brown-a discolouration resulting from atmospheric or chemical causes, which is paralleled in other stamps printed originally in the same colour, e. g., the orange laureated New South Wales penny, the orange Newfoundland series, &c. The first series was completed by the emission on the 1st May, 1856, of the 4 pf. green. The pattern of this stamp differs somewhat in detail from that of the other members of the issue, and at first sight it appears to have been printed from a different die. After a careful examination, however, we have come to the conclusion that it is from the same die as the earlierissued stamps, and that the differences arise from the wear and tear to which the die had been subjected in the interim. The colour, a rich green, remains unimpaired by age, and varies but slightly in the specimens which have come under Our notice. Altogether the first series, though not remarkable for brilliancy, has a respectable appearance, all the individuals being printed in 'fast' hues. Unused originals are difficult to obtain, but copies neatly obliterated with the annular mark are common enough. The evidence of the originality of an impression is, as is well known, the presence of the wreath watermark. It is visible plainly enough on the back of all the values without being held up to the light. The entire series was reprinted in 1864 on unwatermarked paper, and we remember to have seen proofs in carmine and blue of the silbergroschen stamps, probably also of recent origin. Continuing the list of adhesives, we have to notice the second emission, which took place (saith Levrault) on the 1st January, 1857, and consisted of three values-1 sgr. rose, 2 sgr. blue, 3 sgr. yellow and orange. The device of these stamps, the same in its leading features as that of the first series, differs from it principally in being on a solid ground. Moens would place these stamps after the issue on white paper with latticed ground, but we think with little reason. It is evident, on comparing the second and third issues, that the latter is from the same die as the former, with the addition of a crossbarred ground. Such an addition could have been easily made without injury to the design, but it must have been made after the dies had been used for the issue on plain ground, which must therefore take priority. Levrault, whose chronology is generally reliable, takes this view, whilst Moens, perhaps through a typographical error, gives the same date the 23rd December, 1856-for the emission of both the second and third series, which is clearly incorrect. Even the comparative rarity of the stamps of the issue with solid ground goes to show that they were in circulation for a shorter period than the others, that period being in fact from the commencement of 1857 till some time in 1858. The engraving of this series is rather finer than that of the first, and, being printed in coloured inks instead of on coloured paper, the stamps look brighter and cleaner. The portrait of the king differs considerably in the two issues, the sleepy expression in the first giving place to a nervous dilletante appearance in the second. In both he is shown to much less advantage than in the noble series of envelopes. The third series, as we have before said, is from the same die as the second, and distinguished from it only by the addition of a lined background, and by the lightness of its colours. The rich hues of the second issue are but faintly repeated in the third, and a certain ineffectiveness is noticeable in all the stamps of which it is composed. This series, as well as the preceding, is unwatermarked, and printed on white paper. Mons. Mahé, in his Guide Manuel, chronicles a light and a dark set of each, and also a 3 sgr. blue 1858, an erreur d'impression of great rarity. The early 4 and 6 pf., it would appear, remained in existence whilst the second emission was current, but on the appearance of the third the former gave way to a stamp of the new design, and the latter was printed on plain paper. Moens again seems in error as to the date of issue of the unwatermarked 6 pf. He has it that this stamp was superseded at the time of the emission of the 4 pf., viz, the 1st May, 1856. But it seems very unlikely that the authorities would on the same day issue a new stamp with, and an old one without, a watermark. The lengthened currency of the first sgr. is certainly surprising, but its relative scarcity leads us to infer that it was never in great demand. The learned Belgian collector appears indeed to have been strangely misled on the subject of the dates of issue of the Prussian stamps. It is now time to turn our attention to the obsolete envelopes. These we have termed a 'noble' series, and we think if our readers will refer to the page on which their specimens are mounted they will agree that the term is not misapplied. Both the ovals and the octagons are remarkably graceful and well-proportioned, and the king's head is in admirable relief. The whole number, according to our German authority, was emitted on one day, the 15th September, 1851-only a few months after the adhesives, and comprised seven values, viz.: This first emission was on paper so arranged that two threads crossed the stamp, and was uninscribed. The four lower values were reissued in 1857 without threads, impressed on the right upper corner of the envelope, and surmounted by an inscription. All the values were reprinted two or three years since, but without threads or inscription; and the reprints have doubtless proved welcome to those who could not obtain the originals. Most of the obliterated specimens of the octagons which have come under our notice, have been mutilated, in conformity with the foolish practice of cutting away all the margin of envelopes. We think Lallier is largely to blame for encouraging it in the early editions of his album, by allotting space only for the bare impressions. The Roman stamps, in many old albums, are cut round to fit the patterned spaces, and thus much injured. In 1861 the last of the 'head' series gave place to the present