into which we do not care to inquire, been attempting an imposition, and we have great satisfaction in giving such publicity to the matter, as will, we trust, effectually prevent any of our readers being induced to part with their money under a mistaken idea of what they are obtaining. THE SECOND ISSUE OF WURTEMBURG. BY EDWARD L. PEMBERTON. To the collectors of the French school, the individuals coming under my somewhat comprehensive title, often afford much trouble, their colours are so diverse, yet their appearance so similar, it is not easy to arrange a number of them, without any other guide than existing lists. The design (so well known, I almost feel apologetic in enumerating its details) is two stags supporting a shield, embossed in slight relief upon a ground of waved lines forming a chain-like pattern, within a square frame, lettered FREIMARKE above, and value in KREUZER on the other sides, and with a small star in each angle. The stamp is square, and the paper woven and unwatermarked; the series into which the French school divide them are six in number, to wit, With silk threads running through the paper, not perforated. Without threads, unperforated. Without threads, perforated by machine, 18 by 18. Without threads, perforated by machine, 12 by 12. Without threads, perforated by machine, 12 by 12. The colours of each value altered without threads, roulette perforation. This really seems a very complicated and formidable lot to undertake to arrange and describe, but, like all the countries whose stamps are so confusing, the arrangement appears very simple and very easy when done. Few countries show us better the importance of correct and due appreciation of the points on which the French school so dilate, and which those who are not with them (consequently are against them) attempt to ignore and ridicule. However, we could challenge any collector of the 'oppo sition' to produce an accurate arrangement which is not based on the principles we follow, and this does not simply refer to the stamps of Wurtemburg, but to those with such hecatombs of varieties as the New Zealanders, which it has been my privilege to be the first to describe minutely in any English periodical. That this system of arrangement entails much extra expense I quite deny, and did such ensue, I think that those who have the time must have a pleasure in properly arranging their possessions, and in 'rummaging' (which conveys the exact meaning of the process) in old albums for varieties essential to a series properly classified, but which were discarded in arranging by Lallier, et hoc, &c. When I think of the biting sarcasms of the North American stamp papers, at my languishing for a Belgian 13 by 15 dents, I feel I am bold in offering so strong a list as the following based principally upon perforations; they have minds which soar with the eagle, and they probably feel 'eagler' (an adjective of A. Ward's) in not noticing these trifling distinctions. Many think these better worth the space devoted to them; than that given to the feeble romances which adorn the pages of so many of the smaller fry of stamp publications; however I must brave their wrath, and trust they may be merciful in their strength. All collectors who take my list may rely upon its scrupulous accuracy, as there is not a stamp in it which cannot be produced. WE have this month to chronicle a number of minor changes, and the emission of one new series of considerable merit. NEW GRANADA.-We cannot do better than commence our bill of fare with the piece de resistance afforded by the new emission for this country. M. Moens considers the frequent issues which take place as the indirect consequence of the frequent changes which are made in the staff of the Colombian post-office-changes which, combined with the irregularity of delivery and the general disorder in that department, have pretty nearly destroyed the confidence of the public in its efficiency. But, whatever be the cause, whether it be that each fresh administrator characterises his accession to office by the emission of a new series of stamps, or, as in Spain, that a short currency is necessary in order that local forgers may be balked in their at tempt to pass off imitations, most philatelists rejoice in the appearance of each new issue. We say most, for there are no doubt some who, complaining from opposite points, view the successive apparitions with dismay. Possessors of Lallier's or Moens' album whose Granadine pages are, luckily for them, well filled with specimens of the older issues, and who have no room for a crowd of novelties; and possessors of the same albums whose Granadine pages present a beggarly array of empty spaces which they desire to fill, in preference to obtaining new issues for which there are no appointed squares, will UDE join in reprobating the authorities for, as they will deem, unnecessarily multiplying postal labels. In sober earnestness-to use a cant leading-article expression-it is quite time for M. Lallier to commerce the issue of the promised supplementary leaves, the need for which is demonstrated by each succeeding emission. CORREOS NALES 20 CENTAVOS. Our sympathy for the deserving has led us into digression, whence we must now return to our stamps. The values and colours are as follows: 1 peso green. vermilion. The colours of the last issue are adopted for the present, but as will be seen by the subjoined cuts, the designs are widely dif ferent, wanting neither merit nor peculiarity. The lowest value is, in shape, a reminiscence of the fifth and sixth series, and is the only one which contains the usual Colombian stamp inscription, EE. UU. DE COLOMBIA CORREOS NACIONALES, in its entirety. It will be observed that in all the higher values Nacionales is shortened into NALES., a horizontal line in the 10 c. indicating the abbreviation. Similarly the words Estados Unidos are indifferently represented by EE. UU. on the 10 c., ES U on the 20 c. and 1 peso, and E. U. on the 50 c., the exigenciesUEDE COLOMBLY UN PESO The 1 peso especially is remarkable for its boldness of outline, resembling in this particular the works of the far-famed New York companies. On this last-named stamp the motto of the republic, LIBERTAD Y ORDEN, is plainly visible. These new stamps in no way interfere with the currency of the existing SOBRE PORTE, or registration stamps, or the lithographed vignettes. Concerning the small 10 c. stamp described last month, we have received the following interesting communication from an experienced collector. 