XIV.
What to Collect and How to Collect.
he questions, "What to collect?" and "How to collect?" are much more
easily asked than answered. Each individual will differ in taste, in
inclination, in method, in time at his disposal, and last, but not
least, in the depth of his pocket. The most that can be done is to
outline a general plan, founded upon general experience.
Collectors are divided into two classes—the general collector and the specialist. The general collector takes everything that comes in his way, and knows no limitations, no exclusions of this country or that. The specialist, on the other hand, confines his attention to the stamps of one or more particular groups or divisions, or even to one particular country.
The most experienced collectors, whether general or specialist, almost invariably advise the beginner to start as a general collector. As a beginner he will have no experience to guide him in the choice of a particular group or division; and until he has travelled over the ground as a general collector it will be difficult for him to make a choice which he may not have cause to regret. As a general collector he will gather together a general knowledge of stamps in all their peculiar varieties, which can scarcely fail to be immensely useful to him even should he subsequently drift into specialism. Indeed, it is an accepted truism that the man who starts as a general collector invariably makes the best specialist in the end.
Starting, then, as a general collector, the beginner purchases an album—for choice say the "Imperial," published by Stanley Gibbons, Ltd., which on one page has a printed and illustrated list of the stamps of a country, and on the opposite page ruled and numbered spaces for every stamp mentioned in the printed list. A catalogue, setting forth the prices at which stamps may be purchased, should also be obtained.
One of the very first questions to be settled at the start will be the choice that must be made between the collection of used and of unused. The general collector who wishes to collect economically should certainly start with what is cheapest; and as the common stamps are cheapest in the used condition, used should be selected. When a collector can afford to spend his money liberally, the best and safest, and cheapest in the long run, will be stamps unused and in the pink of condition. Such stamps generally turn out to be a safe and not unfrequently a splendid investment.
The beginner will find that he can fill up a large proportion of the spaces in his album with comparatively common stamps, and these are much more economically purchased in the form of cheap packets. The blanks that remain will then represent stamps worth searching for separately, and buying singly as good opportunities occur. Many may be obtained in exchanging duplicates with other collectors.
After some experience as a general collector, preferences will gradually materialise, and the utter hopelessness of making a thorough collection of the postal issues of the world will be apparent. At this stage the collector generally sells the bulk of his collection, reserving only a few countries to be followed up in future on specialist lines. The remedy and the change are drastic, and, like most drastic remedies, are much too sweeping. Wiser and keener Philatelists nowadays retain their general collections, so far as they have gone with them, and upon their basis give play to their specialist inclinations. That is to say, they single out a country, and work at that exclusively on specialist lines; and when they tire of that country, or exhaust it so far as their means allow, they have in their general collection the nucleus of another country with which to build up another specialist collection. On this plan a collector can always be working in sympathy and on the lines of the fashionable country of the day. He can take up and open out whatever country happens to be the vogue. In this way a neglected country every now and again comes to the front, and the nucleus of that country which may be found in the general collection may suddenly acquire an interest and a value never dreamt of. A recent case in point is that of the Orange Free State. Its stamps went a-begging for purchasers. Then trouble, and unrest, and war brought them into notice, and now the almost worthless have become valuable, and the pence have run into shillings, and the shillings into pounds.
For many persons, however, limitations and exclusions are necessary from the start. In their case a choice must be made, and the safest choice will be that of the British Colonies, or, if a still more restricted line must be drawn, one of the Continental groups of Colonies. A glance at a priced catalogue will be the best guide for selection. If it must be an economical selection, the catalogue will speak for itself. There is abundant choice in every direction. There are colonies with few and simple and inexpensive issues, and there are others that require ample means and patient research. But the cheapest countries, from an expenditure point of view, are foreign countries—such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, German Empire, Italy, Chili, China, and so on.
XV.
Great Collections.
reat collections of postage stamps, like great collections of
pictures, in these days acquire an international rank and reputation.
The great stamp collections of to-day are in a few hands, and have
been built up by lavish wealth and lavish industry. Wealth alone will
not suffice to gather together a really great philatelic collection.
There must be patient research, and there can be no research apart
from that full knowledge which comes only to the industrious and
painstaking Philatelist. The gem that is wanted to complete the finest
page in the rich man's collection has not unfrequently to be
personally sought for in the byways, the alleys, and lanes of stamp
collecting; and despite the keenest search of the wealthy, it
sometimes, after all, falls by grim mischance into the laboriously
gathered collection of the man of very limited means.
The Prince of Wales is known to be an enthusiastic and keen stamp collector. He is the acting President of the Philatelic Society of London. During his recent tour round the world he displayed his great interest in the postal issues of the colonies which he visited, and brought home much valuable philatelic information and a number of proofs of sheets of old colonial stamps which will help to clear up many doubtful points. H.R.H. collects only the stamps of Great Britain and her colonies, and he possesses many specimens that are absolutely unique.
