Philat. Trans. 458
Dr. Alfred Moschkau
Philatelie (Briefmarkenkunde)
[Philately (Stamp Collecting)]
in: Geschichte der Briefmarken und der Philatelie (Briefmarkenkunde). Nebst einer
Beschreibung aller Bekannten Wasserzeichen auf Briefmarken, Couverts etc.,
3rd edition, Philatelistische Bibliothek Volume 1, Louis Senf, Leipzig, Germany,
1878, pp.[iv-v] & 18-68
Translation produced by Betty Howarth for Brian J. Birch
33 Boar’s Head Avenue, Standish, Wigan, WN6 0BH, UK
December 2000
[HISTORY OF] PHILATELY (STAMP COLLECTING)
Preface to the Third Edition
Even a superficial look into this work, now in its third edition, will attest that it presents itself
in a new garment corresponding to the demands of the time.
The Watermarks, their Description and Illustration claim, in contrast to previous editions,
minor space only in the work, as these, since the year 1872, constitute a part of every good
album and catalogue, and have been considered exhaustively in the latest, third edition of my
Handbook. The descriptive text could thus limit itself to a concise description of the
illustrations which this time have been increased significantly.
On the other hand, I was motivated to pay very special attention to the History of Postage
Stamps and of Philately as, so far, the hoped-for attention to the same has not been
forthcoming and the gratifying situation of our young science surely demands that we be
mindful of its development from the days of its origin to the present, forming a general picture
of the same, even though still sketchily. With what I offer I expect to have walked the middle
course, i.e. not having forgotten that which matters, maintaining however the proper extent in
everything. I believed that I had to deal with the philatelic literature of Germany exhaustively,
as the present work will be read by a large number of German philatelists, and literature after
all merits our full appreciation in its function as carrier and support of philately.
Everything else worth knowing regarding watermarks has been noted at suitable spots. It is
necessary to add only the remark that the dates of issue described in the text are in accord
with the third edition of my Handbook. I shall gratefully take into account in future any
wishes and suggestions.
Two of the most renowned German philatelists, Secretary of the Posts (ret.) W. Herrmann
and Lord of the Manor A. Treichel, were gracious enough to accept the dedication of the
present work. The names Herrmann and Treichel are impressive and known everywhere; the
dedication to them is sufficiently justified. In the acceptance of the dedication on the part of
these gentlemen, my work was honoured so much that I appreciate it fully and am obligated
for all time in gratitude.
Should the collectors of Germany welcome this work in its new aspect as they did with the
second and third volume of the Philatelic Library and my manual for essay and postage stamp
collectors, I shall be glad indeed.
With philatelic greetings
Gohlis-Leipzig, New Year 1878.
The Author
2
Philately (Stamp Collecting)
Philately. If initially we ask, What is the meaning of the word Philately, as the friends of
postage stamp collecting have designated this activity for more than a decade, we are in a
position to give a very exact reply thanks to an etymological treatise published by Treichel.*
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* Philatelie: An etymological correction by Law Candidate A. Treichel in Moschkau’s
Magazin, 1872, No8. In No9, page 39, the explanation is questioned. Treichel’s derivation
was defended as early as 1866 by an unknown writer in the Briefmarkensammler, No2.
____________________
The word Philately is a purely Greek one, with the first part the stem phil (philos = friend),
the second syllable pair by means of the letter a, the privative alpha of Greek grammar, to
be translated into German as free or ready, plus the term telos (i.e. toll, tax, tariff). Hence, in
a somewhat free rendition, the friendship or the occupation with that which is free from tax
or toll - an interpretation that satisfies and, with the exception of France and Belgium,
counts since the year 1866 all over the world with adherents among current stamp
collectors as well as in dictionaries. The fact that in Germany, notably only in Hamburg, the
plausible and meaningful Greek a is ignored, along with the derivation of philos and telos,
should be pointed out here at all events.** More applicable and appropriate than Philatelie
is, however, without a doubt the customary Timbrologie, i.e., Science of Stamps, decided
upon definitively by the Société Française de Timbrologie, although till then, in addition
to Timbrologie the term Timbrophilie (Stamp friendship, fancy) had had acceptance. And
yet, the French names show spurious designations borrowed from the French and Greek
languages - sufficient reason for favouring the purely Greek term Philatelie or Philately.
____________________
** Those of Hamburg seem to lean on a definition by Baron Gutmann, also in Moschkau’s
Magazin, 1872, N o10, who, however, advocates Philotelie.
____________________
So much about the name under which the stamp collectors of the world united as a
community of hundreds of thousands. We now turn to postage stamp collecting itself.
Origin and Diffusion of Postage Stamp Collecting.
Stamp collecting, as considered in the manner by which it is practised at this time and the
literature in reference to it to have risen in a sense to a kind of science, is said to have
originated (according to a known tradition) as a wager going back decades, according to
which someone asserted he could procure enough stamps to cover an entire room, denied by
an opponent. The story goes that the former gathered a huge amount of stamps by way of
announcements and that the champagne they had bet was drunk in the drawing-room
papered by stamps. Just how and why this bet could become a part of philately - it means
nothing any more nowadays - is not clear to me; but since every cause that makes a stone
roll is based frequently on something absurd, I did not wish to omit this curiosity here.
The year itself where the origin of philately might be placed can hardly be determined with
certainty, though it is certain that one cannot speak of collecting in the true sense of the word
3
prior to the years 1858-1862. We do not mean to deny that there were collectors at an earlier
time, say 1854 to 1857, as is affirmed, in fact, by some.
The cradle of philately stood in the capitals of England and France, indeed also in Belgium,
where it was protected and cultivated, until, as a young boy, it moved across the ocean, across
the Rhine, soon to find the same interest in the major cities of America and of Germany, as in
its original homeland. Here, with true passion and real interest, adults of every class were
collecting, with us initially the young people who soon saw in the stamps to be gathered, a
favoured object for exchange. In Paris, they collected in all circles, at court and in diplomatic
groups, in the schools and play grounds: stamp collecting became a mania that knew no
frontiers. The Terrasse des Feuillants in the Tuilleries garden served for a long time as the
chief collecting point of stamp collectors, and in the shade of elm trees and high chestnuts,
under the open sky, young ladies and gentlemen were actively engaged in their exchange
business. Later, at the Palais Royal, there arose a formal stamp bourse where business was
conducted more on a wholesale basis, and soon the booksellers along the river banks, dealers
in cigars and in writing materials and the like seized on the business which achieved a certain
basis now.* Similarly in England and in Belgium, and although we do not have detailed
reports at our disposal, we do indeed know that particularly in the former country large stamp
dealerships arose, simply as a result of enormous demand. In Germany, philately spread with
the speed of lightning, with Leipzig, as still today, the central point of the activity, finding
eager representatives in the book dealer G. Wuttig and the antique dealers C. C. Zschiesche
and C. E. Köder. However, not in the major German cities alone, in the smaller communities
as well and in industrial villages philately was well-received, and I daresay with confidence
that in 1862, in Germany, 50% of all students in schools of higher learning and in the middle
schools were collecting stamps. This fact might adequately explain that here, recognising the
value and the future of this matter, "Albums for Postage Stamps" were published, even before
they were published in Belgium and France. G. Wuttig in Leipzig deserves the fame to have
published the first German album which, starting out as an album of cardboard with loose
text-free and simply red-chequered leaves, went through a series of phases until by 1870
nineteen editions had been made under Bauschke and Kümmel. The first German catalogue,
by Zschiesche and Köder in Leipzig, 1863, followed this album, and also in this year and in
following years a considerable number of price lists of stamps for sale by German postage
stamp dealers. Thus, by G. Bauschke, Leipzig 1864; J. Braunschweig, Berlin 1863; E.
Heim in Vienna; Oskar Jann in Breslau, etc. 1864. The fact that in Germany at the time
the interest in all circles for philately was lively, that adults had become passionate
followers, is due quite considerably to the daily press which with few exceptions had given
its approval in this matter. In that connection one should mention especially an illustrated
description of all stamps in the fashion magazine Bazar (1862-64), with a large circulation
even then and further, a very interesting, neutral, article, Die Briefmarkensammlungen in the
Leipziger Illustrirten Zeitung No1014, 1862.
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* Petersen: Genrebilder aus dem modernen Babel., 1870, page 138.
____________________
As in Germany, the press spoke even earlier concerning philately in France, England,
America, etc., and the articles notably in the Annuaire Scientifique (London, 1855) and in
Monde Illustré (Paris, 1864) as well as in the Union Review (1862) impress me as being
most worth reading.
4
If France can claim the first history of postage stamps written for collectors (Boyer:
Historie des Timbres Poste, Paris 1862), England may boast the first postage stamp
magazine, with the title The Stamp Collectors Guide, on the 1st January 1862, by F. Booty in
Brighton* (published by H. and C. Treacher). This venture was a signal for general
imitation, and the first day of January of the following year brought us in Belgium the
Timbre-Poste by Moens (which still appears today, after fourteen years), in England the
Stamp Collectors Magazine by A. Smith and Co., in Germany the Magazin für
Briefmarkensammler by Zschiesche and Köder in Leipzig, and in France on the 1st January
1864, Le Timbrophile by A. Maury in Paris.
