The Canal Zone Philatelist

Vol. 38, No.2 Second Quarter, 2002 Whole No. 143 President's Report Canal Zone Study Group - 50 Years Jim Crumpacker Richard Spielberg, CZP Editor This is our 50th Anniversary issue, Volume 1, No.1, (Feb. 1953) of the C.Z.S.G. PHILATELIC NOTES began hopefully you can surmise this from with the following: the bulk and a splash ofcolor,the lat• "With this modest beginning, the Canal Zone Study Group inaugurates a ter not previously utilized in any publication which, it is anticipated, will serve to keep the membership abreast Canal Zone Philatelist. The logo in ofcurrent activities, and provide a medium for the distribution ofinformation the upper left-hand corner of this and the fruits of research concerning the stamps and postal history of the page has been our symbol ofstability Canal Zone." and commitment all those years. In this first issue, the origin ofthe Canal Zone Study Group was chronicled In spite of the fact that the Canal as follows: Zonehas been a "dead" country phila• "The concept of an informal group of collectors interested in study and telically for more than 20 years, our research work on Canal Zone stamps and the private circulation of an contributors augment previous work informal publication just for Canal Zonecollectors, originated with George or come up with new and vibrant W.Brett in a letter to your Editor (Edward Conger, Ed.) back in February articles on unexplored aspects ofIsth• 1951. Jim DeVosssoon lent his energy and drive to the idea and gradually mian collecting. As this issue will the C.Z.S.G. has taken form... .In October, 1952, the Group came into amply demonstrate, fresh discoveries being with the announcement that applications for membership would be are being made all the time. accepted. As a result the C.Z.S.G. now commences its first year of exist• The number ofpeople on our mem• ence with almost 100 members." bership role perseveres in a slow For thirteen years the Study Group was dormant, but in 1968 The Canal decline yet CZSG regional meetings Zone Philatelist appeared with the following: continue to be well attended although "Determination was all that was needed. With this first quarterly issue the average age of those present is a of The Canal Zone Philatelist, under the able editorship of Gilbert N. cause for concern. Do not hesitate to Plass, th~ reorganization of the Canal Zone Study Group is well on the speak up if youhave any ideas on how road. Yes, it has been a struggle but we are confident the members of to attract new members. CZSG will rejoice upon learning the details of our progress to date. CZSG director Alan Bentz and his Several Canal Zoneenthusiasts held an informal Sunday breakfast meet• production staff have run offanother ing at SOJEX last April in Atlantic City, N.J. It was unanimously agreed 100 CD copies of Ray Ireson's work that interest in Canal Zone philately demanded the reorganization ofthe "The Canal Story". One Canal Zone Study Group. Alfred R. Bew volunteered to serve as acting thing nobody anticipated at the time secretary while Jim DeVoss and Ed Conger offered to carry on as presi• of original production was the addi• dent and treasurer respectively until new officers were duly elected." tional sales generated by free public• ...Gilbert Plass offer led] to serve as editor ..." ity, the latest example ofwhich was a (continued on page 15) lengthy article in Linn's May 20 is• sue about our CD. We also hope you In This issue: are clickinginto www.czsg.orgfor the Cover of the Month feature and re• Secretary's Report.. 14 Shoebox Post Cards 23 cent announcements. Auctions 14, 15 1908 Map Stamp Production 26 Those ofyou with an historical bent will note the recent issuance by the 4th Series Gaps in Bars 16 Philatelists on the Zone 30 Department oftheArmy ofGuarding Crosby Cachets 19 Type lIIc Precancels 34 (continued on page 20) '\

13 The Canal Zone Philatelist A.P.S.Mfiliate No. 42 Web Page: WWW.CZSG.ORG Richard Spielberg, Editor 4535 Via Del Buey Yorba Linda, CA 92886 Home: (714) 693-3349 Fax: (626) 915-8279 [email protected] The Canal Zone Philatelist (ISSN 0746-004Xl is published quarterly for $8.00per year, which includes membership in the Canal Zone Study Group, 4112 E Kilmer St., Tucson, AZ 85711. Periodical Postage Paid at Tucson, AZ.POST• MASTER: Send address changes and com• plaints ofnon-delivery to the Canal Zone Phi• latelist, c/oSecretary John C. Smith, 408 Red• wood Lane, Schaumburg, IL 60193. Display advertising accepted from CZSG members only at the following rates per in• sertion: One column, two inches $10.00 One column, five inches 20.00 Two columns, five inches 35.00 No larger advertisements are accepted. Re• mittance must accompany copy. Deadline for ads, first day of Mar., June, Sept., Dec. Copy should be sent to the Editor. Back issues of the journal, handbooks, and other publications can be ordered from Rich• ard F. Murphy, 501 Rosebud Lane, Greer, SC 29650. Articles and information for publication should be sent to the Editor. Glossy photo• graphs are desirable for figures of stamps or covers; however, enlarged high quality photo• copies are sometimes acceptable. Illustrations must show clearly against black backgrounds. If you need help, write, phone, or FAXthe Edi• tor. The author must advise the Editor if the article has been published or is being considered for publication elsewhere. Copyright 2002 Canal Zone Study Group eBay Auctions Printouts were taken by me from a C10 and #135 on cover Cristobal Oct. computer at the public library. 5(?), 1940 to Manila, P.I. Some wear by Jim Crumpacker and #135 damaged. Postal markings I thought for the 50th Anniversary 16 var., used, CZSG 16a.1, this one probably Misn-llb (BY TRANS• issue to present some results ofsales also has ZOofZONE spaced, one cor• PACIFIC ROUTE) $282 of Canal Zone philately as picked up ner slightly rounded, centered VF, from the Internet. Nine such items $208 C11, 117 on cover Cristobal 4/24/36 are listed below, all from eBay. The 17, used, overprint shifted, both paying additive rates to Spain, $101 price shown is "hammer" rounded up PANAMA's at left, centered F -VF, C14, C11x5, 108x3, 106all on a wrin• to the next dollar; all lots were offered $28 kly 11"x5"parcel envelopeRegistered within the last year or so. 10/4/37 Cristobal to Scotland $214 Less information is given about 106 on cover,PO opening at Madden Dam 1/2/32 with S-8 cancel and two condition than would be expected J20 var., used, CANAL wrong font (but not so described by seller), XF from a public auction or mail sale. In postmasters signatures $44 some cases sellers were not verbose 114x2, 112x3, 117, 138, 139 on in• centered $315 on the subject, one concludes that few sured parcel wrapper with 1st class UX9? 10?with #112 added, sent Reg• of these lots were checked out in ad• mail enclosed, Howard AFB cds 7/17/ istered Fort Amador 7/19/48 to vance by a professional philatelist. 67 to USA $34 Chicago, a corner bend $68

14 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 Auctions by Jim Crumpacker 15, OG, H, F $1955 ($2600) Ivy & J14, OG, NH, XF $275 ($250)Aldrich Mader Canal Zone stamps at public auc• J20, OG, H, VF 2nd pro$311 ($150) tion during the first calendar quar• 22a, horiz, pair, imperf, between, OG, Ivy & Mader ter, Jan. I-Mar. 31, 2002 obtained H, VF $1093 ($1300) Ivy & Mader good realizations on VF-XF centered 36a, "10 cts." inverted, s1. dist. OG, material plus some errors, but was The names and business addresses H, VF $308 ($275)Aldrich otherwise unremarkable, with no vo• of the various auction houses luminous sales. The totality of offer• 39d, overprint reading down, OG, H, are shown below. ings was therefore below normal for F $242 ($700) Cherrystone MICHAEL E. ALDRICH the season. 47, OG, H, XF $3105 ($3250) Ivy & AUCTIONS, INC. The first price shown below is ham• Mader P.O. Box 2295 mer with commission included, fol• 58, OG, H, F $75 ($275) Weiss Carefree, AZ 85377 lowed by the 2002 Scott's Specialized Catalogue value in parenthesis. 58, OG, H, VF+ $286 ($275)Aldrich CHERRYSTONE AUCTIONS, INC. 119 W. 57th St. 3, dist. OG, H, VF+ $330 ($375) 59, s1. dist. OG, H, VF $154 ($160) Aldrich Aldrich New York, NY 10019 IVY & MADER PHILATELIC 4-8 all on one coverAnconto Panama 67a, ZONE CANAL reading down, AUCTIONS, INC. 12/6/04,"minor flaws" o/wF-VF $495 OG, H, barely F, $265 ($850) Weiss 775 Passaic Ave. ($nJa)Aldrich 84b, ZONE CANAL,OG, H, VF $196 West Caidwell, NJ 07006 6, OG, NH-, almost VF $207 ($100) ($375) Weiss WEISS AUCTIONS Ivy & Mader 91c, ZONE CANAL,OG, H, barely F P.O. Box 5358 6, OG, H, VF+ $99 ($100)Aldrich $58 ($175) Weiss Bethlehem, PA18015 lOa, inverted overprint, OG, NH, VF J5, OG, NH, almost VF $198 ($200) $286 ($225)Aldrich Aldrich

CZSG - 50 Years CANAL ZONE STUDY GROUP continued from page 13 FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR 2001 In the same CZP, editor, Gilbert Revenue: Dues earned $ 7,355 Plass, wrote: Sales of Publications 167 "This is the first issue of this jour• Mail Sale proceeds (Note) Interest on checking (NOW) accoun 2.441 nal in thirteen years, but we are de• Total revenue termined to publish quarterly from 9.963 now on. The purpose of this journal is to provide information about all Expenses: CZP printing (4 issues), postage, editorial 6,353 Panama Canal Story CD 5,140 aspects ofCanal Zonephilately to our Naval Postmarks members and interested readers. We 107 Membership, publicity, administration 2,006 can only do this if all members send Advertisements: Scott, APS, Krause 652 information ofinterest to the Editor. Total expenses 14.258 If you would like your rarities, new discoveries, minor varieties illus• Revenue over (under) expenses for the year (4,295) trated for the benefit of all readers, Net assets as of: send either a glossyphotograph or the 1 January 100.124 stamps themselves (by registered mail) for photographing to the Edi• 31 December: Cash in NOW account $ 94,973 tor. Articles of any length are wel• Plus prepaid mail sale expenses 10,000 come.We will also reprint articles on Less dues received in advance (9.144) the Canal Zone from other journals where this is possible. (little has $ 95.829 changed in the intervening years! Ed.) As of December 31, there were no outstanding unrecorded bills. Dues are reported The rest is history, the CZSG, and as income in the year to which they relate. Proceeds from the mail sale are reported the CZp, have continued on as a re• as income in the year the sale is held. There was no mail sale with a closing date in sult of the efforts of many Officers, 2001. Expenses for the sale which closes in 2002 are shown as prepaid expenses as Directors and CZP Editors. of December 31,2001. Richard F. Larkin, Treasurer

