The rise in value of many scarce stamps during the past two years has been phenomenal. For instance, the £1 brown, 1878 issue, with anchor water-mark, in unused condition. Two years ago this stamp could be bought for $15, whereas the last copy sold of which I have any record brought $250. The one shilling 1862, with white line across the corners of it, unused, was catalogued at $50, a little more than a year ago, but to-day would probably bring $300 at auction. The curious thing about this stamp is that hitherto not a single copy has been found in used condition. Without the white line this stamp used is worth fifteen cents, and hundreds of thousands were sent to this country every month for three years (1862-65).
The finest and most complete catalogue of U.S. stamps from 1853 to 1870 has just been published in England at ten shillings. The work is illustrated by numerous plates and fac-similes, and it takes note of the most minute varieties. It was written by Gilbert Harrison, who possessed at the time of his death the finest collection of U.S. envelopes ever made.
Active steps have been taken to form a list of those philatelic pests, "speculative" issues which threaten to bring stamp-collecting into disrepute. Quite properly the initial steps have been taken in London, as some of the earliest as well as latest offenders in this respect have been some of the colonies of Great Britain. All the so-called Chinese local stamps, the San Marino Jubilee, St. Anthony Jubilee of Portugal, as well as many of the surcharged colonial stamps, should be avoided by every collector. The money spent on them is simply thrown away.
C. A. S.—The 1834 dime is catalogued at 40c., in fine condition; 20c., in fair.
M. S. S.—Fifty cents a thousand.
H. F. Cooper.—The Paris and London prints are much finer than the Belgium and Athens prints. The same plates being used in both places.
W. T. Blackwell.—"Re-engraved" stamps mean those stamps of which the original die having been somewhat worn by the many transfers, has its lines deepened. The result is always a commoner-looking stamp than the original, and if the same ink is used, the re-engraved looks much darker and heavier. An article on the different kinds of paper will probably be printed soon.
J. Haring.—Probably no $1 U.S. coin was issued in 1904. The die was prepared but not used. About fifty years ago the die disappeared from the Mint, but was returned after an interval of some months. Ever since that time, at long intervals, one of the coins comes upon the market. The first one brought $1000, the last one about $500.
A. R. Ketcham.—Always send a 2c. stamp if you wish an answer, or, still better, a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Philatus.