History of stamp collecting 39, Cornelis van Rinsum.

In this column, Rob Smit describes remarkable facts about stamp collecting from more than 150 years of history. This time, prompted by an article by K. Kouwenberg about Cornelis van Rinsum. Cornelis van Rinsum (born May 18, 1852) grew up in a well-to-do family. His father was a stockbroker, and his grandparents owned a country estate on the Amstel called 'Donkervliet'. Van Rinsum collected stamps from a young age. In 1868, when he was sixteen, he founded a stamp dealership in Amsterdam together with his friend Jan van Schaik, who was the same age. The firm C. van Rinsum & Co. was located at Keizersgracht 216. Business went well, and at the end of the year, Van Rinsum decided to publish a magazine, in English at that. In the December issues of the magazines 'Stamp Collector's Magazine' and 'Philatelist', the appearance of 'Continental Philatelic Magazine', printed in English, was announced. The cheapest magazine for advertising, used stamp gratis! This English-language publication did indeed appear starting in January 1869 and is the first philatelic magazine published in the Netherlands. The promised free stamp with the first issue is the brand-new 1-cent black coat of arms stamp that appeared on January 1st. Despite his young age, Van Rinsum apparently had good international contacts. The third issue of this magazine caused quite a stir due to an article on Boston forgeries, written by none other than Edward Pemberton. Pemberton was able to publish in Van Rinsum's magazine what would have been denied to him by other publications. He launched a fierce attack against the 'Yankee Bogus' originating from Boston. Naturally, this again provoked the necessary reactions from Boston dealers, such as F.M. Trifet and C.A. Lyford, who stated they had nothing to do with their unreliable Boston colleagues. Van Rinsum clashed with Lyford and went a step further. In the July issue, he stated that the fraudulent stamps were being produced by S. Allan Taylor. The result of these revelations is that many philatelic magazines have to admit that for years they had announced news originating from Taylor's workshop. Pemberton sides with van Rinsum and takes over the editorship of the magazine. However, it is to no avail. The eighth and final issue appears in January 1870. It is fascinating to see how international the stamp trade already was at that time (without aviation and the internet) and what role a Dutch teenager could play in it. Van Rinsum's enthusiasm was great. Together with van Schaik, he published the first Dutch-language philatelic magazine, also in 1869: 'De Timbrophilist'. This magazine, too, did not last long. Presumably, only seven issues were published. Van Rinsum died in 1910 at the age of 56. His profession at the time of his death was listed as stamp dealer. Tombstone  

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. 34. Mrs. Nicolas, A woman in the man's world of the stamp trade. 35. England in 1866, 36. The Dutch Cow Mania, how a postage stamp drives half of the Netherlands crazy.