The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 15 Canal Zone result of Panama running out of the cents on some Panama's) ofthe over• Fourth Series (16 -17b) 1ct. and 2ct. permanent design is• print were left in place unmoved. sues: Scott Panama's #'s 179 & 180 Therefore, there are only two 'set• Gaps In Bars Study which in turn are Canal Zones #'s 9 tings' of the bars and their GAPS. By Howard Ballou & 10.A much more complete discus• Most CANAL ZONE issues from sion on the Fourth Series and the One setting for the First Print• this era have gained a certain recog• conditions leading up to the three ing and a second setting for the nition and consequently a monetary rushed printings of each denomina• Second and Third Printings. value (Scott's valuation) that far sur• tion can be found in Canal Zone Figure 1 is a representation of the passes that ofThe Fourth Series. This Stamps; by Plass, Brewster & Salz • First Printing 'GAP positions'. The issue, Scott 16 - 17b, was an 'emer• Chapter 5; pages 64 - 70.All said and numbers in the upper left corner of gency printing' in the beginning con• done, Panama quickly, on three oc• each row are the corresponding posi• struction days of the Panama Canal, casions, sent Columbia stamps to the tion of the first stamp in the row de• overprinted in 1906 and the only is• Mount Hope Printing Press in the picted. Therefore, the first row shows sue in Canal Zone Philately where Canal Zone for overprinting. The positions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8. Second both the Panama and Canal Zone stamps were overprinted with one row is 13, 14, 15, etc. This depiction Overprints were applied simulta• obliterating bar over Columbia on the is the top (or bottom) half ofthe pane neously. This Series is almost 100 top ofthe stamp and one obliterating for brevity and spacing sake. The years old now and the conditions sur• bar over the monetary denomination 'GAPS' are the white lines in the bars. rounding its printing are poorly un• on the bottom ofthe stamp. Also part This is not a copy of an actual sheet, derstood and have been insufficiently of the overprint consists of Panama but a mock up to facilitate the loca• studied. Point-in-fact is the result of (reading up on left and down on right) tion of the Gaps in relation to other this study. For 96 years, the Gaps in and Canal Zone (in two lines in the features of the overprint, so treat the bars have eluded all previous in• center ofthe stamp). Allthis was done accordingly. Note that row 1 shows vestigation, even though their under• in one pass through the press. The that the first gap is on the top bar, standing is ofutmost interest in plat• top half ofthe pane was printed first left of the pane center line (between ing individual stamps or small blocks. (according to conventional wisdom, columns 5 & 6) on position 5 and is When I initiated the research on but appears to not be so in all cases) virtually parallel with the bottom of this aspect ofthe Fourth Series, I re• and then the remaining half was the left Panama. The first bottom gap quested and received the help of oth• printed. in this row is the same distance away ers who have either done Canal Zone There is a definite pattern to the from the pane center but to the right research and/or have assisted in said application ofthe bars in the Fourth side ofthe line on position 6, also par• research. The term 'GAP' is being Series. I will refrain from discussing allel with the bottom of the right used here as a result of these com• other aspects of the overprint, and Panama in this case. This can be munications. Geoffrey Brewster, the discuss in this article only the bars, readily observed in Fig. 3a. Notice well known 'Guru' ofthe Third Series top and bottom. For the purposes of that position 5/55 shows the gap in recommended for various reasons this study, I may refer to a single po• the bar above the bottom of the left that I refrain from using the word sition and it can be assumed that it Panama and Fig. 3b, position 6/56 that was originally used to describe will also refer to the corresponding shows the bar gap below the bottom this phenomenon: 'Break' in the bars. position on the top· or bottom pane of the right Panama.

I cannot help but agree wholeheart• j half. Therefore, position 45 is the This same procedure was used all edly with his reasoning. A Break same as position 95 for the purposes the way down, row by row, EXCEPT would assume that the bar was at one ofthis study, unless I state otherwise. row 5 (pos. 41 - 50) where, whoever time whole and at some time during In the First Printing (Scott's #16 & was doing the placing ofthe bars put printing, 'broke', something that did 17),the bars were placed in their po• not happen. Rather, the bars are sitions and remained there through• made up of pieces of type or rule, out the printing. After this first print• placed next to each other, leaving a ing, the whole plate was apparently space or gap between the adjoining broken down as per this research and ends. In addition, Dick Salz, Jim previous research published in the Crumpacker, and Richard Spielberg CZP and CZS. Upon needing more have been of enormous help, testing postage stamps there was a second various thoughts or theories about run at the Mount Hope printing observations that I have made press. In this second printing (#16a against holdings and previous re• & #17a) the bars were positioned in search. Their recommendations and a different fashion, but still with a observations are also incorporated pattern to them. With the Third into this study. Printing (#16b & #17b), the bars Fig.3a CZ 17, pas 5/55 The Fourth Series was printed as a along with some other features (ac- (Continued on next page)

16 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 Fig. 1. Fourth Series - Gaps in Bars CZ 16 & 17, 1st Printing

on opposing sides but not with the wide-open gap. This particular illus• same uniformity as in the first print• tration is of 16a. ing gap setting. Again, one row is out With most of the gaps throughout of sync: Row 2 (pos. 11-20). In this the fourth series, over and under ink• case the gap in the top bar is just to ing plays a large roll in how easy it is the right of center on position 16 ad• to locate a gap. Properly inked or over jacent to the pane center line but the inked positions, are difficult to see at gap in the bottom bar is left, two po• first. Figure 5 is of 16b position 27/ sitions over,not one, and it is not cen• 77 with the gap in the top bar. With tered on the position either. As can the scan, it may be a bit difficult to be observed, the gap in the top bar of see, but there are indentations in the position 6 is in the exact same spot top edge and bottom .edge of the bar as the one in the top bar of position Fig 3b. CZ 17, Pos. 6/56 16.These figures are representations both gaps to the same side ofthe cen• and not to be taken as absolutes. At ter, one being above the other on best they give one the approximate position 45. This is the only position location relative to other components in all of the Fourth Series printings of the overprint. that has two gaps on a single stamp In general, all out one ofthe gaps, position. are typically difficult to locate. All of Figure 2 is a representation ofthe the gaps, under every circumstance Second and Third Printing 'GAP po• are discernible 100%ofthe time with sitions'. Note that on this bar set-up, a 40X backlit microscope or iil most the Topbar gap is to the right ofcen• cases a 16X magnifying glass. The ter, in opposition to the first printing Gap that always stands out is from set-up, which was to the left of cen• the Second and Third printings, po• ter. In general, all rows were handled sition 34/84 as seen in Fig. 4. It is Fig. 4. CZ 16a, pos. 34/84 in a similar fashion to the First set• always located in this position rela• ting, top vs. bottom gaps being placed tive to the Panama and always has a (Continued on next page)

The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 17 Fig. 2. Fourth Series - Gaps in Bars CZ 16a, 16b, 17a & 17b, 2nd & 3'd Printing

at the location of the gap (which in impossible. I know these are relative (Colombia 20 ct. and 1 Peso), printed this case is clearly visible only with a terms, but viewing each position a from engraved steel plates, have por• 40X microscope). Under inking variety of times under various ink• tions on which the ink is raised. seems to aid in the location process ing situations will help in finding These areas correspond to the darker unless the under inking is severe. them with ease. tones ofthe base color.It appears that Figure 6 (First Printing #17 - posi- Mention must be made to a phe- when the printing plate struck these areas it jumped over the 'thicker' ink, and it frequently left a small line to the right of the raised area. Please take th,isinto consideration when re• viewing your holdings. I would like to thank those mem• bers of the Canal Zone Study Group who have assisted with this portion of the research and/or have offered to assist with further research. Request for Information: Do the following exist? I) First Printing #16 with straight Fig. 5. CZ 16b, pas. 27/77 Fig. 6. CZ 17, pas. 14/64 edge on top (positions 1 - 10) or row 10 (positions 91 - 100) with tion 14/64 top bar) shows a sample of nomenon that shows up more perforations? a not too severe under inking. The frequently than the Gaps themselves, II) Second Printing #16a with gap is just to the left of the left what I refer to as 'Phantom Gaps'. On straight edge on top (positions 1 PANAMA. This under inking or light any full pane, more phantom gaps - 10) or row 10 (positions 91 • inking makes it very easy to observe jump out at you than actual gaps. I'm 100) with perforations? the location of the Gap. Again, there mentioning this as it proved to be a III) Any hint ofselvedge on the TOP are circumstances when under-hlk• real stumbling block when I first of any stamp, block or pane? ing makes identification of the Gap started this study. The basic stamps

