The Calumnies

of Samuel Singer,
Charles Phillips,
and Stanley Gibbons
Abhishek Bhuwalka

S
[Author’s note: In late 2021, an earlier version of this ar- ome years ago, while leafing through the auc-
ticle was published online on my blog. Surprisingly, I re- tion catalog of the George T. Turner Philatelic
ceived more than the usual number of positive comments! Library, the sale of which was held in May
Given that only a small percentage of the readers of the 1981, I came across lot 3265, which was listed un-
Philatelic Literature Review must know of my blog, I der the heading CURIOUSA. Its description read:
thought it appropriate to revise and expand it for these
pages.]
SINGER, S. THE PEOPLE WITH THE CALUMNY, 1908,
one of the rarest philatelic pamphlets, details
Singer’s and C.J. Phillips dispute, we know of
only one other copy in private hands, of the
highest rarity, ex Ricketts (T)

The ‘T’ in brackets indicates that the book was

from Turner’s collection and came with his book-
plate. Estimated at $250, the lot realized $180.
Emphasis in bold is per the description.

Honestly, I did not know the word “calumny” as

one does not come across it often in contempo-
rary English. The dictionary defines it as:

Noun: calumny; plural noun: calumnies

the making of false and defamatory
statements about someone in order to
damage their reputation; slander.
Verb: calumny
slander (someone).

Per the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

Calumny made an appearance in these

famous words from William Shakespeare’s
Hamlet: “If thou dost marry, I’ll give thee this
plague for thy dowry: be thou chaste as ice,
as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape
calumny. Get thee to a nunnery, go.” The word
Figure 1. Front cover of Calumny. had been in the English language for a while,

1 of 8
 Figure 2. Samuel Singer (1859-1927). Figure 3. George B. Sloane (1898-1958)
From the booklet Collections and who wrote 1,350 consecutive weekly
Collectors. (Image courtesy of Leonard columns for Stamps over a 26-year period
Hartmann.) from 1932 to 1958.

though, before Hamlet uttered it. It first Singer is known to have used his skills in many
entered English in the 15th century and ways – taking two or more damaged copies to
comes from the Middle French word calomnie make a single sound stamp, adding perforations
of the same meaning. Calomnie, in turn, and overprints, broadening margins, and more.
derives from the Latin word calumnia, One of his active clients seems to have been Stan-
ley Gibbons, Limited (SG) of London.
(meaning “false accusation,” “false claim,” or
“trickery”), which itself traces to the Latin
In September 1905, perhaps in part for reasons we
verb calvi, meaning “to deceive.” will note later, Singer left for New York City, where
he established himself in his old activity. He first
Intrigued by its title and rarity claim, I decided to operated from 124 East 86th Street and later 128
keep a look out for this bilingual English/French East 23rd Street.
40-page paperbound book (booklet rather),
Calumny.
In 1906, he edited a small 12-page bilingual En-
In mid-2020, during the first Covid-19 wave (I glish/French booklet, Collections and Collectors
guess we will all recollect these years in terms of from Charles Leroy (also titled Collections et Collec-
the first, second, …, nth wave!), I was able to buy a tionneurs). 2
copy from philatelic literature dealer, HH Sales
(Figure 1). This booklet reprinted a letter to the editor of Eu-
rope Artiste magazine (published in the May 1895
Samuel Singer issue) that Charles Theodore Leroy (1844-1895), a
French publicist and art critic, had written on
Samuel Singer (Figure 2) started his career as a ge- stamp collecting.
ographical engineer connected with the Brussels
National Institute in Geography (I’Institut Na- In the later pages, Singer advertised his work,
tional de géographie à Bruxelles). After five years claiming that he had “reached a degree of perfec-
on the job, he moved to Paris in 1888. During the tion” that could never be attained by any of his
Paris Exhibition in 1889,1 he quit geography for contemporaries. He further mentioned that he
philately and established his stamp business. had received hundreds of congratulatory letters
From then until 1905, he conducted his trade of from some of the greatest philatelists of the world
stamp repairer and dealer from 58 Rue de in whose collections some of his repaired stamps
Chateaudun (he called it “one of the best and most lay. He claimed that over the years he had repaired
frequented resorts of philatelists”) and 13 Rue des some 5 million francs ($1 million) worth of
Martyrs; he operated from the latter address for stamps.3 Finally, coming to business, he offered
about two years.

2 of 8
(repaired) stamps at 60-to-80 percent rebate to
catalog value and expressed his readiness to buy
rare stamps, even damaged ones, for cash.

Writing in 1949, the well-known columnist,

George B. Sloane (1898-1958) (Figure 3), said that
he had cultivated Singer’s acquaintance, whom he
described as an “enterprising predatory rogue.”

