount oi suspicion, and they are wondering whether the postal authorities are beginning to exploit them. They point out that it; is the third special issue within a few years. ft is pointed out that a commemoration'issue at three values meant a revenue to the Department on account of stamps that would never be used for postal purposes of between £5.000 and £6,000. Such a return meant 100 per cent, profit If a commemoration stamp were needed, it could be issued in one denomination only. One authority said Huh the 6d stamp was an “over weight” value, and iprobably lefis than one per cent, would ever be used for postal purposes, The issue of such a stamp was getting very close to the practice of the smaller European countries, Winch" issued stamps purely with the idea of exploiting philatelists. A NATIONAL HEM). Another authority claimed that the 1 issue of the new stamp was perfectly genuine, and that the Department was to bo complimented upon its decision to pay a fitting tribute to a national hero. The stamps would always be worth their face value. 'Pile interests of philatelists was only natural, and it was doubtful whether they influenced the Government in any way. Stamp collecting had a strong hold in Australia, and it here were three societies each with a membership exceeding 150. Men were the keenest collectors, and they included men in all walks of life. Of course, the schoolboy collectors could be counted in hundreds. While' women were in a minority, one of the finest Australian collections was owned by a woman, Miss Vickery, who had a complete set of the fiivst issue of Australian stamps.

The most famous Australian stamp from the collector’s point of view, is the West Australian issue on which the black swan was inverted in the printing. Only about 12 of these stamps are known to be in existence, and there has been a keen demani for them ever since they appeared, away back in 1854. The last sale was at the remarkable figure of £80f). One of the stamps is in the possession of King George, who has the most valuable collection of stamps in the world.