Questions and Answers.
Polly Pemberton Morris.—You are quite right in your contention, and your friend is wrong. Queen Elizabeth did not live as well as does the average family of to-day whom we call poor. Comparatively she lived well—and walked on a cloak. But she suffered many discomforts which the gallantry of all the Raleighs of her reign but badly recompensed. Indeed, her household was so poor that few of the laboring-people of to-day would endure one like it. For instance, her table service was what we would call scarcely fit for animals. Huge joints of meat were brought to the table on the roasting-spits. There were no dishes such as we have. Earthenware with a china finish was unknown. The meat-carvers held the meat with one hand while they cut it with the other, and the guests helped themselves with their fingers. Cats and dogs were allowed around and under the table—and to them were thrown the bones. Fancy the condition of the floor—there was not always a floor—after the meal. There were no forks and no plates. Fingers served for the former and huge slices of bread for the latter.
Irving Kenyon asks: "Is there on exhibition in some city in each State the articles patented in that State? If so, in what city of Connecticut can I see them? Are authors privileged to use the plan of another author, which has appeared in a pamphlet some time previous, without permission? If permission is necessary, to whom do I apply?" There is no such exhibition. In the Patent Office at Washington may be seen a vast number of models, but they come from every State. Even these models are no longer required by law. Authors' privileges are not easily defined. Do you mean "plan" or "plot"? We should say that the least one could do who wished to use the plot of another would be to ask permission. If permission cannot be obtained from any cause, get another plan or plot or else forego writing.
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.
Fig. 4.
Although all German and foreign catalogues list the varieties of the 1870 20c. blue of France in three types, still few are seen in collections, probably on account of the difficulty heretofore felt in explaining the differences.
The cuts I., II., and III. illustrate exactly the differences of the Greek ornaments at the lower light side of the frame (compare with Figure IV.).
Even in the very poorly printed specimens these varieties in the lines of the Greek ornaments are prominent, and in the very heavy impressions where the shadings of the main lines are invisible, the distinguishing points are still plain.
TYPE I.
TYPE II.
TYPE III.
It will be simple for everybody to now distinguish these types with the aid of the illustrations. In addition the main points will be easy to memorize.
Type I. has, as we know, only points at the neck and eyes for shading purposes; the circle of pearls is very irregular.
Type II. The shading at the neck consists of fine lines, and under the eyes are long drawn points. A fine white line runs around the entire top of the head.
In Type III. the white line at the top of the head is almost invisible; under the eye are points similar to Type II., but in larger numbers. At the neck there are only lines. The points between the inscriptions, both at top and bottom, are hardly to be seen and often disappear altogether.
A Type IV. is also listed in few catalogues, but its existence has been clearly established. The peculiar break in the Greek ornaments, as is the case in the other types, is not found, but in other respects it resembles Type III., except in the inscription.
It is probable that after the plate of the third type was worn out the inscription was repaired, and for the third time enlarged, which is sufficient evidence to accept as a fourth type. As to the grade of rarity of these different types the following is probably correct (the lowest number being the commonest).
| Used. | Unused. | |
| Type I. | Seventh. | Fifth. |
| Type II. | Fourth. | Second. |
| Type III. | Third. | First. |
| Type IV. | Eighth. | Sixth. |
Early impressions of these four plates are very desirable.
A. E. Drake, 198 Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn wishes to exchange stamps. The last Peru issue are very common. Any dealer can supply at a fair price.
F. Rich.—The 90c. 1851 issue, unperforated, is probably a proof. The 24c. same issue is well authenticated.
J. B. Bryan.—To restore colors of stamps which have oxidized, or changed color, owing to chemical or atmospheric changes, to their original color, apply peroxide of hydrogen to the stamp with a small camel's-hair brush. After repeating several times soak the stamp in water and dry between blotters.
A. A. Hall.—In purchasing hinges, be careful to secure those having a gum known to be harmless. Some hinges have a gum that will eventually injure the stamp to which they are affixed, changing the color or causing the paper to turn yellow. For fifteen cents a thousand you can get the best hinges from any responsible dealer. You will probably not use over a million during your career as a collector, and the amount you save in purchasing an inferior grade is insignificant, while the proper preservation of your stamps will be materially aided in using those you know are reliable.
E. L. Smith, 64 Sparks Street, Cambridge, Mass., wishes to exchange stamps.
C. Rawson.—The 3c. Proprietary is worth 10c. perforated, several dollars if unperforated, with wide margins.
F. D. W. Laneland.—Your Chile stamp is probably a Revenue stamp. You do not give all the lettering, and I am therefore unable to say positively.
Philatus.