Almost everyone you meet in Indonesian office or business circles seems to collect stamps. There is keen competition for any stamps arriving on office mail, particularly for attractive pictorials. Not all of these collectors are building up their own collections–there is a steady demand for used stamps from the philatelic trade and many people make money on the side, accumulating and selling stamps. There is a market, too, for unused stamps prised off letters submitted for posting; so it is customary to match your mail being stamped and cancelled before you cave the post office counter.

Not only are the post offices in Indonesia crowded with long queues but the shut at 1 p.m. Outside each post office one finds half-a-dozen or so boys with trays or stands from which one can buy postage stamps, letter forms, envelopes, aerogrammes, and stamped revenue paper for legal documents. The prices are outrageous–about four times the cost inside the post office doors, but sometimes worth the money if you are in a hurry or the doors are locked.

It is not easy to find stamp dealers in Jakarta although it is a very large city with a population that is officially 5½ million people, but thought by some observers to be closer to 10 million. The city has very few shops as we know them. There is one large department store on the main street and this does have a section in the stationery department which sells stamps. There are packets of short sets and mixtures of Indonesian and foreign issues and a line of stock books with “collections” of Indonesia, the Japanese Occupation 1942-5, and various unissued revolutionary series. They are relatively expensive; several selections were priced at between $100 and $200. These stock books appear also in the book stores of hotel lobbies and in some of the antique shops. All appeared to be the same and it turns out that they were supplied by one dealer in East Java.

Elsewhere than in the department store, stamps can be found on the antique stalls, in the bazaars, where most of the city’s retail trade is carried on, but the variety is small and stocks limited. However, the post office in Jalan Akini Raya has attached to it the Philatelic Centre. A small counter sells definitives and commemoratives, many of which are not readily found in the ordinary post offices, but no postal stationery is available. The counter is at the entrance to a large room which is in fact the headquarters of the Philatelic Society of Indonesia. There are permanent display stands on which from time to time exhibitions are shown (e.g., a collection of U.S.A. assembled by members in honour of the Bicentennial of the American Revolution, which was on show in July, 1976). There is a rostrum for speakers and an array of chairs. On the last Sunday of each month in the morning there is a display or an auction, sometimes both. On the second Sunday of the month there is a children’s meeting.

The regular Sunday meeting is well patronized by dealers, some full-time but mainly part-time, who customarily operate from their home addresses and thus it is necessary to visit them in the evenings. Those, whom I bought stamps from had impressive stocks, not only of Indonesia but of world issues also.

At the Sunday morning auctions the main interest (and highest prices) attached to Netherland East Indies and earlier Indonesian material. General lots and common Indonesian values went for a few cents, but strongly competitive bidding brought prices well above catalogue for desirable single stamps or sets.

A good half hour was allowed for inspection of the numerous lots beforehand. The auction was, of course, in Indonesian and conducted at a quick-fire pace, so that one needed a good ear to follow the bidding. I nevertheless managed to obtain a few interesting items at modest prices.

All stamp auctions, or philatelists, must have something in common. Those two characters, the man who dashes up to the table at the close of the sale for a quick look through the passed in lots, and the other who, as soon as the bidding starts, asks to see the lot and gives it close inspection before bidding or not–they were both there and it made one feel quite at home.

This article republished by permission of the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand.

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The message on the reverse is as follows: Dear Madam, Yours to hand. Am sorry you cannot (meet?) us with stamps– Useless to send back. Would you kindly hand over to some one who would send us a few exchanges for them. If so would esteem it a favour. Your lists noted. Will be laid before Society. Thanking you for trouble taken. Yours truly, Thom Brand, Mackay Q’land July 20/94. There are 4 postal markings, a large oval and 3 circular items of which only the top circle is legible as Constantinople (Figure 2 below).

The use of the name Montenegro began in the 15th century when the Crnojevic dynasty began to rule the Serbian principality of Zeta; over subsequent centuries Montenegro was able to maintain its independence from the Ottoman Empire. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegro became a theocracy ruled by a series of bishop princes; in 1852, it was transformed into a secular principality. After World War I, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929.

At the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser union of Serbia and Montenegro. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% – the threshold set by the EU – allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independence on 3 June 2006. Two maps of Montenegro show the countries that surround Montenegro, the capital city, Podgorica and the city in which Frau Bergner lived, Cetinje (red arrow), are seen in Figures 3 & 4 below.

It is situated in Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia at geographic coordinates 42 30 N, 19 18 E and the total area is 13,812 sq km. It has a Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns, and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland. The population is 672,180 (July 2009 est.). The ethnic groups are Montenegrin 43%, Serbian 32%, Bosniak 8%, Albanian 5%, other (Muslims, Croats, Roma (Gypsy)) 12% (2003 census). The religions are Orthodox 74.2%, Muslim 17.7%, Catholic 3.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 3%, atheist 1% (2003 census). The languages spoken are Serbian 63.6%, Montenegrin (official) 22%, Bosnian 5.5%, Albanian 5.3%, unspecified 3.7% (2003 census). The capital is Podgorica.

At the time of the postcard (1894), the country was ruled by Prince Nicholas (from 1860-1910) who later became the only King of Montenegro, Nicholas I (from 1910-1918) (Figures 5 & 6 below).

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During 1951, invitations to submit bids were issued to the world’s security printers by the United Nations Purchase Division, and contracts were awarded for the printing of the first regular issue of United Nations stamps. Invitations to submit bids for the printing of each of the two commemorative stamps to be issued during 1952 were sent out that year. Beginning in 1953, however, printing contracts were awarded for an entire year’s printing program. Thomas de la Rue and Co., Ltd., of London, received the United Nations printing contracts for 1953, 1954, 1956 and 1957, and Waterlow and Sons, also of London, received the contract for 1955.

Type of Paper Used
The paper used by the de la Rue firm for United Nations stamps is “British-made paper furnished with 25 per cent rag, 35 per cent esparto and 40 per cent bleached chemical wood.” Its weight is 61 grams per square meter.

The paper used by Enschedé and Sons is a special type of stamp paper, which is suitable for steel engraving. Its fibre composition is chemical wood pulp of a very high purity and great strength, and its weight is 80 grams per square meter. This paper, produced by the famous Dutch Gelderland paper mills at Nijmegen, has no distinguishing characteristics such as watermarks.

Waterlow and Sons, in the production of stamps for the United Nations, uses a paper comprising 25 per cent rag, 30 per cent wood and 45 per cent esparto, the weight being 63 grams per square meter.

Method of Perforation
The method of perforation used by both de la Rue and Waterlow and Sons is by a comb block perforating die. The die perforates one row at u time while the paper moves through the machine. The perforating lines run off the edge of the sheet as the completely perforated sheets leave the machine.

The method used by Enschede and Sons is the so-called comb perforation method. If the sheet of stamps is larger in size than the length of the perforation comb, the perforation does not go through to the edge of the sheet. The sheet goes through the perforating machins, jumping at each movement exactly the length of one stamp. The sheets are trimmed after perforating in order to enable the perforation to go through to the edge of the sheet. Prior to the 1952 United Nations Day issue, no stamp was perforated all the way to the edges of the margins on all sides of the sheet. While this stamp was so perforated, the 1952 Human Rights Day stamp was not. All stamps from 1953 on have been perforated to the edges of the margins on all sides of the sheet. Perfoiations on the original printings of the first regular issue of United Nations stamps varied in the extent to which they ran into the margins on the sides and at the bottom. It is not possible, therefore, to give a standard ruling on the method of perforation for any one issue.

Above: Sheets of United Nations stamps of the first regular issue, 1951, passing through the comb perforating machine.

Sheet Markings and Control Numbers
The dots and crosses on each sheet used by de la Rue “help the operator obtain good register between the point and the perforation.”

