The Buffalo Official publication of The Winnipeg Philatelic Society

Transcription

1 The Buffalo Official publication of The Winnipeg Philatelic Society September 2004 Vol. XXXIX, No. 1 Thanks Alf As you read in the last issue of The Buffalo, Alf Brooks has retired as Editor. It goes without saying (but we will), that the entire club owes Alf a big round of applause for undertaking this thankless job. Alf was editor from the Fall of 2000 to June Stamp Collector newspaper sold Amos Press, the owners of Linn s Stamp News and the Scott line of products (catalogues, albums, and Scott Monthly newspaper) has purchased the biweekly Stamp Collector newspaper and Krause-Minkus catalogues. Ashton-Potter loses printing contract for definitives Ashton-Potter, a major player in the printing of Canadian stamps in recent years, has lost its printing contract for definitive issues. This affects the current 49 Flag over Edmonton booklet and 80 /$1.40 Maple Leaf coils and booklets. Postage rates to rise January 17, 2005 will see the postage rates in Canada rise: Current Effective Jan 17/05 Aug 1/95 Domestic USA International $1.40 $ Notice what the rates were some ten years ago! Quite an increase in the foreign destinations. Although the post office will tell you that rates are not increasing very much at least for domestic service (on average it is only ½ per year) they certainly are rising dramatically for foreign service. There will be no more issues of Stamp Collector, a paper that in recent years has seen its share of the marketplace grow and profits increase. There has been a general trend in recent years of stamp journals seeing decreased subscriptions. Much of this is being attributed to the increased use of the internet for obtaining and sharing news and selling in a more timely manner. Winnipeg Junior Stamp Club Canadian Bank Note Company and Lowe-Martin, both with printing facilities in Ottawa, released new booklet printings of the above stamps this past July. The current 49 Queen Elizabeth II booklet has also been reprinted. To date, eight new booklets have appeared from these printers. This gives a total of twelve different booklets to collect from four stamp issues. This year s sessions begin September 19. Other dates in 2004 include Oct 3 & 17, Nov 1, 15 & 29, Dec 12.. The Club meets on Sunday s from 2PM 3:30PM at All Saint s Church, Broadway & Osborne. Contacts: Gerry Babij ( ) or Bob Kenal ( ). StampShow 05 The next stamp exhibition and bourse of the Winnipeg Philatelic Society is being held next April 29 May 1, 2005 at the Union Centre on Broadway. Inside this Issue Thanks Alf... 1 Stamp Collector sold... 1 AP loses contract... 1 Postage Rates Rise... 1 StampShow Member s Adlets... 2 Club News... 3 From the Editor... 3 Library Notes... 4 Canada Post 2005 Stamp Program... 4 APS Chapter Newsletters... 5 Mexico Postal Tax Stamp... 5 Norway s Posthorns Stamps... 6 Spot the Variety... 7 $5 Victoria Public Library... 8

