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!! INTERNATIONAL MAIL FRAUD ALERT !!
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Little-known Cocos Islands Souvenir Sheet revealed STAMPS.ORG
AMERICAN PHILATELIST THE
February 2023
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QUACKERY BY MAIL
Table of Contents
VOLUME 137 • NO. 2 • WHOLE NO. 1,465
112
BY EDWARD GRABOWSKI The Oxypathor – a device promoted to cure whatever ailed you – had a worldwide sales and distribution network. Trouble was, the company promoting it likely knew it was a fake but still used the mails to generate a bundle of sales. That is, until mail inspectors stepped in.
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WORKING TO LIFT A SCAM MAN’S SHROUD
130
BY RICK BARRETT William Hale, a charming and showy storyteller, often found philatelic customers with ease. Trouble was, much of what he peddled were philatelic fakes, forgeries and fantasies. The author tracks down the scoundrel’s intimate details and revisits some long-touted philatelic disinformation.
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COLLECTING COAST TO COAST
144
BY WAYNE YOUNGBLOOD When millions of U.S. soldiers and support personnel headed off to World War II, one of the most cherished family mementos were recordings of loved ones sponsored by commercial entities. Those keepsakes of 80 years ago are an interesting collecting niche.
MEET OUR YOUNG PHILATELISTS
PAGE 166
BY NICK MILLER The Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship – the APS program designed to encourage philately among young people – paused for a while because of health risks. Happily, the program has returned and we introduce you to the YPLF Class of 2023.
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150
DOMESTIC MAIL MARKINGS FROM NYC
BY JAMES W. MILGRAM, M.D. More than 350 types of hand-carved cancellations were used in the 1860s on domestic mail from New York City. These may be the largest group of what is known as fancy cancellations. Could there be even more out there?
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A SECOND SALUTE
152
BY CHARLES POSNER The U.S. honored the Marquis de Lafayette with a postage stamp in 1952, but just five years later the Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield announced another stamp for the French hero of the American Revolution. First day ceremonies were held in three locations.
A COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS MYSTERY PAGE 140
BY VINCENT SGRO The sparsely populated Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a territory of Australia, has a modern-day rarity among its stamps. The author tracks the likely reasons why only a handful of collectors obtained a set of souvenir sheets honoring ocean explorers.
ON OUR COVER Designed by Chad Cowder.
Other Features 164 162 168 170 178 105
APRL Notes Books & Catalogs Bridges Buy and Sell Classified Ads Editing Philately
98 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / FEBRUARY 2023
181 172 108 174 188 190
Index of Advertisers In Touch Letters to the Editor Membership Report New U.S. Issues New World Issues
102 101 182 192
Our Story President’s Column Show Time Worldwide in a Nutshell
The Stamp Marketplace
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Philately and International Mail Order Fraud, Elvard L. Moses and the Oxypathor Company EDWARD GRABOWSKI
AT
the turn of the 20th century the international mails had become efficient, reliable and inexpensive. A few American entrepreneurs recognized that the mails could be now used to defraud the public on an international scale. One of the most successful of these charlatans was Elvard L. Moses of Buffalo, New York (Figure 1). This is a familiar road as it is my third chapter on philately and international fraud. The first chapter introduced E. Virgil Neal, aka Xenophon la Motte Sage, and the New York Institute of Science. The second presents Professor A. Victor Segno. Moses marketed the Oxypathor, a medical treatment device, which he sold for $35 per unit, about $700 in today’s purchasing power. The device cost $1.25 to produce. It consisted of a cylinder filled with chemicals (sulfur, sand, carbon and lead acetate based on one analysis), and wires coming from the ends of the cylinder that ended in electrodes, which were supposed to be attached to the ankles and wrists of the subject being treated. The Oxypathor was supposed to polarize the skin and permit the ready entry of oxygen into the blood. Moses claimed that high levels of oxygen in the blood could cure virtually every known human disease. Moses was not the creator of the Oxypathor concept, but he was its most successful marketer. Through national and international mailings and local advertising he was able to establish about 450 Oxypathor franchises on all five major continents. 112 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / FEBRUARY 2023
Figure 1. Elvard L. Moses, creator of the Oxypathor medical device.
Figure 2. Hercules Sanche, initiator of the concept of oxygenators and, specifically, his Oxydonor.
Figure 3. Hercules Sanche’s Oxydonor Victory, as marketed in the United States and Canada.
