Stamp Collecting as a Pastime | Page 8

furnish
many examples of this class of error. They are also to be found on the
6d. and 1s. values of the first design of the stamps of the Transvaal, on
the early issues of Roumania, on some of the stamps of the Colombian
Republic, and other countries.
Stamps requiring two separate printings--i.e. stamps printed in two
colours--have given rise to many curious errors in printing. A sheet
passed through the press upside down after one colour has been printed
results in one portion of the design being inverted. In the 1869 issue of
the stamps of the United States no less than three of the values had the
central portions of their designs printed upside down. The 4d., blue, of
the first issue of Western Australia is known with the Swan on its head.
Even the recently issued Pan-American stamps, printed in the most
watchful manner by the United States official Bureau of Engraving and
Printing, are known with the central portions of the design inverted,
and these errors, despite the most searching examination to which each
sheet is several times subjected, escaped detection, and were sold to the
public. When, however, it is remembered that stamps are now printed
by the million, it will be wondered that so few mistakes escape into the
hands of collectors.
As a bit of conceit, the issue of what is known as the Connell stamp is
probably unequalled. In loyal Canada, in 1860, Mr. Charles Connell
was Postmaster-General of the little colony of New Brunswick, which
in those days had its own government and its own separate issue of
stamps. A change of currency from "pence" to "cents" necessitated new
postage stamps. It was decided to give the new issue as much variety as
possible by having a separate design for each stamp. Two of the series
presented the crowned portrait of the Queen, and one that of the Prince
of Wales as a lad in Scotch dress. Connell, apparently ambitious to
figure in the royal gallery, gave instructions to the engravers to place
his own portrait upon the 5 cents stamp. His instructions were carried
out, and in due time a supply of the 5 cents bearing his portrait was

delivered. But before many were issued the news spread like wildfire
that Connell had outraged the issue by placing his own portrait upon
one of the stamps. Political opponents are said to have taken up the hue
and cry. The matter was immediately brought before the higher
authorities, and the unfortunate stamp was promptly suppressed. Half a
million had been printed off and delivered for sale, but very few seem
to have escaped the outcry that was raised against them, and to-day
copies are extremely scarce. Poor Connell took the matter very much to
heart, threw up his appointment, and forthwith retired into private life.
But the portrait of the bluff mechanic type of countenance will be
handed down from generation to generation in stamp catalogues and
costly stamp collections long after the authorities that suppressed him
are forgotten.
Some folks question the appearance of the Baden-Powell portrait upon
the Mafeking stamps as a similar bit of conceit; but whatever may be
said in criticism of Baden-Powell's stamp, most people will be inclined
to accept it as a pleasant souvenir of an historic siege and a determined
and gallant stand against great odds.
But of all the portraits that have appeared upon postal issues, none
probably occasioned so much trouble and fuss as that of the notorious
King Bomba of Sicily. The most eminent engraver of his
day--Aloisio--was commissioned to prepare an exact likeness of His
Sacred Majesty. After much ministerial tribulation the portrait was
approved and engraved, and to this day it is regarded as a superb piece
of work. A special cancelling stamp had to be designed and put into use
which defaced only the border of the stamp and left the sacred portrait
untouched. During the preliminaries necessary to the production of the
sacred effigy the fate of ministers and officials hung in the balance.
One official was actually marked for degradation for having submitted
a disfigurement which turned out to be a carelessly printed, or rough,
proof impression.
Numerous stamps have been designed, especially of late years, to
represent some historical event in connection with the country of issue.
The United States, in 1869, in the confined space of an unusually small

stamp, endeavoured to represent the landing of Columbus, and in
another stamp the Declaration of Independence. In a much more recent
series, stamps of an exceptionally large size were adopted to give scope
for a Columbus celebration set of historical paintings, including
Columbus soliciting aid of Isabella, Columbus welcomed at Barcelona,
Columbus restored to favour, Columbus presenting natives, Columbus
announcing his discovery, the recall of Columbus, Isabella