Sloane mentions that Singer’s workbench resem-

bled the type customarily used by watchmakers.
though in the latter years his skills had deterio-
rated and his works become quite inferior. How-
ever, his earlier repairs were so fine that in later
years, with fading eyesight, he often bought back,
without recognition, many “very fine” copies of
old Europeans that he had worked on many years
before! It was then he started using a small “M” in
a circle handstamp to indicate, “mended,” so that
he would not get stuck with his repair work later. Figure 4. Charles James Phillips (1863-
1940).
Singer frequently traveled to Europe to sell beau-
tiful-looking triangular Capes, early Romanians,
Swiss, French, Oldenburgs and other German Singer goes on to say, “… for a whole year, I vainly
states with exceptional margins and all-round ex- expected to be summoned before the Courts on
cellence to unwary collectors who would be “am- the complaint of the firm of Stanley Gibbons.” Ap-
bushed by these masquerading philatelic cast- parently, Stanley Gibbons was not too keen to take
offs,” said Sloane, who felt that Singer’s “attitude matters further.
toward philately and all those who made a study
of stamps was one of utter and absolute con-
tempt.” Singer moved to the United States a year later,
probably to make a fresh start. When he heard ru-
Singer died December 25, 1927 in Italy while trav- mors that his leaving Paris was to avoid an arrest
eling there with his wife. He was 68 years old. (possibly spread by Stanley Gibbons and/or its
friends), Singer wrote to the Prefect of Police at
Initial skirmish of 1904 Paris asking if they were looking for him; he got a
response dated January 10, 1906 that they were
In a letter dated October 20, 1904, the exact con- not.
tents of which we don’t know,4 Singer apparently
wrote to Stanley Gibbons stating that he held 39 Battle of 1908
letters that he had received from the firm over the
last 10 years that talked about the latter sending
various stamps to him for repair. He stated that Making a living in the U.S., Singer may have well
publication of these letters could cause a great forgotten the episode but clearly Stanley Gibbons
deal of harm to SG, and he would hold the letters had not. The issue flared up again after three years
for eight days after which he was free to make use in 1908 when Eustace B. Power (1872-1939) (Fig-
of them as he deemed fit. ure 6), manager of SG’s New York branch, wrote to
the editor of Mekeel’s Weekly Stamp News asking
Charles. J. Phillips (1863-1940) (Figure 4), the it to reprint Phillips’ condemnation from 1904;
head of SG and editor of Stanley Gibbons Monthly this appeared in the May 23, 1908 issue.
Journal considered this plain and simple black-
mail and decided to fight fire with fire. He pub- This reprint riled Singer so much that he decided
lished the letter in the Notes and News column of to sue SG. Further, a couple of months later, in
the October 31, 1904 issue of the journal (Figure July, he brought out the Calumny booklet con-
5). He also stated there that he has written to the demning, in strong language and on almost every
chief of police at Paris to take “necessary steps.” page, the firm, Phillips, and Power, as well as ex-
posing some of SG’s shenanigans (Figure 7). He
Singer must have been outraged with this, but he admitted that he had been repairing stamps for 20
did nothing, claiming in Calumny that while he years but said that it was “quite lawful to repair
wanted to sue the Stanley Gibbons journal and its stamps or have them repaired, quite as lawful as to
editor, his lawyer advised him against it. Since the repair pictures, paintings, pieces of furniture or
former were based in England and Singer in statues which happen to be damaged.”
France, the suit would have had to be brought
through diplomatic channels, a slow and costly (Of course, he omits mention that selling mended
procedure. And at that time, he was “broke,” due stamps as unrepaired isn’t quite lawful when done
to some unfortunate losses.

3 of 8
 Figure 6. Eustace B. Power (1872-1939), the
then head of the New York branch of Stanley
Gibbons, Limited.

do
not know me, the opportunity of taking
advantage of my passage through this vale of
to save their damaged stamps from absolute
destruction by having them repaired. I
wanted in that booklet, to print a few of the
thousands of letters of thanks that had been
addressed me by the most eminent
philatelists of the world and, to that end, I
had written several of them, and among
these the firm of Stanley Gibbons, to allow
me to do so, telling them that, if they did not
wish it, I would not do it; but that, without an
answer from them within a week, I would
consider their silence as an acceptance and
would go ahead. Several of them granted my
request, but I am bound to tell the truth and
must say that most of them asked me not to
do so.

