History of stamp collecting 34, Madame E. Nicolas

Inspired by a series of articles by K. Kouwenberg that appeared in the monthly magazine Philatelie in the late 1970s, Rob Smit rewrites the history of stamp collecting in biweekly installments. This is part 34, Madame E. Nicolas. Stamp collecting is often seen as a man's thing. That is not entirely accurate. We have a considerable number of female customers, but admittedly many more male ones. That was no different in the 19s. Certainly not on the part of the dealers, but there were a few exceptions. One of them was Madame E. Nicolas in Paris. In the July 1865 issue of 'Stamp Collector's Magazine', an advertisement states that Eugene Nicolas, of 37 Rue Taitbout in Paris, has published a stamp catalogue. This Eugene Nicolas was the owner of a small bookstore near the Rue la Fayette in Paris, but he was not the boss. That was Madame Nicolas: small, lively, outspoken, wearing the trousers, and possessing a great business acumen. The gentleman was a shop assistant, while Madame handled the business, including that concerning the stamps. She did so well that she and her husband were able to spend their final days peacefully on their own estate in Normandy. They had made a good profit! Among other things, Madame Nicolas had concluded an agreement with Moens. The latter sent a letter every month containing news and curiosities, and naturally, an invoice included. Well-known collectors such as Donatis, Herpin, de Saulcy, Regnard, and others flocked to it like flies to honey. A 15-centimes Reunion, purchased by Moens ten years earlier for 5 francs, he sold to Madame Nicolas for 50 francs, but the aforementioned collectors readily paid 100 francs, and everyone was satisfied. Madame Nicolas was known for her stubbornness and business pride. On one occasion, she needed a few stamps of which Pierre Mahé had a good stock. Had she obtained the stamps from Mahé herself, she would have received a substantial discount. However, she considered this beneath her dignity, so she had to pay the full price. The catalog mentioned was compiled by E. Regnard, secretary of the 'Société Philatélique de France', a well-known collector and publisher.

 

To be continued on August 17.

Published so far:

1. Introduction and start 2. The first collectors 3. The first catalogueOscar Berger Levrault is the first to provide an overview. 4. Alfred Potiquet, The first commercially published catalogue. 5. Booming 1862, The most turbulent year in philatelic history. 6. Edard de Laplante, the first to live exclusively from the stamp trade. 7. Natalis RondotThe first true philatelic literature appeared in a family magazine. 8. Henri Justin Lallier, Publisher of the first stamp album. 9. Frederick W. Booty, The first catalogue in English. 10. Mount Brown, A successful English catalogue. 11. Dr John Edward Gray, Inventor of the postage stamp, the very first collector, or merely a good cataloguer? 12. The first stamp magazineFirst a failed attempt, but then a sheet of stamps after all. 13. Edward Pemberton, Active philatelist with descendants in philately. 14. Dr. C.W. Viner, Father of English philately. 15. Jean Baptiste Moens, The greatest trader of all time. 16. Moens' publishing house, of great importance in the early days of philately. 17. Germany in 1862, The slow start of an important philatelic country. 18. The Netherlands in 1862, The first Dutch catalogue and album. 19. The Netherlands in 1864, PH Witkamp 20. The origins of Schaubek 21. The competition breaks out, free stamps with magazines. 22. Crafting with stamps. 23. The Polka Stamp., postage stamps as a source of inspiration for music 24. Alexander Baillieu., stamps as a gold mine? 25. Cunning, deceit, and abundance., postal administrations discover collectors. 26. The Fat Elbe from Dresden, mistaken identity with a prominent figure. 27. Arthur Maury, a name that lives on to this day. 28. Pierre Mahé, idiosyncratic traders with extensive philatelic knowledge. 29. Swarming mania, Collecting stamps that aren't actually stamps. 30. William P. Brown, The first American stamp dealer 31. Philately instead of Timbology, The origin of the word Philately 32. Collectors' associations, Successful associations increase knowledge. 33. A theft in 1865, Followed by a severe punishment.