18 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 Walter G. Crosby And His Photo Cachets By. Robert J. Karrer, Jr. CZSG members will recognize the Panama stamps, none have been seen PANAMA CANAL name Crosby, especially if they col• by me to date, although Panama 25th D. 25TH ANNIVERSARY/ OPENING/THE lect Canal Zone related first day cov• Anniversary stamps have been noted PANAMA CANAL! FIRST DAY on other cachets. PANAMA CANAL ISSUE ers or naval postmarks. The Crosbys, E. PANAMA CANAL through the years, have come to be Many ofthe Crosby cachets include F. PANAMA CANAL! OFFICIAL FIRST the greatest challenge to me in my identical photographs or the same DAY COVER ongoing effort to produce a CZSG primary thermographed image such G. FIRST DAY PANAMA CANAL ISSUE Handbook of Canal Zone related first as the famed "Kiss ofthe Oceans", but H. FIRST DAY CANAL ZONE ISSUE day cover cachets. This is definitely the introductory lines and texts vary I. FIRST DAY PANAMA ISSUE a "work in progress," and the main greatly. These varieties in fact make J. COMMEMORATING THE TWENTY• purpose ofthis article, besides the ob• up one of the primary challenges to FIFTH ANNIVERSARY/ OPENING OF vious one of furnishing information, "completeness." Therefore for ease in THE PANAMA CANAL, AUGUST 15, is to solicit assistance from members identification, grouping of the cachets 1939. K. PAA! PAN AMERICAN AIRWAYS who might wish to offer up theircov• is by the text found at the top of the L. CROSBY/ BREWER DESIGNS ers for possible inclusion in the fin• cachet. In the following paragraphs M. MISCELLANEOUS ished product. I will give readers a short word pic• Since the first of the Canal Zone 25th Walter Crosby was a retired U.S. ture and an example of the various Anniversary issues was the airmails Navy enlisted man, who lived in San types. The origin ofthis classification issued on July 15th 1939, TypeAis our Pedro, California, near Los Angeles, is the result of a visit I made to Roger first listing. There is only one basic where he sponsored cacheted covers Wentworth in Georgia over ten years image with these; a seaplane over a from 1930 until his death in 1947. For ago, when we literally spread out all tropical scene. The photos are always readers, his primary association with our many Crosbys on the floor to try a view of a seaplane but there are the Canal Zone was in connection to find some patterns. The first ef• several different ones to collect. The with the Canal Zone 25th Anniver• fort was by main images, and then Type A is almost always found with sary stamps issued by the United we tried the photographs, but this the airmails,_ but also is known used States (Scott #856) and the Canal proved very unwieldy, and so this with U.s. #856 as well as various Ca• Zone (Scott #120-135 and C15-20). "Karrer-Wentworth" system is des• nal Zone regular stamps. The two There are also indications that some tined to be the way we collect Crosbys. sub-types have letters with serifs, and cachets were prepared by him for the Within each of the twelve basic types more commonly those that are with• Panama issue (Scott #322-330 & C54 there are often subtypes, usually in out, all in many colors. Unlike the - 61). Other stamps have his charac• the type ofletters utilized. The most regular issues, the airmails are al• teristic photo pasted onto an outlined common of these subtypes are with most never seen with postmarks sans serif letters or letters with area of the thermographed cachets other than Balboa Heights, although (raised, shiny letters literally prominent serifs. But, to keep this a few are seen from Balboa and some "heated" onto the envelope) that he article as a primary classification of the smaller offices. The example sold in bulk or serviced individually piece, I will not go into detail at this depicted here is a very scarce usage for his many collector customers. time. If there is sufficient request, I from the stamp collector and Canal Crosby hired other artists to help will be happy to do a follow-up article Zone school teacher Mrs. Dove L. with his artwork. One of these, for the CZP. The final product will list Prather to herself from Balboa, via Gmahle, became well-known in his each major heading, all the reported the Panama Interior town of Sona, own right. Gmahle also purchased sub-types ahd a listing of the known using a C15 on the first day, together colors in which each is found. Prob• the bulk of Crosby's unsold covers and with a #117 to make up the proper 8c the actual cuts for the cachets from ably the greatest challenge to "com• internal airmail rate within the Re• Crosby's widow after she gave up pro• pleteness" is the proliferation of col• public. ducing the cachets after his death. ors found on many, if not most of Type B has a four-line introduction This would explain why there are them! I doubt if anyone will ever have at the top. Three lines are always "Crosby" cachets known for the 1948 a "complete set," but in the meantime sans serif, but the 4th may be with or Barro Colorado commemorative the challenge is there for us all to without serifs. It is also a good ex• tackle. (Scott #141) as well as quite a few ample of how Crosby set up the lines commemorating U.S. Navy vessels. THE TWELVE TYPES of type separately, as wide spacing Other stamps known with Crosby• A. FIRST DAY CANAL ZONE AIR MAIL variations are known. Wording under type cachets include the 30c ISSUE the picture almost always reads Williamson (Scott #113) and the 30c B. 25m ANNIVERSARY/ OPENING/ THE "CROSS ROADS OF THE WORLD," and airmail (Scott #C13). It is interesting, PANAMA CANAL! FIRST DAY CANAL nearly all have a map photo. Since ZONE ISSUE that although there is a Crosby ca• these stamps were available for sale C. 25TH ANNIVERSARY/ OPENING/ THE chet evidently intended for use on the (Continued on next page)

The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 19 _atall CZPOs there is a chance of get• to be with U.S. #856. The example Oceans, President Roosevelt or Colo• ting a postmark from one ofthe lesser shown is autographed by President nel Goethals as the primary feature. offices. They command a very sub• 's grandson. Note Our example features a photo of the stantial price on the few occasions at leftit reads "FIRSTDAY"as oneword. battleship Rhode Island and a scarce they are offered for sale. Our ex• Type F uses the same letters as Field postmark. ample has the 4th line in serifletters Type E, in a variety ofcolors.Allhave Type K seems to have been made and a very scarce Fort Sherman post• the Great Seal of South Carolina for the airmails, and all examples re• mark. above a photo ofthe USS Charleston. corded have them. An eagle with Pan Type C'sfirst three lines are in sans Lettering under the photo is in serif American Airways banner is at top, serif letters. Two of the main sub• letters, making this the most variety• and under it is the Canal Zone Seal. groups are based on the images. One free ofthe Crosbys. Photo inserts, cachet color,and other has a Canal Zone Seal over the photo Type G's top letters may be serif or wording vary from cover to cover. In surrounded by other printed areas; sans serif. Almost all photos are the example shown, above the Seal is on the less common sub-type, there of President Roosevelt, Colonel a two line "VIAAIRMAIL/FirstDay is no Seal and a descriptive para• Goethals or the USS Charleston in a Issue"in different letters. graph is there instead. A third sub• wide variety of colors. Most are with Type L cachets are considered to be type has additionally "First Day Is• U.s. #856, although our example has Crosbys but were actually designed sue" in tiny letters just below the ini• Canal Zone stamps with a scarce and signed by one of his associates tial three lines. There are many dif• Corozal postmark. Other minor vari• named Brewer. One features a photo ferent views and texts, and the color eties are known. of President Roosevelt and a drawing most often seen is silver. Our example Type H is the most prolific, with a of Colonel Goethals and the Adminis• is the Seal with a 15cstamp properly large variety of captions, colors, and tration Building. A second type has a paying the single weight airmail rate photos. On most the lettering at top portrait ofColonelGorgas and a photo to the U.S. from Fort Clayton, an• is in sans serif letters in two differ• ofa battleship at GoldHill. Colorsare other very scare post office. ent sizes, although the text under the a dark brown or purple and lettering Type D has four lines ofwords, usu• photos may be either serif or sans is in different sizes. The example ally in sans serifletters, but in a few serif. The example shown has the shown is the small letter sub-type. the 4th line has serifs. There are many normal large letters in the top line Type M cachets are found with the variations in text, spacings, and pho• and the photo shows the USS Hous• "UNITEDSTATESFLEET"and eagle tos. Many photos depict the SS ton with President Franklin D. at top with a photo of the USS Ancon on her maiden Panama Canal Roosevelt aboard. A third major sub• Charleston, or a three line caption transit. The only colors I have seen type has captions in the style letters reading "TWENTY-FIFTHANNIVER• are variations of purple-violet-bur• seen in Types E and F, but the photo SARY/OFTHE/PANAMACANAL"with gundy. Our example has the SS is the USS Charleston. a photo of the lock house at Gatun. Ancon with an U.S. #856, as are Type I apparently was made with Color is a dark purple. Examples of nearly all Type D covers. the Panama stamps in mind, but I both are shown. Type E has "PANAMACANAL"in have seen none with them so far; in• Information on additional listings is fancy script-like letters. Almost all deed, all have a photo of Colonel requested to help make the current have a photo ofMiraflores Locks, and Goethals in different sized letters and "work in progress" a reality. This will colors are similar to Type D. There usually with U.s. #856. be part of the next handbook the au• are distinct variations at top, left and TypeJhas a twoline caption in small thor is preparing for CZSGmembers. below South America on the map. serifletters at top and a large number I can be contacted at the followingad• Some are known on airmail envelopes ofphotos, text, and colorcombinations, dresses: Bob Karrer 17 Wentworth with red and blue lozenges around second only to Type H in varieties. All Street, Charleston, SC29401-1625,or the edges. A large percentage seem recorded to date have the Kiss of the via e-mail: [email protected]. (Continued on next page) President's Report continued from page 13 the Gates, which is a glossy oversize promulgated a traffic rate increase this issue of CZP gets to you. When publication of 180+ pages about the for tonnage passing through the Ca• available, a copywill goto each CZSG history ofFort Clayton, CZ from con• nal ofabout 13%.The increase would member at no charge. Our Contrib• ception around 1917 to the turnover only bring these costs to about twice uting and Sustaining members plus to Panama in 1999. For a full page what they were in 1914. the hard work of the people running of information on the subject from A rough draft having been com• our CZSG Mail Sales are principally the Army, send an SAE to me. The pleted, the first proof of the long those donations who have made such Panamanians seem to be doing a awaited UPSS publication updating freebies possible. Their efforts and the competent job of operating the Canal Zone Postal Stationery will CZSG bylaws have withstood the Canal. A couple of months ago they reach its progenitors around the time tests of time.