issue. Coincidently with this change, this change, the colour There is not much to admire in this series. It is correct enough in design, yet seems to be destitute of any special beauty. It may be from having seen such numbers from time to time, but we must confess we never look at one of the current Prussian stamps with pleasure. We owe them a kind of grudge for having been the models of the present issues for Lubeck, Oldenburg, and Saxony, to make room for which the handsome old series for those states were are suppressed. The colours of the stamps of this issue have not been changed. Two rare varieties are, however, said to be in existence-the one, a 2 sgr. bistre, referred to in the last number of the Stamp-Collector's Magazine, was discovered by M Regnard; the other, a 3 sgr. blue, is announced by Mons. Mahe in his Guide. Two shades of the ordinary 2 sgr. acknowledged, and proofs exist of the 3 sgr. in gold, and of the 6 pf. in pale and deep yellow and slate. We have not seen a single specimen of the essay referred to in the Stamp-Collector's Magazine for March, 1865, since describing it. Probably only a few were worked, and those not for sale, or more would have been heard of them ere this. It is a pity their design-a really fine one-was not adopted; the unconventional mode of treating the eagle, by which it is characterised, alone marks it as far superior to that of the existing series, and the execution of the device is equal to its merit. There now remain for mention only the 3 pf. mauve of 1865, the new 10 and 30 sgr. chronicled some months since, and the envelopes, of which there are two series, the first with the inscription above, the second with the inscription. crossing the stamp. The values comprising the former are rather rare unused, and look a little better than those of the present issue, which are uglified by the line of print. POSTS AND POSTAGE STAMPS IN EGYPT. ABRIDGED FROM 'LE TIMBRE-POSTE.' By the operation of old treaties, each consulate in Egypt has become possessed of peculiar powers. Each one has the right to establish and maintain a post office, and private societies have gained equal privileges; thus it happens that several offices are in existence beside the viceregal one. This latter is under the excellent management of the Chevalier Muzzi Bey, ex-chief of a European post, and first founder of the regular administration in Egypt. The following are the posts of other countries : 1.-The French Post, which is served by Les Messageries Imperiales in the two branches of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea respectively, and carefully managed by M. Taradel, a commissioner of the Imperial government. 2.-The English Post, jealously reserved. for the Peninsular and Oriental Company. 3.-The Italian Post, worked through the most direct line to Europe, by Brindisi and Ancona. 4.-The Austrian Post, which goes to Corfu and Trieste on the one hand, and on the other to Syria and Constantinople direct. This service belongs to the Austrian Lloyds. 5.-The Russian Post, which is represented by The Russian General Steam Navigation Company, and communicates with the Empire of the Czar. 6.-The Grecian Post, which has ceased to exist since the re-union of the Ionian Isles with the Greek kingdom. Each of these seven offices employs its own stamps. They are all quite distinct and separate from each other,-follow the system of the mother country, and submit in every thing to their respective governments. In order to take advantage of the several offices, it is necessary to obtain money of different denominations; Egyptian, if recourse be had to the viceregal post; French money, if letters are sent by the imperial post; pounds sterling [?], if they are presented at the British office; centesimi and lire, if the Italian post is used; silver florins (because current paper money is refused), if the Austrian post is employed, and so on. It is of assistance in determining to which to entrust your letters, to know the different characteristics of each-one is the longest, another the quickest, a third the dearest. It is also necessary to know that the English post charges more for letters which are posted after time; that the English, French, and Italian offices take charge of each others' letters without distinction; that England has decided to abandon the old ports, and follow the lines chosen by the Italian vessels; and that the Egyptian flag is hoisted on the boats of the Compagnie Azizie Misrihié, which ply between Brindisi and Ancona. That society has some sort of agreement with the Austrian and French offices in respect to the service of the Syrian coast and the Mediterranean, up to the Bosphorus, works the Red Sea by itself, and conveys the pilgrims to Mecca. The stamps of the Constantinople local post are current here, as well as the money of the Sultan-perhaps by virtue of his suzerainty. Here is a question which agitates diplomatists at present, and the solution of which is awaited with impatience. The Austrian Lloyds uses the stamps of Venetia, and not those employed for the rest of the Austrian empire. The Russian post has the sole monopoly of the Black, Caspian, and Baltic seas, the Sea of Azoff, and of the posts to Syria, Smyrna, and Constantinople. It is required to use the ordinary stamps of the Russian empire, except for letters transmitted to Syria, for prepayment of postage of which it has been authorised to create stamps of its own, and thus the postal systems are still further complicated. Letters by the Grecian post were franked with the well-known stamps bearing the head of Mercury (the god of thieves); but, Greece not being a regular maritime nation, was obliged to employ foreign vessels for the postal service, and when these ceased to stop at Corcyra it was discontinued. In conclusion, we may add that there was for a time a Belgian post established in Alexandria, which ceased to act on the with drawal of the boats plying between that city and Antwerp; and that it is expected a Spanish office will shortly be opened, supported by vessels going between