FEBRUARY 2023 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 113
WILLIAM B. HALE:
A World Class Swindler
And How An 80-Year Philatelic Mystery Was Solved
O
RICK BARRETT
ne reason the foundation of our great hobby is solid is because of the continuing degree to which excited collectors seek answers and share their knowledge. Even with the vast number of resources available from individuals and places like the American Philatelic Research Library, there will always be questions that puzzle us, and secrets to explore. The quest to solve those riddles is an ongoing task, and it is a marvelous thrill when striking stories reveal themselves and are then freely shared. What began for me as a simple project to design a pamphlet and numbering system for souvenir stamps pertaining to the 1901 Pan American Exposition, eventually grew into an investigative philatelic adventure. Two men were associated with those stamps that we now call cinderellas. One was a good fellow named Raynor Hubbell, of Buffalo, New York, and the other was an extremely intriguing bad guy. I found well over a dozen repetitive, perplexing statements concerning the fate of this “huckster” that required investigation.
Figure 1. Two unauthorized cinderellas William B. Hale created for the 1901 Pan American Exhibition in Buffalo, New York.
130 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / FEBRUARY 2023
The huckster who created fake stamps for the Pan American Expo was a stamp dealer named William B. Hale (Figure 1), from Williamsville, a small town in the bucolic Berkshires of central Massachusetts, where illustrator Norman Rockwell later created many of his beloved images of Americana. Born in 1871, Hale came from a well-to-do family. His father, Seth P.H. Parker Hale, owned a general store, was an American Express agent, justice of the peace, and the town’s postmaster. Hale was an educated lad, who as a teenager began selling coins and stamps by mail. His first known advertisements were in Golden Argosy (Figure 2), which many would later know as Argosy Magazine. At age 17, William became member No. 507 of the American Philatelic Association, the predecessor to the American Philatelic Society Hale then placed seven consecutive ads in the magazine that you are reading right now, The American Philatelist, and continued to promote his business in numerous stamp magazines for almost two decades (Figure 3). He grew into a well-known character in late1800s philatelic journals and enjoyed a positive rapport with many publishers. There were literally hundreds of magazines devoted to stamp collecting at that time, representing the entire Figure 2. Early on, William Hale advertised United States, as well as a large portion his business in Golden Argosy magazine, was of the world, and Hale’s name was fre- corresponding with clients and joined the quently seen in numerous publications. American Philatelic Association as society member No. 507, as advertised in the May Around the mid-1890s, Hale 10, 1888, edition of The American Philatelist. claimed that poor eyesight drove him to transition from exclusively selling When one meticulously views 1890s philatelic publicastamps by mail to becoming a traveling tions, it becomes clear that Hale likely found it difficult to philatelic dealer. One would assume that a similar optical visit certain locations over and over again because it was range would be required whether stamps were being put revealed that he was selling fakes and reproductions. Many into an envelope or a stock book. Regardless, Hale’s name collectors who made purchases in good faith were later diswas becoming synonymous with fascinating adventures, appointed to find out that some of Hale’s stamps were forgas well as tall tales. He became known nationwide as “The eries and they’d been hoodwinked. So, instead of visiting the Stamp Drummer”, a drummer being a term associated with same old stomping grounds, Hale became not just a nationtraveling salesmen. wide traveler, but over many years, a worldwide globetrotter. The editors of many stamp journals loved it when Hale It seems to me astounding that he lived on the edge of came through their town, as it provided interesting copy for integrity for so long before his indiscretions became widely upcoming issues. A number of them declared how exciting known. it was to have Hale stop by their offices or attend a local There are an abundance of articles, features and firststamp club meeting, where he shared his wares and fantastic stories (Figure 4). hand accounts revealing what an engaging and dynamic FEBRUARY 2023 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 131
New World Issues BY William Silvester
ǺLAND – Tractors
The last two stamps in a three-year veteran tractors series were issued January 4 by Ǻland. Photographed by David Lundberg, designed by Johanna Finne, and printed by Cartor Security Printers, the €1,80 features a 1955 Ferguson TES20, owned by Sven-Åke Jansson and kept on the premises of the veteran tractor club in Jomala. The €2,90 value shows a 1960 Fordson Super Major in front of a barn on a farm located in Önningeby, Jomala. The stamps and other products are available from https://aps.buzz/AlandTract3.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – Christmas and New Year
Hrvatska Pošta Mostar marked Christmas and New Year with a pair of commemoratives on December 1. The two €1,10 values depict a snowman surrounded by gifts for Nova Godina (New Year) and St. Nikole greeting children before a village scene to celebrate Božić (Orthodox Christmas) on January 7. Bosnia has two Christmas celebrations as Roman Catholics mark the day on December 25. Cultural events and mass are a large part of Bosnian celebrations, with the prime focus on spending time with family and friends. Bosnian stamps are available online from https://aps.buzz/BosniaXmas2022.