'In this month's number, page 41, you described a small stamp of New Granada. This you seem to speak of as new, but this is far from being the case. I have had a specimen more than three years. At that time I paid some attention to receipt stamps of all kinds, and this was sent me with a lot of old receipt stamps of New Granada as being one; but from the inscription this obviously is not the case. I am sorry I can tell no more about it, I never saw it described before; my own opinion of it is, that it is one of the first (if not the first) issues, and probably from its small size, being found inconvenient, was quickly withdrawn. I believe them to be very rare, as I never saw but the one I have, which, by the way, is obliterated by a few strokes, as we find many in the first issue.' PORTUGAL.--We understand that the new 50 r. green and 100 r. lilac have appeared. PRUSSIA. The new 10 and 30 s. gr. stamps are used by the postal officials, and are not issued to the public. We have before stated that they are printed on gold-beater's skin, and we may add that they are manufactured on the principles of the French self-cancelling stamps, invented a couple of years. On the removal of the stamp, or rather skin, the paper on which it has been fixed retains the impression and the skin comes away blank. We, therefore, caution our friends against attempting to take off their used specimens from the paper to which they are stuck. We would also take occasion to warn them against being imposed on by apparent varieties of these stamps on blue and on white, as, in fact, the difference in appearance is simply caused by the colour of the paper whereon the transparent stamps are placed showing through, and giving a tinge to the colour. ITALY.-We notice only to discredit the rumour that the government of Italy purposes withdrawing the entire present series from currency, and substituting for it a ludicrous design consisting of a hash-up of the arms of Milan, Naples, Parma, Modena, Florence, and Venice, the Tuscan lion, the Savoy cross, and a star of no particular importance. The reason for the change being the desire of the authorities to give the preference to an Italian work of art. The finance minister would probably have a word to say on such a proposal, were it to be made at the present time. SGOW SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN.-The demise of the stamps for this province has been postponed until the 1st of June, on which day, it is said, the emissions of the free cities will also be suppressed, their place being occupied by the Prussian labels. GREAT BRITAIN-LOCALS.-For the benefit of stamp collectors, as distinguished from postagestamp collectors, we annex an engraving of the lately-issued design for Glasgow. We have also to note the emission of a frank stamp by the LIVERPOOL PARCEL DELIVERY. The name and address of the company, surmounted by the words FRANK STAMP, are in an arch above a number, and below is the value, THREEPENCE. The stamp is printed in black on rose, and perforated. CIRCULAR DELIVE ONE FARTHING ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.-We have had the chance of inspecting a set of so-called 'essays' for this republic, received from Buenos Ayres, and said to have been submitted to the government there. They resemble the present series to much the same extent that an ape resembles a man. There are three values, corresponding in colour to those of the current stamps, and each bears a portrait in a differently patterned framework. The portrait, which is not the same on the 5 c. as on the 10 c. and 15 c., is, we suppose, intended to represent Rivadavia, but the features on the 5 c. are rather those of a person reduced to a state of mild idiotcy by a too frequent worship at the shrine of Bacchus, than those of the man who laid the foundation of the present prosperity of the Argentine Republic, whilst on the 10 c. and 15 c. is portrayed a face, which from its mingled expression of cunning, ferocity, and ignorance, might be taken to be a representation of the ideal Fenian. HAMBURG. We have received from our correspondent in this city copies of the schg. black, and 4 schg. green envelopes, watermarked with the Hamburg arms-a castle with three towers. The watermark is very large and conspicuous, being in the centre, and occupying the entire width of the face of the envelope. The paper used is also of a closer texture, and the 4 schg. is printed a much lighter green. We are also informed that the 1 schg. envelope and adhesive stamps, are no longer used. LUXEMBOURG. We have official intelligence of the suppression of the 2 c. black. The postoffice has now in stock only 130 copies, which it offers to collectors at 10 centimes each! BRAZIL. The last specimens received of the 20 reis, are of quite a different colour from previous arrivals--a light reddish lilac. GERMANY.-THURN AND TAXIS NORTH.