(I published the booklet in question, two

Figure 5. The column published in the October 31, years ago, under the heading “Collections and
1904 issue of Stanley Gibbons Monthly Journal. Collectors,” and complying with the wish of
the majority, I did not insert therein any of
so directly, and not quite moral when done so via these letters of thanks.)
a conduit.)
Instead of replying in a friendly way to not
publish its letters, the firm of Stanley
Singer defends himself, rather awkwardly and in-
congruously, when he explains what he meant Gibbons, knowing well it was seriously
when he sent his letter in October 1904 to Stanley implicated if I did it, and shivering with fear
Gibbons: for its reputation, found nothing better, in
order to avoid a danger that did not exist,
I wanted, at the time, to publish a small than to print in the paper the article I have
advertising booklet, dealing with the art I mentioned, hoping by invectives and
pursue and which consists in repairing innuendoes, to forestall the disastrous effect
damaged postage stamps. As I am well which might be caused by publishing its
satisfied that my role in philately is a useful letters.
one, I also wished to give, to philatelists who

4 of 8
 produced here (translated by
Singer for his book):

The stamps are well repaired and

we are satisfied. At the present
time we have no French
Banknotes, we will therefore
remit next week when you return
the enclosed.

Herewith you will find: Tuscany

1,2 soldi, 2,60 Crazie, 1,3 Lire ;
Queensland 6d., N. S. Wales 6d.
(error walls), British Guiana 1
cent brown, Nova Scotia 1sh., and
we will be obliged to you if you
can repair with the best possible
care. Some must be removed
with water, but of course you
have to do it. [Letter dated April
21, 1894; the translation
erroneously mentions the year as
1908.]

Stamps are as well repaired as

usual. We add also specially a
Fidji6 with a surcharge, double
printing, to help you for the
repairing of this we enclose two
stamps unsurcharged of same
issue and which you may use. We
also send you a block of British
Guiana, parts of 3 unused stamps;
we believe you can out of these
make one good copy. Also 13
other stamps. [Letter dated
November 27, 1894.]

We thank you for your est.

returning the British Guiana and
Canada. They have been perfectly
well repaired. The amount asked
Figure 7. A page from Calumny wherein Singer rains fire and brimstone!
by you is rather high, but as these
stamps are great rarities and you
The title of the book appears in a paragraph repaired them so well, we will
wherein Singer attacks SG for raking up this issue not complain. You will find herewith 100
after a gap of three years. francs in a French Banknote. [Letter dated
November 9, 1894.]
This firm can abide no competitors and, to do
away with them, it slanders. Instead of calling We enclose Sandwich Islands 5 and 13, first
itself “The people with the goods” as it is issue, for special attention; these stamps are
pleased to do in its advertising, it should be especially rare and you will doubtlessly
called “The people with the calumny”… attend to them. Do so very carefully and with
all possible attention. [Letter dated December
Letters of Stanley Gibbons 28, 1894]

While we know Singer for the “rogue” that he was, The Hawaiis are repaired in a most splendid
the prestigious firm of Stanley Gibbons doesn’t manner [words underlined in the letter]. We
seem to have had clean hands either.5 Excerpts take note that the other stamps will follow
from a few of their letters, most of them originally shortly. The price of 220 francs for this work
written in French, that they sent to Singer are re-

5 of 8
is very steep, but we pay
this with the 80 francs of
the other day.” [Letter dated
January 3, 1895.]

Herewith we enclose you a

few stamps to be repaired.
Kindly pay special attention
to the Afghans, they are
valuable stamps. You will
notice that where the
portions are torn out you
will get the correct portion
on the other stamp, so you
will be able to copy it we
expect. [Letter dated June
24, 1895.]

We trust to your best care

the two “Lady McLeod”7
unused, one is a little
damaged at both corners
and the other on the left
side. These unused stamps
are most precious ones,
kindly do your very best.
Under separate cover you
will find two parts of these
stamps. Can you combine so
as to make one of the two
and painting what is
missing.” [Letter dated
September 3, 1895]

The 10d. British is

extremely rare, but its
perforation is deficient. Can
you repair it with another
10d. or several, if necessary,
to obtain the correct shade
and the proper perforation.
Take good care of this
stamp, as it belongs to the
rare number of plate 2.
If you repair some of
these stamps this week, will Figure 8. Letter dated February 28, 1895 from SG to Singer. It says, “Kindly note
you give them to Mr. Astruc that the Bahamas 4d. needs perforation on one side, it must measure EXACTLY
or take them yourself to the the same as opposite. The New South Wales 8d. is the rare stamp, with 12
Exchange Sunday, where Mr. perforation; two of its sides are damaged, can you fix that? But do not make it
Phillips probably will be, as 12½, this is absolutely common.”
he is leaving for Paris next
Saturday. [Letter dated
November 19, 1895; there is little doubt that and return these two as soon as possible,
Phillips knew about Singer and this letter without awaiting the rest, as we need these
indicates that Singer and Phillips may well most particularly. [Letter dated January 15,
have met each other.] 1896.]

