Notes on Early T ransvaals,

By E. BEUTHIN.

(Continued from page 41.)

67

The difficulty in discriminating between the different printings is not great, except in regard to the threepenny values; I think_ it_ best, therefore, to confine my remarks to the more generally found vanet1es. It ean, I tliink, be assumed that a collector, once taking an interest in early Trans- vaals, will as his knowledge extends gradually master the difficulties, it being borne in mind that except in the case of the sixpenny improved Eagle type S.G. No.

yo,

all th~ valµes were_ pr_inted from the same plates, the im- pressions varymg only m style of prmtmg, colour and paper.

The first issue we have' to· define is the printing by Adolf Otto. The stamps are generally known as German prrnts, and although, as previously ment10ned, they were never officially issued, the faet re111a111s they are eata- logued. The paper was thin and crisp, and by holding the stamps against a strong light small transparent blotches will be noticed. The printing is of fine workmanship, and the possession of one undoubted spel:imen will enable o_ne to recognise this issue without difficulty.

The first local printing was by Viljocn Nos. 22-46, and they can generally be recognised by the coa1seness of the execut1011.

Nos. 22-29 are on paper sent with the plates from Germany, and are exactly tne same as Utco nad used tor the p,ev10us issue. 1~us . .:iv-Jo are 011 a tl!ick hard paper of very coarse and intenor texture, I.Jut s11uw111g 1,0 g,uw when viewed Dy refiectect llght. Tuey are not catalogued as having a yellow streaky gum, ttie specimens I have seen ratner mclme me to the uehef that Viljoen uaed the paint brush to gum the sheets W;th; traces of carmme are neatly al~ays to De seen. Nos. ::J8-46 are printed on a thmner paper some- what transparent, showing the design at the back; the heavy pnnting is qmte sufficient to distinguish them.

Nos. 47-69 were printed by Borrius on fine different papers. The simplest way of acquaintmg oneself with the stout- paper, Nos. 4i-al, is to acquire a lJetmy black one of the cheapest of old 'lra11svaals. Nos. 52-60 are really printed uu the same paper exl:ept that in some spe-cuncns the 2aper is some- what transparent, ind the des1g11 shows thruugn at the back. Tlle d1stm- guishing l,\l.ature ?f this !?aper is that I.Jy refiected light it slwws a fine gra,n and has a peculiar senn-transparent appearance very u111111stakable whe1r once known, like looking through very tine ground glass. Nos. 61-64 are on a paper with a very ,,uarse grain. Nos. li!:i-69 are on a very tl1iek paper show- ing no wov::1 appearance.

Nos. 77-129, printed by the Stamp Commission, are 011 four different papers. Nos. 77-87 on a rather thin paper, ~howing wove texture. 1'\os. 88-10, on a very thin transparent paper; Nos. 108-119 on a hard, surfaced paper (wrongly described as stout, at least uniformly so). The paper is sometimes very thin, so much so that the novice might confu~e it with the pelure uf 1876. The distinguishing feature is glossy surface and hardness. Nos. 120- 128a are on a very coars,e, rough soft paper, which can always be distin- guished by holding the stamp near a strong light and moving it slowly, when minute crystals will be seen.

The later issues overprinted " VR. Transvaal " are readily distinguished by referring to the catalogue.

These notes may appear meagre, but sho~1ld be sufficirnt if read with my former remarks. I have purposely avoided gui1w too 11111eh into detail, be- cause, as with all difficult subjects, knowledge n~ust be acquired gradually.

But I can assure my readers that very little practice will enable them to

68 T1tl!; SOUTH AFR!CAN PitttATEttsr.

or Viljoen can never be confound£d with a st.amp of Commission prnduction;

the colours determining the difference. It would be more t.han difficult to make the same mistake between a Borrius and Viljue·n; the former was an experienced printer, wh le the latter had had no previous 'experience.

The study of these interesting stamps has afforded me great pleasure, and I really cannot understand why so few take an interest in• them. For those who would like to pursue the subject further I should recommend them to read the clever and exhaustive article Ly Mr. Yardley in the third volume of the Royal Philatelic Society's work on Afrka.

The April issue of the " Southern Cross Collector " is to hand: This excellently got up little journal includes ·many stamp notes, also articles on coins, and many other interesting subjects. The Editor is Mr. D. Raymond, 25 Beach Road, Dulwich Hill, Sydney, Australia, who will be pleased to send

specimen copiee, and all details. ·

Johannesburg United Philatelic Society.

Pres.: Mr. C. W. Reid. Hon. Sec.: Mr. Mark Rose, P:o. ·Box 4967.

Meetings ar"' held every second and fourth Tuesday in the

l:loaid

Room Trust 1:Su1ldmgs, Fox Street, at l:! p.m.

