Philosateleian Post marking New South Greenland discovery
In March 1823, Captain Benjamin Morrell recorded sighting land to the west of his ship, the Wasp, as it sailed through the Southern Ocean. He referred to the landform as New South Greenland and would later record his observations in his memoirs, A Narrative of Four Voyages.
The problem? Based on the positions recorded by Captain Morrell, his ship was nowhere close to land of any sort. Some contemporaries doubted his discovery, but nearly a century passed before explorers such as Sir Ernest Shackleton definitively confirmed there was nothing but open ocean at the locations specified by Morrell. Until then, New South Greenland’s existence remained a possibility.
Philosateleian Post plans to issue a commemorative local post stamp to celebrate the bicentennial of Captain Morrell’s “discovery” of New South Greenland. The first day of issue is set for Monday, July 31, 2023.
Philosateleian Post New South Greenland Discovery Bicentennial stamp
The new stamp features a portrait of Morrell based on an engraving originally printed in his memoirs, as well as an image of open ocean waters. The stamp is being printed in green and black.
Philosateleian Post proprietor Kevin Blackston was quick to point out that in spite of the humor involved in commemorating the discovery of a phantom land, there is something about the story of New South Greenland that might hit a personal nerve.
“I think we’ve probably all had moments where we thought we saw something but it turned out to be something different, or where we remember things happening one way but find out our memories aren’t quite so good as we thought,” says Blackston. “The only difference is that Captain Morrell happened to write down what he believed he saw.”
As for what Morrell identified as New South Greenland, historians fall into two camps. Some think the Wasp may have been much further west than the captain believed and that he actually spotted the coast of Graham Land, while others conclude that he must have seen a mirage, an event not uncommon in Earth’s polar regions.
Technical Specifications
Format: sheets of 36 (4×9). Design size: 42×23 mm. Overall size: 45×26 mm. Separation method: perforated 12. Adhesive: water-activated dry gum. Printing method: laser.
Philatelic Services
To receive a mint single of Philosateleian Post’s New South Greenland Discovery Centennial stamp, or for first day cover service, send either $2 or a self-addressed stamped envelope and your request to:
Kevin Blackston
Philosateleian Post
PO Box 217
Floresville TX 78114-0217
United States of America
Railroad station first day cover shows up in post office box
We’re not even out of June yet, but here in South Texas, we’re already seeing triple-digit temperatures, and the heat index has been well over 110°F several days within the past week. Summer has arrived without a doubt.
There hasn’t been a great deal going on in my post office box, but I did receive this first day cover from longtime reader Kenneth M. this past week. The cover bears one of the Cincinnati, Ohio, railroad station stamps issued in March, along with a stylized cancellation designed to look like a train ticket.
Cincinnati, Ohio, Railroad Station first day cover
Although I’m not a first day cover collector as a general rule, this is a nice sort of suprise to find in my mailbox!
This update includes spaces for all United States postage stamps issued since early March, more than five dozen stamps in all. I haven’t personally seen any of them used yet, but no doubt a few will eventually begin showing up on our incoming mail.
Thank you for your continued support and for using The Philosateleian!
Southworth tabletop perforating machine for sale in Texas
Update: this machine has been sold. Thank you for your interest!
In 2016, my family and I drove from Jacksonville, Florida, down to the Tampa area so that I could purchase a Southworth perforating machine. That perforator has served me well ever since.
I recently had the opportunity to purchase another Southworth perforator, and it’s time now to find a new home for my old machine.
Southworth tabletop perforating machine
Details
This Southworth perforator, which was most likely manufactured sometime in the 1910s or 1920s, can perforate a straight line approximately 15 inches long. It is the largest tabletop model of which I’m aware; although Rosback did much later reportedly manufacture a tabletop machine that could perforate a 12-inch line, most antique tabletop perforators can punch a line only 10 inches long.
1923 advertisement for Southworth perforators
The perforator has wood (ash) tables and is complete with metal paper alignment guides or brackets on both front and rear. With the tables, the machine measures approximately 2 feet square, and being comprised primarily of cast iron, it is very heavy.
There is evidence of repairs (i.e., apparent welding) to the lower arms attaching each end of the head to the metal posts that keep it aligned. Whatever caused the break appears to have happened long ago, and certainly long before I ever acquired the machine.
Although the repair was done solidly, it was not done perfectly. The right end of the head rides slightly higher than the left end, and as a result, I have from time to time had issues getting clean perforations if I align the paper I'm perforating toward the right end of the perforator head. This is not a problem that occurs frequently, but I mention it for full transparency.
Although the pins in the machine are in good condition, I’ve confirmed that Rosback perforator pins fit perfectly just in case you ever need to replace them.
Pins in Southworth tabletop perforating machine
Price
I’m asking $500 for this Southworth perforator with local pickup available in the San Antonio, Texas, area. Due to the machine’s size and weight, I regret that I’m unable to offer to ship it as there is simply no way for me to do that economically.
The end table on which the perforator is sitting in the photo at the beginning of this blog post is not included in the purchase price.
If you’re interested, please contact me and I’ll be happy to provide additional photos and answer any questions you might have.
Adanaland issues semipostal stamp to raise Turkey relief funds
I recently received a note from Alan B. of Adanaland fame, and he included a copy of his newest cinderella stamp. The 6d + 2d stamp is printed in green, gray, and red, and it depicts an ambulance.
6d+2d Adanaland Post Ambulance stamp
According to Alan, this is Adanaland’s first semipostal stamp. It was issued as part of an effort to raise relief funds for areas of Turkey affected by the February 2023 earthquake that caused nearly 60,000 deaths in Turkey and Syria.
All Adanaland stamps are printed on a letterpress, and the result is very striking indeed!