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* Translator’s note: With reference to non-German titles and names, a good deal of
inattention on the part of the printer (or author?) is evident. In general I have given the
version used in the original German, correcting only those where the error was glaring.
____________________
At that time the literature - in consequence of the significant growth philately had experienced
- shot out of the soil like mushrooms. Albums, Catalogues, Monographs devoted to single
countries, about forgeries, watermarks, etc., Musical compositions about stamps, Artistic
prints and photographs, Lithographs, Wood engravings - in a word, anything and everything
that might sell came into existence and found buyers in considerable numbers. To satisfy this
enormous demand became the goal of stamp dealers everywhere which, in keeping with the
volume of business, published price lists in catalogues or on sheets and realised, more or less,
sales which in the view of opponents "were worthy of better things."
And so, just as philately arose suddenly, it spread equally across the entire world, finding
acceptance by the thousands, among young and old, high and low.
The Value of Stamp Collecting
Was it surprising then, when in reference to this mania the question was raised here and there
"Just what does all this mean, why collect stamps, is it not child’s play?" etc.; and now
philately had to pass the test, because on all sides, rightly or wrongly, the dissecting knife was
applied, scholars and pedagogues scrutinized it, and both seekers and finders differed in their
views. While the pedagogues condemned stamp collecting as corrupting children, inciting
them to barter and keeping them from working, and let this opinion be publicized in the
Gartenlaube* while prohibiting stamp collecting in schools, others - on a different and no
less competent side - lifted philately toward heaven as being stimulating, instructive in so
many ways, and entertaining.
____________________
* Translator's note: A popular family magazine at the time, known for the sentimental
novels it printed. ()
____________________
The golden truth, however, lay in the middle. Several voices that shed light, free of
prejudice, on the question of the value of philately may testify verbally in the matter: they
reduce the condemnation as exaggerated, as well as the homage to proper proportions,
showing in clear terms proof about the intrinsic worth and usefulness of philately. On the
5
one hand there is the consideration of the elements of philately as a science; on the other,
philately as a mania, the unplanned, aimless, purposeless collecting.
Dr. John Edward Gray, director of the British Museum, says: The use and attraction of
gathering any kind of objects is in educating the spirit to careful observation, precise
comparison, good judgment about differences and similarities, and to stimulate interest in
the drawing or art that produced the creation or fabrication; to bring to life the history of
the country that produced the collected object or that puts it to use. Postage stamps offer
good objects for all the branches of study, being sufficiently varied to furnish broad outlines
for classification. The fact that one receives stamps from so many countries leads to the
question, Which were the conditions that led to the introduction of these, what is the history
of the countries that issued them, why some countries (for example France) deemed it
necessary to order in a few years so many changes while others never had reason to do so.
The modifications occurring in the case of these stamps points toward some important
historical event as, for example, the accession of a monarch, a change in government, or the
incorporation of a smaller state into a larger one, a change in the standard of coinage, etc.
As a result, a postage stamp collection can be considered as a coin collection, a process in
the history of civilised peoples during the past quarter of a century; and equally also - as
they show great variation in design and execution - as a collection of works of art on a
small scale, characterising the artistic style of the countries that issued them. The extent of
the collection and the manner by which it is planned and cultivated will indicate the
industry, sense of organisation, cleanliness, and, finally, the taste of the collector.
A similar view is expressed by the author of the interesting article Die
Briefmarkensammlungen in the Leipziger Illustrirten Zeitung No1014, 1862, as he states,
regarding the remark that one should finally make an effort to bring order to collecting, so that
stamps may occupy a rightful place among the collections of coins, coats of arms, autographs,
seals, etc.: When stamps are regarded as a kind of paper money, their accumulation and
preservation may well be part of a coin collection, it might also, if it contains clean and wellpreserved specimens, be added to a collection of portraits and heraldic devices, be expanded in
time into a miniature gallery of Royal houses, laying claim to historic, heraldic, and
genealogical interest. Understood and dealt with from this view-point, a good and
systematically prepared stamp collection is more than child’s play, and merits consideration,
compared with other amateurish elements of the day.
Divergent opinions resisted and resist the voices based on fact, notably the views of educators
who during their meetings have made this issue one of criticism, also in the previously
mentioned short article in the Gartenlaube (1864), publicly. One, attempting to put an end to
the matter, alleged that as a result of collecting, small business activities among the young are
promoted and exchanging can lead to dishonesty. And yet, the representatives of this view
appear to ignore totally that in the schools, long before the emergence of the stamp hobby,
they were bargaining with pictures, small objects used in games, balls and a hundred other items
- though it must be acknowledged that these exchanges and dealings in the schools must be
prohibited most vigorously.
If now, as a matter of fact, the collecting of stamps has become an ineradicable occupation
among the young, one may well draw a parallel between stamp collecting and the collection
of beetles, butterflies, coins, seals, and coats of arms.
6
As regards these last-named collecting objects we already have informed above on the
competent judgment of Dr. Gray et al., who speak of the relationship and meshing of the
respective collections. It is a different matter, however, in the case of beetles and butterflies
which - leaving aside the recognised advancement of the natural sciences in schools - should
be placed largely under the control of protective animal societies. The youthful collectors make
use of the most crafty means in order to kill the newly acquired objects during beautiful
summer days, and the burning match plays the same favoured role as does the glowing needle.
Just what use the childlike spirit finds in such unheard-of cruelties is clear. Who can deny that
crudeness, heartlessness, and insensitivity are elements youngsters will become accustomed
to?
How much more innocent and also instructive is the collecting of postage stamps? Dr. W.
Faber says: In no better way can one awaken in maturing youth a sense for cleanliness and of
order than by means of a stamp collection. An unclean collection is an absurdity, a
disorganised one is a contradiction. No one will deny that a meticulous cleanliness and
painstaking order demands a fair degree of industry and care, which will manifest itself in
beneficial results also in other matters. To be stressed above all, is that the eye will be
opened, the ability to focus sharpened, the outlook from the daily circle will be drawn away
into far-away lands and zones. In the most entertaining and at the same time penetrating
manner, geographic and ethnographic knowledge is presented, and the desire to know is
guided thus in the direction of a commercial terrain that is closely related. The memory
records more easily and effectively by looking, for instance, at a map, far more vividly than by
rummaging through a dead book!*
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* Bazar, Heidelberg, 1869, page 2.
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In his discussion about the value of stamp collecting, Dr. Faber reaches this conclusion:
Philately can not only be cultivated as rewardingly as numismatics and heraldry, it offers far
more that is stimulating than either of these. Though not of equally high birth, it is nonetheless
their popular basis.
More than three decades have gone by since the Annuaire Scientifique published the first
known article about stamp collecting. Since then, philately has experienced a rise that had
never been anticipated, has in fact become a science, a scientifically maintained occupation
whose value is recognised universally as witnessed by factors of the most differing kind which
we shall have to discuss more extensively later.
Stamp Literature
The fact that this is the case we owe to a rich literature that considers and deals with all of the
branches of this science. A splendid and unique work, one of a kind, The Philatelic Library. A
catalogue of stamp publications by John K. Tiffany (St. Louis, 1874) recorded this literature
with diplomatic precision, we consider it our duty to recall it in greater detail.*
____________________
7
* Tiffany’s distinguished work, fourteen sheets in large quarto, only appeared in 150 copies
which the author presented to his friends. The writer of this had the very good fortune to
receive a copy for his philatelic library whose pride is this beautiful book.
____________________
The literature of foreign countries flourished earlier than in German lands where philately
made its appearance at last, though finding there countless friends. We shall therefore discuss
the literature of foreign parts first, as briefly as feasible, according to its extent and
significance.
England*
Next to America, England surely exhibits the richest literature. As remarked above, it merits
the fame of the publishing of the first stamp magazine (Liverpool, 1862) by Messrs. Moore
& Co., the Stamp Collectors Review, followed to date by more than sixty specialised
periodicals among which the most significant shall be cited in what follows: The Stamp
Collectors Magazine by Alfred Smith & Co., Bath (1863-74) the best of all English
magazines! Its eleven (Editor: Actually 12!) years of publication comprises 138 numbers and
2300 pages. The Stamp Collectors Magazine was also the first specialised periodical which
used the magnificent Mulready envelope as a vignette on its title page. Of equal quality can
be mentioned The Philatelist by Stafford Smith and Smith in Brighton which was published
from the 1st January 1867 to December 1876, thus, for nine (Editor: Actually 10!) years. The
fact that these ever celebrated specialised publications came to an end, following such
laudable existence, is regrettable and, to us, inexplicable, but both had successors which
presented themselves in a more modest configuration. These are Alfred Smith & Company’s
Monthly Circular and The Philatelic Quarterly by Stafford Smith, which at the moment are
the only English specialised publications still being read. To be emphasized among these also,
is Edw. L. Pemberton’s Philatelic Journal which brought illustrations in colour but appeared
for one year only (1872), despite the editorship of the celebrated name; further, the Stamp
Collectors Journal (1863) and Werninck and Company’s The Stamp, also with a colourfully
illustrated chronicle [of new issues].
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* Translator’s note: In Germany, the word England is frequently used to denote all of Great
Britain.
