Mr. M. P. Castle, the Vice-President of the Philatelic Society of London, who succeeded the late Mr. Tapling in office, is one of the keenest of keen collectors.  His general collection became so large that he parted with it in 1877, and then specialised in Australians.  This latter collection he sold, in 1894, to our publishers for L10,000, at that time the largest sum ever paid for a single collection.  He subsequently made a grand specialised collection of Europeans.  This, arranged in sixty-seven volumes, he sold, in 1900, for nearly L30,000, and he has now returned to his love for Australians.

The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres is a collector of only recent date, but he has already formed a really magnificent collection based on broad historical lines.  He confines himself mostly to the stamps of the British Empire, the United States, and the Italian States.  His lordship is a member of the Council of the Philatelic Society of London, and, when in England, a regular attendant at its meetings.

The Earl of Kintore is also the possessor of a very fine collection of English Colonials, etc.; among his greater rarities being the “Post Office” Mauritius, the complete set of Hawaiian Islands (first issue), the 2 cents, rose, British Guiana, and many other gems.  He also is a member of the London Philatelic Society.

In France the place of honour, after M. la Renotiere, is deservedly taken by M. Paul Mirabaud, the well-known banker of Paris, whose magnificent collection of Switzerland was shown in the last Paris Exhibition.  It forms, however, only a small portion of his fine collection.

In Italy probably the most famous collection is that of Prince Doria Pamphilj, which is exceptionally rich in the interesting issues of the Italian States.

In the United States of America there are many notable collections, several of them being worth from L30,000 to L50,000, amongst which may be mentioned the Crockers’, of San Francisco, Mr. F. W. Ayer’s, of Bangor, Maine, and Mr. Paul’s, of Philadelphia.

In Germany the greatest collection is doubtless that of Mr. Martin Schroeder, the well known merchant of Leipzig.

[Illustration:]

Stanley Gibbons, Ltd.

CAPITAL, L75,000.  ESTABLISHED 1856.

HIGHEST POSSIBLE AWARDS.

GOLD MEDAL, Paris, 1892.

GOLD MEDAL, Chicago, 1893.

FIVE MEDALS
(Highest in each Class),
GENEVA, 1896.

FOUR MEDALS
(Highest in each Class),
LONDON, 1897.

The above-mentioned high rewards gained by the Firm have been awarded for the perfect condition and completeness of Stamp Collections, and for general excellence in Stamp Albums, Catalogues, and Handbooks.

* * * * *

Rare
Stamps
Bought, Sold, or Exchanged.

* * * * *

LARGE NEW PROSPECTUS (Seventy-six Pages),