The collection which was made by the late Mr. T. K. Tapling, M.P., is now in the keeping of the British Museum, having been bequeathed to the nation by its possessor, who was one of the most cultured and shrewdest collectors of his day. His collection was his life-work—from boyhood till his early death in 1891. It was largely made up of the amalgamation of great collections. In his day Tapling had the first pick in every direction, and, as a result, his collection is to-day one of the grandest and richest and most scientific general collections extant. Great rarities may be said to be 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 course of the last thirty years he has purchased many well-known old collections, amongst which may be mentioned that of Judge Philbrick for £7,000, Sir Daniel Cooper's for £3,000, W. B. Thornhill's Australians, etc. M. la Renotiérè has been a large buyer in the leading capitals of Europe for a great many years. His expenditure with our own publishers is said to average from £3,000 to £4,000 a year. He employs two secretaries who are paid large salaries, one to look after the postage stamps and the other the post cards, envelopes, and wrappers.
Mr. F. Breitfuss, of St. Petersburg, who has been collecting since 1860, is credited with the third finest collection in the world. He is an omnivorous, but scientific general collector.
Mr. H. J. Duveen, the well-known art connoisseur of London and New York, although he did not take to stamp collecting till 1892, has already got together the finest collection, outside the British Museum, in this country. It is celebrated not only for the beauty of its specimens, but also for its completeness, neatness, and scientific arrangement. 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 of Birmingham, has one of the finest general collections. It is justly celebrated for the large number of great rarities that it contains, amongst which are the two rare "Post Office" Mauritius in superb unused condition. The collection cannot be worth at present far short of £50,000.
Mr. M. P. Castle, the Vice-President of the Philatelic Society of London, who succeeded the late Mr. Tapling in office, is one of the keenest of keen collectors. His general collection became so large that 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 single collection. He subsequently made a grand specialised collection of Europeans. This, arranged in sixty-seven volumes, he sold, in 1900, for nearly £30,000, and he has now returned to his love for Australians.
The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres is a collector of only recent date, but he has already formed a really magnificent collection based on broad historical lines. He confines himself mostly to the stamps of the British Empire, the United States, and the Italian States. His lordship is a member of the Council of the Philatelic Society of London, and, when in England, a regular attendant at its meetings.
The Earl of Kintore is also the possessor of a very fine collection of English Colonials, etc.; among his greater rarities being the "Post Office" Mauritius, the complete set of Hawaiian Islands (first issue), the 2 cents, rose, British Guiana, and many other gems. He also is a member of the London Philatelic Society.
In France the place of honour, after M. la Renotiérè, is deservedly taken by M. Paul Mirabaud, the well-known banker of Paris, whose magnificent collection of Switzerland was shown in the last Paris Exhibition. It forms, however, only a small portion of his fine collection.
In Italy probably the most famous collection is that of Prince Doria Pamphilj, which is exceptionally rich in the interesting issues of the Italian 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 may be mentioned the Crockers', of San Francisco, Mr. F. W. Ayer's, of Bangor, Maine, and Mr. Paul's, of Philadelphia.
In Germany the greatest collection is doubtless that of Mr. Martin Schrœder, the well known merchant of Leipzig.
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 awarded for the perfect condition and completeness of Stamp Collections, and for general excellence in Stamp Albums, Catalogues, and Handbooks.
Rare Stamps |
Bought, Sold, or Exchanged.
| LARGE NEW PROSPECTUS (Seventy-six Pages), With full details of all Stamp Albums, Catalogues, Handbooks, and List of nearly 2,000 Sets and Packets at 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 warranted absolutely genuine, free from reprints. They are also in good condition 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 amount required for postage can therefore be reckoned, and should be added when 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 50 varieties, all different, including Egypt, Spain, Chili, New South Wales, Transvaal, Roumania, Porto Rico, Argentine, Sweden, Brazil, Turkey, &c. Post-free, 7d.
No. 3.—The Sixpenny Packet of Used Colonial Stamps contains 12 varieties, 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 contains 50 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. All different 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, India Service, Queensland, Hong Kong, Barbados, Swan River, South Australia, Centennial New South Wales, Mauritius, Malta, and others rare. All different and warranted genuine. Post-free, 1/1.
No. 6.—The Eighteenpenny Packet of Used Foreign Stamps contains 100 varieties, including Mauritius, Hong Kong, Finland, Japan 15 and 25 sen, Barbados, Chili, Brazil, Greece, Russia, Porto Rico, India envelope, Jamaica, Belgium, Spain, Canada, &c. All different and warranted genuine. Post-free, 1/7.
