Stamps :: Valuable

[?]our World of Stamps.—XI

Caring for Unused Stamps :: Valuable Mistakes

Conducted By “Kn”

IARE should be taken when j handling mint or unused stamps.

Always see that your hands are ee from grease or dirt, and when jplying stamp hinges to the speci ens see that the gum surrounding ie adhesive hinge is not dampened, therwise, the value of the stamp ill be considerably reduced. Mint amps are at their best when the im is in first class condition.

To get the best out of your stamps, iep your eye open for those un ual mistakes that can make a low ,lued stamp become in due course lite a valuable one. Sometimes, spite the great care taken in prep ation, stamps exhibit most in resting mistakes. These can oc r in the actual designs, in inscrip ms and in printing.

The rarest Australian stamp Pest Australia—lBs4), for example, nowadays worth some £1,200, al ough it has only a face value of , merely because the swan which rms it subject, is shown upside wn!

Some New Stamps

After originally refusing to issue imps, but apparently changing its nd, the postal administration in Dnaco, recently issued stamps to nour the birth to Princess Grace d Prince Rainier of their daugh- Princess Caroline. Princess •ace (the former Grace Kelly, nerican film star) was featured, th the date of the birthday— nuary 23, 1957.

Mothers’ Day is proving to be a pular theme for special stamps. >t long ago Portugal issued two lues for the event, while the latest bring out such productions were ypt and Syria, two Middle East untries. Mothers with their ildren were portrayed. First mtry to honour the Day was the >A, in 1934. flenri Dunant, the Swiss banker d philanthropist, whose efforts re ted in the foundation of the In national Red Cross organisation 1864, has been honoured on mps from East Germany. Dis buted on May B—World Red Cross y—the date that celebrates nant’s birthday in 1828.

Ie has been recognised previously Swiss, Saar, Belgian and other rman stamps.

In the Baining*

(A reader sent the following verses and asked, “Is this poetry?

Is it suitable for publication?” To which we reply that, although its metre changes startlingly, in places, the composition contains enough poetic feeling to justify publication.

We must forgive the poet his clamorous heartbreak and his—in places—somewhat wicked allitera tion).

In the evening, in the Baining, where I brought my love, my bride, In the Baining where I loved her, where our love was born —and died — Where the lofty hills of Baining stand so staunch, and staid and still, Stand as tombstones to the faith less, high upon the Baining hill.

With the sunset warmly lining golden clouds above the Baining, And my sighing soul in sadness sinks, beyond the hills, repining: Whilst the rumble and the tumble of the shore-bound surf entwining, Lacy foam on coral reef, my poignant dreams for e’er confining.

When the copra in the evening, has been bedded warm and white, Drier fires so brightly burning feather smoke into the night; Wnen the cocoa beans, all gathered, snugly sleep in sweet ferment, Then my heart turns to the Baining, breathing, braying “Please relent”.

In the evening, in the Baining, while the mournful marlips mew, And the cunning coal-black cot cot kais the Kru; Clarion call of King kolanga, whirling white-winged cockatoo, Try to drown my aching sorrow, and my memories of you.

But the glory of the sunset takes my heart and steals away.

Then the Baining moon is shining o’er the hills of yesterday.

And the Kundus drum their answer in the compound on the Bay, Native pipes and flutes of bamboo whisper sadness as they play.

In the evening, in the Baining, when the workers’ tasks are o’er, And I find some peace, reclining, looking past the Baining shore; Where the silvery moon is shining, but my sorrowing soul is sore, For my heart, forever pining, ne’er shall feel her thrill once more.

Kent Williams

* The Baining is a district at the eastern end of New Britain, near Rabaul.