ANNUAL DINNER

A very enjoyable evening was spent by members ar,d visitors. at the Regent on the :!bth April, the occasion being the annual d,nner of th.e t:lociety, ::icu,e thirty odd ph11ate1ists we1e present, including visitors from the .i:'re, toria and Bast ltand .Philatelic boc1eties. Mr. Waring, l'r.es1deut .of the J. lJ .1'.S., proposed the toast of the King, after which Mr. Searfe; m an ably delivered speech, prop<.,sed the toast of the visitors, to which Mr. Van Mal- sen, President of the P.P.S., and Mr. Larsen of the E.R Society, suitably replied. Included in the other visitors present. were Messrs. Obermeyer, Klagsbrun, Chas. Hand and Pethirk, from Pretoria, and Mr. Donne from the East Rand Philateiic Society. In replying to the toast of the Press, Mr.

VallenLne referred to the good work that had been done on ,behalf of- phila- tely. Mr. G. W: Reynolds, in proposing the toast of "Our Hobby,~' dealt with the progress of philately in South Africa, and also i:nentioned that the

" Philatelist" was doing its little bit to help the hobby along. . The 14th Annual General Meeting of the Society was held on the 8th May, Mr. Waring presid'ng over a very good a,ttendance. The Minutes of the previou~ Annual Meeting having been read and confirmed, the Balance Sheet, which showed a useful balance on the right side, was adopted.

Mr. Waring, in presenting his report, dealt with the very successful nature of the past year, while he commented on the very sa.tisfactQry

manner

in which the various Committees

had carried

out their duties,

THE

SOUTrt AFRICAN PHILATELIS'r.

69

The following were elected to office for the ensuing year:-Pres.: Mr.

C. W. Re:d. Vic&Pres.: Mr. S. L. Waring. Hon. Sec.: Mr. Mark Hose.

Hon. Treas.: Mr. J. G. Houbert. Hon. Librarian: Mr. P.R. Koll. Members of Committee: Messrs. Coch, Johnstone, Wertheim, Glasser and Hawmer- schlag. An Exchange Superintendent. was not elected owing to the results of previous packets circulated he;ng very disappo:nting. This matter will be dealt with by the incoming Committee. .

The meeting terminated with the usual auctions and vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Pretoria Philatelic Society.

President": M·r. N. van Malsen. Hon. Sec.: Mr. A. P. Obermeyer. Box 309.

Meetings held at Market Restaurant, first and third Mondays, 8 p.m.

The usual meeting of the Society was held on ·the 7th ult., Mr. van Malsen presiding over an attendance of nineteen. Letters of appreciation were read from visitors who attended the special exhibit of Union stamps by Mr. G. W. Reynolds. Appreciation was also expressed by the members who attended .the Johannesburg United Philatel'c Societv's dinner for the treat and .enjoyable evening spent, which tended to still further cement the close friendship of the two Soc:eties.

Mr. Giovanet.ti exhibited his collection of Italy, and read a very inter- esting paper ori the sta.nips of that country; while Major Booth contributed some useful notes which wen: greatly appreciated.

The usual_ :free ·raffle and auctions took place, a large number of stamps being put. 1ip 'which re9l;sed prices advantageous to the hnyers.

The Library Fund is still benefiting by donations of stamps, while Mr.

Chas. Harid kindly contributed a very nice item for disposal for this Fund.

We learn that

~Ir ...

Chas. Hand has res'gned the office of Sunerintendem of Exchange of ihe Pretori11 Phi_latelic Society, ,md that Mr. Andrew Watf'on lH\s been appointed in his place.

East London Philatelic Society.

Pi-'es.: 'Mr. W. R. Llo:vd. Hon. Sec.: Mr. ,T. R. Levy, Box 372. E.L.

(Meetings lietd 'in Sons of England Hall, North Street. 3rd Fridavs. 8 p.m.

Junior Society meetings held at Selborne College, last Friday each month.) The 13th annual meeting of the Society was held on Apr'l 20th. Renorts of tl·e various officers were read, while the balan.ce sheet showed a balance on the right side. Mr. Carnell, in moving the adoption of the reports, ~on- grahdated members on the progress of the Society during the pa.st year.

The following offici>rs were elected for the ensuing year:

President, Mr. W. B. Llovd: Vic&President. Mr. J. Carnell: Hon. 8E'rrE'- tar:v and TrE'asurer, Mr. ,T. R. J.evv; Exchange SuperintendE'nt, Mr. F. vV.

Bucholtz: Librarian, Mr: J. Carnell.

The svllabus for'i't\e ens'uiitg year was adopted and two new members

we·r(' elected. .. .

'fhe meeting tPrminated with a hearty vote of thanks to the presiding pre~irlent. and to Mr. (lrtrnPll for .the use of his offi<'e.

rwe

conITT"atnlate Mr. J,lovd_:·on being electPd PrPsi{'lpnt,, arrl fpnl R'l~f'

the Roc;etv will advan:ce with such an Ahle R1<innn at the helm. ThP Soriefr is also vE>ry fort~ma,te-in,,bav.i~g.for tlieir Hon Recretur:v snrh a k('en and