2 THE WINNIPEG PHILATELIC SOCIETY Box 1425, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 2Z1 RPSC Chapter 86 APS Chapter 813 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Bob Stanley 1st Vice-President Des Connor 2nd Vice-President Russ Thompson Past President Clark Grierson Directors-at-Large (06) Len Kruczynski Forbes Sharpe Robert Zacharias (05) Ken Kristjanson Treasurer Mike Zacharias Recording Secretary Judy Lipsey Membership Secretary Don Fraser DUTY OFFICERS Auctioneers Ken Kristjanson Sid Kroker Buffalo Editor Robin Harris Buffalo Publisher Rick Penko Buffalo Mailing List Rick Penko Buffalo Mailing Ron DeWit Librarian Robert Zacharias Programme Chairman Russ Thompson Exhibition Chairman Des Connor Property Manager Terry Shestko Sales Circuit Managers Len Kruczynski Gerry Babij Name Badges Rick Penko Sep 2 COMING EVENTS Doors open at 6:00PM. Business meeting at 7:45PM 1st and 3rd Thursdays (except July and August) Visitors always welcome Main floor, Deaf Centre Manitoba 285 Pembina Highway (at corner of Nassau St.) Business meeting; Auction Sep 16 Business meeting; Presentation: Edward VII Booklets by Gordon Turnbull 2004 Oct 7 Business meeting; Annual General Meeting Oct 21 Business meeting; RPSC slide show: Some Varieties on the Winnipeg Tagged Stamps The first meeting of each month is reserved for auctions. The second meeting of each month has formal program. Nov 13 (Sat): WPS Auction viewing at 10, auction at 11AM Apr 13 16/05: Winnipeg Art Gallery Sale Apr 29 May 1/05: WPS StampShow 05 at Union Centre September October Shaded: WPS meeting Lined: Wpg Jr Stamp Club Dotted: CP stamp issue Raffle Tickets Coffee Maker OTHER Ralph Huuk Mike Goodman Annual dues Payable July 1st each year: Regular $20.00 Senior $15.00 Spouse $15.00 Junior $15.00 A spouse of a member may become a member with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of membership, but doe not receive The Buffalo. Application filed July to April Admit Dues Total Regular $2.00 $20.00 $22.00 Others $2.00 $15.00 $17.00 Application filed April, May, June Regular $2.00 $25.00 $27.00* Others $ $20.50* * includes dues for following year LIFE MEMBERSHIPS..... $ RENEWALS Lapsed memberships or late renewals (paid after September 30th of each year) are charged a $1.00 reinstatement fee. All new applicants must undergo a 60-day orientation before receiving full membership privileges. The Buffalo is published monthly except n July and August. Deadline for article submissions and advertising copy is the 15th of each month preceding the month of issue. Website: Editor: buffalo@adminware.ca Buffalo Advertising Rates 1/10 page (approximately 2 1/4" x 2 3/4") at $30 per year (10 issues) Member s Adlet (up to 30 words) 1 issue ($1); 5 issues ($2); 10 issues ($3) Terms of Payment Payable to Winnipeg Philatelic Society in one sum at time of agreement. 2 The Buffalo September 2004 Vol XXXIX, No 1

3 Club News Closed Albums Our condolences to the families of two of our members who passed away during the summer: George Warnock and Wendy Smith. Both will be missed by our membership as they were active participants over the years. George worked in the aviation industry all his life and retired from Canadian Airlines in He was a life member of our club and the Royal Canadian Legion. Wendy worked at Agricore United (formerly UGG). Congratulations Bob Bob Elias 5-frame exhibit Paper Texture of Canadian Pre-Centennial Elizabethan Definitives won a Silver medal at the recent Royal 2004 stamp exhibition held in Halifax this past May He also won the APS Research Award. Meeting of June 3/04 Our no meeting year-end windup turned into an actual meeting (thanks President Bob!). Approximately 40 people were in attendance including one visitor, Mel Seder. * three of our members attended the Royal 2004 show: Ken Kristjanson, Bob Elias, and Rick Penko. The show consisted of 255 frames with 71 exhibits of which 20 were one-frame exhibits. * second Sunday of the month is the regular Charter House dealers, from 9 4. The door draw was won by Bob Stanley and Mark Bahuaud. From the Editor by: Robin Harris It has been some ten years since I was last editor of The Buffalo it almost seems like yesterday. I was previously the editor from , a span of another ten years. Will this tenure span another decade? I guess we will just have to wait and see. As you have already noticed, I have taken the liberty of redesigning the look and feel of The Buffalo. I hope you will bear with me and give the new format at least a once-over (or twice-over?) before casting your stones. My philatelic interests are primarily the following (in alphabetical order): Canada (studying modern stamps in infinite detail and used sock-on-the-nose cancels of the early issues), Great Britain (most notably the Penny Black and Machins), and United States (plate number coils [PNCs] and Migratory Duck Hunting). I have been the editor of the Corgi Times, the bi-monthly journal of the Elizabethan II Study Group for just over three years now. We publish specialized information including exclusive reports of new varieties on Canadian stamps that Canada Post is not even aware of (that doesn t really surprise you though, does it?). I am a Life member of each of the following stamp organizations: American Philatelic Society (APS), Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC), British North America Philatelic Society (BNAPS), and of course, the Winnipeg Philatelic Society (WPS). What do you think The Buffalo should have in it (listed in no particular order)? Ads Canada Post news WPS meeting minutes Auction results Profiles of collectors Beginner s column Specialized research papers Book reviews Canada/USA varieties Tips and Tricks Great Britain Machin news USA PNC s Other (specify) Please pass your comments onto the editor, Robin Harris, at: buffalo@adminware.ca I will publish almost virtually any article that is sent to me. If you don t see your article in an issue it is likely because of space concerns but it will certainly appear in a following issue. If I don t receive any articles from the membership then you will see lots of information from my collecting interests. I will be starting an on-going series outlining the Great Britain Machins. A lot of the concepts that will be presented with this series of stamps can be applied to many other series around the world, including Canadian issues. My day job is as a computer consultant. I spend most of my day developing customized databases using the Microsoft Access program. I have developed several databases in my stamp interests including the scanning of virtually every Canadian stamp. I also design websites, including The RPSC and my own (which is 95% stamp related): I am looking forward to producing future issues of The Buffalo. Remember, this is your journal. Please support it by passing along questions, concerns, praise (always welcome), and information. Vol XXXIX, No 1 The Buffalo September