Egypt and Barcelona, the Balearic Isles, Cadiz, &c. It will be scen by this catalogue, that whatever evils the foreign residents in Egypt have to lament, want of postal facilities is not among the number. NEWLY-ISSUED OR INEDITED MEXICO. In addition to the values already VICTORIA. This colony, never ending still beginning in its types of postage stamps, has again brought forward a stamp of a design very closely resembling the tenpence recently issued. In an upright rectangular frame an oval band surrounds the head of Queen Victoria, turned to the left, crowned with a wreath of bays. In the oval band is inscribed above VICTORIA, below THREEPENCE. A little crown flanks the centre of the head on either side in the band, and divides the upper from the lower legend. The angles are filled with a plaid groundwork, and in each corner is a small square containing the figure 3. The The colour is a dull pinkish lilac. paper is white wove, watermarked with the figure 8, formed by single lines, and the stamp is perforated. In our judgment the change is no improvement; we greatly prefer the bold and free execution and clear design of the Queen's head in the circle, crowned with bays, of the hitherto latest type, to the poor jejune appearance of the new comer. We cannot conceive by what fatality it is that those who have to select designs so generally contrive to light upon such unmeaning, insipid, and spiritless productions, the adoption of which reflects neither credit on their judgment nor on the state of art in the colony. over SAINT VINCENT.-The newly-issued fourpence and one shilling have come by the late mails in entire sheets. The colour of the former is a clear Prussian blue, while the latter varies, one sheet we have examined being a purple, while the other is a deep-slate without the tinge of red in it which makes a purple. The normal colour is evidently one which requires great nicety in manipulation, a slight difference in mixing forming the two shades, which are very distinct. Like the one penny and sixpence already known, these stamps are on thin woven paper, without watermark, and perforated. The fourpence is perforated by a machine which removes a little circular piece of the paper, like that in use for the English stamps, but with the holes very much wider apart. The sheets of the shilling stamp are also perforated by a machine, and show the following remarkable peculiarity in the perforation; the horizontal lines which sever the stamps from the rows above and beneath them are, as in the fourpence, perforated by a succession of small circular holes cut or punched out; but the vertical lines dividing the stamps from their fellows side by side in the row are perforated (if that term be quite accurate) by an instrument fixed in the machine, which leaves a series of in dentations, much closer than the holes before alluded to, and which does not remove a particle of paper except in a very occasional spot, hardly one in a thousand. On severing the stamps by tearing, a rough indented edge is left on each side, a ragged edge, caused by the holes being too far apart, is left above and below. A similar difference has been remarked by us in the former issues, specimens of each of which completely perforated by either method may be found, as also occasionally a copy showing both systems on the same stamp. SERVIA. The prince of Servia, Michael Obrenowitz II!., following the example of his cousin of Roumania, has authorised the emission of a series of postage stamps of an elegant device, which includes a portrait of himself. This issue makes its appearance well-designed, well-printed, and perforated. The colours All the values are printed in colour on white paper. CASHMERE.-In our October number we described a circular stamp, said to belong to this country, and we have now a rectangular one, which, we believe, should be ascribed to the same source. This stamp is superior in execution to the round onethough, like it, presenting undoubted proof of its eastern origin. The only specimen we have seen is printed in black, in which colour, as may be judged by our cut, the cabalistic characters lose none of their mysterious appearance. The paper is thin, and of a yellowish tinge, unwatermarked of course, and the post-mark is light-red and circular. The establishment of a postal system in such an out-of-the-way place as Cashmere, is a surprising evidence of the quickness with which the knowledge of useful inventions spreads in the present day, and of the progressive spirit of the ruler of a half-civilized country. With such an example, may we not hope that the Persian authorities will be impelled to introduce the same system into their country, and with it the handsome stamps which collectors have so long expected. There is at present no direct communication between this country and Cashmere, so that letters must go a long way round, and the same remark applies also to Persia. Neither of these countries is named in our Postal Guide. We shall await with interest the arrival of fuller particulars concerning the date of emission, values, and employment of the Cashmere stamps which have come under our notice, and trust our patience will not be too largely drawn upon. PORTUGAL.-The new series is augmented by the emission of a black 5 reis, of the same type as the 120 reis blue. PERU.-Three new stamps of the fresh issue have come under our notice during the past month, they are of the respective values of 10 centavos, 25 centavos, and 1 sol, and are the production of the American BankNote Company. We will describe them in their order, premising that they are printed on plain, unwatermarked paper, and perforated, the shape being an upright rectangle, and the size similar to that of the recently-emitted 5 centavos. All these stamps are of general similarity in design, which is unique. In a central circle on an engine-turned groundwork, varying in pattern in each stamp, the value is printed in large shaded figures. The words REPUBLICA PERUANA are placed above and below the edge of the circle, in a plain curved border. |