CANADA – Monique Mercure
The life and career of Francophone actress Monique Mercure (1930-2020) is celebrated on a domestic rate Permanent stamp booklet of six issued November 14 by Canada Post. According to the Canada Post website, “This stamp features an illustrated black-and-white portrait by Oriana Fenwick that captures Mercure’s striking beauty and expressive eyes, caught in a sidelong glance.” Mercure began her meteoric rise to fame while in her late 20s, eventually appearing in dozens of television series and movies as well as theatrical productions. Over her 60-year career she garnered numerous accolades and awards, including a Companion of the Order of Canada. The booklet can be found online at https://aps.buzz/CanMercure.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND – Christmas
Two stamps, which when put together form a single scene, were issued by Australia Post November 1 for use on Christmas Island, continuing the tradition of issuing light-hearted secular stamps. The Christmas Island airport is the scene of Santa’s arrival on the 65-cent stamp, with a reindeer pilot at the controls on the international rate $2.60 value. Numerous red crabs scramble to act as Santa’s helpers with an assortment of the island’s unique birds and butterflies on the stamps and souvenir sheet. The stamps are illustrated by Imogen Joy and designed by Jo Muré, Australia Post Design Studio, and printed by RA Printing on self-adhesive paper in sheetlets of 10. They are available from https://aps.buzz/XmasIsleXmas22.
GREAT BRITAIN – 100th Anniversary of the Discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb
The discovery of the complete, undisturbed tomb of the boy king, Tutankhamun, by Howard Carter in November 1922, is the subject of eight stamps in four se-tenant pairs issued November 24 by Royal Mail. There were 5,398 items found in the tomb and later transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Those shown on the stamps were photographed by Araldo de Luca. It took Carter 10 years to catalog the items. The set includes the head of the king and an inlaid fan, a gold mask and falcon pendant, a lion head from a couch and a throne detail, and a model boat and guardian statue. The set and other products were designed by Andy Altmann, printed by Cartor Security Printers, and are available at https://aps.buzz/GBTut. 190 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / FEBRUARY 2023
GREENLAND – Walrus Franking Labels
When parcels do not fit into the franking machine, a stamp is printed onto a franking label which in, then affixed to the package. Greenland issued a set of four of these labels on November 11. The labels feature the Greenlandic walrus, which Greenlanders call “Aaveq,” and the Old Norse called “hrossval” or “the horse from the sea.” Carston Egevang, a biologist and researcher at Greenland’s Nature Institute at Nuuk, shot the photographs of the single walruses at Sand Island and Young Sound in 2007 and the group of walruses in Thule in 2013. There are estimated to be only 5,000 adult walruses in Greenland, many of which migrate to Canada in the summer. The labels can be ordered in any denomination from DKK 18.00 to DKK 100, with 25 øre intervals from https://aps.buzz/GreenWalrus.
ISLE OF MAN – Manx Winter
Manx Winter stamps featuring scenes by renowned illustrator Julia Ashby Smyth grace the last Isle of Man issue to bear an image of Queen Elizabeth II. The distinctively Manx / Celtic illustrations feature Laxey Wheel (73p), Ballabeg Stop (£1.04), Sulby Methodist Church (£1.38), Onchan Church Hall (£1.75), Groudle (£2.01), and Agneash (£2.55). A limited edition cover was issued with a special Windsor Road postmark (December 12) to commemorate the last Manx stamp to receive royal approval by Queen Elizabeth II Lord of Mann. The stamps were issued in sheets of 20, printed by bpost and issued on November 2. The stamps, presentation pack, and first day covers are available from https://aps.buzz/ManxWinter22.
NETHERLANDS – A Floral Greeting
Six flowers grace the floral greetings booklet issued on November 15, with the value indication “1,” intended for domestic mail up to and including 20 grams. The flowers include lupine, geranium, tagetes, Persian lily, wood anemone and French rose. The stamps and booklet design were rendered by designer and artist Joëlle Wehkamp, from Nederhorst den Berg, using drawings and watercolors from the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam’s digital archives. Her designs have been used by the museum on numerous products that they sell as Art Alphabet. The A Floral Greeting stamp booklet is available from https://aps.buzz/DutchFloral22.
NEW ZEALAND – Year of the Rabbit
The rabbit represents the fourth year in the Chinese Zodiac calendar. The design chosen by New Zealand Post for its commemoration of the Year of the Rabbit is based on the Chinese nianhua poster. These New Year woodblock prints were commonly used as household decoration in China for folklore depictions of how the Jade Emperor immortalized the rabbit for his noble and self-sacrificing character. The four gummed stamps were issued on December 7 in $1.70, $3.00, $3.80 and $6.70 denominations as singles in sheets of 20 and on a souvenir sheet. Designed and illustrated by Ying-Min Chu, YMC Design and printed by Southern Colour Print, Napier, New Zealand, the stamps are available online from https://aps.buzz/ZealandLunar23.
• • • • • New worldwide stamps images are presented for information and are not necessarily shown at the correct scale. The quality of images available at the time of release varies widely and we resize to achieve the best possible reproduction. Links that begin aps.buzz are shortened and case sensitive. Please copy the capitalization precisely in order to access the link. FEBRUARY 2023 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 191