4 Library Notes by: Robert Zacaharias There were three donations made to the club library since January. Tom Farion has donated several auction catalogs, from larger auction houses as Nutmeg Stamp Sales. They can be especially useful for researching covers that have cancels and other features that are normally not listed in catalogs. Similar items to ones you may have might be among the listings, and can give you information about your cover, and approximate market values. Dr. Dick Lim has donated journals of China Philately, from 1986 to It is a bimonthly magazine that covers all areas of Chinese stamps, old and new. David Whitely has donated extensive notes and photocopies covering Transatlantic Ocean mail. It is an assortment of very detailed research material taken from the Canadian Archives. This would be very useful for anyone doing research into this area. Thank you for your donations to the library Canada Post Stamp Program Canada Post announced their 2005 Stamp program on August 16, This is a couple of weeks later than last year but still earlier than average: < Rate-change definitives: 50 Queen Elizabeth II 50 Flag over... (five designs) Flower images (50, 85, $1.45) < Lunar New Year s Year of the Rooster < NHL All-Stars < Fishing Flies (several stamps?) < Nova Scotia Agricultural College 100th anniversary < EXPO 2005 being held in Aichi, Japan < Daffodils (pair) < Audubon birds < Canadian bridges < Maclean s Magazine 100th anniversary < Homer Watson (artist) < Biosphere Reserves (joint issue with Ireland): Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada) and Killarney National park (Ireland) < Canadian War Museum < Battle of the Atlantic < Settlement of Port-Royal (Nova Scotia) 400th anniversary < Deportation of Acadians from the Maritimes 250th anniversary < 11th Fédération internationale de natation World Championships < Alberta and Saskatchewan Centennials (two stamps) < Extreme sports (skateboarding, mountain biking, wall climbing) < Christmas, featuring crèches < Cougar and Snow Leopard (joint issue with China) 4 The Buffalo September 2004 Vol XXXIX, No 1