In the steelplate printing machine used by Enschedk and Sons two little dots are printed on each sheet simultaneously with the stamps. These dots are later punched by hand, so that the sheets can be fitted on two needles mounted on the perforation machine. As the needles are part of the perforation machine, the register between the perforation and the stamps is thus assured.

The various markings noticed by customers of the firm are the “markings of the supervising officers of the Post Office, under whose control the stamps have been printed.” Each official of this body, the firm explains, has his own marking clipper, similar to those used by a railroad conductor. Each sheet is clipped on being counted. “The background of this all goes back a long time ago, and has been introduced to avoid the possibilities of fraud,” the explanation says. “The markings are applied further to all proofs made, which means that not a single proof can be made without being accounted for by the Controller of the Post Office.” Such a strict supervision through the years, the firm asserts, has proved “absolutely necessary and of great value.”

Waterlow and Sons marks sheets produced by them with cutting lines in all four comers of each pane, and with a needling dot left and right for perforation register.

All United Nations stamps are steel engraved by the so-called intaglio process. This involves the pressing of the paper against a plate, and the drawing of the ink out of the cuts made in the plate. The various shades thus produced result from the depth of the cut. The United Nations flag stamps of the first regular issue, however, were printed by a combination of this process and that of photogravure. The inner part of the stamp was reproduced by the gravure process, while the frame resulted from a subsequent operation – that of steel engraving.

True plate numbers, 1A or 1B, appear only on the Universal Postal Union issue of 1953 and the International Telecommunication Union issue of 1956. Instead of plate numbers, all sheets of United Nations stamps bear marginal inscriptions in four positions on each sheet. Control numbers, too, from 001 to 100 appear on all sheets of stamps up to and including the International Civil Aviation Organization stamp of 1955. Beginning with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization stamp of 1955, the United Nations Postal Administration initiated a new policy whereby no control numbers appear on any sheets of stamps.

Descriptions of United Nations Stamps

“Peoples of the World”

Description of design
The horizontal vignette shows a rou of five persons, representing  the rincipal races of mankind, liberated from the chains of bon CFa ge and looking toward the United Nations emblem rising over a peaceful and prosperous landscape. The text “United Nations’ 1×1 the five official lan uages, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, borders the stamp.

Design submitted for the first regular issue of United Nations stamps, 1951. In modified form this motif was used on the “Peoples of the World” stamp.

Marginal Inscriptions
These bear the United Nations seal and the text “First UN Issue 1951″ and appear twice at the top and twice at the bottom of each sheet.

Printed by
Thomas de la Rue and Co., Ltd., of London, England, on pre-gummed paper from 100-subject, curved intaglio plates and cut into post office panes of 50 stamps each after perforating.

Designer
O. C. Meronti, United Kingdom

Engravers
Vignette: J. C. Evans, Frame and Lettering: A. B. Crossett

1¢ maroon.
Issued 24 October 1951
Initial printing: 5,000,000
10¢ sepia Issued 16 November 1951
Initial printing: 1,000,000
Reprinted December 1954 100,000
Reprinted February 1957 300,000
Perforated: 13 horizontally and 12½ vertically

SIZE OF DIE: 3″ X 2″
SIZE OF STAMP: 30.4 rnm. x 24 mm.
ENGRAVING STARTED: 23 July 1951
ENGRAVING FINISHED: 20 August 1951

PLATE MAKING STARTED: 1¢- 27 August 1951; 10¢-28 August 1951
PLATES TO PRESS: 1¢-31 August 1951; 10¢-6 September 1951
FIRST DELIVERY TO UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK: 1¢-7 September 1951; 10¢-13 September 1951

The first reprint of the 10¢ stamp shows the control numbers on the upper right hand corner of the sheets, rather than on the lower right hand comer. The second and third reprints carry no control numbers. All reprints are perforated through the margins.

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Clarence (“Clarrie”) King was born in 1915. He chose a career as an illustrator/cartoonist, beginning with Associated newspapers in Sydney, where he was employed from 1936 to 1950. He later joined Australian Consolidated Press, and was political cartoonist at the Daily Telegraph. King retired in 1980, and died at Belrose (NSW) in 2000. Hopefully he had become aware that a Philatelic demand had emerged for his cover creations of nearly 60 years earlier!

The nine illustrations in this delightful series are featured this month, I believe the first occasion on which they have been chronicled. The series was clearly intended to be marketed to the Defence Forces. I’m not aware if they were available for sale at Military sites, or if they were sold only by Stationers/Newsagents and the like.

Figure 1. “LOOKOUT HITLER HERE I COME”!

Sent by “Roy” (noted on reverse) from FIELD POST OFFICE/027 (which was at Wallgrove NSW) on 1 Nov 1942, presumably to his sweetheart at Liverpool. An earlier owner has pencilled-in the “027″ in the cancel, which appears to be an error of interpretation. Firstly, it would be unusual to include “Australia” in the address for an item sent within the State, and secondly the Concessional postal rate for Defence Forces was 1d only (4d for airmail within Australia). The Military Censor handstamp appears to be “584″ (it’s rather faint), which we have recorded as being in use at Bushmead WA at this time. Certainly, the latter would be an appropriate origin from which to send the article by airmail.

Figure 2. “I’VE BEEN PUTTING ON WEIGHT LATELY”!

This cover unusually contains the original letter, from Sgt C.S. Cameron, to his sweetheart at Balmain NSW. The letter is dated March 1943, but the cover was not cancelled until 17 Jun 1943, at AUST F.P.O./156, which was then at Moora WA. The long delay between writing and posting may be explained by Sgt Cameron, although in the RAAF, referring in his letter to his experiences on a boat (“Water, water everywhere, not any drop to drink.”). Describing a close encounter with a whale, the writer comments “The whale put a cold shiver through me as it broke the water, my first thought was a submarine. And as it sprayed up the water it looked like a periscope”.

Figure 3. A plagiarist clearly impressed with King’s work

This cover, sent from UNIT POSTAL STATION/S84 (Nambour Qld) on 30 Sep 1942, to East Brunswick Vic, shows a reasonable fist of the King design shown in Figure 2. Upon sighting the illustration the recipient, Miss Featherston, no doubt would have been impressed with the sender’s “skill”.

Figure 4. “LOOK AFTER THIS MR POSTMAN! ITS FOR THE BEST LITTLE WOMAN IN  THE WORLD”

This caption is perhaps a trifle politically incorrect for these times, but we wont go there (we will however go there in Figure 5!). A 5 Oct 1942 use from A.I.F. ARMY P.O./49, situated in Alice Springs, to the sender’s “little woman” in Elwood Vic.

Figure 5. Minor alteration, maximum speculation

The same illustration as for Figure 4, with manuscript alteration rendering “WOMAN” as “MAN”! The cover is addressed to a male; probably no cause for comment. The amendment is appropriate to reflect the gender of the addressee, right? The sender was a male (so?) in Hamilton NSW, near Newcastle. The Censor tape was peculiar to Newcastle, identified by the nine dots under “OPENED BY CENSOR”, and the handstamp which ties it has “2/1″ within, which again identifies Newcastle as the point of censoring. This 15 Dec 1943 use to New York is one of but a few “King” covers I’ve noted to an overseas destination. Also, an unusual civilian use of a “King” cover. The postage paid at 6½d appears to be an overpayment of 1d for the second weight step for surface Foreign letter (3d + 2d + ½d War Tax = 5½d).

Figure 6. “HI YAR PAL”!

22 Sep 1944 use from Adelaide to Leederville WA at 4d concessional airmail rate. Note handstamped “R.A.A.F. CONCESSION POSTAGE RATE”. The many types of these rate confirmation handstamps make for an interesting study in themselves (see also Figures 10 and 11).

[Illustration missing]

Figure 7. “I’VE BEEN PROMOTED”!

