Harper's Catalogue,

Thoroughly revised, classified, and indexed, will be sent by mail to any address on receipt of ten cents.

This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain many valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L.A.W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.

Owing to the accumulation of queries, the Department this week will be devoted to replies.

J. L. E. asks how to fix the proper handicaps in a bicycle-race which he is getting up—what plan he is to go on, what the system is, and where he can find a book on the subject. Handicapping in bicycling is the same in principle as all other handicaps, and there are the same reasons, and only the same reasons, for giving handicaps that there are in other contests. As a rule, handicapping is best left alone. It should only be resorted to when the differences in speed of competitors are so great that no one could get up a race and induce men to enter unless a handicap were resorted to. In long distances, in road races of 25 miles or more, time handicaps are usually given. The time of each contestant—that is, his best time for a mile, or for 35 miles—is ascertained, and a table made of all these. Each man, then, shows a certain rate per mile for 25 miles, or whatever the distance may be. According to this record, one man does 10, 20, or 25 miles at the rate of a minute a mile faster than another. In a 25-mile race, therefore, he should give the other about 25 minutes' start. This is, of course, a large handicap, but it illustrates the point. If A does 20 miles in 60 minutes and B's record is 15 miles in 60 minutes, then, to make the race even, B should start on his run at 2 p.m., for example, while A has to wait at the scratch 15 minutes. When he finally starts at 2.15 p.m., B is 3¾ miles ahead of him. Supposing the road race was on a stretch of road five miles long and the course was to make it down and back four times—that is, twice each way. The distance handicap could be made by starting both A and B at the same time, with B at a position 1¼ miles from the first turn and A at the scratch; but such long-distance handicaps are difficult things to take care of, since it is practically impossible to start both men at the same moment. It is for this reason that time handicaps have been taken up. On short distances of a mile or two the difficulty is, of course, avoided, and distances can be arranged with simultaneous starts. A bicycle-race under 25 miles is, however, a dangerous and not particularly exerting affair, though there are many still. Ascertain, therefore, each man's record for the same distance, and then arrange the time handicaps, so as to give all, according to their records, the chance of coming in at the same moment.

"Wheelman" asks what are the laws regarding riding on sidewalks, coasting, and so on, and whether these laws are the kind that are enforced, or if they are, like many other city and town ordinances, only for use in emergency, and not otherwise observed. In the first place, the laws, ordinances, or regulations regarding riding on sidewalks, scorching, coasting, and so on, are different in every city or township—that is, each township has its regulations concerning these matters, and they have been adopted to protect other people. There is a movement on foot to make bicycles come under the head of carriages, and subject to the same laws; but in the mean time several things ought to be borne in mind by wheelmen. Most ordinances agree in stating that in city or town no bicyclist shall ride on sidewalks; that too great speed is dangerous; that coasting, where cross-streets are common, is dangerous; and that anything likely to endanger foot-passengers or be dangerous to the wheelman must be avoided. The regulations are made to cover these matters. It therefore behooves the wheelman to guard against any of these matters; for if we all thought of the possible danger and inconvenience to other citizens, there would be no occasion for stricter regulations than there have been for carriages. Hence, if you coast in a city or town, you are helping the movement which will cause aldermen and selectmen to pass more severe laws. If you ride on sidewalks, you are in just so far stimulating the popular prejudice against wheels, raising the fines, and causing a general feeling that bicyclists must be legislated against. When you are on country roads, where not one person an hour passes, choose the side path, since it may be the only good bit of road; but when you come to civilization, remember that no matter how bad the road, and no matter how many other wheelmen may be riding on sidewalks, and coasting and scorching, the law asks you to keep to your proper place, and you are helping the cause of bicycling, to say the least, if you do so.

Note.—Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816. Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No. 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822. Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City—First Stage in No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland—First Stage in No. 827; Second Stage in No. 828. New York to Boston—Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833. Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839. Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843. Philadelphia to Washington—First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846; Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth Stage in No. 848. City of Washington in No. 849. City of Albany in No. 854; Albany to Fonda in No. 855; Fonda to Utica in No. 856; Utica to Syracuse in No. 857; Syracuse to Lyons in No. 858; Lyons to Rochester in No. 859; Rochester to Batavia in No. 860; Batavia to Buffalo in No. 861; Poughkeepsie to Newtown in No. 864; Newtown to Hartford in No. 865; New Haven to Hartford in No. 866; Hartford to Springfield in No. 867; Hartford to Canaan in No. 868; Canaan to Pittsfield in No. 869; Hudson to Pittsfield in No. 870.

["IT."]

BY EMMA J. GRAY.

Many of the games with which we are familiar in the United States are well known throughout Great Britain and on the Continent. But among the most amusing and most popular of English games is one of which we know little or nothing. It is dignified by the two-lettered name, "It."

This is altogether suitable for the parlor, and may be played by everybody if we will except the very young people. It creates roars of laughter, on account of the funny mistakes made by the questioners. "It" is a great mystery, and the longer it is played the greater mystery often it becomes. Only those understanding this game may remain in the room. All others must leave; there is no alternative. One of the party, unfamiliar with the game, is then selected to return, and must, by questioning those in the parlor, learn what "it" is. When he knows "it," he too must remain behind, and some one else is selected to fill his place. In this way the game is carried on, until each one in turn comes in and finds out the secret.