____________________
Among stamp catalogues in England, F. Booty produced in the year 1862 the first one, under
the name of The Stamp Collectors Guide which, despite the new edition of 1863 with the new
title Aids to Stamp Collectors, occupied a second place when Mount Brown published his
Catalogue of British Colonial and Foreign Postage Stamps, the first edition of which also
appeared in 1862, with a fifth edition in 1865 already. Collecting activity in England at that
time was so lively that the catalogues mentioned were by no means satisfactory.
Simultaneously (1862) Dr. J. Edw. Gray, the Director of the British Museum, offered his
excellent Hand-Catalogue of Postage Stamps, a publication that appeared in 1865 in a third
edition, in 1874 in a sixth edition, and now has the title The Illustrated Catalogue of Postage
Stamps. Not only is it the most illustrated but the only leading catalogue of England as well.
Neither Dr. C. Viner’s Postage Stamp Collectors Catalogue and Guide (1869) nor J. B.
Moens’ Postage Stamp Illustrated could compete with it; only Edw. L. Pemberton’s Stamp
8
Collectors Handbook (1874) can be mentioned as being of some significance. By the same
author, the Philatelical Catalogue (1874) is to be included, as it was intended to become a
kind of ideal catalogue, with excellent presentation and completeness, with collotype
illustrations of originals, but unhappily, due to the elevated price, appeared as one edition
only, which nonetheless shows Pemberton’s great knowledge and good will most brilliantly.
England was least productive in the manufacture of postage stamp albums, a fact that explains
why editions in English were made in Belgium, Germany, and even in the Netherlands, and
sold in large quantities. The first place in English albums is with-out a doubt that by E. S.
Gibbons, Imperial Postage Stamp Album, of which at this time the third edition is at hand.
Richly illustrated with coats of arms and reproductions of stamps, it has the one disadvantage
that it is printed on both sides which, as is well known, does not allow the insertion of
supplementary sheets. Enjoying much popularity also is the Postage Stamp Album by
Edward A. Oppen which appeared in 1862 in a first edition, 1866 in an 8th and 1873 in a
17th. One may mention further Johnson’s and Rowe’s Postage Stamp Collectors Paquet
Album as the first in England, and H. Stafford Smith’s Permanent Stamp Album (1869),
intended as was Stanley, Gibbons and Company’s Improved Postage Stamp Album for the
incorporation of envelopes, cards, etc., preferably for permanent use. In translations, the
best known to be mentioned are J. Lallier’s Postage-Stamp-Album (Paris and London,
1862; 9th edition 1870); J. B. Moens’ Postage Stamp-Album (Brussels and London, 1864;
10th edition 1874); v. Rinsum’s Permanent Stamp Album, in four languages (Amsterdam
1869); and Bauschke’s The Illustrated Postage Stamp Album (Plymouth and Leipzig,
1867).
Forgery, which was soaring in England already at the beginning of the 1860s, gave rise to
the following special writings: E. Doble, Over the Falsification of Postage Stamps
(Falmouth, 1862); Th. Lewes & Edw. L. Pemberton, Forged stamps (Edinburgh, 1862);
Thomas Dalston, How to Detect Forged Stamps (1865); and J. M. Stourton, Postage
Stamp Forgeries (London, 1865): works which at the time no doubt were a good thing but
which in time became superfluous as specialised periodicals focused entirely on forgeries.
Really, how useful might the book be that described to this day all the falsifications
conveyed into commerce? How soon would it be incomplete, taking into account the agility
of the forgers? What else England produced in literature rather belongs to art, and will
receive there suitable treatment.
If now we cast a brief backward glance upon England’s specialised literature, generally, we
must note, with the demise of both of its best periodicals, that regarding its specialised press
she is in the worst position of all the countries that pay homage to philately. On the other
hand, one cannot deny that the perfection of its albums makes the sale of English
translations more and more difficult, and the use of these would diminish greatly if one
were to insist on “timely-economic prices”. Outstanding merits for English specialised
literature were won, in addition to the named authors and publishers, by Edw. L.
Pemberton, further by Dr. J. E. Gray, Dr. C. Viner, W. Dudley Atlee, Dr. Boley, Overy
Taylor, Rev. R. B. Eareé, J. C. Wilson, C. H. Coster, M. P. de Figueroa, Herbert
Camoens [Pseudonym used by Adelaide Lucy Fenton] and many others whose names we
meet frequently in English specialised literature.
Let us turn now to a closer examination of French (including Belgian) literature.
9
French philatelic literature
Admittedly, less profuse than that of England, it is on the whole, more scientific than that of
England or of any other nation. To France (and to Belgium, respectively) one must concede
the honour, having produced the most solid literature, so seminal that to this day it sustains
the entire literature due to its investigations and results, while at an earlier time literature was
a mere echo of the same. Yet, the notable creative power has moved from Paris, the central
point, and is concentrated in Brussels where the Regent of all French specialised literature is
active most recognizably on behalf of the improvement of philately.
Among the specialised periodicals, the merit belongs of right to J. B. Moens’ Le TimbrePoste (Brussels) which appears regularly to this day, since the 1st January 1863, being not
only the oldest and the one that has appeared the longest but also the most significant of all
the specialised periodicals in the world. Its fourteen years of publication constitute an
imposing huge volume, filled with the most valuable material of philatelic science, and is
popular and read widely beyond the frontiers of the French-speaking lands. Additionally,
there appears at this time a specialised sheet in French language, the L'Ami des Timbres by
Charles Roussin in Paris, now in its third year and characterised by a copious chronicle [of
new issues] and a regular supplement of a very complete illustrated catalogue (see below).
Le Collectioneur de Timbres Poste by Maury Fils (Paris, 1864-74); Le Timbrophile by P.
Mahé (Paris, 1854-71); La Gazette des Timbres by the same (Paris, 1864-76) were for years
much read and desired specialised publications which ceased to exist along with others, less
significant.
In. the matter of French catalogues, the Catalogue de Timbres-Poste (Paris, 1862) by A.
Potiquet was the first known although in the year 1861 Laplante’s Catalogue (Paris) and J.
B. Moens’ Manuel du Collectioneur de Timbres Poste (Brussels) had appeared. The last
named work appeared this year (1877) under the somewhat changed title Catalogue-PrixCourant des Timbres Poste in a fifteenth edition, re-presenting the most complete of all
existing catalogues and manuals. Its completeness borders on the minute, hence its popularity
and circulation everywhere. Among older catalogues, the following are worth mentioning:
Valette’s Petit Manuel de 1’Amateur des T. P. (Paris, 1862); Baillieu’s Guide de 1’Amateur
de Timbres-Poste (Paris, 1863); Moens’ Illustrations du Manuel du Collectionneur; and
Nicolas’ Catalog de 1’Amateur de T. P.; among the more recent ones, except the ones
previously named: Charles Roussins Catalogue de tous les Timbres (Paris, 1874, 2nd edition
‘77) which, as that of Moens, paid attention to not only postal stamps but postmarks as well,
taking great pains in the matter of accuracy; further, A. Maury’s Catalog Complet des
Timbres-Poste (Paris 1865, 6th edition 1876) and P. Mahé’s Guide-Manuel du Collectioneur
de Timbres-Poste (Paris 1863, last edition 1870). As handbooks, without indication of price,
J. B. Moens published in Brussels his Timbres Poste Illustres, a work which until today
stands unrivalled in its presentation - 45 plates of illustrations, engraved on copper; and in
1866, Oscar Berger-Levrault in Strasbourg, his Catalog methodique which until then
represented the most reliable source and today still is a work of much value indeed. In
Belgium, furthermore, were published diverse specialised works. I mention the following:
Timbres d'Offices Americains by Consul James Lesley (Brussels, 1868); Timbres de
Moldavie et de Roumanie by Dr. Magnus (Brussels, 1860); and Les Timbre-Poste Ruraux de
Russie by Count S. Kaprowsky (Brussels, 1875). Of significance for serious collectors,
furthermore, was the work on watermarks by Dr. Magnus, Essais sur les Filigranes des
Timbres Poste (1867) and also - timely because of the activities of counterfeiters – Moens’
10
Falsifications des Timbres-Poste (Brussels, 1862 and also in England) both, however, have
become obsolete and useless as a result of the absence of new editions.
Few stamp albums appeared in France but those that did were excellent with few exceptions
and are popular and esteemed to this day. Justin Lather’s Album Timbres-Poste et Cartes
Postales competes with J. B. Moens’ Album Timbres-Poste (Brussels) for pre-eminence in
the matter of presentation and completeness. Both appeared in a first edition in 1863, Lallier
during the first decade produced 14, Moens in the same period 11 editions and by 1876, the
17th. In addition to these two albums which still appear in quarto volume, France brought to
the market A. Maury’s Petit Album des T. P. (Paris, 1876) and by the same author Album
Universel (Paris, 1876), being the only ones worth mentioning. Hence, one had to accept
that Holland (v. Rinsum) and Germany furnished translations, among these notably G.
Bauschke’s Album Timbres-Poste (Leipzig, 1867; 2nd edn. 1869) worthy of mention, and
also a verbatim reprint in France, in addition to this translation.