An unusual 4 Nov 1944 use from Mrs Dempsey in East St.Kilda Vic to husband, Tech/Sgt T.M. Dempsey, who was apparently stationed with 815th AAF in U.S. This article was eligible for 9d overseas concessional airmail (compare with Figure 5). Melbourne “3″ Censor tape and handstamp.

Figure 8. “I’M DREAMIN OH MY DARLIN LOVE OF THEE”!

A rare use of a “King” cover at Port Moresby (FIELD P.O./0138), sent 17 Apr 1943 to Launceston. 3d was the concessional airmail rate for Australian Defence Forces serving abroad.

Figure 9. YES! ITS LITTLE ME!

3 Apr 1944 use from Deniliquin to Maroubra NSW at 1d concessional surface rate. R.A.A.F. 4101/AUSTRALIA was the security code for the datestamp.

Figure 10. “WHAT A NIGHT”!

Broadmeadows Military Camp Vic was the departure point for this, sent on 23 Jan 1943 to Melbourne. Another of those nice concessional handstamps referred to under Figure 6.

Figure 11. “ALRIGT! (sic) ALRIGHT! I KNOW I SHOULD HAVE WROTE BEFORE!”

Until quiet recently, I had not seen a used example of Figure 11, and I was beginning to form the opinion that it may not have been issued in the same manner as the eight other designs in the series. I’ve now seen three used, so it was probably a case of the law of averages temporarily going slightly awry. The fact is, I’ve seen no more than between three and five used examples of any “King” cover, which makes them quite elusive. Our subject example was used 27 Apr 1944 from Point Cook Vic (R.A.A.F. 5202 security code) to Sydney, with R.A.A.F. concessional handstamp in use at point of departure.

In conclusion, the period of use for “King” covers thus far noted by me are from January 1942 to July 1945. I’d be interested to receive details of dates beyond this band and, of course, any other illustrations which may exist! I’ve seen them used in every Mainland State, the N.T., and PNG. What are “King” covers worth? They usually are found rather roughly-opened, typical of most WWII covers. Obviously, receiving mail from a loved one was an exciting occurrence, likely to be accompanied by anxiety to inspect the contents. Not conducive to philatelically desirable opening of covers! Reasonably tidy covers, such as most of the subjects selected above, would probably fetch upwards of $100 each, with less attractive (significantly torn, stained) worth about half that figure. It’s fair to say most “King” covers are likely to be worth considerably more than the stamps used to send them!

I hope readers have enjoyed this introduction to a series of covers of which I’m very fond. They’re so very ‘forties, wouldn’t you agree?

Rod Perry has been a philatelic trader since 1962. He founded Rodney A Perry Auction Galleries (now Millennium Philatelic Auctions) in 1971. As a collector he has exhibited nationally and internationally. Rod prefers his used stamps on cover and likens taking a stamp off its original cover to converting a tree to woodchips.

For more information please visit Rod’s website The National Stamp Gallery.

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It is addressed to the Post Master, Geneal Post Office, Auckland, New Zealand, the stamp (as always) is washed off. It had been canceled with the duplex SYDNEY / OC 23 / 11-A M / 94 / 36 with the 3-ringed oval ‘N.S.W’. There is a very fine blue 2-line handstamp ‘Saved from wreck of the / “WAIRARAPA” (Figure 1 below).

The reverse shows a fine N.Z. / AUCKLAND / 3 NO 94 / 14 as well as another illegible postmark (Figure 2 below).

The second cover was posted with a duplex BRISBANE / 27 / OC ( ) / 9(4) and is addressed to Customs Auckland N.Z., and readdressed in red to a company. The identical blue 2-line handstamp has been applied (Figure 3 below).

The third cover was also sent from Brisbane with a partial duplex cancel and it is addressed to a solicitor in Blenheim, N.Z. and it has the blue 2-line handstamp (Figure 4 below).

The reverse has a transit N.Z. / AUCKLAND / 10 NO 94 / 1 as well as the arrival N.Z. / BLENHEIM / 14 NO 94 / 1 postmark (Figure 5 below).

The wreck of the ship on the rocks some days after the accident, as well as articles salvaged from the ship, are seen in Figures 6 and 7 below.

The S.S. Wairarapa was one of the Union Steamship Line’s most luxurious vessels, built in 1892, and had a gross weight of 1716 tons. It was employed on the Australia-New Zealand run, across the Tasman Sea, a journey of over 1,250 miles. The vessel left Sydney on October 24, 1894, bound for Auckland, with some 230 passengers and crew on board.

Late on the night of October 29/30 (12.08 a.m.), it had passed the North Cape of New Zealand, when it suddenly encountered dense fog. However, Captain John McIntosh was so sure of his bearing that the ship continued at full speed, to pass Great Barrier Island on the final run to Auckland Harbour.

Suddenly, there was a deafening crash as the ship was flung by the heavy swell on to a rocky ledge. For a moment, all was confusion; the passengers rushed from their beds; Captain McIntosh ordered the boats to be lowered, and the tremendous seas pounded the grounded ship. At 2 a.m., its funnel was carried away, then the boat listed to port and the bridge collapsed. The Captain and many others were swept away into darkness. The life-rafts were cut adrift, and saved many people, and the rest fought for their lives.

On deck, the survivors clung to the ship’s rails for twelve hours, and at last a line was taken to shore by a steward, and secured. A thick rope was then hauled to land, and the passengers attempted to get ashore to safety.

At this point of the Island, the cliffs were 800 feet high, and it was thirty hours before another vessel saw the wreck, and rescued the survivors. In those thirty hours, the survivors lived on oranges washed ashore from the wreck, and the few local settlers also helped with food and comfort. In due course, the S.S. Argyle a small coaster, saw them, and took them to Auckland. It arrived there at 3 a.m. on November 1, and the outside world learned of the tragedy.

There were 117 sacks of mail on board of which 109 sacks were salvaged (another source quoted 98 bags as saved) and 23,224 pieces of mail were recovered, taken to Auckland on November 3, and dried out. Items were then marked with a handstamp reading “Saved from the wreck of the Wairarapa” (in two lines), in violet or blue ink. Items backstamped “AUCKLAND 3 NO 94″ are usually struck in deep violet, but those backstamped on November 5 or 10 are usually in violet-blue. From the beginning, the handstamp had a characteristic warping. A much rarer handstamp has been seen, far smaller, and in black. It is thought that this was the first one to be used, but was found to be too small and indistinct, and so discarded. A cover with this black handstamp was sold at a New Zealand auction in 1971.

The Government of New Zealand has a document on line entitled “S.S. Wairarapa Graves Heritage Assessment 1984, pages 21-25″ with a well documented history of the ship from its being built in 1882 by the company of William Denny and Bros., Dumbarton, Scotland until the centenary of the shipwreck in 1984.

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Collecting Air Mail stamps has been a popular pursuit in Philately, particularly since the 1930s, by which time most countries had issued a stamp, or series, primarily dedicated for use on the rapidly developing airmail services. The more adventurous included covers carried on inaugural airmail service flights (“First Flight Covers”), which may or may not have been franked specifically with “Air Mail” stamps.

Over the years I’ve met a number of Air Mail stamp enthusiasts, although strangely none who collect those same stamps used on commercial cover. That’s a pity, for this is a rich field for specialisation. Airmail rates varied depending upon such factors as distance, and the rates were often volatile, rising or decreasing with fluctuations in demand, for example. Material on the whole is reasonably available, although it can take some effort to track down. But, hey, that’s the fun in such collecting, and often when material is found it can be pleasantly affordable; comparing relative scarcity with corresponding stamps mint or used (off cover).

This month I’ll feature commercial covers bearing Air Mail stamps from a variety of countries. I’ve selected series’ which have a number of stamps; most lend themselves admirably to goals such as development in to a one-frame or greater exhibit. Ten of the twelve subjects are to Australian destinations, to add a little familiarity.

