Tact of Disraeli.

A new book has just been published in which are some fresh stories about Disraeli the younger. This man was Prime Minister of England, and came later to be Earl of Beaconsfield. Beginning life under many adverse circumstances, and having racial prejudice against him, he was able not only to attain the highest honor in the kingdom open to a man not of royal blood, but to do for his sovereign services second to no Prime Minister who ever served a British queen or king.

To deal with a sovereign and a woman requires tact. Lord Beaconsfield possessed it. To a friend he said one day: "I never contradict. I never deny. But I sometimes forget." He had many enemies, and yet he triumphed over nearly all of them. "I never trouble to be avenged," he said. "When a man injures me I put his name on a slip of paper and lock it in a drawer. It is marvellous how men I have thus labelled have the knack of disappearing."

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.

New sets of stamps are now being issued with old-time frequency. The following are those of most interest:

Salvador.—The 1896 set has been reprinted in new colors for 1897.

1 centavo, vermilion.
2 centavos, green.
3 centavos, brown.
5 centavos, orange.
10 centavos, green.
12 centavos, blue.
15 centavos, black.
20 centavos, slate.
24 centavos, yellow.
30 centavos, rose.
50 centavos, violet.
100 centavos, brown.

Registration stamps.

10 centavos, blue.
10 centavos, brown.

New return receipt stamp.

5 centavos, dark green.

Unpaid letter stamps.

1 centavo, blue.
2 centavos, blue.
3 centavos, blue.
5 centavos, blue.
10 centavos, blue.
15 centavos, blue.
25 centavos, blue.
50 centavos, blue.

Liberia.—A new set of stamps has just been issued by this country. The types of all except the 50c., which has female head in centre, and is printed in red-brown and black, are same as the old series. The 1c. is similar to the old 6c.; the 2c. to the old $1; the 5c. to the old 4c.; the 10c. to the old 8c.; the 15c. to the old 12c.; the 20c. to the old 16c.; the 25c. to the old 24c., and the 30c. to the old 32c. No higher values than 50c. will be issued hereafter. Perforated 15. Water-marked.

1 cent, violet.
2 cents, olive-bistre and black.
5 cents, magenta and black.
10 cents, yellow and dark blue.
15 cents, slate.
20 cents, vermilion.
25 cents, yellow-green.
30 cents, steel-blue.
50 cents, red-brown and black.

Zanzibar.—The Philatelic Journal of Great Britain chronicles a series of adhesives with portrait of the late Sultan, also a new provisional made by surcharging the current 1a. 6p. India "Zanzibar" in black and "2½" in red, similar to the 2a. India. Water-mark a rose. Perforated 13½ by 14.

½ anna, green, flags red.
1 anna, dark blue, flags red.
2 annas, brown-red, flags red.
2½ annas, blue, flags red.
3 annas, olive-gray, flags red.
4 annas, green-black, flags red.
4½ annas, orange, flags red.
5 annas, bistre, flags red.
7½ annas, purple, flags red.
8 annas, olive-green, flags red.
1 rupee, ultramarine, flags red.
2 rupees, deep green, flags red.

China.—The Post-Office has received a set of provisional stamps issued on February 2, when China entered the Postal Union. All are surcharged, on the current Chinese postage-stamps, in Chinese, with value in English, except the $1, which is on the 3c. revenue. It is stated that the officials refuse to sell more than one set at a time, as but few were issued. All local post-offices closed on February 2.

Provisional stamps. Perforated.

½ cent on 3c., pale yellow, black surcharge.
1 cent on 1c., red, black surcharge.
2 cents on 2c., light green, black surcharge.
4 cents on 4c., rose, black surcharge.
5 cents on 5c., yellow, black surcharge.
8 cents on 6c., brown, black surcharge.
30 cents on 24c., carmine, black surcharge.
1 dollar on 3c. revenue, carmine, black surcharge.

Nicaragua.—The designs for 1897 are similar to the 1896 set with date and colors changed.

1 centavo, lilac.
2 centavos, green.
5 centavos, rose.
10 centavos, light blue.
20 centavos, light brown.
50 centavos, gray.
1 peso, slate.
2 pesos, dark carmine.
5 pesos, blue.

Unpaid letter stamps.

1 centavo, lilac.
2 centavos, lilac.
5 centavos, lilac.
10 centavos, lilac.
20 centavos, lilac.
30 centavos, lilac.
50 centavos, lilac.

J. M. Cattell.—You can get a catalogue of all postage-stamps, with illustrations of most of the types (except U.S.), for 50c. Anything beyond this is a matter of careful study. Never paste any stamps in the album. You can get one thousand of the best hinges, made of onion-skin, for 15c., from any dealer. The current U.S. stamps from low values are too common to pay for saving. The 50c., $1, $2, and $5 stamps are worth from 25 per cent. to 50 per cent. of their face value, even when used, but they must be without tear or other material blemish.

F. Severn.—Part-perforated U.S. revenue stamps are not scarce, but I advise paying any high price for single stamps in that condition. Too many perforated stamps with large margins have been faked into "part perforated." The advanced collectors, as a rule, pay extra for part-perforated revenues when in unsevered pairs only. As to the "ultramarine," they are in most cases quite scarce in this shade.

Maria C. Shatola.—I have no record of receiving any letter from you.

R. F. Bowe.—All the English stamps are water-marked. Take an unused one, or one lightly cancelled, dip it in water, and hold it so that the light shines through, and you will see the water-mark.

E. Bagg, Jun.—The English government perforates initials, etc., in stamps at the expense of the purchaser. This is done to prevent theft.

D. McLaughlin.—In the days of Queen Anne of England (1712) all English newspapers were taxed for revenue. The government put its imprint or tax on each and every paper issued. This tax was abolished June 15, 1855. Specimens are very common. They are collected to a limited degree in England.

T. A. L.—Your U.S. coins are worth three or four times their face value. The Carolus III. is a Spanish dollar no longer current, and therefore worth bullion only, as it is very common.

Philatus.