20 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 CROSS tlOAIlS OF TIm WORU)

Crosby Type A: FIRST DAY CANAL ZONE Crosby Type B: 25TH ANNIVERSARYI OPENINGI AIR MAIL ISSUE THE PANAMA CANAU FIRST DAY CANAL ZONE ISSUE

25TH ANNIVERSARY OPENING . -7: THE PANAMA CANAL FIRST DAY PANAMA CANAL iSSUE ~::-\;-;;s;. .~ ..... : The $.S_ Al\«m Jteumed thro"'lIb the Pal'lanuL ?:UG IS¢ - ;Q - \ • C.n:al on AU(u.ncompriRdHI, IOU,of Presl~~t<:uryll)j[ ~~_~C>.100\11 2lXT? ~;; -,Ii'/,-. ~\~, , •..s ••••"" " <""'" ! '9tt~4~3~~~/ __---PH

/.4> /f/:' KNO-<""" d.;<';/ ../If '.3-'. r/"-<,. J/;o",,,, /Rn•..•/C"..:rcO S. S. ANCON IN GAIL~ARO 0)1' ==c_~ c.9:t"/':

Crosby Type C: 25TH ANNIVERSARY I OPENINGI Crosby Type D: 25TH ANNIVERSARYI OPENING/THE THE PANAMA CANAL PANAMA CANAU FIRST DAY PANAMA CANAL ISSUE

~amllna ilianal I • &fftrial 3l1irat Bay (J)oupr S T S D U A E

V":l./~~ dJ-.rJr- //

:J'..Jt~~ t'.#-"(.:(..I AUG\JSl IS TH -II

Crosby Type E: PANAMA CANAL Crosby Type F: PANAMA CANAU OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVER

FIRST DAY PANAMA CANAL ISSUE FIRST DAY CANAL ZONE ISSUE

F I • I • I ,, S S T S T S

U D , Mrs. Charles T. Holden, D E • A R.F.D. 'If 1, y Y Wellington Vills., Alexandria, Va.

""'**"' .•",,,..frff •.•••• U.S.s. K

Crosby Type G: FIRST DAY PANAMA CANAL ISSUE Crosby Type H: FIRST DAY CANAL ZONE ISSUE (Continued on next page)

The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 21 ~. FrederickW. Lange .:!r.• Carl iferrn1&:m, 1534 5eluyu Avenue, NSi1 York, J. Y.

Crosby type I: FIRST DAY PANAMA ISSUE Crosby Type J: COMMEMORATING THE TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARYI OPENING OFTHE PANAMA CANAL, AUG. 15, 1939

TWENTY ~FIFTH ~SIVERSARY

VIA AIR MAI~ ~

~ .•Howard .u. Rutter 19 Estrella Avenue ,I Piedmont, C21ifornia

PANAMA CANAL 1914 • 1939

Crosby Type K: PAAI PAN AMERICAN AIRWAYS Crosby Type L: CROSBYI BREWER DESIGNS

TW.ENTY-FIITH ANNIVERSARY O;::'~E PANAMA CANAL

.•,. Sob Feysr rr~~:~i;,:\~cfv..:P~c.-.naILod:.1:.-~~22C5 J·.rie.:::e Av". 1:r.• CharI es Contin ~ ~ Id'"HC'\.

Miscellaneous Crosby Cachets ABNCo Production of 70, Number 2. (7) Crumpacker, Weiss, Leeds, "ABNCo Map Stamp (3) Scotts 1989 Catalogue, Vol.1,page v. Archive Specimens of the 1911 & 1914 Map Stamps", CZPVol. 34, No. continued from page 29 (4) Mitchell and D'Elia, A Philatelic Bibliography For Colombia and 3, Whole No. 128, p. 17 References Panama, 1865-1999, produced by (8) Correspondence with Ed Red• (1) Christie's Robson Lowe, TheAmeri• COPAPHIL, The ColombiaJPanama mond, Reference Section, Geogra• can Bank Note Company Archives • Philatelic Study Group, El Cajon, phy and Map Division, The Li• Possessions, Latin California, 200l. brary of Congress, May 2002. America and Worldwide, New York, (5) Brid, Helme, "The Panama Issue of (9) Records of Boundary and Claims September 12,1990. 1906-1907, Printed by the Hamilton Commissions and Arbitrations, (2) Helme, Dr. James B., "Panama: Bank Note Co. of New York", Records Relating to International American Bank Note Co. Index COPACARTA, Vol. XIV, Number 1, Arbitrations in which the United Cards: Issues Other than Air• pp. 8-25, published by COPAPHIL. States acted as an Arbitrator 1716• mails". The Collectors Club Phi• (6) Correspondence with Federico Brid, 1946, www.nara.gov/guide/ latelist, Mar.-Apr. 1991, Volume June 2002. rg076.html.

22 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 Let's Hear It For Sailor Bert or From The Canal Zone With Love by Jeanne Flynn Stough

A dear friend, Lydia, called me from And now I know what cruisers do• Vera Cruz. Undoubtedly her seamen Connecticut recently with, they cruise - and this cruiser did more were jubilant to see the Panama Ca• "Mygrandson was cleaning out than her share. Built and launched nal open in 1914, saving them future a garage and found a shoebox full in 1903 at Mare Island, California, trips around Cape Horn. When the of old postcards with pretty pic• she was 308 feet long with a comple• United States entered , tures ofthe Canal Zone on them. ment of 309. In 1904 she rounded the Tacoma made five round-trips to Didn't you tell me you once lived Cape Horn and steamed up the At• protecting troop and supply in the Canal Zone? Some of the lantic Coast of South America to the convoys.At the end ofthe war she re• stamps are missing .. shall I . Assigned to Panama, turned to her old duty of encourag• throw them out or do you want she watched the building of the ing stability in the perennially vola• them"? Panama Canal and birth of the Ca• tile Caribbean. Still homesick for the Canal Zone nal Zonewith the special duty ofpro• Shown here are some of the more where I was born and raised; where tecting American interests during the interesting postcards mailed by many periods of turmoil in the West sailor/writer Bert Tatem. It is not mama was raised before me during Indies. 1912 when all the high school diplo• known who the single addressee was mas were signed by the President of During a brief period in 1905she was - sweetheart or just a friend? Nor is the United States; where Grandpas diverted to New York to transport it considered germane to this treatise. Roberts and Kenealy first went in Japanese diplomats from New York Reading his notes show the modesty 1906 to build the Panama Canal; City to , President of the Victorian age which held his where orchids filled the trees from Theodore Roosevelt's home at Oyster hand; I don't think he wouldmind this which soursop and star apples, man• Bay.There, the Japanese met the Rus• show.Many thanks goto Carol Vezina gos and almonds hung, just begging sian commissioners for peace negotia• for protecting this treasure trove and tions which later resulted in the ter• to be eaten. It's no fun being from a also to Lydia...that encyclopidia ... dead country ... "Lydia, oh Lydia, I mination ofthe Russo-Japanese War. you can learn a lot from Lydia. But want them"! In 1906 and 1907, soon after the most of all thanks go to seaman Bert The shoeboxcontained 200postcards Spanish-American War of 1898, she for his 200 first-hand glimpses into cruised the Cuban coasts. In 1909 she all written and mailed 1906 through history. No slacker, that sailor. 1911 by one lonesome sailor on board joined the "Battle Ship Fleet" for a Bibiography: the cruiser USS Tacoma to the same round-the-world trip; then back to the Entwistle, The Postal Markings of little lady back in the USA. The ma• Canal Zone and , she the CZ, 2d Edition Handbook No. 9 jority of the postcards were cancelled landed a forceofbluejackets at Puerto ofthe CZSG, 1992. in the Canal Zone, on board the Cortez, , to protect Ameri• Karrer & Wentworth, US Navy Slo• Tacoma, or in the Republic ofPanama. can citizens there in 1911. She pa• gan Cancels in the Canal Zone & The remainders were cancelled in trolled at and Great Corn Panama Area, Handbook No.7 of , Porto Rico, , Honduras, Islands offthe Nicaraguan coast dur• CZSG,1990 , Costa Rica, Colombia, ing the Nicaragua revolution of1912. J. L. Mooney Editor, Dictionary of Ceylonand the Philippines (Seefigures She was part of the U.S. fleet that American Naval Fighting Ships, below).Undoubtedly,in 95 years some patrolled off Vera Cruz, Mexico in U.s. GPO 1991 have been lost. 1914 during the U.S. occupation of (Continued on next page)

U.S. SAILORS with Tacoma cancel 1910 & USS Tacoma with Tacoma cancel 1910 & U.S. Scott 331 U.S. Scott 331

The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 23 ANCON HOSPITAL with Panama cancel 1906 Scott 185 ICC HOSPITAL with NY & Canal Zone cancel 1908

Cae;);) nut palmsJrotlndthz beach{ Colon, Rep. of Pail3mn

COCOA PALMS with Cristobal cancel 1908 & NATIVE INDIANS with Fortress Monroe cancel 1908 CZ Scott 22

EBB TIDE with Cristobal cancel 1908 & CZ Scott 22 NATIVE GIRLS with Colon cancel 1908

Town of CUtebraJ Canal Zone"Panim}8.

CULEBRA CZ with Cristobal cancel 1908 & CZ Scott 22 CHAGRES with Tacoma cancel 1909 & U.S. Scott 331 (Continued on next page) 24 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 1'oung Men's Christian AssocialionJ CrisTobal) Canal Zone} Panam~.

YMCA with Tacoma cancel 191 0 & U.S. Scott 331 ISTHMIAN PRODUCTS with Colon cancel 1910

Chorei'a. Panama.