For 2009, why not surprise yourself and take up the challenge of collecting one or more subjects in this field? You may well end up with a collection which is a best-of-kind, without having to go broke in the process.

Figure 1. Ancient meets modern in this stylish series of 21 from Egypt

Egypt between 1933 and 1938 produced an ambitious bicoloured series of Air Mail stamps, many in vibrant colours. Figure 1 provides an indication of how a usage collection featuring these stamps would be a joy to behold. This 23 June 1937 use from Simon Arzt, a department store in Port Said, with it’s own Post Office (!), bears the 90m, 5m and 40m, making up the 135m airmail rate to Australia. Destined for Inglewood (Qld), it arrived at Brisbane 1 July, which indicates it was on board Imperial Airways’ service IE 559.

Figure 2. Switzerland: Art Deco design elements for the inaugural Air Mail stamps

Commencing in 1923, Switzerland produced a series of 13 Air Mail stamps. Unmistakable elements of Art Deco predominate for the stamps in this series; the “Pilot” featuring in the 35c and 40c would not be out of place in Fritz Lang’s classic Metropolis (1927). Figure 2 has the 45c, 50c, 65c, and regular issue 30c, making up the 1f 90 second weight step airmail rate (5-10gms) to Australia. It left Lugano 27 April 1936, and endorsed “Londres – Karachi”, would have been conveyed on Imperial Airways’ service IE 335 to Karachi, thereafter by QANTAS to Darwin, arriving Melbourne 10 May.

Figure 3. Skill of the Engraver to the fore in Czechoslovakia’s superb 1930 series

Featuring a variety of aircraft, the Czech set of eight Air Mail stamps issued in 1930 (a 30h followed in 1939), is certain to delight lovers’ of recess-printed stamps. Figure 3 provides an indication of what to expect, containing as it does not less than half of the original set. Here a 5k, 10k, 2k and 50h make the 17k 50 third weight step airmail rate (10-15gms) to Australia, departing Bratislava for Sydney on 14 January 1939. There is no arrival datestamp on reverse; I speculate that this article was on Imperial Airways’ service SE 75, which arrived at Sydney 25 January.

Figure 4. Sudan’s handsome series of 12 probably for the more ambitious

Another fine recess-printed series, Sudan’s 1932-37 Air Mail stamps, featuring Statue of General Gordon, is probably not for everyone. Material is not easy to come by, certainly not addressed to Australia. Figure 4 is; a 20 January 1932 cover from Khartoum to Canterbury (Melbourne). The 5m, 10m and 2p paid the 2p 15 rate for airmail to Cairo only, thereafter entering the surface service to Australia. Imperial Airways’ IE 148 would have provided the airmail service leg.

Figure 5. Unusual design, vibrant colours from Bulgaria

Designs for Air Mail stamps can be imaginative; they were often intended to convey mail to other countries, and national pride no doubt brought out the best in designers. The Bulgarian Air Mail set of eleven issued between 1931 and 1938 probably resembles no others. Figure 5 is an 11 November 1935 item from the remarkable correspondence to Henry B. Smith, a Wool Broker in Melbourne. That material came on the market only in the ‘nineties, prior to which prewar airmail to Australia from Bulgaria, and various other former Eastern Bloc countries, was very scarce indeed. Airmail items to other countries, for this series and others featured, are generally more readily available than those to Australasia. The 1 l, 30 l, 20 l and 2 l x2 pay the 55 l airmail rate to Australia. This likely was the second weight step airmail rate (5-10gms); I have a 35 l, presumably first weight step. Sent via Athens, the arrival in Melbourne was on 3 December.

Figure 6. Exotic designs from Thailand; we would expect no less

Figure 6 contains seven of the eight stamps of Thailand’s 1925-37 Air Mail series, featuring the “Garuda” Bird, suggesting the recipient may have been a stamp collector. However, the postage rate of 1b 10 is correct for 60s airmail + 50s registration fee, so we’ll give this the benefit of the doubt as being “commercial” use. From Bangkok to Gympie (Qld) on 17 April 1931, this article was carried on the KLM service to Batavia (Dutch East Indies), arriving 25 April, thereafter entering the surface mail, received at Brisbane 23 May.

Figure 7. Striking Air Mail series’ from German Third Reich era

The 1934 Air Mail stamps of Germany comprised two designs. The 5pf to 100pf (nine values) featured the striking Golden Eagle, Globe and Swastika, the 2m and 3m Count Zeppelin and Airship Graf Zeppelin. Very Third Reich, and Figure 7 is very representative of the era; the stamps were used in Austria during Germany’s annexation (“Anschluss”) of that country. This 12 August 1938 registered airmail Vienna to Sydney bears 10pf, 100pf x2, 25pf, and 2m. The aggregate franking of 5m 35 was for 45gms airmail to Australia (4m 05) + registration fee (1m 30).

Figure 8. From Yugoslavia’s very fine 1937 Air Mail series

Airmail to Australia from Yugoslavia prior to WWII is rather scarce. That changed after the war with the huge migration intake. Figure 8 is an early wartime airmail of 11 March 1940 from Belgrade to Sydney. This was carried by Imperial Airways, from a late service for IA became BOAC on 1 April 1940. From the 1937 Air Mail set of eight (two further denominations appeared in 1940) we have the 50p, 5d and 20d, a total of 25d 50, which I believe represented 21d 50 airmail + 4d registration fee. Here and elsewhere, some of the rate comments are deduced from material I have access to; I apologise in advance if I have misinterpreted.

Figure 9. QANTAS, BOAC, Japan Airlines convergence?

Figure 9 is one of the two items featured which are not destined for Australia. This is close enough, being from QANTAS office in Japan, to that in Singapore! An 8 November 1952 solo use of the 160y stamp from the 1952-62 Air Mail set of eleven (with slightly revised designs from the 1951-52 series), this paid the fourth weight step airmail rate (40y x4). Interestingly, the Air Mail label was that of BOAC, suggesting this QANTAS inter-office item was carried by the opposition. The Aeroplane over Mt. Tate subject stamp presumably features a Japan Airlines plane; JAL was formed in August 1951, and the original series featuring this stamp appeared in September 1951. An unusual convergence of three airlines in one item, if I’m correct.

Figure 10. Art Deco interpretation of “Mercury” from CuraÇao

More reminiscent of a character from a 1930s Flash Gordon novel, the very individual designs of the stamps in Figure 10 are in fact a representation of the more widely known “Mercury”. The series of 13 stamps in this series seldom made their way to Australia; mail communication between the Netherlands Antilles and Australia has always been minimal. This 12 August 1941 item from Willemstad to Brewer Racket Co (maker of tennis, squash, badminton racquets) in suburban Melbourne, bears the 45c, 1g 40 and 60c stamps from the set, and was censored both in country of origin, and upon arrival in Melbourne. The rate of 2g 45 paid for full airmail service by KLM.

Figure 11. “Pegasus” an infrequent visitor to Australasia

One of the great designs in Air mail stamps must surely be that issued by Uruguay in 1929. I’ve not been able to locate an example of this stamp on an item to Australasia, and we’ll have to settle for one to Germany, shown as Figure 11. The pair of 30c denomination should be adequate to confirm the wonderful design. Sent from Montevideo to Berlin via France, the rate of 62c was for the basic airmail service. No less than 36 stamps (!), plus subsequent surcharges, make up this series. Latin America is the king of Air Mail stamp series’, and material is generally plentiful and inexpensive. Three years ago I decided to build a portfolio of pre-1940 Latin American commercial airmail covers, exclusively by selecting attractive items on eBay and placing a maximum bid of US$10. This proved to be a successful formula, and winnings began to flow in. I couldn’t believe how such attractive, exhibitable items could be so readily obtained, and for such a low average entry price, which ended up closer to US$6 than to US$10. After a year or so I focused on unrelated acquisitions, returning only recently to this former activity, in order to see if market sentiment had changed. To the extent that material remained reasonably plentiful, nothing had changed, but the average entry price by my reckoning had increased to around US$15, from US$6 two/three years earlier. I can’t help but think that as supply becomes absorbed – it is finite after all – the average entry price for this material will continue to increase. Latin American commercial airmail material is one of my most highly recommended collecting fields.