5 APS Newsletter Competition Awards Twenty-five editors entered the American Philatelic Society Chapter Activities Committee s 2003 Newsletter Competition. The publications with their awards will be displayed during the August 12 15, 2004 APS STAMPSHOW 2004 in Sacramento, California. All entrants receive a written critique from the jury, consisting of Nancy Clark, Douglas Clark, and Guy Dillaway. There are several classifications of journals, including the following: Class IIA Single-Page, Membership under 100 Class IIIA Multi-Page, Membership under 100 In the Class IIIB Multi-Page, Membership over 100 category, the following Canadian clubs one awards: Gold Lakeshore Stamp Club, Inc., The Shoe Box, Raymond W. Ireson (Roxboro, Quebec, Canada) Silver Calgary Philatelic Society, Calgary Philatelist, Dale Speirs (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) Mexico Postal Tax Stamp by: George Apps Looking over a recent purchase of stamps, I found an unusual one from Mexico. According to the Scott catalogue it is a Postal Tax Stamp. There were 19 issues between 1925 and The first issues in 1925 and 1926 were of 1 centavos value and it was required to add one of these stamps to the regular postage on every article of domestic mail. The money obtained from this tax was used to fight a plague of locusts. In 1929 this 1 centavos stamps was overprinted and the money raised went to child welfare work. Also in 1929 two additional rates were printed, a 2 cent green and a 5 cent brown. Later in the year there was another printing, a slightly larger size, of the 1 cent, violet as opposed to the original brown, and a the 2 cent which was still green. Again it was compulsory to use these stamps in addition to the regular postage. The money obtained also went to child welfare. In 1931 the original 1 cent brown stamps were discontinued as postal tax stamps and were used for regular postage on local delivery of unsealed circulars and announcement cards. Between 1929 and 1939 there were overprints added, new designs and additional issues. In 1939 a new colour appeared for the 1 cent (prussian blue) in a new design - a mosquito attacking a man. The use of this stamp was once again required on all mail and the money raised was used in aid of a drive against malaria (please don t let our Mayor see this, it may give him ideas. ) On another note: Recently while reading about some stamp issues I came across the title Wings for Norway. This mentioned a commemorative issued simultaneously in Norway and in Little Norway Canada. In 1946, as a token of the close liaison between Norway and Canada during World War II Norway issued a stamp (Scott 274) on 22 March 1946 showing a pilot and mechanic. According to the catalogue it was issued in honour of Little Norway, training centre in Canada for Norwegian pilots. Does anyone have any information regarding a Canadian issue? Vol XXXIX, No 1 The Buffalo September

6 Norway s Posthorn Issue by: Roger Fontaine The following is an adaptation from a presentation given at the Scandinavian Collectors Club of Manitoba (SCCM) by Roger Fontaine on March 24, The subject of this article are the Norwegian posthorns stamps. Norway issued it's first posthorns stamp in 1872, this design presently enjoys 132 years of consecutive use. It is the longest running motive on any stamp in the world. The posthorns is an issue that can be very tricky to navigate through, especially the earlier series but, with a bit of preparation and a little patience, most collectors should be able to correctly identify the various stamps within this issue without too many difficulties. The year is 1872 and a new set of stamps is issued for use throughout the kingdom of Norway. The denominations are 1 Skilling, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 Skilling, in an oval band. Look for the word Skilling in the oval band. It's the keyword that makes this issue easy to identify. It was 5 years later ( 1877 ) when Norway changed its currency system to the present day ore. This first issue incidently carries a # 2 type watermark and is perforated 14 ½ x 13 ½. A change in currency forced a new set of posthorns to be issued. This issue also has its own key features to look for. The feature that sets these stamps apart are the use of BLOCK LETTERS to write NORGE in the oval band. These are straight and lean as opposed to the ANTIQUE style letters of later issues. Use this feature to divide your stamps into groups. A useful hint when working on your Norwegian posthorns is to work on and only on the posthorns at one given time. The more of them that you have to work with the better. Side by side comparisons is an important method in classifying your stamps. Please keep in mind that the posthorns are an expanding and progressive issue. There are 21 new stamps within the group using BLOCK LETTERS. Block letters (sans serif font) Antique letters (serif font) These all carry a watermark #2 and all are perforated 14 ½ x 13 ½. You can further divide these 20 new stamps into 2 sub groups. Ten issues from 1877 have a shaded posthorns ring, the other 10 stamps issued in 1882 have an unshaded posthorns ring. Use side by side comparisons to help you sort these out. Stamp colour and cancellation dates on the stamps are also obvious methods of classification. Also useful is to use several catalogues. A combination of Scotts, A.F.A. and Facit work well together in providing you with more details to work with. The set up will be different but the dates of issue and the key features remain the same. Also, different stamp albums will set these stamps up differently. My personal favourite for collecting Scandinavia are the STENDER albums. The order is chronological and the set up is laid out according to key details. Now back to the stamps at hand, the period between 1878 and 1893 is what seems to give collectors the most difficulty yet, it is here where attention to detail will allow you to find some of Norway s most elusive stamps. Watermark illustration from Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue 6 The Buffalo September 2004 Vol XXXIX, No 1