We have nothing to add to our judgment of French literature whose complete tabulation has
been reported by the Bulletin of the Societe Franc. de Timbrologie (Paris, 1877, sections 58). It is a model literature the study of which is a clear duty of every philatelist, no matter
which language he may speak.
One must not fail to mention that by preference the collecting of postal-fiscal stamps is
embraced in France, and that, as a stimulus of the same, a special journal has been edited, Le
Timbre Fiscal (Moens, Brussels 1874 and still being published). A Monographie des Timbres
Fiscaux Mobiles de la France et des Colonies Françaises, compiled by Ph. d. B., appeared
in 1875 in the work of P. Mahé, and by the same token the catalogues by Moens and
Roussin list with great accuracy all the known fiscal stamps of the world. Finally, J. B.
Moens published in 1869 an Album Timbres Telegraphes which is now a part of his great
Album Illustre pour Timbres Poste et Telegraphe. Meritorious activity in the literary field of
France has been shown prominently under the pseudonym Dr. Magnus (Dr. Med. Legrand
in Paris) and Oscar Berger-Levrault in Nancy, further still on the part of Baron A. v.
Rothschild, E. Regnard, E. de Rives de Seine, Ph. de Ferrari, Mahé, Maury et al., most
of whom continue actively in the advancement of domestic literature.
North America
Turning now to the specialised literature of North America whose precise inventory was
published by the American Journal of Philately in its fourth year of publication (pages 127
and 172), the situation is characterised by excess. The desire to publish specialised writings
has developed into a mania as best evidenced by the publication of some eighty periodicals
since 1862 of which more than half were printed during just half a year, many in fact
appeared in a single copy only.
As to the better journals one should consider Scott & Company’s American Journal of
Philately (New York) and J. J. Casey’s Coin and Stamp Journal (New York), the former
existing since 1868, the latter since 1874. The American Journal of Philately was, one may
add, the first specialised publication that offered for a number of years a colourful
illustrated chronicle of new issues. Among the remaining periodicals, only those that follow
deserve to be mentioned: E. A. Craig’s The Postman’s Knock (St. John, N. B., 1867-70);
The Philadelphia Monthly (Philadelphia, 1870-71); The Stamp Collectors Guide (Meriden,
11
1870-73); The Stamp Advertiser (1873-73); and Mason’s Coin and Stamp Collectors
Magazine (Philadelphia, 1867-72).
Catalogues appeared as well in countless quantities but without exception these were simply
price lists that are really of no value for our science. For the sole purpose of not seeing this
heading quite devoid of contents, we cite the following best-known catalogues of America:
F. Trifet, Descriptive Price Catalogue of the Postage Stamps of all Nations (Boston, 1877);
Fr. King, The Postage Stamp Collectors Handbook (Boston, 1867); Kline, The Stamp
Collectors Manual (Philadelphia, 1862; 3rd ed. 1875); and Scott and Company’s Postage
Stamp Catalog (New York, 1876, 3rd edition). Since there, too, there are friends of revenue
stamp collecting, Trifet in Boston published in 1877 a Catalog of the Revenue Stamps of all
Nations which deserves mention as a diligent piece of work.
To be listed among American albums are Appleton’s Postage Stamp Album , the first at the
time (New York, 1863), and as the best Beifeld’s Postage Stamp Album (Chicago, 1876);
Scott and Company’s Common Sense Postage Stamp Album (New York, 1877) and, by the
same, Permanent Postage Stamp Album (1877). The last named firm also launched recently
a post card album, The Post-Card Album; it is, in fact, very active in the field of literature,
and no doubt deserves applause for its promotion of philately in America.
Among America’s philatelists these stand out: J. W. Scott, W. K. Fremann, R. Dinwiddie
Jr., Dr. J. A. Petrie, L. W. Durbin, Joseph Casey, Walter Leo Brown, and John K.
Tiffany, notably the latter to whom we owe thanks for the precious work The Philatelical
Library.
Italy
The specialised literature of Italy was represented until a few years ago only by G. Brecker’s
Guida di tutti i Francobolli (Florence, 1864). Since the year 1873, however, it has attempted
to compensate for the neglect, notably with journals, published with considerable variety.
Initially there appeared La Posta Mondiale by P. R. de Torres (Leghorn, 1873) followed by
E. Carlo Usigli’s Il Raccoglitore (Florence, 1874) which, however, gave limited space only
to philately, alongside antiquities, coins, etc. Both had a very short existence. Leopoldo
Quatini’s L’Etoile d’Italie, a monthly review, included a supplement from March of 1876
under the title L’Ami du Collectionneur Nouvelles faits divers et Annonces pour les
Amateurs et Negociants Philatélique from which, however, we have learned little. More
viable, on the other hand, are G. J. Morpurgo’s Il Timbrofilo (Trieste, since 1876) and Th.
di L. Mayer’s Corriere dei Francobolli (Trieste, since 1874); similarly, the Guida
Illustrata del Timbrofilo by G. Leoni (Bologna) appears now in its second year, offering its
contents in both French and Italian.
Albums are represented once only, viz. by E. C. Usigli’s Nuovo Album di Francobolli
which appeared in November 1875.
In addition to Brecker’s, catalogues were brought out by P. R. de Torres with his Catalogo
desscrittivo di tutti i Franco-Bolli (Leghorn, 1873), further, E. C. Usigli with his Catalogo
di Francobolli (Florence, 1872), and by the Deposito Centrale Timbrofilo Italiano with a
Catalogo e Guida Generale dei Francobolli (Florence, 1874). Beyond these, Italy produced
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nothing at all except for a number of usual price lists and an Address Book by H. Tartarini
& Co. in Bologna.
Denmark
Denmark has recently come into prominence with the publication of two specialised
periodicals. These are the Scandinaviske Frimarketidende by A. Philipsen (Copenhagen,
1876) and the Scandinaviske Frimarke-Journal by Bertini, both of relative value. Their
predecessor, the Nordisk Frimaerketidende (Copenhagen) published in 1867 by Carl Lund,
lived to see nine numbers. A better price catalogue was published in 1867 by Sophus Apel
in Copenhagen, and a merchant and collector directory, Adressebog voor Scandinaviske
Frimarke-Sammler (1877) by François Bertini in Copenhagen.
Norway
Of Norway, we are familiar only with J. &. A. Fischer’s Catalog over alle Bekjendte
Postfrimaerker (Christiania,*1877), a work that served as a model for Moschkau’s
Handbook.
____________________
* Translator’s note: The former name of Oslo.
____________________
Holland
Notably early in Holland, C. v. Rinsum brought about a limited literature. There are his
quadrilingual The Permanent Stamp Album (Amsterdam, 1869) and the following three
journals: The Continental Philatelic Magazine (1869), The Timbrofilist (1869), and The
General Stamp Advertiser (1870) which, however, achieved without exception few numbers
only. Except for Blokzeyl’s Catalogue of Postage Stamps (Amsterdam, 1873) nothing
further has been published in Holland.
Russia
In philatelic literature, Russia and Finland are known only for a few commonplace pricelists and so we turn for now to Spain.
Spain
In 1874, Dr. Thebussem published an especially interesting brochure, Literatura Philatelica
en España which nonetheless is lacking in completeness. Thus, Tiffany records the following
two specialised papers not considered by Dr. Thebussem: D. B. C. Cortes, El Collecionista
de Sellos published 1871 in four numbers, and Gilabert, El Indicator de los Sellos, published
in one number in 1870. El Averiguador, a first-rate publication, came out in Madrid from
January 1871 to February 1873, devoting a good part of its columns to philately, but at this
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time Spain lacks literary representation.* Its oldest specialised periodical, Revista de Correos
(Madrid, 1866) existed barely one year. Though Spain’s literature is less outstanding,
philatelists there are active in journalism in a number of ways, notably in the field of French
philatelic literature. In addition to Dr. Thebussem, Don Francisco Lopez Fabra, Don
Eduardo Gilabert, Don Aurelio Vasquez, Don A. Rentero, Don M. P. de Figueroa, and
Dr. Diario of Cadiz should be mentioned.
____________________
* The Kpankler, a kind of magazine published 1871 also contained a considerable number
of philatelic compositions.
____________________
Germany
The philatelic literature of Germany, the review of which we postponed modestly until the
end, was in the initial years of collecting of little significance to us, though it must be stated
that in its development it surpassed every other literature in science and in excellence, with
the exception of France and England. Only in the course of the last decade has it achieved
full vigour, and it cannot be denied that at this time it produces much that is good, in part
even exemplary, even though in all this profusion many a product of subordinate value must
be expected. Foreign countries which earlier acknowledged German literature in rare cases
only, or not at all, now pay due attention, discuss and use it in detail and often appreciate
many a German work more even than German collectors who, oddly enough, were never
satisfied from the beginning - an attitude less and less justified.
Precisely at this point, we hope that an inventory, complete as far as possible and ordered
according to the different branches of German literature, will be welcomed, gathered, with
the exception of addenda that have become necessary in the mean-time, from the Illustrirte
Briefmarken-Journal, 1876 (Leipzig, L. Senf). We say beforehand that in 1870 already the
Deutsche Briefmarkenzeitung carried a listing of all German specialised journals;
Moschkau’s Magazin fiir Markensammler, 1871, a compilation of the total domestic
literature; and the previously mentioned Journal by Senf, a supplement in 1874. The listing
given here, compared with the one published 1871 in Moschkau’s Magazin, should offer the
best demonstration of the huge expansion of our specialised literature in the short time of
five years.