"It" is really the person who sits at your left, but, before this is discovered, usually much amusement is made. The game is played in the following way:

All in the parlor must sit in a circle, and must not change their positions. When the player is called in, he is told to ask a question of whomever he may please, and the person must correctly answer. For example—"Is 'it' white?" As everybody present is white, the answer is necessarily "Yes."

The questioner then asks another person, "Is 'it' thin?" and if the person to the left of the person thus questioned is thin, the answer is again "Yes." Perhaps this question may be repeated, and some one else is asked, "Do you also think 'it' is thin?" and if this person has some one for a left-hand neighbor who is very stout, of course he answers "No."

And thus the questioner is mystified, and must continue question after question. For a long time he may think "it" is a thing. Therefore a good question to put would be, "Is 'it' alive?" And then he might ask, "Is 'it' in this room?" Then he might try complexion, and again would be mystified, for if he asked, "Is 'it' a brunette?" and the reply being "Yes," his next question, "Has 'it' dark eyes?" would perhaps have for answer, "No"; and, "Has 'it' light hair?" "Yes." And so the secret seems harder than ever.

A good way is to ask the same questions over and over, and try to locate "it" in that way. But the questioner should not easily be discouraged. A few points may be given to him, such as some of the above. The players would better announce "It" as a trick game.

This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp and coin collectors, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on these subjects so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor Stamp Department.

In the summer of 1895 a complete unperforated sheet of the current 5c. U.S. unwatermarked was found in the post-office of New Orleans. A well-known collector bought the sheet for $1000. Some months later another collector who was looking up Plate Nos. discovered unperforated sheets of the current 3c. and 4c. stamps on unwatermarked paper (Plate Nos. 47 and 50 respectively). These unperforated stamps have been put on the market at $24 for a pair, or $12 each in larger blocks. No single stamps to be sold. The demand has been very lively, and most of the stamps have been sold at that price.

Of the 1890 issue the following are known to exist unperforated: the 2c., 4c., 5c., and 15c. Very few copies have come on the market, and those have been eagerly snapped up by the big collectors. Hitherto these unperforated stamps have probably been mere accidents, but there is danger in their becoming hereafter "accidental on purpose."

Plate Nos. are still booming. The early pink 2c. and ultramarine 1c. are comparatively easy to get. But the early Plate Nos. on watermarked paper are quite scarce. There must be quantities of these in the smaller post-offices. Fifteen dollars are offered for Plate 89 in any color.

As soon as a great rarity is discovered hundred of collectors look over everything they can find, and, wonderful to say, the stamp supposed to be unique rarely remains in that condition. The 10c. Baltimore, first catalogued about a year ago, was hardly announced when a collector in Louisville found another copy on the original envelope. And now another copy has turned up in Washington. The other day a lady who had relatives living in Florence in 1852 was induced to look over her old letters, and among them was one envelope bearing a beautiful strip of three 2 soldi Tuscany worth $50 each. The strip of three is probably worth $200 at least. Several other rare stamps were in the same lot.

The Argentine Republic has just issued a complete set of post-cards, embossed envelopes, and wrappers in commemoration of the eighty-sixth anniversary of the republic's independence. It is said that this issue is not to serve for a limited time, but will continue indefinitely. Argentine has not been very conservative in the making of new issues during the last decade. Complete series were issued in 1888, 1889, 1890, 1892, with some additional values in 1891, Columbian 2c. and 5c. in 1892, and official stamps in red and in black surcharges, with the inevitable inverted surcharges, some perforated, others rouletted, etc.

From present appearances it looks like a good set to let alone. As to their appearance, they are ugly in comparison with the Greek Olympian stamps, which have been put on the black list. The following is a complete set of this commemoration series:

3 centavos post-card, orange on buff.
4 centavos post-card, gray on buff.
6 centavos post-card, violet on buff.
6x6 centavos post-card, violet on buff.
3 centavos letter-card, orange on buff.
4 centavos letter-card, gray on buff.
½ centavos wrapper, blue.
1 centavos wrapper, brown.
2 centavos wrapper, green.
4 centavos wrapper, gray.
5 centavos envelope, pink on buff.

L. Warren.—The only way to detect counterfeit stamps is to know what the originals are. Paper, water-mark, perforation, roulette, color of ink, size, and peculiarities of the engraving, and many other factors enter into the problem. Dealers usually keep an album of all the different varieties of counterfeits of every stamp for the purpose of comparison. Duplicate counterfeits are at once destroyed. In addition, dealers, like the advanced collectors, study the peculiarities of all genuine originals which come into their hands, and are always ready to take time and trouble to see fine collections, and talk over the different stamps. It is only by this method that a man becomes an expert in these days of dangerous counterfeits. Gradually an intuitive knowledge of forgeries is developed, so that frequently an expert will condemn a stamp which seems to be in all essentials a genuine one. If not an expert there is only one way to buy valuable stamps, namely from collectors or dealers, known to be experts, and known to be responsible.

W. K. Dart.—The current 2c. have three forms of triangle (see Round Table for May 12, 1896). They have no particular value, either used or unused. I would advise you to get a catalogue for 25c., as it is impossible for one to quote prices on a long list of ordinary stamps for every one of the many readers of the Round Table. Study your stamps by the aid of the catalogue.

S. E. Seorah.—The A.P.A. will hold their annual meeting at Lake Minnetonka, a beautiful summer resort in the lake country of Minnesota.

Philatus.