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 as far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.
One of the greatest "finds" in the history of stamp collecting has just been made in Kansas City. The letters of an old firm were about to be destroyed when the attention of a stamp-collector was called to them. He immediately bought the entire lot of letters for a small sum. Among the lot were about one hundred letters each bearing one or more of the rare St. Louis stamps issued in 1843, and remaining in use until 1847. The 5c. stamp has hitherto brought from $150 to $200 at auction; the 10c. about $75, and the only copy of the 20c. in the market was sold in 1894 by the veteran dealer J. W. Scott, usually called "the father of philately," to a collector in Bangor, Maine, for $1500. This gentleman, it is said, refused an offer of $2500 for the stamp.
In this new lot are a number of pairs of all three varieties and several strips of three. The immediate result will probably be lower prices on all three St. Louis stamps, but the demand will probably fully equal the supply.
Fred.—No premium on the English shilling, 1817.
J. Hall.—Very few gold dollars were ever coined, and many have found their way to the melting-pot, or have been practically destroyed by conversion into bangles. Hence the dealers ask from $1.50 upward for all U.S. dollars in gold.
H. Stevens.—It is impossible to give anything more than a rough estimate as to the number of stamp-collectors and dealers, or the value of the stamps now in existence in albums, or the amount of annual business done in stamps. I hope to give some statistics on all these points in a future issue.
M. C. W.—It would be very difficult to explain the differences in the Brazils and Guatemalas without illustrations, or within the narrow limits of this column. I congratulate you on your "find" of Wurtembergs.
R. B. Haddock.—The 1864 and 1866 2c. coppers are quoted by dealers at 10c. each for "good," and 50c. each for "fine."