____________________
Translator’s note:
The bibliography of German literature on pages 36 to 49 has not been
translated.
____________________
The number of philatelists who support energetically the specialised press in Germany is
considerable. In this respect Germany is virtually unique. We remember from former years
W. Th. Clausius, Professor Dr. Weiss, Dr. Joseph, Theodor Israel, G. Wuttig, Baron v.
Thümen, while at the present time above all Lord of the Manor A. Treichel, who for years
has been an active and much-read collaborator, deserves to be cited among German collectorcircles and enjoys a great deal of respect as the first to compile watermarks, his many strictly
scientific specialised articles, discovery of the Cordoba-stamps, etc. Furthermore, in
philatelic circles names such as the following enjoy resounding estimation as a result of
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their appreciable contributions: Dr. med. Eyselein, Ludwig Berger, Louis May, W. Enke,
H. Hirsch, Th. Haas, F. Birgham, F. Michel, R. F. Albrecht, Instructor E. Huxhagen, Dr.
Ehrentheil, Canzleirath Mödinger, R. Mosta, E. P. Schiffmann, Pharmacist G.
Kauffmann, Bookseller P. Lietzow, and yet others. The authors of independent works were
cited already above.
We may have spent a good deal of time discussing philatelic literature, but as we see in it
the healthy foundation on which philately could develop so favourably, and the expansion
and further growth in the future no doubt lies in the young science, we considered a special
emphasis of the same as an absolute necessity to which we had to do justice for more than
one reason.
Philatelists’ Societies
A further support of philately is the societies of philatelists formed in the course of the years
in the capital cities of all countries, and whose main purpose is the mutual instruction of the
members in philately, broadening of philatelic efforts, and the possible eradication of
mischief: forgeries and imitations of genuine stamps, the sale of which must be suppressed
everywhere.
England
In that regard, England took the lead. The first information about the existence of an
association of philatelists we received in November 1865 where in Bridlington, under the
name of the Bridlington Fancier Society, a number of collectors of coins, seals, autographs,
and postage stamps had gathered. The Society published its own journal which, translated
into German, had the following title: The Magazine and Journal of the British, Continental,
and American Collector of Stamps, Coins, Arms, Autographs, and all kinds of Curiosities.
Just how long this society existed we could not learn. On the 10th April 1869, the London
club, The Philatelic Society London was formed, which to this day counts among the most
significant specialised organisations. Its society reports are published to this day in the
Stamp Collectors Magazine and the Philatelist. At the head stands as President: Baron Sir
Daniel Cooper, as Vice-President: Advocate F. A. Philbrick, and as Secretary Professor
de Joannis. Among the members we note Dr. Ch. W. Viner, Victoriano G. de Ysasi,
Artillery-Lieutenant Speranza, Dr. F. Smith, Th. F. Erskyne, et al. The meetings of the
Society are held at Great George Street.
America
America produced its first association on the 1st May 1866, viz. The Excelsior Stamp
Association in St. Johns, New Brunswick, a society which in The Postman’s Knock had its
own publication. About the directors, membership, etc. nothing could be learned but we do
know that on the 1st November 1866, the Society organised a great "Postage Stamp Lottery"
which was to be repeated in the following years. On a firmer basis rested the group founded
in February 1868, The Philatelic Society, New York, which meets at this time twice a month
at the premises of 34 Liberty Street. The American Journal of Philately serves as the organ of
the Society. Functioning as President is W. R. Fremann, as Vice-President B. Matthews,
15
and Dr. Petrie as Secretary. Important members are Dr. Morley, Dr. med. Grafton, J. W.
Scott, G. P. ten Bröck, Professor Bunger, Baron Münchhausen, etc. The Society has
rendered many a service on behalf of philately, offering in 1871 the following prizes: a gold
medal for the owner of the most complete album; a silver medal for the second and third
largest collections, respectively; further, silver medals for the most appropriately arranged
collections of stamps and of envelopes; and for the best editing of a catalogue of all North
American stamps. The concept advanced by the New York society, the establishment of an
International Philatelic Society, met with no approbation in England.
France
France only followed in December of 1874 at which time the Société Française de
Timbrologie was established in Paris, an association which can claim respect on the part of
all specialised organisations. In May of 1877, the Société had 66 members of whom 25
were French, the others representing countries from all over the world. It publishes
outstanding Bulletins (as of this date, nine in all have come out) which above all bring
special catalogues of individual countries as well as important information also, normally as
part of the very readable reports of the meetings. These reports are also reproduced in
several French, English, and Italian specialised publications. The Société also owns a lovely
library. For 1877 the President is Baron v. Rothschild, Dr. med. Legrand is the Secretary,
and M. Bouchez functions as Editor. Among the members we might name Professors de
Ferrari, E. Long and de Rosny, the Baron de Saint Saud, Ph. de Bosredon, Civil
Engineer Cossmann, Schmidt de Wilde, et al. German members belonging to the Société
are W. Enke, L. Berger, Director H. Hirsch, Dr. Moschkau, A. Treichel, v. Oppenfeld.
Italy
In Italy was founded in 1873, in the month of October, the Club Sociale Timbrofilo di
Livorno, which holds its meetings in the Via Maggi No1, in Leghorn. At the head of the
Club are P. R. de Torres and Pini Alberto, the gentlemen who at the same time serve as the
editors of the Club’s organ, La Posta Mondiale. Whether this Club is still in existence we
doubt, and by the same token the Societá Timbrofila in Florence and the Club Timbrofilo
Mondiale in Trieste seem to have remained projects only.
Spain
In the case of Spain, we know that philatelic associations exist in Madrid and in Seville, but
that is known only by way of a seal in the form of a stamp in an oval, wavy frame which
shows Hispania with mural crown and legend Sociedad del Timbre, Sevilla, and Madrid,
respectively.
Austro-Hungary
Austro-Hungary has gone to much trouble to call to life an association. Despite the well
recognized interest in philately which exists there, these efforts have been unproductive till
now. In March 1875, upon the impulse of R. Odabassian in Vienna who called for
16
participation in an Austrian society, thirty persons only sent word, and one believed that under
the conditions it would be judicious to step back. On the 28th December of the same year,
however, the Society of Postage Stamp Friends in Vienna came into existence, meeting
with regularity at Schottengasse 1 in the first district, with Eduard Heim as Vice-President.
As far as I know, the Society disbanded again in 1876. The First Hungarian Society of
Philatelists in Pest, established under the presidency of Siegmund Stein, and the
Philatelistika in Brünn (Moravia) presided over by Ignaz Veith have been veiled also in
obscurity since then. Only the Literary-Philatelic Society in Agram (Croatia)* formed in
1876 is still in existence, led by the university theologian Oscar Simla.
____________________
* Translator’s note: Modern Zagreb.
____________________
Switzerland
In Switzerland the first society developed only recently as the Berner Postage Stamp
Society in Bern but we lack details about it at this time.
Germany
The need for a society of stamp collectors has gained the most favourable reception in
Germany, though it must be acknowledged from the beginning that few among these
societies were viable. The South German Society of Philatelists, founded in 1869 by the
law student W. Faber in Heidelberg, was the first in Germany. Its articles of association
contained 12 paragraphs; its organ was the Bazar für Briefmarkensammler. As a branch of
this Society one created the Society for the Suppression of Anti-philatelic Elements, also
in Heidelberg, which developed an outstanding activity, discovered many forgeries, and
brought several falsifiers before the criminal court. The German War* reduced the
membership - finally both societies came to an end.
____________________
* Translator’s note: The Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71.