Figure 12. Festooned U.S. Air Mail stamps to lubricate one’s taste

We’ll complete this introduction to Air Mail stamps with the U.S., which has issued it’s fair share of such stamps. They’re quite attractive, and reasonably available. The differential between used on cover, and off cover, at least in my Scott Specialized Catalogue for 2000, suggests that Air Mail stamps used on commercial cover are one of the great bargains in World Philately. For example, in my catalogue, the 1918 16c is 35c used, and 55c used on cover, the 24c is 35c used, 75c on cover. I doubt if this anomaly is a reality in the market place, but I’ll make a point of finding out. I’ll buy such items on cover all day long at such bargain prices! Figure 12 contains three different later issues from two series’, the 10c and 20c (x7) from the 1926-27 set of three, and the 50c (x4) from the 1935-37 set, also of three. A 30 May 1941 use from New Orleans to Brisbane, the aggregate $3.50 postage paid the fifth weight step airmail rate (2-2½ozs.) for the “China Clipper” service. Censoring during wartime took place upon arrival at Brisbane.

Air Mail stamps can have a lot going for them in the visual stakes. Would you agree? When on commercial postal articles, they can take that attribute to dizzying heights (pun unintended). Good luck with your Philately and in general for ‘09.

Rod Perry has been a philatelic trader since 1962. He founded Rodney A Perry Auction Galleries (now Millennium Philatelic Auctions) in 1971. As a collector he has exhibited nationally and internationally. Rod prefers his used stamps on cover and likens taking a stamp off its original cover to converting a tree to woodchips.

For more information please visit Rod’s website The National Stamp Gallery.

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However, there is so much more to make Elsinore an interesting place to visit. It is one of Denmark’s oldest cities strategically located at the narrowest part of the sound between Denmark and Sweden. In the past South Sweden used to be part of Denmark and the Danes levied custom fees on all shipping from and to the Baltic Sea going through the Sound.

Above: 1964 GB 2/6d Shakespeare Festival

The income from the custom fees created considerable prosperity for the city of Elsinore. Some of the money was used to build a beautiful castle. Called Kronborg the castle dominates the coastline and can be easily seen from Helsingborg on the other side of the Sound. Today Kronborg Castle is a maritime museum and well worth a visit.

Hamlet is certainly one of the most well known plays in theatrical history. Written by William Shakespeare, the play takes place in Kronborg Castle. The castle is depicted on one of the three field post stamps issued in support of the pro-Nazi Danish Legion in 1944. The design is extremely peaceful despite being released during very troubled World War I1 times.

Above: 1944 Field post issue showing Kronborg Castle

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was born in Stratford upon Avon and was educated at a local grammar school where he probably learnt Latin. Shakespeare is undoubtedly the most important figure in world literature and he had a considerable influence on the development of the English language.

Strangely enough not much is known about Shakespeare and his life and work. What we do know is that he got married, had children and moved to London. He was part owner of The Globe Theatre on the South Bank of the Thames. The Globe was destroyed in a fire during Shakespeare’s lifetime but was rebuilt some 20 years ago.

Shakespeare wrote more than 40 plays and a large number of sonnets. Not a single manuscript in Shakespeare’s handwriting has been preserved. All we have today are some signatures of the great bard.

We don’t really know what Shakespeare looked like as there are no contemporary portraits of him. There are a number of portraits which are supposed to depict the famous playwright and they have been used on various occasions for stamp designs. From 1899 to 1926, a series of Shakespeare labels in nine different colours were sold for one shilling each in support of the church in Stratford upon Avon. These labels show what is believed to be a fair portrait of Shakespeare.

Above: Shakespeare label supporting the church in Stratford upon Avon

The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke is probably Shakespeare’s most famous play. It was first performed in 1601.

The dramatic events begin with the demise of King Hamlet. Claudius, the late king’s brother, gets not only the throne of Denmark but also Queen Gertrude. Prince Hamlet harbours strong suspicions that Claudius has killed Hamlet’s father. He organizes a play with an ingenious plot in order to find out what really happened.

As his suspicions grow stronger, Prince Hamlet realizes that his own life is at risk and he pretends to be mad. Claudius decides to send his nephew to England to have him killed. However, Prince Hamlet returns to Elsinore and Denmark to face Claudius. It all ends in total tragedy with the deaths of almost all the principal characters through poisoned swords and wine.

By far the most significant part of the play is the skull scene where Prince Hamlet pronounces the words “To be or not to be, that is the question”. This scene is depicted on the 216d stamp released by Great Britain in 1964 in connection with the Shakespeare Festival. The 216d value was part of a set of five stamps but the only one that was recess printed.

Shakespeare often found the inspiration for his plays in other literary works. Hamlet was no exception. The play is based on a story in the Danish Chronicles by Saxo Grammaticus. It was also included in Histoires Tragiques by French writer Francois de Belleforest.

In the late 1500s many Scottish and English actors performed their plays in Elsinore. It is quite possible that Shakespeare met with some of these actors getting first hand accounts of the Danish city.

The tourist authorities in Elsinore like to suggest that William Shakespeare could possibly have been one of the English actors having visited Elsinore. However, there is absolutely no information about Shakespeare ever having left his native England.

Ever since the early 1800s, Hamlet has been staged at regular intervals by different theatre companies in the compound of Kronborg Castle.

Visitors to Elsinore should call at the city’s Tourist Office where they can obtain a leaflet describing a Shakespeare Walk which includes the castle, the old part of Elsinore and a garden outside the city centre. All these places feature prominently in Hamlet.

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During this time a number of stamp duty stamps were able to be used for postal purposes and were quite properly the high denomination stamps of the New Zealand 1882 second side face series of ten stamps that ranged from ½d to 1/-. These New Zealand stamps were the first to be inscribed postage and revenue. Previously all New Zealand’s stamps had been inscribed only withpostage and these could not be used for revenue purposes. The 1953 coronation set of 5 stamps was the last to be inscribed postage and revenue.

Fig 1: 1867 die I imperf 4/4d, die I 12/6d, and die II 6d.

The initial 1867 Queen Victoria stamp duty stamps were issued imperforate. They range in denomination from 1d to £10 with a range of colours of both the background and the denominations. These were printed from original dies or die I. Many of these denominations are exceptionally scarce whether mint or fiscally used and can command prices in excess of $2500 each.

Also issued from 1867 were similar but perforate die I stamp duty stamps ranging in denomination from 1d to £50. Again they had a range of coloured backgrounds and denominations – some being the same as the earlier imperforate stamp duty stamps. Denominations above £1 command good prices.

A new die (die II) was used for later printings of the 1867 Queen Victoria stamp duty series and denominations ranging from 1d to £50 can be found on this issue of perforate stamps. The difference between the two dies can be discerned by looking at the value panel at the top of the stamps.

Die I value panels are taller and have closely spaced vertical lines whilst die I1 value panels are shorter and have the vertical lines more widely spaced. A more distinct difference is that, in die I there is a clear coloured dot in the top right comer, to left of the fern which is absent on die II stamps. Also, on die II stamps the two white dots in the coloured circular ring between STAMP DUTY and NEW ZEALAND are larger than those on die I stamps.