CHORERA with Cristobal cancel 191 0 COUNTRY DWELLING with Cristobal cancel 191 0

ROYAL PALMS with TACOMA cancel 191 0 COCOA PODS with TACOMA cancel 191 0

l'o •.tn"p"iJ1Ce.7~ 1/~f0J~,

r?ZtJ&-~1av<~ /7-t7 r: /:h-w-dtfcI~ ~ h~-4-I~~~~ ~~C?w-w•~ '"'" '"' - ~.....:£..~

PORT AU PRINCE with port Au Prince cancel REMEMBER THE Maine with Hudson Term Sta NY cancel

The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 25 ABNCo Archive 1908ABNCo Production File of the PRODUCTION FILES Map Stamp There were six lots with production material for the Panama stamps which Printed in 1908 were produced in 1908 and which Scott lists as being issued from 1909 to David T. Zemer 1916. There were other lots that contained the final stamps with the SPECI• MEN overprint and security hole as well as complete specimen booklets and In previous issues ofthe CZP much uncut panes. The lot containing the 2c Cordoba material also contained the 5c analysis has been done on the Arosemena production material. Abrief summary using Christies' descriptions Panama stamps that were over• is given in Table 1. The last column contains the Scott number of the stamp, printed by the American Bank Note without the P for Proof, derived from the material in each lot. Company (ABNCo)for use in the Ca• nal Zone, marked as Specimens, and Table 1- sold during the September 12, 1990, ABNCo Production Files for Panama Stamps Produced in 1908 Christie's sale in . (1) Most of the Canal Zone material LOT# 191119091916YEAR21/2c2c1/2clc10cHurtadoMapBalboaObaldiaArms8cCordobaVALUEproductionSCOTT#production196199197198213201CORRECTProductionproductionsmallsmall+ 200DESCRIPTIONdiediefilefileproofProoffilefile201213P195197198P199P CHRISTIE'S 518536530526542514 was in Lots 8 - 67. Later thatSCOTT#day Panama Lots 511- 602 were sold. To date little has been published on the Panama lots. A significant subset of these lots is referred to as the 'pro• duction lots' They are important to Canal Zone collectors because they contained most, if not all, of the ex• isting original photographs, hand painted essays, and pre-production These production material lots had The map lot contained three items. die proofs as well as die proofs ap• drawings or photographs pasted onto The first was a rose colored stamp proved for production. Furthermore stiff cards that appeared to be typi• size composite model with the words some production lots had nearly com• cal ofthose from a photographer's stu• "200 on" and "F 1518". Next was a plete files with plate proofs and col• dio. With the exception of the map large die proof in rose color stamped lateral material used during the pro• card in Lot 514, each ofthe cards had on the front "FOR APPROVAL,APR duction process. In a few lots there a sample of a 1906 Hamilton Bank 27 1908". Written on the card below are also notes that relate to the pro• Note Co. (HBNCo) stamp with the duction ofa stamp for the Canal Zone same subject as that on the card. The date, and "OK". On the back are nu- and not for Panama, so one could ar• 'map card' had a 2c Panama map merous ates and time stamps of gue that some of these lots deserved stamp, Scott 180, overprinted and various d partments at the ABNCo to be in the Canal Zone section ofthe first issued in the Canal Zonein 1904 as well as "F 1518". auction. and then issued in Panama in 1905, theLastlydie PffOOft e mapin pencilcard wasweredescribedinitials, This 50th Anniversary Issue of the instead ofthe 1/2cHBNCoflag stamp. CZP seemed an appropriate place to All of the cards had notes on them some des gn work was derived and begin documenting some of this ma• concerning the number of stamps to with nota ion regarding the numbers terial that has significance for both be printed and some had numbers as the "'l.original map from which the Canal Zonecollectoras well as the preceded by C or F. With the excep• of stamp~ to be printed, affixed to Panama collector. tion ofthe 1/2cMap and 2 1/2cArms 2c stamp ffixed to illustrate the in• In this article I will describe what stamps, the other fourABNCostamps thick carl' 187 x 132mm., with 1905 was written on a map card from one were overprinted CANAL ZONE by tended chl_ nges in design ...", Fig. 1. of these production lots and how it the Canal Zone postal authorities or All three 'fere partially shown on the relates to other Panama map stamps, theABNCo. facing paje ofthe catalogue in black including several that were over• and whit~ printed for use in the Canal Zone. MAP PRODUCTION FILE PanamaAs wi~h~roductionmost offiles,the therepre-1915was Christie's Lot 514, the 1909 1/2c no additional documentation in the Map production file, was erroneously ABNCo lo~,aside from notes written identified as containing material for on the photographs, essays and die the 1/2corange colored Scott number proofs. A; urprise source ofinforma• 195 instead of the rose colored Scott tion was ot 568 overlooked by al• number 196. Scott number 196 was most ever one except Dr. Helme. It printed in 1908 but not released by contained most of the ABNCo Index Panama until 1915.Scott number 195 Copy car s. (2) was not produced until 1910, re• leased in 1911. (Continued on next puge)

26

The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume r'Number 2, Whole No. 143 ~. ~ , ~*'-" l"_',.X .\:!

-r---, ---h·-"'" j

Fig. 1. ABNCo 1908 Map Stamp model

Vigm tte NQQrd:-Our Noords dQ not show IH~l"Q.ver Qr :1:>.;:;.:':. Uorder t'llgr:cved uy Se;,'ll\Qur Vig\lette-~ill:f of !'aU8llls.. Co), Jr-:?ll:lk Plat •••l:OO On.

Fig. 2. ABNCo 1908 Map Production Card (Continued on next page) The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 27 FRONT OF THE MAP CARD Under the digits "62" there are also the red boarded label on the back of The map on the card is not an origi• traces of other digits in red ink, but the card which appeared to have had nal map printed on paper, but rather they have not been identified. There the identifier "Stamp C 184"written a photograph of a map. The original is also the number 01518 stamped in on which was erased and replaced map had photographically been re• red to the left ofthe manuscript F 389. with "Stamp C 625". duced to 141 mm x 87 mm. With the The order number F 1518 is writ• The significance ofthe "c" number help of a magnifying glass even the ten twice in blue ink, once below the was that theABNCo added the letter smallest print on it is easily readable. crossed out red F 389 and once more "c" in front ofthe identification num• This map is in Spanish and shows a to the right of it where it is written ber of the final die-proof used in the proposed route for a "Canal de over "- 389" which was in pencil and production of each unique stamp. Panama". There was no copyright or had not been erased. All other writ• Nowhere in the files that I have seen date on the map nor was there an at• ing is in pencil. At the top ofthe card do they stipulate what C stands for. las reference, page number, or legend. "2cPanama Stamp May 1904 - C625" In one Panama production file from The map was designed or published was clearly written. There had been 1929, the ABNCo used "Chrome• by Bormay & Co., NY other writing where this had been Hardened" as one of the procedures At the top ofthe front ofthe card in written but most ofthe previous writ• that had to be approved for the final red ink is "F 389" and in Spanish ing had been erased. The previous plates. Perhaps then the C stands for "igual a estampilla que se halla al words were in pencil and as the card Chrome-hardened. Another possibil• pie", which roughly translates to "the was quite sturdy indentations were ity is that the proof impression has same as the stamp at the bottom". left in the paper. been "Certified" or approved for pro• The "F 389"has been crossed out with As far as I could see, the previous duction (3). 3 lines ofblue ink and replaced by "F writing contained the letter "1" under Index cards in Lot 568 and various 1518" also in blue ink. At the bottom the letter "n" in Panama and a "b" die proofs do not tell us which map in red ink is "1.000.000 = estam• under the "m" in Panama that could had been used for the stamps printed pillas." On the map itself the title fit the word "Colombia". It appeared in 1888 and released from 1892 until "CARTADEL ISTMO DE PANAMA" that the word "Stamp" had been par• 1896. These index cards clarify some has been crossed out in red ink. tially erased and overwritten by the ofthe production history ofthe seven The 2c stamp on the card, Panama same word, "Stamp". Under the word Panama stamps produced by the Scott number 180 and Canal Zone "May" the rubbed out word "April" ABNCofor "Panama, Dept. ofRepub• Scott number 10, was partially lifted can be read. Under the "4" in 1904 lic of Colombia" in 1888. The Scott at the top left hand corner to see if an "8"can be read. Under "62" "184" numbers for these are 15 through 21. any other writing or another stamp is seen. Below this the name Apparently the F-number ordering was beneath it but there was not. "Seymour" has been written where system, for stamps produced by the Above the 2c stamp the word "rose" another word or words had been ABNCo.'s Foreign Division, was not was written in pencil. At the bottom erased, to the right ofit the letter "F" in use at that time but the ABNCo black ink was used to mark out the has been erased. assigned each die proof a unique C denomination "2 CENTAVOS2" and In the middle ofthe back is an area number, beginning with the lc replace it with "1/2 Centisimo de that has been partially erased and Panama stamp, Scott 15, C-183• balboa 1/2" overwritten with "1/2c- 10c- 1c - 2c • 26273, -and finishing with the 1 Peso BACK OF THE MAP CARD 13c".Nothing ofthe previous writing stamp, Scott 21, C-188-26278. The It is difficult to understand what is is discernible. The last writing in rose 2c stamp was C-184-26275. The on the back, so a full description with pencil is "Republica de Panama", per• index card for this stamp identifies some explanation has to be given. haps over some previous writing, and the print date as 4/13/88.This C num• On the left, of the card F 389 was to the right of this is the name or ber and date matches that which was written in red ink and appeared to be trademark COLLINS CARD sur• erased on the map photo card in the in the same hand as the red F 389 on rounded by two ovals embossed into production file. the front. It was also scratched out the card. COPAPHIL's newly released Phila• with blue ink as the red F 389 had CHRONOLOGICAL telic Bibliography For Colombia and been on the front. On the right side INTREPRETATION OF Panama proved indispensable in C - 625 was written in red. On the WRITING ON THE CARD searching for information on the left at the bottom a paste-on label Panama Map Stamps Printed in 1888 Panama map stamps printed in 1888 bordered in red had "Stamp C 625" There were only two slim links on and as well as the other stamps in written on it in red ink. The part of the back ofthis map to the 1888 print• the Christie's ABNCo sale (4). Even the label with 625 had been previ• ing. The first was what appears to using this excellent bibliography it ously rubbed hard enough to take be "2c Colombia Stamp April 1888 • was disappointing to find that noth• away some of the paper where 625 C 184" which had been erased and ing could be found concerning the pro• was then written. Under the digit "5" overwritten with "2c Panama Stamp duction of the 1888 Map stamps. one can see a faint "4" in red ink. May 1904 - C 625". The second was (Continued on next page)