____________________
By that time already, Dr. Alfred Moschkau had made attempts to ascertain whether it might
be possible to establish also a “North German Society” but his efforts remained without any
success. (Following an appeal in Dresden, one single collector responded.) But in May of
1871, together with Law candidate Alexander Treichel and Dr. med. Arldt, he renewed his
appeal in the Deutsche Briefmarken-Zeitung which he edited, which lead on the 10th May to
the establishment of a Society of German Philatelists with its seat in Dresden. Initially, its
own organ was the Deutsche Briefmarken-Zeitung, later Moschkau’s Magazin, finally one
created in the Philatelist an independent publication which could not, however, prosper
without the support of the public. Only for its members, did the Society publish in four
instalments the Vertraulichen Mitteilungen the contents of which were of interest and of use,
and notably protected the members against pecuniary losses. In the last years of its existence,
the Society made use of the Hamburger Briefmarken-Anzeiger for its announcements. As long
as the Society existed, the Presidency was held first by Dr. A. Moschkau, then by Law
17
candidate A. Treichel. In its period of greatest vigour the Society had 26 members, among
these the more prominent collectors of Germany, such as for example, G. Gerdeisen,
pharmacist von Hymen, Barrister Lindenberg, member of the mining board G. Pilz,
Chamberlain Baron v. Schütz-Pflummern, Privy Counsellor of War Winkler, pharmacist
Vigener, editor Louis May etc., collectors all of whom, without exception, are true followers
of philately to this day. Following the Society of German Philatelists, a Philatelists’ Club
came into existence in Hamburg in the year 1871. This Club was established on the 12th
November of the same year, and is fairly abundant in members and honorary members. The
Club held its meetings weekly at 15 Pelzer street, uses as its organ the Hamburger
Briefmarken-Anzeiger and owns, as property of the organisation, a beautiful photo album with
pictures of all its members. Bandleader Hönecke dedicated to the Club his waltz The
Philatelists. The Club is not inactive, announcing frequently well-attended meetings where
lectures deal with philately. The President, Louis May, who at the time created in Hamburg a
"Philatelic Journal Reading-Circle" is most active in advancing the development of the
Society. On the 24th November 1876, the club celebrated the anniversary of the fifth year of
its existence. One must not fail to mention at this point that the only philatelic congress worth
mentioning, at Lubeck in July of 1872, was the work of the Hamburg Club. Regarding the
philatelists’ clubs at Bremerhafen, Kiel, Lübeck, and Schwelm, we lack precise information
but mention that as their organ, all of them made use of the Hamburger BriefmarkenAnzeiger. The philatelic club Union in Brunswick, was founded in 1876 by Ludwig Berger
who also served the Club as its President. Whether the last-named clubs still exist in their
totality is questionable. The Philatelisten-Verein at Leipzig, which on the 19th February 1876
held its first meeting in the Restaurant Gehrike, Reichs street, enjoyed active participation
initially only. The founder of the same, merchant Oswald Schroeder, was at the head of the
Society which ended its existence after just one year. As its organ, the Leipzig society made
use of Senf’s Journal. As a matter of fact, at this time the following societies exist in
Germany in addition to the Hamburger Club:
Verein Schlesischer Briefmarkensammler
Founded on the 1st April 1876, with its seat in Breslau, meeting twice monthly at 79
Ohlauer street and as the organ of the Society Senf’s Briefmarken-Journal. It is guided
in an admirable manner by railway director Kletke as President and J. Schlesinger as
Secretary.
Verein für Briefmarkenkunde in Berlin
Constituted on the 1st January 1871, its gathering place at 2 Hausvoigtei Platz. The
direction of the same is in the hands of language teacher G. Fouré as Chairman, postal
secretary Besler as Secretary, and bookseller P. Lietzow as treasurer.
Philatelistenverein
Founded at Cöthen on the 17th February 1877, with a branch society Allgemeiner
Deutscher Postmarken-Bösen-Verein since the 11th August 1877.
Verein Strassburger Briefmarken-Sammler
Since November 1877.
Internationale Philatelisten-Verein
It came into existence at Dresden, along with its respective organ, Union on the 1st
January 1877. The President is editor A. Nieske of Dresden, the Secretaries are Dr.
18
Schneider in Yeddo and H. Smith in London. We know nothing authentic about the
number of members.
Let us hope that the societies now flourishing may continue in their activities so beneficial for
our science, and that their usefulness may be recognised even more in the future.
Stamps as Merchandise
If we regard postage stamps as merchandise, as articles of exchange, we are compelled to
admit that we ourselves could not guess that they would ever become so significant an article
in business. If, however, we open any one of the many address books, and study the number
of the stamp dealerships spread all over the Earth, we do face the fact that in this specific
branch a business must be allowed for. Because it is a fact that during the last decade,
corresponding to the demand, stamp dealerships have been created everywhere. On the
Continent there is hardly a small town that does not have at least one place where "stamps for
collections" are on sale, and thus the great demand for stamps explains itself.
From the beginning the chief business in stamps was concentrated in Paris, Brussels, London,
New York, Hamburg, and Leipzig, cities which until now dominate. They are the seat not
only of the most widely-read specialised publications but also of the most eminent
commercial houses which frequently limit their activities to the sale and purchase of stamps,
some partially however, also conduct other business, such as books and antiques. Great stamp
dealerships, for instance, are among others J. B. Moens in Brussels and Maury in Paris
whose stock represents no doubt enormous value. Significant as well are the firms of Stafford
Smith & Co. in Brighton, appointed “Court postage stamp dealers” by the Prince of Orange.
Further, J. W. Scott & Co. in New York; Julius Goldner in Hamburg and Louis Senf in
Leipzig who compete with the names above in the matter of turnover and inventory. Maury
shows on the envelope of his price list a picture of his business premises, no less imposing
than the business accommodations of the firm J. W. Scott & Co. in New York which were
shown pictorially in the American Journal of Philately in 1876. Worth seeing as well are the
great storage facilities at Senf’s stores in Leipzig which impress many a visitor with wonder.
The trade in postage stamps also gave rise to “stamp bourses” and it is said that the business
realised in this fashion - notably earlier in Paris, with its seat at the Terrasse de Feuillants and
later at the Palais Royal - was of fairly considerable importance. The Paris Bourse is now
closed down, and only of the one that existed in Hamburg do we receive regular reports, while
additionally in German lands there were bourses in Bremen, Lübeck, Coethen, Mannheim,
Gablonz, Kaufbeuren, Leipzig, etc. that functioned or take pride in continuing still. Regular
bourse and market reports are circulated in the Hamburger Briefmarken-Anzeiger, the
Dresden Union, and the Trieste Corriere du Francobolli, the latter in three languages. A
Börsenblatt für den Deutschen Briefmarkenhandel appeared for a short time only in
Kaufbeuren, likewise Theodor Müllers Regelmässiger Wochen- und Marktbericht der
Hamburger, Lübecker und Bremer Briefmarkenbörse, of which four numbers only have come
to our attention.
There was an idea, to centralise the stamp wholesale commerce in England by means of a
stock venture company, for which purpose was to have been created in London, in 1864,
The London, Provincial, Colonial and Continental Stamp Company with the respected
name of Dr. C. W. Viner at the head, but this remained an idea only; by the same token, the
19
project that surfaced in Hamburg in 1874 of a Stamp Stock Company also came to nothing.
On. the other hand, stamp lotteries (as e.g., 1867 in St. Johns, New Brunswick, and
elsewhere) and stamp auctions have been more viable and still take place annually in
London (where the famous collection of W. Th. Claudius came under the hammer) and in
New York where they are much frequented. Let us add here that we remember merchants’
congresses at Wolfenbütttel in 1873 and ‘74, and in Berlin in 1877, where common
interests were brought up for discussion but whose essential results have remained unknown
to us.
The Forgery Industry
This might well be the place to return once again to falsifications, their production, and
corresponding commerce. The chief seats of the industry formerly were Hamburg and
Nuremberg, at this time they are, rather, Boston, Liverpool, Paris, Brussels, and Dresden, and
their reach and business have become so significant that neither warnings nor punishment are
of use, and there is almost no collection in which such fabrications are not found. Since of
course with these counterfeit stamps there is more profit than with originals which are
frequently difficult to acquire, there are unscrupulous dealers who benefit, making the stamp
business a confidence trick, and damage philately which thus loses prestige and a good
number of friends and fanciers as well. In the history of postage stamps we have already shed
light on the state of forgery, here the following may be noted additionally. The best fakes are
furnished at this time by Liverpool and Paris. Liverpool, Persia, Shanghai, and Brazil and
elsewhere have produced the finest, and their fabrications have inundated the market, with
stamps by the thousands sheltered in albums, distinguishable from the originals by the fact
that the forgeries are even better. Paris favours us with doubly dangerous goods, with
deceptively fabricated imitations where even the watermark is not missing. We remember the
old Tuscany stamps which leave little to be desired and come into the commerce neatly
cancelled. That these excellent imitations produced in factories in Dresden, Hamburg, and
elsewhere are merely pictures is well known, though one’s attention must be directed
increasingly toward foreign places. At the beginning of this year, an entire company of
falsifiers in Philadelphia stood before a court of law and had to atone for their criminal
activities; also in Berlin in 1873 and 1877, in Jassy (Romania) 1874, and in Vienna 1876
falsifiers were punished severely. One was able to caution the public, relatively, in the matter
of common fakes which experts could often note at a first glance, likewise chemical
falsifications (changes in the colour) could often be determined immediately. But since
forgers do not hesitate to include watermarks in their fabrications we reach a point at which
the matter deserves more concern than it receives in reality. From where, then, is confidence
to come? The only protection in the matter of escaping financial losses is to purchase
exclusively at recognised and well-reputed firms who might unknowingly have sold forgeries
- always a possibility under prevailing circumstances - and who will repurchase or exchange
without hesitation and voluntarily. Dealer and expert are not always in the same person, and
therefore in the case of the purchase of good fakes it is possible that both purchase and sale
take place involuntarily.
The writer who during several years laboured to examine stamps, and annually completed on
the average 500 such consignments for expertisation, knows only too well collectors of long
standing who let themselves be deceived. One intentionally built collection of fakes exhibits
2000 varieties, and is not even complete. The collector should therefore welcome the
establishment of public expertising places even though he knows from experience that he
20
cannot count on them for the final extinction of this cancerous damage. Postal Secretary
(retired) Herrmann in Berlin, Ludwig Berger in Brunswick, Louis May in Dresden, and
many others, have already declared themselves willing to scrutinise stamps sent for
examination. Surely, many will join them in the fight against a profoundly damaging evil.*
____________________
* The author closed his stamp expertisation activity, as is well known, as his many-sided
profession no longer allows him the time for that task.