-The 1 kr. envelope, which was at first printed pea-green, and then grass-green, is now a very deep chrome-green. Collectors whose sets of stamps for this office are incomplete, should lose no time in obtaining such as they require, as the post-office will be closed, and the stamps suppressed on the 1st of July. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. We have to chronicle the emission for this colony of a fourpenny stamp. The design is a tolerably close copy of the 1 c. Nova Scotia-a somewhat humiliating proof of the absence of originality on this side of the water. The new stamp is inferior to its model. It is altogether smaller, and the circle is, moreover, hardly large enough for the portrait, which, again, is less clearly engraved than in the example, and is placed on a background patterned like that of our own penny and twopenny stamps. Neither the border work nor the lettering is so clear or fine as in the American production, but the name certainly is much longer than Nova Scotia and some little crowding of the letters is excusable. The stamp is printed on porous laid paper, watermarked with a star; and, we are informed, was issued to the public on the 24th January. We purpose giving an engraving of it next month, and may then also be able to give particulars concerning the new two-shilling stamp for this colony, which differs only in colour and value from the fourpence above described. UNITED STATES.-WELLS, FARGO, & Co.— An American correspondent has forwarded us a rare variety, previously unknown here, of the Wells, Fargo, & Co. newspaper stamps. It is engraved and printed in blue on white. The design consists of an oval with border inscribed ONE NEWSPAPER OVER OUR CALIFORNIA ROUTES. Within is the name WELLS, FARGO, & co. crossing the word PAID in the centre, whence radiations are carried to the margin. The angles are filled in with ornaments. BELGIUM. The new 2 centimes blue is now in circulation. SWITZERLAND.-The new 50 c. stamp, deep mauve in colour, and identical in design with its predecessors, has made its appearance. The 10 c. and 30 c. stamps will shortly exchange colours, the former turning red, and the latter blue. The old colours will remain current for a time. The envelopes are still in nubibus. NEVIS. The postmaster for this island has favoured us with specimens of the 1d., 4d., and 1s., in their new colours. They are now respectively: Bright red, (1d). Orange, (4d). Sea-green, (ls). We should suppose, from various minute differences observable between the old and new issue, that the designs have been reengraved. The colours are an improvement, particularly in the case of the 1d. and 4d., though the former is much nearer in shade to the common forgery, than was its prede One Shilling dark-brown light-brown In the catalogues of Mount Brown and Levrault the penny black is included in this primary series, but this could have been only a conjecture, founded on the notion that a British colony, must from the commencement of its postal service, have had a penny stamp. We, ourselves, in the absence of definite information, can only argue from probabilities, and they are much against the contemporaneous issue of stamps, so widely differing in excellence and general characteristics as the penny black and twopence brick-red of Western Australia. The date of emission of the series we have no means of settling. In M. Maury's catalogue, 1854 is given, but we know not on what grounds, and we are inclined to believe, ourselves, that a much later date should be assigned. It appears to us unlikely that the twopence and sixpence would be so rare as they now are, had they been current from 1854 to 1860-a period of at least six years. Nor is it probable that a design so primitive would have been allowed to remain in circulation for such a lengthened period. Issues of such a character partake, generally, of the nature of temporary expedients, being employed only for a short time, and not unfrequently only whilst a better design is being executed. Again, it appears to us improbable that stamps so unskilfully printed as the two we have named could have been in use for several years without essential variations occurring in engraving, colour, or paper, yet none have been discovered. Of the Sydneys many varieties are known, but all the early twopences and sixpences of Western Australia are of one type, and are printed on paper of one kind. We, therefore, think it more likely that the first issue was not in exclusive circulation more than two years. We say exclusive, as --no formal supercession of the earlier stamps having taken place-they are still legal tender for postage, and a paragraph in 'Postal Chit-Chat,' some months since (p. 14, vol. v.), bore witness to the recent use of the octagonal fourpence. Taking now the stamps of the first series in detail, let us begin with theTwopence black on brick-red.* The paper on which it is printed is a poor texture of laid. The red colouring matter is roughly laid on, hardly any two specimens showing precisely the same consistency. The colour on many lies about in rough. blotches, interspaced by untouched portions of the paper. It also varies considerably in depth, some of the copies which came under our notice being only tinged, whilst others are well covered with a rich strong red. In like manner the black impression is by no means of uniform depth, and at the best is not clear nor dark enough. Indeed, foreign catalogues describe the stamp as grey or brown on red, but this uncertainty of shade arises from the accidental mingling of the black with the red [Our engraver, confusing this design with that of the later series, has introduced a lined ground, and omitted the weeds from his copy, thus detracting considerably from its correctness.-ED.] |