7 Another very important key in this era is measuring the length of the stamp s frame. The frames are measured from top to bottom, most measure 20 mm in height (some are 21 mm). I like using the ruler on a clear perforation gauge. I can place a magnifying glass right on top of my stamp and get an accurate measurement. Again I repeat, DO side by side comparisons and this 1 mm difference becomes obvious brings us a new style of lettering in the oval band, Norge is now written in antique letters. All the frames are now 20 mm in height and some of the denominations change colours. Here, however, you will find the first change in perforation size. Eight stamps are perforated 13 ½ x 12 ½. The others are 14 ½ x 13 ½. This new issue runs through 1910, and like the issue it replaced, it has sub groups complete with their own key features. Perforation is one key feature. Pay special attention to the feather engraving in the comers. The issue of 1894 has shorter, rounder, and softer looking feathers. The issue of 1910 and onwards have straighter, sharper and longer looking feathers. From here on, collecting the posthorns becomes much easier and 1921 brings on new colours and additional values brings in a solid coloured background within the oval. This is the last issue with watermarks. The five stamps of 1937 are reissued in 1941 and two additional values are added but the watermarks are gone. Watermarks on Norwegian stamps are faint and often difficult to see. Nothing seems to come easy with stamps of Norway but, the joy and pride that comes from finding an elusive stamp or completing an entire set is all the more sweet. The posthorns continue on with new issues in the 1950's,60's, 70's. And on. The year 2001 sees one new and significant change posthorns now carry values in Kroner. It s a sign of the times. The posthorns of Norway are ever changing and reflect all that philately has to offer. They are challenging, very affordable and a pleaaaaasure to work with... GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY HUNTING Left: ore currency Right: Kroner currency Spot the Variety 18 Attention all you flyspeckers. Get your magnifying glasses out and compare the two stamp images below. Find six (6) differences between the two stamps (the left stamp is the original). Good luck. Vol XXXIX, No 1 The Buffalo September

8 $5 Victoria Library reprint discovered by: Robin Harris The Elizabethan II Study Group reports the discovery of a reprint on the $5 Victoria Library definitive. I have a sample of about 100 used copies of the $5 Library stamp. After studying these specimens, we can safely say that there is a distinctly different, second printing of the $5 Library definitive. However, we cannot use the colour tones as a deciding factor in all instances [darker and lighter tones were found across both printings]. I used a 10x magnifying glass to study these stamps. I found that the screen angle of the lithographic colours (specifically, the black colour) proves that there are two different printings of this value, as illustrated. Left: First printing Right: Second printing The yellow 'X' (ok, you won t see yellow when printed in black and white visit the ESG website for a colour picture) in both details shows that the screen angle of the black lithographic colour is clearly different on both stamps. The light beige colour dots are also at different angles on the two printings but not nearly as pronounced as the black colour. The earlier printing of the $5 Library stamp has a 'sharper/steeper' screen angle (about 38 degrees from horizontal) whereas the reprint (or second printing) has a much flatter screen angle (about 13 degrees). This stamp was first issued February 29, For the second printing, I have dated, used copies from as early as December 1998 it has been around for quite sometime! The $5 Library stamp was withdrawn from sale at the National Philatelic Centre in Antigonish on July 12, If you hunt around, you may still be able to find some at a post office near you. The ESG is a specialized group of the British North America Philatelic Society who study the Canadian Elizabethan issues (sans Centennials they have their own study group). I would encourage you to visit their website at: BLANK ALBUM PAGES 8½"x11" ACID FREE WHITE 100 LB. STOCK IDEAL FOR FREE HAND OR COMPUTER PRINTERS 100 PAGES FOR ONLY $10.50 TO ORDER CALL: (204) The Buffalo September 2004 Vol XXXIX, No 1