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Great Stamp Collectors and Collections
Who, then, really collects stamps? That is a question often answered with an ironic smile on
their faces by opponents of this matter: Children collect stamps! And, in fact, these good
people are not wrong. Just as children arrange herbariums, beetles, butterflies, rocks, pictures,
and coins - collectible objects of as much interest to adults who enjoy such collections - so
innumerable children like to accumulate stamps. But not children alone! As early as in 1876
in Senf’s Briefmarken-Journal, I undertook the reply to the question above on the basis of my
voluminous private correspondence, and was able to show adherents of philately from princes
on down, all the way to the labourer; from the general director of the Posts to the post office
assistant, military officers of high rank on land and on the sea, representatives of universities
to the rural teacher, scientists at all university faculties, notably in theology, to the Franciscan
monk, officials at courts, in mining, customs, monasteries, nobility, merchants and
booksellers, labour and industry - in short, philately won followers in every station and among
those of every age! Often a father collects for, often with the son, and often both, as
competitors. And the world of the ladies also embraced philately, and they frequently collect
with sound understanding. The collections of Princess Auersperg, of Countess Thun, and
others belong among the most beautiful and largest! It must be interesting to learn that notably
in princely circles philately enjoys homage. That the Prince of Orange had his own Court
Postage Stamp Merchant has been reported already; but the Emperor of Austria and King of
Italy are said to be owners of beautiful collections, too. Pope Pius IX collected with his
chancellor Antonelli also, and the Union (Dresden) has informed us of the collection
belonging to the latter, speaking of veritable phenomena. That the King of Portugal collects
with predilection is well known, and the many colonial issues of Portugal are to be regarded
as a consequence of this special interest. The late Duchess Sophie of Bavaria and the
Princess Napoleon were owners of precious albums, likewise Princess Auersperg. The
grandson of the German emperor, Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, may well be in possession of
one of the most remarkable collections, since he became a philatelist years ago and still
collects eagerly. The writer was made happy at the time by Prince Wilhelm when he sent the
Prince the first edition of the present work, the Prince responding with a gracious
communication - an honour conferred as well upon the publisher of the Wiener BriefmarkenZeitung, S. Friedl, this year for philatelic works transmitted. Finally, Prince Galitzin has
taken great interest in the completion of his collection, and to this day shows great interest in
it.
Great Collections
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There are many significant collections, on the other hand truly complete ones in which no
official postage stamp is missing, are few. There are stamps preserved in single copies only
and accessible to a select few alone. Included there are the 27 para of Moldavia, one shilling
envelope of Mauritius, the first issue of British Guiana, etc., stamps that few collectors only,
can celebrate having seen. A really complete collection is owned, for instance, in Germany by
Post Secretary (retired) Herrmann in Berlin; on the other hand, significant collections of the
first rank by G. Hartig in Blasewitz near Dresden, with 10,000 copies and kept in a narrow,
high bookcase in cartons that can be inserted; and by Chancellery Counsellor Mödinger in
Berlin, kept impressively envelopes, cards, and postal wrappers in fifty portfolios;
furthermore by Lord of the Manor A. Treichel in Hochpaleschken; hotel owner Nelböck in
Salzburg; opera singer Perotti in Pest; bookseller P. Lietzow in Berlin whose holdings
occupy the space of six large albums; language teacher Fouré in Berlin; director H. Hirsch in
Berlin. Also by chief magistrate Goldfuss in Creutzburg and W. Fickert in Berlin. Of former
great collections we may mention the ones by Professor Dr. Volpi in Munich, professor Dr.
Weiss in Lemberg, Dr. Joseph in Breslau; member of the provincial legislative body Th.
Israel in Eibau; W. Th. Clausius in Frankfurt-am-Main; Professor Eltz in Hannover; and the
collection belonging to the writer which, as is known, served as the basis for Schaubek’s
excellent album and catalogue. At the gathering of the Geographical Society in Dresden, it
was much praised during the discussions, followed in 1870 by a public exhibition in Dresden
organised by field post officials. As informed already by the Deutsche Briefmarkenzeitung
1870/71, this collection was made available upon their request to his majesty the recently
deceased King Johann, the equally late Princess Sophie, Duchess of Bavaria, and his
majesty King Albert, at the time Crown Prince.
Of great collections outside of Germany we shall mention only the ones of Baron Arthur
von Rothschild, Dr. Legrand, Ph. de Ferrari, law student Schmidt de Wilde, M. de
Bosredon, all of them in Paris; that of Oscar Berger-Levrault in Nancy which in
completeness probably has no equal, of Baron Cooper, Professor de Joannis, Dr. John
Edward Gray, Director of the British Museum, et al. in London, Edw. L. Pemberton in
Southampton, etc.
Finally, we find great collections in the possession of government bodies, chiefly in postal
museums, in several museums, archives, etc., since even there the value of stamp collections
finds undeniable acceptance.
Best known and most famous is the collection housed in the Berlin Postmuseum of the
General Post Office which in April of 1 8 7 6 amounted to some 4,500 pieces. It is
distributed on 134 carton sheets and in 113 portfolios. At the Vienna World Exposition
where it was displayed, it became the object of general attention, and at the German
Parliament where its members were repeatedly given an opportunity to view it, the
collection created no less an interest. The creation of this collection is one of the merits of
the German General Postmaster Dr. H. Stephan who initiated exchange communications
with postal authorities of all countries for the purpose of keeping the collection up to date.
The stamp collection at the Hotel des Monnais, the state mint in Quai Conti, Paris, also
merits detailed discussion. In a side case, next to the coin collection, the mounted collection
is found in a dozen large glass frames hanging from the walls, notably the stamps, while the
envelope and postal card collection is displayed in entire, uncut specimens in a large glass
container standing in the centre of the display cabinet. The stamp collection boasts
thousands of pieces but is by no means as complete as the one at the Berlin postal museum.
The archives of the General Post Office in London and in St. Petersburg, and the one of the
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state railway of Baden at Carlsruhe have spent major sums for the acquisition of beautiful
collections. For the municipal museum in Brunswick, its curator, teacher Huxhagen,
established a collection; A. Treichel donated to the Märkischen Museum* at Berlin a
collection of all Prussian and North German postage stamps; and the Royal Institute of the
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg boasts among its valuable treasures the ownership of a
balloon post letter from the siege of Metz.
____________________
* Translator’s note: i.e., that of the German province of Brandenburg.
____________________
Postage Stamp Exhibitions
Stamps - these tiny and yet so important carriers of culture - have been regularly objects for
world exhibitions, mirroring not only the art the engraver but the taste of the respective
country just as much. Already in London, in 1862, they were held, more yet in Paris,
however, in 1867. We possess more detailed reports regarding the stamps exhibited in
Vienna, in 1873, and in Philadelphia, in 1876. In Vienna, in reference to the philatelic
branch of the collection of the General Post Office Department, the material was the
crowning feature, and imperial postal inspector Adrian in Coblenz had to acknowledge
openly that the greatest attraction for the visitors to the postal exhibition was the stamp
collection belonging to the Department of the Imperial German General Post Office. In
addition, Germany also exhibited in complete panels the stamps of that period, German
essays, essays of the North German Confederation, the stamps for Alsace-Lorraine, fiscal
stamps, etc. Bavaria was represented by a collection of the totality of its postage stamps;
similarly Württemberg, Austria, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Holland etc. Portugal had sent even
the original plates of a previous issue. The American Banknote Company offered the most
brilliant from its studios, the most beautiful stamps of the United States, Sandwich Islands,
Newfoundland. As a curiosity there was a table the surface of which, covered by glass,
represented a combination of stamps in a most tasteful grouping. In Philadelphia in 1876,
the stamps were displayed less comprehensively. A choice tableau of the Banknote
Company constituted the main element, further J. W. Scott & Co. had a tableau of older
New Granada and Mexico; Enschede and Son in Harlem an album with the stamps of
Holland and its colonies; and the English General Postal Administration, their album in
which England and her colonies, complete, were displayed. Stamp exhibitions were held
notably also in Dresden, Munich, Vienna, and Berlin; in Dresden and in Munich during the
1870-71 war. The writer had exhibited his collection for the benefit of fieldpost official, G.
Gerdeisen on behalf of the wounded in Munich. About the first exhibition the Deutsche
Briefmarkenzeitung (1870 No3) printed a detailed report. The album on display contained
some 6,000 stamps and was complete except for seven pieces. Along with the album of the
owner, his philatelic library, books, magazines, musical literature, photographs, and Sir
Rowland Hill’s portrait were displayed. In the year 1873, S. F. Friedmann exhibited in
Vienna an extremely valuable collection whose worth exceeded 25,000 francs, and in that
same year P. Lietzow in Berlin exhibited his significant collection for the benefit of
Russian wounded. This last-named collection enjoyed a special frequency. And we are
mindful still of the Hungarian post-office box and map exposition at Nyireghäzän in the
spring of 1877, at which the firm of L. Senf in Leipzig showed its complete collection of
philatelic publications, meriting the distinction of the judge, viz., most favourable
recommendation."*
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____________________
*
L. Senf at the educational aids exhibition in Dresden, 1877, showed a superb display
of stamps and of several philatelic articles it had published; also O. Petritz in
Chemnitz who had mounted a tableau earlier at a trade and industry show at Dresden.