28 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 Panama Map Stamps Printed in 1904 Panama Stamps Printed by stamps have been covered in a previ• An announcement dated February the Hamilton Bank Company ous CZP (7). For a good overview of 28, 1904, published in the Gaceta in 1906 the ordering process for the 10c and Oficial of March 2, 1904, requested Five of the 1906 series stamps pro• 13c map stamps by the Canal Zone bids for a printing of nine stamps of duced by the HBNCo have a corre• authorities the collector should refer values: 1P, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, 1c, sponding stamp printed by the to Canal Zone Stamps by Plass, the 10c Registration, and the 5c Ac• ABNCo in 1908. These are the 1c Brewster and Salz. knowledgment ofReceipt. It required Balboa, 2c Cordoba, 2 1/2cArms, 5c PRODUCTION DATE that the printing be done by the Arosemena, and the 10cObaldia. The OF THE MAP ABNCo (5). This solicitation is the vignettes of the portrait stamps are There is no copyright or publication only documentation that I have seen quite similar to the photographs that date on the map from Lot 514 so it concerning an order for ABNCo theABNCo used when it produced its has not been possible to be certain stamps in 1904. 1908 series. This similarity suggested that it was available for the ABNCo There was no production file in the that the HBNCo had used the same to use as a model in 1888.A search of Christie's auction for the 1904 photographs first, followedtwo years over 100 maps of Panama at the Li• stamps. Large die proofs exist but later by the ABNCo. brary ofCongress did not turn up this they were not disposed ofin this auc• Correspondence with Federico Brid map by Bormay & Co (8). tion. They have the C numbers on clarified this assumption. Brid stated Both ColombialPanama and Costa them and are therefore the ones used • that P.H. Ward in the Collectors Club Rica disputed their common bound• to produce the final stamps. Philatelist showed the original draw• ary and in 1900 the president of Fortunately the index cards for ings for the HBNCo vignettes in an France was asked to arbitrate and these stamps were in Lot 568. An in• article published in April and July, made a decision. However this deci• dex card forthe 2crose, Panama Scott 1948. These drawings reside in a 3• sion did not seem to be acceptable as number 180 and Canal Zone Scott volume collectionof Panama HBNCo in 1921 both countries came close to number 10, were part of order F 389 material in the National Postal Mu• going to war over a boundary dispute. and is shown in Fig. 2. A similar in• seum in Washington, D.C Perhaps these disputes are the rea• dex card exists for several other Panama Map Stamp Printed sons that these stamps do not show stamps in this order including the in 1908 any national boundaries even though green 1c which was Panama Scott boundaries are clearly drawn on most number 179 and Canal Zone Scott The rose Panama 1/2cstamp (Scott number 196) printed in 1908 was de• maps. It appears that there was ei• number 9. At the top of this card, rived directly from the Scott number ther a "rush" job to get these stamps "Panama, Republic of', "Postage", the 180 printed in 1904. As this was a finished or a great deal ofartistic free• ordering number "F 389", the date of stamp made only for Panama it will dom was granted the designer. The printing, "5/14/04", and the denomi• be covered in more depth in a future location of the lines of latitude and nation, "2 cents" are typed. issue of COPACARTA, the COP• longitude on the finished map stamp In the middle of the card, a 2c APHIL quarterly publication. do not match those appearing on this Panama stamp had been pasted. This map model or on maps existing in is Scott number 180, with SPECI• The Panama 10c and 13c Map 1904 or later. MEN in dark blue and a punched se• Stamps I was quite surprised when exam• curity hole. Next to it is a rose cut die The reason for the listing offive val• ining six different maps of Panama ues on the back ofthe card remains a proof with C-625 below it in the same printed between 1888 and 1914 to color and on the same paper. On the mystery. One possibility is that in find that all had slightly different 1904 or in 1908 Panama ordered the index card it states that Seymour en- boundaries, none of which appeared . graved the boarder. His name is also ABNCoto prepare to make the same to match the ones in Lot 514. on the back of the card where basic map stamp in denominations of There are substantial records avail• "Seymour" is written across from the 1/2c, 1c, 2c, 10c, and 13c. There was able (9),sothere is a goodchance that over-written order number F 389. no need for 13c stamps in Panama this map will be found and a produc• The final die for this F 389 stamp during this time so this could have tion date established. There also re• was C-625-26400,and it was finished been a mixed order with the inten• mains the chance that records from in May 1904. The rose 2c and its tion of selling some of these stamps either theABNCo or Panama will be to the Canal Zone. green 1c counterpart, C-624-26409, discoveredthat shed more light on the stamps were sent to Panama but in• Asecond possibility is that at a later map stamps ofPanama. stead of being used to mark the first date someone at the ABNCo simply wrote the denominations of the Re• anniversary of independence from (References continued on page 22) Colombia, November 3, 1903, some public of Panama map stamps that were first sold to the Canal Zone and had already been produced with this overprinted CANAL ZONE. These map as a model for the original were Scott Canal Zone numbers 10 vignette. and 9 respectively. The 10c and 13cABNCo specimen

The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 29 Philatelists on the Zone look for the moles." Panama By : Julius Grigore, jr It is not known who the other mem• • Commandante Maximino Walker, "Philatelists on Isthmus of Panama bers of the Canal Zone Collector's Colon, Republic of Panama. Hold Big Meet in Canal Zone Club were, but, through the years, Commandante Walker was honored Judge Tatelman Master of they very likely included, as evident by the Republic of Panama, in 1948, Ceremonies at Philatelic Dinner" from the covers which have survived, by the issuance ofa 20 cent gray blue The above is the headline which ap• (pgs. 33, 34) the following persons• stamp (Panama Scott No. 360) to peared on the lower front page ofthe some of whom became very presti• memorialize his having been the lead• English and Spanish editions of The gious in the world ofphilatelically and ing firefighter of the Republic. Star & Herald on September 13, aerophilately: Judge Tatelman, a prominent 1931. The story read: ' • R. W. Barr, Balboa, Canal Zone Canal Zonephilatelic authority, wrote "Cristobal Sept. 12 • Postmaster Gerald D. Bliss, Cris• Canal Zone Postage Stamps-which Philatelists from both sides ofthe tobal, Canal Zone remains a definitive history ofCanal Isthmus exchanged stamps and • R. S. Carter, Balboa Heights, Canal Zone Postal Service and about its or• stories last evening over a dinner Zone ganization and stamps. It was pub• served in the Palm Room of the • J. W. Coffin, Chief Postal Clerk, lished by the Mount Hope Printing Cristobal Army and Navy YMCAat Cristobal Plant under the auspices of the Ca• which function F.E. Sosebee, Presi• nal Zone Postal Service. • AlexA. Cohen, Panama/Costa Rica dent of the Canal Zone Collector's About the other personages listed, Club, presided and Judge E. I. P. • Bert E. Davis, Balboa, Canal Zone Mirzachi, probably because ofhis be• Tatelman acted as Master of Cer• • A. P. E. "Ape" Doyle, Cristobal, ing a wealthy jeweler, real estate, and emonies. Canal Zone(Jimmy Doyle,nephew) stamp dealer in Colon, seemed to be This was the first ofwhat will be • A. "Archie" W. French, Balboa the most prolific ofthe cover origina• regular dinners to be given by the Heights, Canal Zone tors, followed by Bliss, Cohen, club. • Noel Flidman Founder and Presi• French, Levy, Lobato, Humphreys, Some of the most enthusiastic dent, Universal Stamp Company and Schapario. collectors of the Atlantic and Pa• • Harry F.Frey Assistant Postmaster, Of the Mirzachi philatelic holdings, cific side were present, among a story emerges when Mirzachi passed Cristobal (married Bliss's secretary, them being Commander Maximino Mabel Turner) away, in 1952, a trunk full ofhis cov• Walker, Chief of the Colon Fire ers disappeared even before he was Department, who owns a rare and • Emile O. Hauke, Building Contrac• buried. His house boy was suspected, valuable collection of some 60,000 tor, Colon but there was insufficient evidence to stamps. Among these is a Spanish • Major Thomas O. Humphreys, Fort formally charge him. Regardless, specimen which is valued at de Lesseps, Canal Zone Mirzachi covers continue to surface $12,000 and which is the envy of • A. A. Hunter Postmaster, Balboa throughout Europe and the United all local collectors. Post Office (Replaced Bliss at States, and from as far south as A "Chinese Auction" was held Cristobal Post Officein 1934, upon Buenos Aires, Argentina, but without which delighted all present and Bliss's retirement.) any discernible pattern as to their which resulted in the acquisition • Francisco F. Lobato, Colon, Repub- source. of greatly desired stamps for some lic ofPanama R. W.Barr was an early Canal Zone and satisfactory sales to others. • Nathan D. Levy,Gatun, Canal Zone philatelist who collected first flight The menu was not the least ofthe covers associated with the Caribbean • Felix Levy,Balboa, Canal Zone evening's pleasures in that each and Central America. Among his item served was designated in • Emile Mirzachi, Colon, Republic of prized first flight covers was the one collector's terms that might mean Panama flown between Nassau, Bahamas and anything in the matter of edibles • Ralph H. Pearson, Balboa, Balboa, Miami, , along FAMRoute No. and certainly meant nothing to the Canal Zone 7, via a flight inaugurated by the uninitiated but evoked merry com• • Stacey C. Russell, Senior Postal In• newly founded Pan American Air• ment from the diners whose main spector, Canal Zone Postal Service ways, Inc. on January 2,1929.2,000 topic ofconversation was STAMPS. pieces were flown on the Nassau• The fruit cocktail was "mission • Doctor Louis Schapiro, M. D. Panama, Republic ofPanama Miami leg ofthat inaugural flight. mixture"; the creamed chicken was Bliss's involvements with Canal • Ralph K. Skinner, Balboa Heights, "watermarked star and crescent"; Canal Zone Zone philately require no further dis• the mashed potatoes where "muti• course. But there is no evidence that lated-l/2 cat."; the string beans • Walter R. Smith, Balboa,Canal Zone Calhoun was a member ofthe Canal were "on covers";the creamed cau• • Postmaster Joseph R. Thomas, Coco Zone Collector's Club. liflower was "no straight edges"; Solo, Canal Zone AlexA. Cohen was a leading author• the Waldorf salad was "a la goya- • Pedro Vidal, Panama, Republic of (Continued on next page)