Specially printed imperforate high value stamp duty stamps in this design were printed as required in gold with their denominations in blue ink. Such values up to £35,00 are known and whilst each is probably unique they may sell for several hundred dollars each. The 1867 stamp duty type may be found inscribed COUNTERPART, FINE PAID or NOT LIABLE as well as a range (from 1% to 10%) of Ad Valorem (for estate duty purposes) values indicated as 10p ct. and TEN/PER CENT in the panels above and below the Queen’s head. The Ad Valorem stamps are scarce.

In 1880 a new design of Queen Victoria stamp duty stamps replaced the 1867 series. These were only issued perforate and had two distinct value panels – again above and below the central vignette of Queen Victoria; however unlike in the earlier series these were white voids on to which the denominations were printed resulting in a much cleaner looking design overall.

This design can be found with denominations ranging from 4d to £1000 and whilst many are relatively common and hence cheap there are some that command four figure sums. There is much to interest collectors in this issue apart from trying to attain completeness! For example; three denominations (£15, £40 and £50) each have more than one length of denomination lettering in the upper panel and these differences result in eight different stamps to collect – not three!

After scanning a £50 (the length of FIFTY is 10mm in the upper panel) 1880 stamp duty type for illustrating this article a huge plate variety was noticed, but only after seeing it enlarged on a computer screen! An additional frame line runs to the right of the stamp’s outer frame at the right and turns underneath the design at the base and continues until reaching the U of POUNDS. As a colleague said: There must be HUGE potential for research in that area. A normal example is shown for comparison below.

The 1880 stamp duty type can be found with other inscriptions such as FINE PAID, or NOT LIABLE. Alternatively they may be found overprinted with COUNTERPART. DENOTING. FINE PAID or with PASSPORT FEE. Whilst the latter two types may be expensive to acquire the others may not be.

So far so good – now for some complications! It is relatively easy to collect New Zealand revenues as single stamps and for those who wish to there is ample scope to collect them with different perforations as well as on different papers, but just try collecting them on document! That is where one starts to need panadol tablets as this requirement causes headaches – big time!

Fig 2: 1880 £50 (with variety) used on piece and normal.

Apart from the size of the documents (foolscap) – if one can obtain them – most revenues are at best able to be collected only on piece. This is because many lawyers’ offices need space in their offices. When a legal document no longer has any use the lawyers find it expedient to discard them, but in order to save personal details from going public many an office clerk has been told to cut off the stamps and then destroy the rest of the legal document.

So is it easy to acquire New Zealand stamps in relatively good condition? Yes and no! Barring the likes of beer duty stamps, which because of their nature of intended use are normally expected to be found damaged, many can be found damaged and again many are not!

Going back to the original legal document, in the early days of New Zealand these were painstakingly written out by hand on parchment. This has a rather greasy feel and stamps do not adhere terribly well to such surfaces. The Victorians overcame this problem by affixing the relevant revenue stamps on to a piece of (often coloured) paper (see figures 2 and 5). This was then affixed to the parchment/document by punching a piece of silver foil through one or more stamps as well as gluing the piece to the parchment and affixing a monogram to the reverse of the parchment/document. This prevented the foil thread from becoming free, because any legal document that did not have the requisite stamps affixed was deemed to be null and void until they were affixed. Three different monograms may be relatively easily found (each bearing VR, EVIIR or GVR).

Fig 3: New Zealand VR, EVIIR and GVR monogram seals usually found on the reverse of documents with foil punched revenues.

Sometimes various New Zealand revenue stamps can be found with one or more vertical (or sometimes horizontal) slits. This occurred after soaking the stamp(s) when the silver foil was removed from the document.

To further help complicate matters many New Zealand 1867 die I and die II Queen Victoria stamp duty stamps are found with trimmed perfs! Perforated stamps were trimmed to avoid the stamps’ perforations becoming caught up with stamps on another document as any movement of the documents with any stamp being entangled may have resulted in the stamp(s) being prised loose from the document. This could entail a costly replacement stamp needing to be affixed prior to the document being able to be legally acted upon.

One must take care not to confuse a trimmed perforate die I stamp duty with an imperforate die I stamp duty stamp. Trimmed die I and die II 1867 stamp duties and trimmed 1880 stamp duties are relatively bountiful and are worth a fraction of those that are not.

From 1931 a new series of NZ revenue stamps replaced the Queen Victoria stamp duty stamps – these were the arms type issue. Whilst these were also inscribed stamp duty they were also valid for postal purposes. Most of the arms type stamps up to £2 may be reasonably readily acquired postally used as well as of course fiscally used. In general the arms type stamps above £ will most probably be seen fiscally used.

Fig 4: 1931 1/3d lemon and 1967 $10 arms type stamps.

New Zealand changed to decimal currency in 1967. The 1960 definitives were essentially reissued with the same designs but in their decimal currency equivalent. Most of the high value arms type postal fiscals were removed from sale in 1967 as by then there was little use for these stamps other than for postal use. The £2 violet, £3 green, £4 light blue and £5 dark blue arms type stamps were the only ones replaced by their decimal equivalents ($4, $6, $8 and $10) in 1967. These stamps continued to be sold by the New Zealand Post Office until it was replaced by New Zealand Post in 1987. The arms type stamps had an almost 60 year life span before they were finally withdrawn from sale.

Different types of cancels were employed to try to prevent fraudulent reuse. Many were pen cancelled. Pen cancelled stamps as we know can be cleaned and then reused. Ink cancelled stamps can also be somewhat painstakingly cleaned and reused but these are less frequently seen. Some revenue stamps were embossed – it was hoped that the embossing would prevent any subsequent re use of the stamp(s) if they stamp(s) were also cleaned. Ironing soon smoothes out the surface but often leaves a residual creasing in the paper. The best method of cancelling any stamp to prevent later reuse is of course punching holes in them! The date of cancelling and punching the revenues should be the same. New Zealand revenues may be found with punch holes or with pen cancels and in general these are worth about half of those stamps which have good cancels and are unpunched.

Fig 5: A trimmed 1867 die II £1 affixed to a piece then embossed, cancelled and foil punched onto document.

Whilst I like the challenge of doing jigsaws – the 3 dimensional ones are even more challenging! – I would hate to try and correctly replace the punched pieces (or chads as the Americans would say) from a stamp. After all they are only the size of perforation holes and they would need to correctly align and match the stamp design if they were to remain undetected!

Fig 6: A pair of 7/- arms type stamps punched and cancelled with the same date.

Finally, another problem that may be associated with some New Zealand revenue stamps and may be associated with one particular area of New Zealand. New Zealand is renowned for its geothermal area in the central North Island around Rotorua. Unfortunately the sulphurous atmosphere (from the released hydrogen sulphide gas) around Rotorua is not always beneficial for one’s stamps – be they postage andlor revenue stamps.

Not all is lost, as only some New Zealand stamps relatively easily show the side effects of this gas. New Zealand’s orange 1935 2d whare, or Maori meeting house, is perhaps the best example of it having been in the Rotorua district for too long – these turn brown. As the 2d is a fairly inexpensive stamp it is not really harmful to one’s pocket to replace it.

A revenue stamp that may cause some concern if it was exposed to the atmosphere in New Zealand’s geothermal area is the King George V 1/- Mortgagee Indemnity Fee stamp. Initially this was issued in an orange vermilion colour in the late 1920s and was later replaced by a yellow version. Recently an olive brown coloured 1/- Mortgagee Indemnity Fee stamp passed across this writer’s desk. At some stage it had been exposed to the geothermal air in a North Island town! Whilst they are only cheap stamps to replace oxidised stamps such as shown in figure 7 should be best avoided if at all possible.

Fig 7: King George V 1/- Mortgagee Indemnity Fee stamps: yellow and orange vermilion types, and an oxidised orange vermilion variety.