No. 7.—The Two Shilling Packet of Rare Used and Unused Foreign Stamps contains 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 others rare. 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 an entirely new and much simpler plan than formerly. The Stamps are mounted on Sheets, containing an average of 100 Stamps per Sheet. They are all arranged in the order of our New Catalogue. First, Great Britain and the Colonies, then all Foreign Countries. These Sheets contain about 5,000 different Stamps, and a Sheet of any particular country will be sent on demand. The Sheets arranged to date are over forty in number, and contain all Great Britain and the Colonies, and all Foreign Countries.
TO ADVANCED COLLECTORS.—For Collectors more advanced we have an assortment of many hundreds of small books of Choice picked Stamps of every Country or District in the World. Most of these special books contain twenty pages (5×3-1/2 inches), and can be sent by post in an ordinary registered envelope to all parts of the world. These books, as a rule, include Used and Unused Stamps, but Special Approval Books will be made up to suit individual requirements. Collectors writing for such should state if they wish for Used or Unused Stamps; if singles, pairs, or blocks of 4 are required; also, in Used Stamps, if special Postmarks are sought for. In all cases, in these books, we shall lay ourselves out to meet the special requirements of each individual client, whether the amount required be large or small.
Great Rarities are our Speciality. We have a large number of Stamps on hand from £100 to £750 each, and shall be pleased to give prices and particulars to advanced Philatelists.
We purchase really Rare Stamps at a much higher Cash Price than that paid 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 ☐ and Post Cards ☐ and is well 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 500 different Stamps ever offered—the Stamps could not be bought separately for three times the marvellously low price at which it is now offered. The Stamps, &c., are clean, picked specimens fit for any collection. 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 at is the lowest ever quoted for such a collection, embracing as it does scores of scarce varieties, provisionals, new issues, and many very fine 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 Stamps form a noble start for anyone. A large number of really rare and valuable Stamps are contained in this collection; but it is impossible to enumerate them, as we are constantly adding New Issues and Older Stamps when we purchase such. Satisfaction is guaranteed.
Price £2 10s., post-free and registered.
No. 69, 2,000 VARIETIES.
A grand packet for a dealer or collector, every Stamp being different and genuine, and thus forming a choice collection in itself or a stock to make up sheets or for exchange purposes.
Price £4 10s., post-free and registered.
No. 69A, 3,000 VARIETIES.
A very fine packet, containing many rare stamps, all arranged in order, 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 good value; being sold by us to collectors at less than the price usually charged 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, we have prepared a series of packets, as under, entirely different from one another, no stamp in any one packet being in any of the rest of the series; and the purchaser of the series of eight packets will have 1,305 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 a small proportion of the Catalogue value of the single stamps contained in them.
| No. 70 | contains | 500 Stamps of Europe, all different. | Price 7/6; | post-free, | 7/8. |
| No. 71 | " | 125 Stamps of Asia " | Price 7/6 | " | 7/7. |
| No. 72 | " | 125 Stamps of Africa " | Price 7/6 | " | 7/7. |
| No. 73 | " | 105 Stamps of Australia " | Price 7/6 | " | 7/7. |
| No. 74 | " | 125 Stamps of West Indies " | Price 7/6 | " | 7/7. |
| No. 75 | " | 125 Stamps of South America, all different. | Price 7/6 | " | 7/7. |
| No. 76 | " | 100 Stamps of North America " | Price 7/6 | " | 7/7. |
| No. 77 | " | 100 Stamps of Central America " | Price 7/6 | " | 7/7. |
The set of eight packets, containing 1,305 varieties, if all bought at one 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 one bearing a likeness of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. This packet contains perfect specimens only, nearly all with original gum. This is a real bargain, but as an extra inducement to purchasers we present a specimen of a Diamond Jubilee Stamp with each packet; thus each buyer becomes a subscriber to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales' Hospital Fund.
No. 79.—The "Queen's Portrait" Packet. 100 Rare Colonials. Price £1 10s.
The Thirty Shilling Packet contains 100 rare unused Postage Stamps, each one bearing a likeness of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. The stamps in this packet are entirely different from those in No. 78, and purchasers of both will thus possess two hundred distinct varieties. Most of the English Colonies are represented by carefully-selected specimens of the higher value stamps. With this packet we present the Half-crown Diamond Jubilee Stamp; thus each purchaser subscribes that sum 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 being especially 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 of Paradise, the Stag, the Codfish.
Three of the exquisite Portraits of Her Majesty, as depicted on the Canadian Jubilee Stamps, showing the Vignettes of the Queen in 1837 and 1897, form an appropriate addition to this choice and remarkable packet.