30 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 ity of Costa Rican philately-being all Canal Zone post offices would be turned over to the custody of the published frequently on that subject opened for business. (Monday was Smithsonian, as the custodian of the and about Central American stamps considered as a legal holiday, since the National Philatelic Collection and in general. During World War II, he 4th of July fell on a Sunday in 1926.) Museum. was among the hierarchy involved in Calhoun claimed that Hunter had The one sheet which Harris was al• Canal Zone postal censorship. canceled a few first day covers on the lowed to keep, by order of the V. S. Bert E. Davis was a prominent coin 4th to favor friends. Among those who District Court for Washington, D. C., and stamp collector in the Canal received these prized covers were A. was broken up for sale as singles and Zone and it was he that encouraged W. French. blocks. They have sold for as much as the author to become an ardent Nathan L. Levy was the owner of $10,000 for a single copy, however, Canal Zone philatelist. the Canal Zone Stamp Company, they usually sell for around $7,500. A. P. E "Ape" Doyle was the printer Gatun, Canal Zone, and his son David A strange story emerges about for The Panama Canal, and his (Leeds) is currently a distinguished Pedro Vidal, Sr.-one which did not nephew, GeraldA. Doyle, Jr., became member of the Canal Zone Study reveal itself for over fifty years and the Chief, Engineering and Construc• Group, and a former editor and fre• one which provides a thrill to the phi• tion Bureau, Panama Canal Com• quent contributor to the CZP. latelist in search of errors for his pany. It was under his supervision Ralph K. Skinner was another collection. One day, in July 1986, the that the design of the following prominent philatelist and Canal Zone author visited Numistmatica Pan• stamps occurred: 4-cent SS Ancon" and Republic of Panama staff writer ama, a coin and stamp shop in the stamp, the 4-cent Theodore Roosevelt for the renown daily newspaper The heart of downtown Panama-which Centennial stamp; the first 3 and 5• Christian Science Monitor, . was then owned and operated by Dan cent Postal Cards; the 4-cent 50th Ralph was a close friend ofthe Grigore Sanders and his partner, Herb Koffler. Anniversary of the Boy Scoots of family and the author of the privately While in casual conversation with America stamp; the 4-cent Fiftieth published booklet: Stamps The Hobby Dan, about Canal Zone stamps, he Anniversary of the Girl Scouts of That Fits in a Footlocker, This book reached into the side drawer of his America stamp; the 7-cent World was distributed freely by the Skinner desk and withdrew an album which Health Organization Drive to Eradi• Family to United States marines, sol• contained an unused one-cent Gorgas cate Malaria stamp; the 4-cent Open• diers, and sailors arriving on the Isth• Canal Zone stamp. Ordinarily this ing of the Thatcher Ferry Bridge mus of Panama during World War II stamp would be cataloged as a yellow• stamp; the 15-cent Alliance for and thereafter. green (and sometimes bright green) Progress Air Mail stamp; the 15-cent Ralph was also the philatelic rep• Scott No. 105. I say ordinarily because U. S. Army Caribbean School Air Mail resentative for the colossal firm ofH. the I-cent Gorgas showed me was stamp. E. Harris, Boston, which stamp com• light blue.!!! (ed. note, a chemical Abram Waldo "Abe" French was pany, during late 1962 and 1963, "changeling?") Pan Am's first commercial represen• became legally embroiled with the Naturally, I was both astounded and tative in Panama, and later, during Canal Zone Postal Service over the intrigued with his acquisition, be• 1959-60, as curator, established Pan bridgeless error on a sheet of fifty cause no such colored stamp had ever Am's Clipper Hall (French's Olde An• 4-cent stamp dedicated to the Open• been reported and because I was cu• tique Shoppe). This was Pan Am's ing of the Thatcher Ferry Bridge is• rious as to where he obtained it. Dan first museum to chronicle its epic his• sued on October 12, 1962. Ralph acted said he had found it-in 1981-while torical development and accomplish• as intermediary fo:r:the purchase of sorting a bulk mixture of Canal Zone ments. It was based at Idlewild (Pal• 5,000 sheets, of fifty stamps each, of stamps; hoping to find a scarce ace in the Wilds) International Air• that stamp for Harris. It was among Canal Zone perfin or two. Now Dan is port, New York (now Kennedy Inter• those 5,000 sheets that one sheet of one of the most conservative, straight• national Airport). Clipper Hall, which the bridgeless error was discoverer by forward fellows I know, and his had its formal opening on June 28, a Harris employee. The Canal Zone reputation is of the highest order 1960, has since been dismantled. Philatelic Agency thereafter discov• throughout the international coin and A. A. Hunter is best known for his ered three sheets, offifty stamps each. philatelic community. Although Dan successful rebuttal to Calhoun's Subsequently, the Canal Zone Phila• could not prove that the stamp was charge that he had violated Canal telicAgency destroyed one sheet ofthe genuine, he considered his find so Zone Postal Service regulations by three and had two sheets laminated extraordinary that he had included it postmarking Canal Zone Scott No. 96 for retention. One sheet was given to in his stamp portfolio. If he did not (the basic United States Sesqui-Cen• the National Philatelic Collection of believe the "light-blue" to have some tennial Stamp, Scott No. 627) on the the Smithsonian Institution, Wash• semblance of genuineness, he would 4th of July, which fell on a Sunday, a ington, and the other was retained for not have kept it. day when the post office was nor• display by the Canal Zone Philatelic Even though he was a stamp dealer, mally closed, rather than waiting to Agency. Upon the close of the Canal no amount of persuasion could sway postmark it as a first day cover on Zone Postal Service, on September 30, Dan to part with his unusual find. Nor the following Tuesday, the 6th, when 1979, the second sheet was also (Continued on next page)

The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 31 would he accept my suggestion to had defended the son of Pedro Vidal, of Panama-in July 1942. (Note: the have "it" expertized for concern that Sr., who was charged with murder in long and short ofthis story is that the the stamp would disappear. David, Chiriqui, Panama. The out• de Leon I-cent light blue Gorgas is You would believe that this story comeofthe trial was that de Leonhad now conspicuously resident in the would have ended in Dan's stamp Vidal's son acquitted of wrongdoing. Wren Grigore Collection.) shop. Not so, a few days after seeing At the time, Pedro Vidal, Sr., who was In sharp contrast to the Vidal story, Dan, I was visiting a prominent Pana• a small stamp dealer in Panama City, The Star & Herald of September 6, manian attorney, Abrogado Antonio was unable to pay his old school 1936 reported that Lobato was A. de Leon for the purpose of trading friend, Abrogado de Leon, the total charged with grand larceny. Lobato, Panama stamps for Canal Zone fee. As reimbursement, and as an ex• a former hat dealer and money stamps. This was the first of my four pression ofgratitude, Pedro Vidal, Sr. changer, avoided arrest by fleeing to visits to Abrogado de Leon's home gave Abrogado de Leon what he con• Ecuador aboard a PANAGRAflight. during the week. As we came to know sidered to be a one-of-a kind I-cent As a further aside: knowing what we each other better, de Leon took me "light-blue" Gorgas as part ofhis pay• do of Captain Basil L. Rowe,because into his confidence. He confided that ment! Where Vidal obtained the of his strong philatelic interests, be• because of poor health his days were "light-blue" is unknown. cause of his close association with really numbered-perhaps with no When Dan Sanders was told about Bliss, and because of his frequent more than a year to live. the second light-blue I-cent Gorgas flights into the Canal Zone, it is also It was during what proved to be my he was stunned, flabbergasted, yet probable that he may have often at• last conversation with him that de elated because it supported his opin• tended Canal Zone Collector's Club Leon, like Dan, reached into his desk ion that the "light-blues" had a bet• meetings at Cristobal. drawer, and, low and behold, with• ter than even chance of being genu• The above activities by some mem• drew a glassine envelope in which ine and that both probably resulted bers of the Canal Zone Collector's there was a carefully 'protected, un• as a freak ofinking and printing. Club ofthat day are indeed notewor• used I-cent Gorgas "light-blue"!!! To The figure on next page provides thy, and in many case extremely com• say that I was dumb-founded would some supporting evidenceto de Leon's mendable. How many philatelic clubs be an understatement. I asked how story.Jt is a coverin the Grigore's col• throughout the world, even of this he came to acquire this "light-blue"? lection, which has a corner card bear• day, can boost of such an accom• Almost stranger than fiction, he told ing the name ofPedro Vidal,Jr., when plished, illustrious, or even notorious me that early in his legal career he he lived in David, Chiriqui, Republic membership among its rolls. (Continued on next page) Philatelists on the Zone Covers

32 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume .38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 33 Third Replacement Plate been canceled with the third replace• placement place vis a vis the 1.25mm (Type HIc) Precancel ment plate (Fig. 1.). of the 2nd replacement plate. Using By Jerry Craig and this criteria, the third replacement Dominic LaBarbiera plate precancel has been found on numbers 105, 108, 111, 112, 113, 138 Catalogue of Cristobal Precancels (including the light rose carmine is• (CZSG Handbook No.6) by Lawson sue) and 139, but thus far not on the p. Entwistle describes a third replace• 117. ment plate: Positions 77 and 78 on panes of the A third Replacement Plate 3rd replacement plate precancel have (RPl) was made on April 1, 1971, variations of the precancel (Fig. 2.). and the 2nd RPl was destroyed. Position 77 has the L of Cristobal The new plate is nearly identical mostly over the E of Zone. Curiously, with the second RPl, but spacing Fig. 1. Type IIlc Precancel on 138.1 the variation at position 77 is the only between "CANAL ZONE" is about Close review ofthe 3rd RPI precan• position on a pane that looks like the 1.1mm, instead of the 1 1/4mm. cel reveals that it is much like that of example produced in Entwistle The printer's rules that form the the type III original plate (I of (CZSG Handbook 6) for the 3rd re• lines end unevenly on many of the Cristobal over the right vertical leg placement plate. The position 78 right hand rows ofthe 2nd RPl, but ofthe N of Canal). However, the origi• variation looks like a type IIIb pre• all end evenly on the 3rd RPI. nal plate was only used on stamps cancel with the I mostly to the right Except for large blocks with sel• produced by the wet printing process, ofthe right vertical leg of the N, how• vage, it is difficult to distinguish whereas the 3rd replacement plate ever with a spacing of 1.1mm+ but between the two plates, therefore was only used on stamps produced by less than 1.25mm. no new type has been designated. the dry printing process. The 3rd re• Most ofthe precanceled stamps sold Furthermore, we have no proof of placement plate precancel is distin- by the Canal Zone Philatelic Agency use of the 3rd RPI. The above differences are seen on proof sheets. Canal Zone Stamps check list for Scott No. 138, the 2c Roosevelt con• tains the entry -.1 Dull gum, dark rose carmine, issued 1977. The 2c Roosevelt dark rose carmine with dull gum exists with a Fig. 2. Type IIIc Precancel on os. 76, 77, 78, 79 CRISTOBAUCANAL ZONE precan• guishable from that ofthe 2nd replace- in 1979 probably had the 3rd replace- cel. This precancel generally corre• ment plate (type IIIb) by having the ment plate precancel. All precanceled sponds with Entwistle's written de• I mostly over the right vertical leg of 2c Roosevelt stamps were sold out by scription of the 3rd RPI. Since this the N vis a vis the I being mostly to January 1979. No. 138.1 is the only stamp was not available until 1977 the right of the vertical leg of the N dull gum stamp with a precancel. The and the only precancel plate believed on the 2nd replacement plate. Also the earliest SRC control date found on a to be in existence at that time was spacing between Canal and Zone is 3rd replacement plate precanceled the 3rd RPl, this stamp would have slightly less (-1.1mm) on the 3rd re- stamp is DEC 72, on a 20c Rousseau.