Collectors seeking additional information about New Zealand revenues may refer to The Postage stamps of New Zealand – volume 6 published by the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand; Kiwi – Tasman 1999-2000 New Zealand stamp catalogue (out of print).

Acknowledgements: This writer wishes to thank Mowbray Collectables (www.mowbraycollectables.co.nz) and Don White of the Dunedin Stamp Centre for their help with illustrations and Dave Elsmore for his comments.

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People born in Dog years are idealistic and highly principled. They have strong beliefs and stand by their morals. To a Dog everything in life is either black or white, right on wrong, good or bad: there is no middle ground. Dogs hate injustice and disloyalty.

Dogs are champions of the downtrodden, loyal supporters of just causes, and totally self-sacrificing. They need a purpose in life in order to feel content and will often put the interests of others before their own. Alert, watching and perceptive. Dogs are cautious and rely on their instincts to pick just the right time to jump and make their mark. The fire element builds passion in Dogs.

Fire Dogs can balance the needs of others with their own and, as such, are less humble and more confident than most Dogs. They are charismatic, and can win support easily.The Fire Dog year commences on the 29th of this month and finishes February 17 next year. This year will see plenty of political action. Things veer suddenly towards a more liberal approach. A year, in fact, favourable to the Left, to grandiose schemes and to disinterested, generous acts. For children born this year it is better not to be born at night. Those who are ceaselessly on the alert, will stay that way for the rest of their lives.

Fig 1 Japanese ‘mihon’ lottery card

Many world postal administration now issue stamps and other philatelic material for the Chinese Lunar New year. Japan, however, was the first country to do so. as it commenced issuing stamps, back in December 1935. A break occurred from 1938-48 encompassing the war years. A single stamp was issued in December 1948. The first New Year Lottery postal cards were issued on 1st December 1949 and the first miniature sheet was issued on February 1, 1950. A miniature sheet and two lottery postal cards were then available for all subsequent issues.

Fig 2 1958 Japanese Miniature Sheet.

Japan’s first ‘Dog’ stamp and miniature sheet plus postal cards were issued on 20th December 1957 for the 1958 Year of the Dog. The stamp design featured a paper mache dog. However, while the stamps with some early exceptions (and a period from 1972-75) featured zodiac animals the lottery cards featured other designs. A ‘mihon’ (specimen – with zero numbers) of one of the cards, is shown in Figure 1. Every issued card has a number on the bottom of the card. The last two digits of this number (depending on the lottery draw) are the winning number, entitling the lucky owner to one of the many miniature sheets issued as the 5th Prize. The miniature sheets are not available for sale at post offices, they are only available as the fifth prize. The miniature sheet illustrated in Figure 2 was issued on January 20, 1958. On December 10, 1969, Japan issued a design depicting a dog-amulet made by the Hokki-ji, Nara for the 1970 Dog year, Scott 1021. In 1982 the third stamp was issued with the design featuring a local clay figure of Yamagata Prefecture Prefecture (Scott 1486). The 1994 issue consisted of two stamps, miniature sheet, two lottery cards and the fourth issue of lottery stamps (Scott 2221/2224).

Fig 3 1983 P.R.C. Booklet Cover

The Peoples Republic of China issued its first Lunar New stamp on February 13, 1980. Its first Year of the Dog issue included a New Year booklet (Scott 1764) issued on January 5 1982. It is interesting to note that the booklet pane was printed using both the engraved and photogravure printing methods. The booklet cover is featured in Figure 3.

Fig 4 1994 Hong Kong

Hong Kong issued its first Lunar New Year stamps on January 28, 1970 for the Dog year. The design featured ‘Chow’ dogs. Hong Kong stopped issuing their Lunar New Year stamp issues from 1979 – 1986 so there was no Dog issue for 1982. However, the Post Office commenced the series again in 1994 with a set of four stamps (Scott 689-92). Scott 689 is shown in Figure 4.

Fig 5 1994 Korea with matching postmark

Korea also commenced issuing ‘Year of the Dog’ stamps’ back in 1970. The first issue consisted of two stamps on December 11,1969 with designs of toy dogs and a lattice pattern (Scott 697/8). The 1982 stamps had designs of a camellia and dog plus children playing (Scott 1283/4). The 1994 designs (Scott 1479/50) included a stuffed toy puppy and the dog illustrated in the stamp and New Year commemorative postmark featured in Figure 5.

Christmas Island issued its first ever New Year stamps and miniature sheet for the 1994 Dog year (Scott 35819). The stamp designs comprised a small dog of indeterminate breed called ‘Mickey’ and a Pekingese, a breed often associated with China. The miniature sheet is featured in Figure 6.

Fig 6 1994 Christmas Island

The Republic of China commenced its Lunar New Year stamp issues in 1968. The first ‘Dog’ set of stamps and miniature sheet were issued on December 1, 1969 with a charming design of a pair of Pekingese dogs. In 1982 another set of dog stamps and miniature sheet with a schematic design (Scott 2273/4) were issued. A stylised design was selected for the set of 1994 stamps (Scott 2930/31). This year’s R.O.C design features the work of two stamp designers – the two stamps designed by Miss Wu Jen-fang and the miniature sheet by Mr. Hung-tu Ko as shown in Figure 7. The three different dogs featured on the sbeet were chosen to express group harmony and to convey to society best wishes for peace, health and happiness. ROC normally issues a set of New Year Postal Cards but as yet I have not received confirmation of their issue.

Fig 7 R.O.C Miniature sheet

This year there will no doubt be flood of Chinese Lunar New Year Chinese issues. Remember you do not need to purchase them all. Personally I limit my collection to those countries that have been issuing Lunar New Year stamps and philatelic material for thirty years or more plus Singapore and Christmas Island.

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The catalogue has 12 main sections and a Specials section. The main sections contain lists of every variation of a particular type. They are: Blocks, Strips & Pairs; Gutters; Image; Imperforate; Minisheets; Overprints; Paper; Perforation; Self-adhesive; Sheetlets; Size; Tabs.  Note that it does not list every stamp issue as this information is readily found in the Stamp Bulletin and other commercial catalogues. The Specials section lists some strange stuff such as pre-decimal stamps released since 1966 and trial booklet panes. I even found details of the recent gold-foil Songbirds stamps. I didn’t realise they were thin enough to put in my album!

Australia Post produces a plethora of philatelic products so don’t expect to find them all in one catalogue. Souvenir Stamp Sheets contain what are now referred to as “generic base stock” stamps and they usually have tabs attached.  These are not listed in the Sheetlets or Tabs sections as I guess the number of pages would increase significantly.  The same goes for Personalised Stamps that can have an ‘infinite’ number of tab designs.  Some very specialist areas such as paper, surface treatment, gum colour, etc. are not mentioned, but David does list visible variations in the Image section and basic paper colour differences in the Paper section.  In October 2007 Australia Post declared certain products as “Collectable Stamps” that are not valid for postage.  These are highlighted in each section where applicable.

One very interesting inclusion on my “discovery voyage” was to find the list of prestige booklet pages in the Minisheets section.  I know there are collectors who remove these attractive pages and display them.  Now you can check your album to see if you have every one!

I also discovered that Australia’s first full imperforate self-adhesive stamp was released on 23rd November 2009. It was a reprint of the 41c Cycling stamp that was the first self-adhesive stamp issued on 16th May 1990.

I was going to be critical and state that a catalogue is not a catalogue unless it mentions prices.  But when you consider that David is an author not a dealer, and that prices for many of the rare items listed are “not fixed”, I can understand why they are not shown. A lot of modern material is sold above face value by Australia Post and its market value changes often. Last year’s minisheet of four 55c stamps in the $750 “Celebrating 200 Years Collection” springs to mind.

