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re: Egypt #J46 w/BROWN overprint

King Farouk was an avid collector, and was well known for having special "rarities" made for him in Egypt.
I am also aware of several state visits to foreign countries where he was offered specially made runs of "errors" as official welcoming gifts.
The King Farouk collection was sold after he was deposed, and funds went to the state of Egypt, so many authenticated King Farouk oddities are available, and some are probably these very dubious 'errors".
I personally view the King Farouk authentication as just a marketing scheme to increase the value of the stamps dispersed by the government after the King was deposed. Not to say that some of the rarities are not of interest, as the King was known as an avid collector with unlimited ressources.
rrr...

Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
09 Aug 2023
09:02:25am

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re: Egypt #J46 w/BROWN overprint

A Biography of Kasimir Bileski

A Biography Originally Presented by Saskatoon Stamp Centre
Kasimir Bileski -

September 14, 1908 to January 19, 2005

Kasimir Bileski
'' One of the greatest stamps dealers in Canadian philatelic history, Kasimir Bileski, passed away on January 19, 2005 at the age of 96. "K. Bileski" has been one of the best-known names in the stamp industry throughout North America for most of the 20th century. Few collectors will not have seen his entertaining advertisements in the philatelic press over the last 85 years. His first advertisement appeared in 1920, an amazing record for longevity in any business.

Kasimir Bileski was born on his maternal grandparents' farm homestead near Alvena, Saskatchewan in 1908. He was the eldest of 10 children. His parents, Nicholas Bileski and Caroline Chryk, arrived in Canada from the Ukraine, as children, with their parents, in 1896. Kasimir's grandparents, Kasimir and Lucy Bileski were given land near Meacham, SK and the Chryk's settled in Alvena, SK. Kas lived with his Mother, Caroline, on his maternal grandparents' farm, while his father, Nicholas, sought work in lumber camps and on the railroad. During this time his Grandfather, an avid reader, subscribed to both Polish and Ukrainian newspapers. With his Mother's help Kas was reading both these papers with ease at a very early age. English came when he began school at age 5. It was about this time that the family moved to Saskatoon looking for work and better schooling for the children.

Kasimir was a studious boy and excelled in school. He was always at the top of his class. His mother, Caroline, had impressed upon him that, because he was the oldest, he must always look after his siblings and he always did.

In the eulogy for "Grandpa Kasimir" Allison said; "Kas was a kind soul who always helped those who asked, either with a job, food or money, or a roof over their head. The house was always full of visitors of all sorts. One of his best friends, Sol Kanee, would come over most Sunday mornings for coffee, cheese buns and freshly squeezed orange juice, and they would discuss their stamp collections and world affairs, and if the world had listened to these two old friends, it would be a better place."

Kas became aware of stamps at a very early age. In one of his mailings, in 1997, Kas stated "Something philatelic did impact itself on my mind at age four. Grandfather had a large Eddy match box with some 50 1c Admirals which I'd take out and arrange in various positions". Hardly a traditional stamp collection but this was Kas' first exposure to stamps. He went on to say, "By age nine I became aware that the corner Chinese laundry, acting like a sub post office, had letters from China. The friendly Chinese saved their envelopes for me. Soon after I discovered the local news agency got plenty of parcels of magazines and books. On the wrappers were Canadian and USA precancels." Kas began buying and selling stamps to his school classmates. He said "By age 12, I was aware that it was much easier to earn money by selling stamps".

Kas gives credit to his Uncle Eugene for getting his business going. Eugene was an adventurous fellow who had been in the Austrian navy and had traveled the world. He jumped ship in Hawaii where he worked as a mail clerk on an inter-island ship, then followed the lure of gold and traveled to the Klondike. Kas said, "... by early 1897 (Eugene) cleaned out some $20,000 worth of gold from his mine ... and departed south."

So, when his Uncle Eugene moved with his family to Saskatoon, Kas was ready.

Eugene had been a collector for 20 years by this time. On his travels Uncle Eugene gathered up stamps from the countries he visited. When he finally settled in Saskatoon Uncle Eugene introduced young Kas to history, geography and the wonders of stamp collecting. In 1920 Kas began to advertise in Saskatchewan newspapers, the beginnings of an amazing business. Kas stated "By age 13, in 1921, I had a contract with Uncle Eugene. He financed me for small amounts. I'd write to different British Colonies, order one set of their current stamps to one pound (for his uncle's collection) and I also ordered 10 or 20 sets to the one-shilling value. These I sold." That was the start of his business. ..''

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re: Egypt #J46 w/BROWN overprint

I purchased some stamps from Kasimir Bileski. He had some great prices.

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re: Egypt #J46 w/BROWN overprint

I purchased my card (similar to that in the initial post) in a tiny stamp shop in the back streets of Cairo back in 1990. The owner was an old man of about 80+ but extremely knowledgeable. I was in his shop for over 4 hours and he sold me this card. They were meant for tourists and had never seen the kings collection ! Just a way to make a few piastres from gullible Brits and Americans. So I was one of those, I purchased one along with a number of Gaza FDC's and some Egypt stamps which was my main collection in those days. It was an amazing shop, the likes of which I have never seen since. But it is now, sadly, gone.
However, the owner urged me to visit the Philatelic Museum which I did and was amazed at some of the contrived errors made for Farouk which were on display. I'd love to go back.
Below is the envelope that old shop owner put some of my items in. I still have it as a reminder of a wonderful time, a treasured memory. But I'll not be able to buy any car from what I purchased. So the OP should not get excited just yet (unless a Bileski signature is worth millions !!)!!

Londonbus1

BuckaCover.com - 80,000 covers priced 60c to $1.50 - Easy browsing 500 categories
11 Aug 2023
11:15:55am

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re: Egypt #J46 w/BROWN overprint

A small correction: It's Bileski, not Bilinski.


That would very much agree with the overall attitude of most Canadian collectors and dealers. Accumulations of his "Special Offers" tend to sell at a small fraction of his original prices and are more often considered to be "curiosities" or minor varieties. There are, of course, some exceptions. I have done quite well with examples of "From the Farouk collection", mostly sold to international buyers via ebay.

Roy


www.Buckacover.com