Additional SRC Type I3c30c20c5c15c10c2cIeJUNAPRNOV72APR61NOV76APR68MARMAYAUG58AUG70JUL63NOV62OCTNOV60AUG68NOV55FEEAPR56SEPJANNOVAUGDECAPR63NOV63JUL55NOV66727060677258606462706567566463585255747150 11311269111139108111112108113138117105139date font TypeTypeV,Va105 V, Va wi Type108117138113139112 IV, Iva 111108 139112113112 Control Dates for CZSG Handbook 13 By Jerry Craig The below list of SRC dates have been reported since the publication of the CZSG Handbook No. 13, SRC CONTROL-DATED CANAL ZONE STAMPS. Contributors of dates in• clude Geoffrey Brewster, Chris Devoe, Robert Karrer, Lawson Entwistle, Dominic LaBarbiera and Robert Cassibry.

34 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 Another Fred to Art Letter By David Allen Below is a follow-up article* on a letter also written by Art to Fred but at a later date and concerning an• other flight. This cover is the 'First Flight F.A.M. 8 via F.A.M. 5 April 16, 1932 Cristobal, Canal Zone to Mexico City, Mexico'. It is addressed to Fred Hammann at Audubon, New Jersey, and on the front bears a circular marking which reads: 'R.A.C. INo 41 R.M.' This last mark puzzled me until, as a guest at a southern meeting of the Balboa Heights, April 14, 1932 Royal Philatelic Society of Great Brit• Dear Fred [Hammann]: ain, I was invited to give a short dis• play of Canal Zone airmails. The re• This morning's paper carries a notice to the effect that the first direct airmail sponse was immediate and I was told dispatch between the Isthmus and Mexico City will leave Cristobal Saturday morn• that it was applied in Mexico and ing, April 16th, by Panamerican Airways plane. Formerly the planes leaving France reads: 'Ruta Aerea Contratada I Re• Field (Cristobal) en route to Brownsville stopped over night at Vera Cruz and the publica Mexicana' The No.4 is reputed mail was taken from there to Mexico City by rail. The new schedule placed the Mexican capital in a direct line with the Isthmus and begins a regular run. The to be one of a range of reported mark• Director of Posts for The Panama Canal has authorized an official first flightca• ings ofthis type, numbered 1 to 9. chet to be applied to all letters included in this first dispatch, and I am getting off Gerald Bliss responded to Art's re• four covers to you, each containing a copy ofthis note. '!\vo for you and the balance quest, and the front of the cover has (if any) for me, at your convenience. Am sending them to Bro. Bliss requesting been signed by Bliss, P.M. Cristobal, autographs of himself and the pilot, who will be Pat Nolan, I understand. Pat Nolan (pilot), M. Bauchard (co• The new route ought to cut a day or two offthe time now required to get air mail pilot) and M. K. Studdom (radio op• to the States via Brownsville. A condition much to he desired as the air mail ser• erator). vice over this route has not appreciably lowered the time of transit via boat and Once again, if members can pro• train from the Isthmus to the Pacific Coast of the U.S. duce any ofthe three other covers, or Incidentally, the new dispatch is being inaugurated on my natal day. add any further information to that By the way, the plane 'Tres de Noviembre'which inaugurated the Panamanian given, the author would be very air mail service, was burned at its moorings up at David a few days ago. grateful. Cordially, Art [Barker] Here is Art's letter to Fred: * See CZP 139:17 "First Official Book Review Flight was not the First". by David L. Farnsworth The Mala Design Book by Caren Caraway (Owings Mills, Maryland; CZSG at WESTPEX 2002 Stemmer House Publishers, 1981) The CZSG held its 33rd annual consecutive meeting at WESTPEX in San Fran• (ISBN 0-916144-71-2), 44 unnumered cisco on Saturday, April 27, 2002. pages, large format paperbound on We had 18 in attendance, which is an exceptional number. Introductions were somewhat heavy stock paper, $6.95. made all around followed by reports ofwhat had been found at the dealer's tables. This is a very strange book of65 black Also noted were numerous projects which are being worked on and which will and white diagrams for molas. Some see the light of day, someday. fabric workers may want these designs, David Zemer won the prize for having traveled the greatest distance - all the but color is an important aspect of way from Norway. Also present was CZSG President Jim Crumpacker and board molas. Some design books have color• member Dick Bates, from Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. respectively. coded black-and-white designs, but this The main talk was given by David Zemer. It was an excellent presentation of book does not have any coding. The cov• CZ Scott #'s 9 and 10 and the corresponding Panama issues. Through the means ers have color photos, but the mola on of an overhead projector we saw an impressive amount of material from the the front cover has a rather typical American Bank Note Co. files. white outline around its central motif. After an enjoyable and informative hour-and-half the meeting broke up, and As an introduction, there is the de the members returned to the dealer's to see ifthey had missed any treasures. We rigueur three-page history ofthe Cuna will have our 34th annual meeting in 2003! Indians. Potential purchasers of this Dick Salz, VP book should look at it before buying it.

The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume38, Number 2, Whole No. 143 35 PHILATELIC CANAL ZONE Comprehensive stock including Canal Zone BIBLIOGRAPHY singles, plate blocks, FDC's, FFC's, B.O.B., stationery, covers and for COLOMBIA and paper memorabilialbooks Rare Cover PAlVAMA, 1865-1999 Send for Free Detailed List 1999 Last Day APO CZ#18var. cover The indispensable tool for the Cacheted covers available. Canal Zone collector interested in C&H Stamps Block of four (top pair PANAMA Colombia and Panama stamps P.O. Box 855, Syracuse, NY 13214 15mm long, lower right stamp "dropped A" variety) tied on v.f. including those overprinted for the [email protected] Canal Zone. CZSG APS USPPS registered cover with "STA. A. ANCON, C.Z. REGISTERED If••• this book comprises the most extensive bibliog• raphy ever produced for a single area of Latin SEP 1. 1906" pmk, very attrac• America and perhaps the world." tive, rare with"95 PSE cert. Book Review, CZP, 2nd Quarter, 2001 For Sale Net $1,250.00 "... If anyone were thinking of producing a bibliography for other countries, they would do well to use this as a template ... " Joe Hahn- American Philatelist, May 2002 CANAL ZONE What else do you needin elusive C.S.? Satisfaction or immediate Refund Price (including surface shipping): $26.75 USA, $29 Canada, $31, ($36 air) SPECIMENS Gladly Senton Approval with References rest of the world. This special offer Irwin Gibbs, includes one year Membership (value 1699 EI Camino Real Installment PaymentTermsif Desired $10 USA, $14 World) in the Colombia/Panama Philatelic Study Millbrae, CA 94030 (No Interest or Carrying Charges) Group. Contact: (650) 692-5533 Jack E. Molesworth Inc. Bob D'Elia 1290 Howard Ave. APS 88 Beacon Street CZSG Suite 321, Burlingame CA 94010 CSA Boston, MA 02108 ARA email: [email protected] BIA Phone (617) 523-2522 SPCS Buy Sell Appraisals Larry Weinstock Recruit a Specializing in: Air Mail, Canal Zone, BNA, WANTED New Member! U.S. & Older World-Wide #12 Stamps & Covers Stages I, II, III, & IV Member of: WANTED CZSG Nos. 12.Aa, 12.Ab, 12.Ba, AAMS APS ASDA CZSG NSDA 12.Bb, 12.C, 12.D, 12.Ea, & 12.Eb PO. Box 92033 PANAMA Portland, OR 97292-2033 #13 DIE PROOFs Stages II & III (503) 762-4116 CZSG Nos. 13.B, 13.C, & 13.D (503) 762-4118 (Fax) PANAMA 1909 ABNCo Sheets (up to 3 of each CZSG No.), [email protected] Blocks, & Pairs 1c Balboa Scott 197 Center Inverted Will consider singles, (same as CZ Scott 31a without especially of errors & varieties CANAL ZONE overprint) WHERE THE HECK IS PAMANA? Quantities (duplicates) acceptible

Unused Used If not for sale, I would This and many & appreciate photographs, more interesting varieties and Approvals accepted photocopies, or scans for regular issues. census to be published. Send for our If you don't know CZSG No., POSSESSIONS I am happy to examine any item to see if I want it. David T. Zemer price list. PO Box 654 Skoeyen MOZIAN STAMP CO. NO-0214 Oslo, NORWAY "a name associated withphilatelysince 1901" Geoffrey141 LyfordBrewsterDrive [email protected] P.O.Box125, Readington,NJ 08870 Tiburon, CA 94920

36 The Canal Zone Philatelist, 2002, Volume 38, Number 2, Whole No. 143