____________________
It is apparent that such public exhibitions of stamps and of specialised literature are
meaningful for philately, and it is necessary to stress that the actions of the German Postmaster General Dr. Stephan with the acquisition of a collection, exhibition of the same in
Vienna and permanently at the Berlin Post-museum and displays at the German Parliament,
have changed the mood about collecting very much in its favour, notably in Germany.
Philately in Germany increasingly enjoys the sympathy of all circles, and will have to be
esteemed more, as in France, England, Belgium, etc., also, to be sure, for its scientific value.
Stamps in art, music, poetry, and industry
Philately became a commodity, however, not merely for merchants, for collectors a pleasure;
in art, also in music and in poetry, even in industry it found acceptance and utilisation.
Photography has provided us with a good number of artistically finished pages representing
postage stamps, as for example G. B. Brewerton in New York with visiting cards showing
all the revenue and postage stamps of America; J. R. Grant & Co. in Dawlish, a
representation of old California stamps; Moens in Brussels, a visiting card with
reproductions of 108 North American private stamps; Torbechet, Allain & Co. in Paris,
such a card with all North American postage stamps and the rarest stamps of Europe (Paris,
about ten different numbers); and Moschkau’s studio in Nossen released a “philatelic
souvenir” consisting of six sheets representing balloon letters, pigeon post dispatches of
1870-71, proofs of North Germany, a grouping of postal cards, covers, and the best known
specialised periodicals and their editors and collaborators. Under the name of Markotypie, a
Parisian artist introduced the production of garlands, crowns, flower baskets, and other such
trifles made with stamps (Fleurs timbrophiliques), attaining much popularity. Using scissors
alone he knew how to fabricate by means of stamp segments and a good selection of
colours, the most wonderful mosaics; in fact, he taught his art in England where it found
much approval. In the same way, the table surface at the Vienna World Exhibition
mentioned above was prepared in the same way.
In music, stamps have a good sound. Close to a dozen composers have rendered their
applause and thus contributed to their popularity. Stamp polkas were composed in Germany
by Doppler (1863), J. V. Hamm (1863), Hartleb (1874), and Ad. Müller (Vienna
1877); and Hamm’s is so popular that to this day it is heard on barrel organs in Hamburg.
V. Hönecke dedicated the stamp waltz The Philatelists to the Philatelists’ Club, and a
Correspondence Cards Medley created in 1874 by Fr. Zickoff is distinguished not merely
by its melodious sound but by its successful title illustration: Amour, guiding a one-horse
vehicle, leads an elegant pair of lovers across the space of a German postal card. The
polkas, as well, show covers decorated with bright stamps, and Mailer’s displays the
portrait of S. Friedl. In the case of the latter, it is interesting to emphasize that both the
composer and the publisher are very active philatelists. France is represented twice, with the
Timbre-Poste-Polka by Emil Périer (Paris, 1864) and the Timbre-Poste-Polka-Mazurka by
Gautier de Valhrey (1865). From America we know of two compositions only, the Stamp
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Galop by Oliver Dithon (Boston) and The American Stamp Polka by Maria Sequin (New
York), the latter no doubt a passionate woman philatelist. Finally, we record Arthur
O’Leary’s Stamp Galop (London, 1863) which gives proof that in England one knew how
to extract a “harmonic side” from philately in addition to the instructive, entertaining, and
money-producing factors.
Philately has inspired poets in all languages to write poetry. Italian and English periodicals, in
particular, frequently offer such. We have been especially pleased by Il Mio Album by L.
Vindrola in the Guida Illustr. dei Timbrofilo (Trieste, 1877); Who Invented the Postage
Stamp? in the Stamp Collector’s Magazine 1868 (London); The Stamp Collector; Nelly’s
Collection; The Plaut [sic] of the Postage Stamp and Ye Connell in the Amerikan Journal of
Philatelie (1869) and Timbromania in the Stamp Collectors Miscellany (1869). The fact
that philately was glorified poetically in Germany is evident and goes without saying. The
magazine edited by Zschiesche and Köder, Bauschke’s Briefmarkensammler (in it, the
strongly humoristic Philatelists’ Hostel, Jamben), Faber’s Bazar, Moschkau’s Magazin,
the Hamburg Anzeiger and others have repeatedly reprinted poems which fit admirably in
these specialised periodicals.
Here, we cannot refrain from sharing two samples of German philatelic poetry:
____________________
Translator’s note:
Although I have translated the poems, they tend to lose their point in
English and should be read in their original German.
____________________
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My Franco-Stamp-Album
by W. Nöldecke
You little pictures, wondrous amulets,
Lead like a passport from Rhine to the Belt,
Through land and seas, through the chain of the Andes,
From the South pole to the tent of the Samoyeds,
What head and heart of man called up,
The striving of commerce, the complaint of love!
I collect you for the empty spaces of this book,
Filling them up with the industry of the bee,
And when I can place the new along with the old,
And order, inspecting, according to imprint and time,
I would not know what equals this delight,
I am a ruler in a self-created realm!
It is not honey that I thus gather,
When I collect, order, and sort over;
It is, though, wax for many a friendly light,
That shines bright on a cheerless winter day.
(Z. & K. Magazin, 1865)
One man’s meat is another man’s poison!*
by A. v. d. L.**
What makes you smile, that I am a philatelist?
That always in my leisure hours,
You have found me sitting with my stamp album,
That my album is valued and dear to me?
What makes you smile, that from early in the morning,
Not rarely until the hour of midnight,
I flee from the circle of friends, from the noise of' the world,
In order to submerge myself in the science of stamps?
I do not smile at that which your spirit
has prescribed for you, to satisfy it;
I am not angry that it could be your pleasure,
To smile about me, knowing how I am charmed.
But this much let me tell you, truly meant,
That I am happier by far with my album
Than you, playing billiards, cards, or dice games.
“One man’s meat is another man’s poison”, dear friend!
(Moschkau’s magazin)
Translator’s notes: * an old. German proverb.
** A. v. d. L[ubota] A pseudonym used by Moschkau.
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In novels, short stories, and elsewhere philately has been used often, as for example in Thekla
von Gumpert’s Töchteralbum [Album for Daughters]) which offered in its 11th volume a
tale, Die Freimarken by Louise Höcker. In Bauschke’s Briefmarkensammler ( 1866 ) , a
modern robber story by John Retcliff IV has been reprinted with the title Marko
Timbroschetti. The same journal also brought a very charmingly written sketch by G. A.
Brandt Jr. of Saarbrücken, Adventures of a Postage Stamp, further, by Yo (A. Treichel!)
the European Stamp Dream and the humorous sketch Adventures of a Philatelist at the
Leipzig Carnival (1868). In the Hamburger Briefmarken-Anzeiger there appeared the novel
Leontine’s Stamp Album, in the Wiener Illustr. Briefmarken-Zeitung, Die Briefmarke, an
autobiography, and so forth.
As far as we know, industry created initially a packet tobacco by the name of North German
Postmark Crunch, decorated with a large stamp, followed later by an Imperial Postage
Stamp Crunch, followed by decorative Jewellery executed in enamel with stamps of all
countries for cuff-links and for brooches; also small boxes for the storage of stamps made of
metal with impressed English stamp; liquors with illustrations of stamps on the label; stamp
games for youngsters, such as stamp dominoes, stamp bourses, etc. Then there are wrappers
for chocolates, candies, and so forth, decorated with stamps of all colours. Also in fashion:
In England, the ladies wore ribbons with stamps printed upon them on their hats, and at the
Carnivals in Paris, London, Florence, Vienna, Hamburg, Löbau, and in Kroll’s store in
Berlin and elsewhere, one saw suits made of “stamps” which in Hamburg, for instance,
found much approval. On the occasion of the Genoa carnival of 1870 the city had a special
carnival post with stamps which were collected for a long time with their braided hair and
three-cornered-hat heads.
Of the huge quantity of philatelic humorous compositions, short anecdotes, legends, and
puzzles, and the like, we can enumerate few only and refer, however, those who are
interested to specialised literature for more precise study, as in it this kind of material is
found en masse.
Funny in any case is the announcement taken from the Illustrated London News of 1850,
informing that a father would confine his daughter in a convent if she could not procure for
him a million cancelled postage stamps by the 30th April of the same year, and how, with
the news having reached the public, people made an effort everywhere to keep the girl out of
the convent cell. Boxes, packages, bundles in every form arrived in such quantities that they
was forced to request a stop to the shipments of stamps, the girl’s freedom having been
secured a long time ago. Funny, too, is a notice in the newspaper Esztergomi Ujsag
requesting the collecting of old stamps because in China one could purchase a child for
1,000 stamps, which could then be educated as a Christian person. Lastly let us remember a
nice puzzle the solution to which should hardly be difficult for our honoured readers:
Though it bear coats of arms, shield, and crown,
It can be purchased by every child of this earth,
The one using it must first lick it.
This puzzle will tease you to your heart’s content.
END
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