A crystallization of philatelic sentiment against the collection of current German issues is gradually becoming evident.

Arguments for and against a boycott of Hitler’s postal paper are numerous but the leading one given is that Nazi stamps should not be bought because of the resultant flow of American money into the Reich’s war coffers.

Discussion of such a boycott came up in San Francisco following the last meeting of the California Collectors’ Club. Members discussed plans for adopting a resolution to urge collectors against buying German stamps. It will be offered for nation-wide endorsement of philatelic clubs.

Some similar moves have already been made by Eastern stamp societies.

Hitler’s recent plan to raise a few extra pennies by the issuance of a seductive miniature sheet, presumably for use in Poland, has been partially thwarted by at least two clubs.

Both the Polonus Philatelic Society of Chicago, with a membership composed of Polish stamp collectors, and the Souvenir Issues Association has refused to recognize the eight-stamp sheet.

Because the denomination of the stamp 10 zloty face value, is far above any usual postal rate, it is obvious that it was issued purely as a money-making venture. The highest value of any stamp issued by independent Poland was 3 zloty (60 cents face).

Moreover, the illustration on the stamp is taken from the German publication of Hartman Schedel’s “World History,” published in 1932. Schedel was a physician who wrote during his spare time.

As the sheet and the motive of its release are not Polish, American stamp collectors look disparagingly on the issue and refuse to fall into the trap of a nazi scheme to help finance their war.

Many local dealers have expressed opinions indicating their personal disfavor in having to sell German stamps, but add that these stamps comprise a goodly portion of their sales volume.

However, dealers and collectors agree that if philatelic buying power were concentrated on the purchase of United States stamps, America’s home defense would in some small way be promoted.

The Society of Philatelic Americans has issued a souvenir sheet in honor of its 47th annual convention which opens tomorrow in Philadelphia.

In turn, the United States Post Office Department will honor the SPA by placing the new 20-cent green airmail issue on first day sale at the convention Wednesday. Already released are the 6c, 10c and 15c values of the new airmail series.

In a 13-story building in New York’s Manhattan, hundreds of members of crews from torpedoed vessels have found refuge since the beginning of the war. And, over 80 percent of the seamen served at the Seaman’s Church Institute are American citizens.

Partial support for the institute comes regularly from the proceeds of sales of maiden voyage covers to collectors throughout the nation. Next first-day cover to be served in the institute will be in connection with the first sailing of the United States Line freighter, “American Press,” which was launched last March in San Francisco.

The covers will bear an Australian stamp, the carmine penny denomination, of the new war issue depicting a nurse, soldier, sailor and aviator in tribute to Australia’s participation in the war.

Orders for covers to receive the cachet must be sent to the S.S. American Press Cover Agency, 25 South Street, New York City. Fifteen cents a cover should be sent in coin or money order by the closing date of September 10.

Le Comite International de la Croix Rouge has made it possible for Canadians to send letters to prisoners of war and residents of enemy countries. Canada’s Postmaster General W.P. Mulock announced that official forms printed in English, French and German are available for transmission of messages. A postal fee of 25 cents is paid at time of mailing, and the covers are forwarded stampless to the International Red Cross Committee headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland. This charge also prepays delivery of a 20-word reply from the addressee.