GREATER BRITAIN PACKETS
OF
British Colonial Stamps.
NO DUPLICATES.
Every Packet of this series contains different varieties, no Stamp being included in two Packets, and purchasers will by this novel method be saved the inconvenience of acquiring duplicates, which is as a 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 | " | " | " | of AFRICA | 0 6 | 0 7 |
| " | 122 | " | 25 | " | " | " | " | 2 6 | 2 7 |
| " | 141 | " | 20 | " | " | " | of WEST INDIES | 0 9 | 0 10 |
| " | 142 | " | 20 | " | " | " | " | 2 0 | 2 1 |
| " | 151 | " | 25 | " | " | " | of 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, no particular stamp being included in two Packets, and purchasers will by this 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., no piece being included in two Packets, and purchasers will by this novel method be saved the inconvenience of acquiring duplicates, which is as a rule the bane of most packet buying.
The prices of these new Packets are wonderfully cheap, as we are clearing off our stock of entires.
These Packets cannot be sent by book post abroad. The average rate abroad by letter post or parcel post varies so much that sufficient should 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 Britain compound, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Cape, Ceylon, Gibraltar, Grenada, Heligoland, etc. Price 8/6; post-free, 8/7.
No. 603.—Contains 36 scarce varieties, including Newfoundland, New South Wales, St. Vincent, South Australia, Trinidad, and a really grand lot of Victorian. Price 10/-; post-free, 10/1.
No. 604.—Contains 47 varieties of Great Britain only, including a superb lot of the rarer compound Envelopes, old dates and high values; also scarce Registered Envelopes, Wrappers, etc. A very fine packet and good value. Price 40/-; post-free, 40/2.
No. 605.—Contains 50 rare varieties of Bahamas, Barbados, British Bechuanaland, British Central and East and South Africa, British Guiana, Canada, Cape, and Ceylon. Price 25/-; post-free, 25/3.
No. 606.—Contains 45 rare varieties, including some very scarce Ceylon 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, including Chamba, 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 Niger Coast. 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 of Envelopes, Wrappers, etc., of Great Britain and her Colonies. Price £6 10s. 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, Austrian Italy, Hungary, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chili, and Costa Rica. Price 16/6; post-free, 16/8.
No. 615.—Contains 62 varieties of Danish West Indies, Ecuador, Egypt, France, and Envelopes of twenty different French Colonies. Price 12/6; post-free, 12/8.
No. 616.—Contains 43 rare varieties of the German States, including very scarce Lubeck, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Prussian, Saxony, Thurn and Taxis, Wurtemberg, etc. A really good packet 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 plate numbers, Liberia, Mexico, Monaco, and Montenegro. Price 20/-; post-free, 20/3.
No. 619.—Contains 30 varieties of Nicaragua, especially strong in the older 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 Local Envelopes, Shanghai, Transvaal, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and Uruguay. Price 17/6; post-free, 17/9.
No. 622.—Contains 77 varieties of Salvador, including many really rare and provisional issues. A very fine and interesting set. Price 25/-; 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, and the 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. Price 1/-; post-free, 1/1.
No. 652.—Contains 16 common varieties, all different from those in the 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 from Great Britain, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, etc. Price 10/-; post-free, 10/2.
No. 658.—Contains 47 rare varieties from British Central, East, and South 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, New Zealand, 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, Western Australia, etc. Price 10/-; post-free, 10/2.
SPECIAL OFFER.
Packets 650 to 662 inclusive, containing a really grand collection of 392 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. Price 3/6; 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, San Marino, 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 and Colonies, Sweden, etc. Price 16/6; post-free, 16/8.
No. 691.—Contains 43 rare varieties from Switzerland, Turkey, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, etc. Price 9/6; post-free, 9/8.
SPECIAL OFFER.
Packets 670 to 691 inclusive, containing a superb collection of 1,005 varieties of Post Cards of Foreign Countries; a bargain. Price £8 10s. Postage extra.
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 gives universal satisfaction—not a single complaint has been received. The last Edition had nearly 20 extra pages added, and now another 48 pages have been added, and all the Geographical and Historical Notes brought up fully to date. All the newest Stamp-issuing countries, such as Ichang, 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 mass of valuable information, including date when Stamps were issued, population, area, reigning sovereign, capital, etc. Spaces of proper sizes are provided for all Stamps, and the book is bound in a superior manner in gilt cloth. The Album contains a pocket to hold duplicate Stamps, and fifty Stamps will be presented gratis with each Album. There is also an Illustrated Frontispiece of the Rarest Stamps, with prices attached that we pay for each.
Price, bound in handsome gilt cloth, 1/-, or post-free 1/3.