We shall feel much obliged if you can give Herewith 7 stamps, rare ones, one of the
your special attention to the 1d. Cape Wood- Virgin Islands small perforation must be
block, error, unused, and to the Canada 12d. repaired, the other has a spot, can you

6 of 8
 remove it, but do not damage the stamp, it is philatelic public. This may be another major rea-
a rare stamp. son for its scarcity.
British Columbia, to both are missing the
edges on the side, you must get the correct Anyhow, the reader need not fret at not being able
gauge. to read what Bierman described as a “gem.” A copy
of the booklet can be downloaded from the digi-
To the New-South Wales is missing some tized Crawford Library held at the British Library.8
margin, if possible on the left and on top, in It surely makes for interesting reading.
such a case, do not remove the original gum
which it is most important to preserve. [Letter
dated January 27, 1896.]
References
Bierman, Stanley M. A List of Handbooks, Periodi-
After reading the letters, one wonders how many cals, and Auction Catalogues in the Bierman
of the world rarities existing today (Figure 8) have Philatelic Library. 2nd Revised ed. Los An-
had Singer’s hands work their magic on them? gles: The author, 1993
Birch, Brian J. The Philatelic Bibliophile’s Compan-
The libel action was settled out of court and the ion. Montignac Toupinerie: The author, 2018
settlement reportedly included Singer’s legal ex- Herst Jr., Herman. “When the Stamp Market Went
penses, reimbursement for the cost of publishing Dry, this Faker Turned to Blackmail.” The
Calumny, and a retraction of the article reprinted American Philatelist. 103 no. 4 (April 1989):
by Mekeel’s. The retraction stated that Singer was 323-324
a very fine gentleman and an expert at his work! Phillips, Charles J. Fifty Years of Philately: The His-
tory of Stanley Gibbons, Ltd. to Which Is
Alvin Good (1872-1948), longtime philatelic sec- Added a Chapter on Stamp Collecting as an
retary to the great American collector George H. Investment. London: Stanley Gibbons, Ltd.,
Worthington (1850-1924), who had to return 1906.
many repaired items that Worthington had pur- Singer, S (ed). Collections and Collectors from
chased from Phillips over the years,wrote in The Charles Leroy. New York: The Editor, n.d. of
Life and Adventures of a Philatelist, “I always re- publication but 1906.
gretted that the trial did not proceed for it would Singer, S. The People with the Calumny. New York:
have been a circus to hear those two fakers tell on The Author, 1908.
each other on the witness stand.” Curiously, one Sloane, George B. Sloane’s Column: A Compilation
of the “fakers” was elected to sign the Roll of Dis- of the Subjects Arranged by George T. Turner.
tinguished Philatelists (RDP) in 1921; no prizes
for guessing which one!

Rarity of Calumny
A bibliography of the booklet is given as under:

Singer, S[amuel]. The People with the Calumny.

New York: The Author, 1908
40 pp. 233 x 152 mm (inside pages). Originally
issued in Grey Paper Covers. Text in English
and French.

With respect to its rarity, a search of the Global

Philatelic Library website shows nine copies in
various philatelic libraries. WorldCat doesn’t
show it in any other general library. More than two
may be found in private hands though; for in-
stance, Brian Birch’s and Stanley Bierman’s library
listing shows that they own one each (Bierman’s
copy may have been sold by now). If I were to
guess, I would think that perhaps about 15 copies
exist in all.

In a 1989 article, the prolific American writer (and

dealer) Herman Herst Jr. says that he hasn’t seen a
copy for 25 years. Herst also claims that Singer
made “several printings” that he distributed
through stamp dealers. However, those indicted in
the booklet purchased as many copies as were
available so that the work never reached the

7 of 8
Endnotes
1
In the early 1880s, France was successfully recovering
from its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. To show the
world that France was again healthy and active, the French
decided to hold a world’s fair, Exposition Universelle, in
1889, the 100th anniversary of the start of the French
Revolution. Held at Paris from May 5 to October 31, 1889,
it attracted more than 32 million visitors. The most famous
structure created for the Exposition is the Eiffel Tower.
2
Downloadable from https://www.rpsl.org.uk/gplstatic/BL_
CrawfordDocs/016668006.pdf. The copy in the Crawford
library has the 124 East address struck off and the new 128
East printed.
3
This is an astounding claim! Using https://www.
measuringworth.com, one finds that $1 million in 1906 is
worth about $34 million in today’s money.
4
This letter could well be in the Gibbons’ archive today.
5
Not just SG but some of the most respected names from
the early days of philately can be found in a “rogues”
gallery of philatelic forgers and fakers. The interested reader
should look at Varro Tyler’s book for further information

6
The country of Fiji in the south Pacific Ocean.
7
This unofficial stamp was issued in April 1847 to prepay
mail carried by the steamer Lady Mcleod, which plied
between Port of Spain and San Fernando in West Indian
Island of Trinidad. It is believed that 26 copies of unused, 24
copies of used, and 39 copies on cover or on piece exist.
8
Downloadable from https://www.rpsl.org.uk/gplstatic/BL_
CrawfordDocs/016671032.pdf

8 of 8