I do not know of another catalogue that lists the main stamp-related products Australia Post releases. This catalogue is for the specialist collector of modern material – particularly those who want “one of everything” or those who, for example, save every perforation or every self-adhesive variation. I am sure it will help you discover the gaps in your collection. The choice of ‘lay-flat’ spiral binding will be welcomed by many collectors.

This catalogue should be in the library of every Philatelic Society as it is one of the most valuable resources of decimal Australian stamps.

For more information go to the Australian Stamp Variations website:  www.asv.net.au

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On Christmas Day 1871 Norway released an entirely new kind of definitive stamp: the crowned posthorn. This is a design which has now been around continuously for 135 years – certainly something for the Guinness Book of Records.

On 3 May 1871 Norway introduced a new postal law and new postal rates. It was felt that there was a need for new stamps (and new designs) to meet the requirements. Post Office officials asked Andreas Friedrich Wilhelm von Hanno to prepare a suitable design for the new stamps. At the time von Hanno was a well known architect who had designed numerous monumental buildings in Kristiania (now Oslo), the Norwegian capital.

Hanno prepared a number of sketches which all included a post horn and a crown. The choice of a post horn was not at all surprising as this was a well known symbol of most European postal services. It is still included in the emblems and trade marks of numerous postal services.

Perhaps Hanno had seen the 1860½ groschen stamp issued by the Kingdom of Hanover in today’s Germany. It’s quite a simple design featuring a post horn and a crown. This particular stamp is quite similar to Hanno’s sketches. The very first posthorn stamp was issued on 25 December 1871 and had a denomination of three skillings. It was printed in red. During the next four years until 1875 there were five additional post horn stamps with denominations in skillings. Thus began a series of definitives which is still being printed today albeit in a slightly different way.

In 1877 Norway started issuing posthorn stamps using the new currency of kroner and øre (oere). However, it is only in recent years that the post horn design has been used with denominations in kroner.

The postal authorities and the general letter writing public must have been delighted with Hanno’s post horn stamps. How else can we explain that the same basic design has been used continuously for the past 135 years?

The Norwegian posthorn stamps were apparently appreciated abroad as well. When Crete released a set of postage due stamps in 1901 they simply plagiarized Hanno’s posthorn design adding Greek inscriptions!

The posthorn stamps have survived the dissolution of Norway’s union with Sweden, two world wars, a long period of German occupation and several currency reforms. Our catalogues indicate that they have now been printed in 11 different major types. There are numerous paper, watermark and other varieties making it a somewhat complicated issue to collect.

From 1962 onwards the Norway’s Banknote Printing Company was responsible for producing the country’s stamps. New types of definitives were produced using engraved designs. However, the posthorn design was retained for the lowest values.

Then when the ten-øre coin was discontinued only the 50-øre posthorn stamp remained. In 1991 it became possible to print stamps in many colours and four posthorn stamps with denominations in kroner were released reflecting the ever higher postal rates. Today there are nine posthorn stamps from 1 krone to 9 kroner on sale. It seems that Post Norway has no intention of ever abandoning the classic posthorn design.

With 11 different major types and numerous printings resulting in a plethora of paper, perforation, watermark and colour varieties the Norwegian post horn issue might be deemed a formidable challenge for most collectors.

Fortunately there is now help available in the form of a 16-page full colour booklet compiled by Norwegian stamp expert Finn Aune. Titled Posthorn-Noekkel, the booklet was published in time for the 135th anniversary of the post horn stamps.

Basically the booklet is a key to understanding the complexities of the various posthorn types. Using blown-up parts of the designs Aune shows how to distinguish between different types and different printing methods.

The many printings often resulted in distinct shades and these are shown in the booklet. As far as I can determine the colour illustrations are of excellent quality and very helpful in assigning the correct shade to a certain stamp.

The only drawback for international collectors is the fact that the minimal text is in Norwegian only. But I suppose anyone genuinely interested in the post horn issues will quickly learn enough Norwegian to use the key correctly.

The booklet can be ordered from Skanfil AS, probably Norway’s biggest stamp firm. For more information on price contact the firm at Boks 2030, NO-5504 Haugesund, Norway. There is also an email address – skanfil@skanfil.no

The booklet will probably cost some $20 which might seem on the high side for a 16-page publication. However the key will definitely help collectors classify their posthorn stamps with considerable ease which in itself is worth a lot of money.

Many collectors (including this writer) are fascinated by very long sets of stamps with basically the same design. It’s usually only the denomination and the colour which are different. A large band of British collectors specialize in the many definitive stamps featuring the Machin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. I suppose they find it interesting to follow the development of the design from printing to printing with the resulting colour, paper, perforation and watermark changes.

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Over forty of the library’s great philatelic rarities have been selected to be specially featured. Included in the exhibition are the unique America 1765 1d Revenue proof sheet; the introduction of which prompted widespread opposition and the cry “no taxation without representation”; the famous Canada 1851 12 pence black in an unused pair, Cape of Good Hope 1861 4d vermilion error of colour in pair with normal 1d used; a rarity of Great Britain – the 1858-79 1d plate 77 unused; an example of the Hawaii 1851-52 Missionary 2 cents used; the unique cover bearing two examples of India 1854 4 annas with inverted head; the iconic Mauritius 1847 Post Office 1d red used on ‘Ball’ cover and 2d blue unused; Spain 1851 2 reales blue error of colour used; and USA 1918 24 cents Curtiss Jenny error ‘centre inverted’ unused. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see many of the most significant items in philately and all in one place – The British Library.

In association with this exhibition a new booklet Treasures in Focus Stamps has been published, and is exclusively available from the British Library Shop or via the British Library Online Shop at: shop.bl.uk  Price £3.99.

From Sunday 9^th to Saturday 15^th May at 11.30 each day a philatelic Curator will conduct a tour of the British Library’s Philatelic Exhibition, (which is on permanent public show in 1,000 display frames of about 80,000 items). These exhibits have recently been rearranged and as well as including The British Library Philatelic Rarities exhibition, will also show the first half of the Tapling Collection countries Afghanistan to Mexico, including the fabulous Great Britain collection), which has not been on public display for some time.

Other collections on display include the Mosely Collection of British Africa to 1935; The Bojanowicz Collection of Poland postal history 1938-1946; The Model Collection of Germany 1945-46 local provisional stamps; The Harrison Collection of die proofs 1911-37, engraved by J.A.C. Harrison; The Fitz Gerald Collection of World Airmails to the 1930s (selected pages); The Bailey Collection of Spanish Civil War 1936-39 (selected pages) and The Langmead Collection of Great Britain and Ireland Telegraph stamps.

Other exciting activities that are planned to take place during the period of the year long London 2010 Festival of Stamps will include a series of presentations, which will be staged monthly throughout the year and on a daily basis during London 2010 International Stamp Exhibition from the 10^th to 15^th May. For details see web page at: www.bl.uk/collections/philatelic

Due to our involvement with London 2010 Festival of Stamps our Philatelic Researchers Room will be closed from 1st to 31st May.

Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Sir John Ritblat Gallery Treasures of the British Library which includes illuminated and literary manuscripts, Magna Carta, music, maps and views and sacred texts, and the exhibition Conservation Uncovered at the Centre for Conservation to discover how precious items are conserved.

The Library, which is adjacent to St. Pancras International Railway Station, has café and restaurant facilities which overlook the King’s Library of George III and are close by to the Philatelic Exhibition, in the Entrance Hall.

The British Library web site is at: www.bl.uk and its Philatelic Collections web pages are at: www.bl.uk/collections/philatelic

Further details
We are pleased to let you have further details of our events for the Festival which can be found at: www.bl.uk/collections/philatelic and then go to the link: British Library Philatelic Collections – at the London 2010 Festival of Stamps.  These pages give the programme of Presentations, Tours and some information about the exhibition The British Library Philatelic Rarities which opens on Monday 1st February and continues to the end of December 2010.

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