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.
The stamp business was unusually dull throughout the summer and fall, and the expected revival has not yet appeared. Probably one reason is that every one is waiting for the 1897 catalogues. The astonishing rise in the value of unused stamps seems to have concentrated speculation in this direction, and the needless manufacture of "new varieties" with fancy prices has discouraged the average collector. It is high time to come down to a philatelic basis, and let the financial side of collecting alone for a season. The advance in prices has nearly reached its limit in the majority of cases, and subsequent increase of value will be slow. In many instances there will be either a retrocession, or—the dealers will keep the stamps in their safes vainly waiting for customers.
Some idea of the extent of the U. S. postal service is given in the following figures from the President's message:
MAIL MATTER FOR THE YEAR ENDING
June 30, 1896.
| Weight. | ||
| Pounds. | Revenue. | |
| Letters and postal cards | 65,337,343 | $60,624,464 |
| Newspapers | 348,988,648 | 2,996,403 |
| Books, seeds, etc. | 78,701,148 | 10,324,069 |
| Merchandise | 19,950,187 | 3,129,321 |
| Free matter | 94,480,189 | .... |
| Received for box rents, etc., over | .... | 5,424,951 |
| —————- | —————- | |
| Total | 607,457,515 | $82,499,208 |
The entire expenditures of the department, including pay for transportation credited to the Pacific railroads, was $92,186,195.11, which may be considered as the cost of receiving, carrying, and delivering the above mail-matter.
F. Ormiston.—An immense quantity of Roman States remainders were sold to dealers, hence prices are very low. Your stamps are worth from 3c. to 5c. each.
M. E. Jenkins.—U. S. cent, 1798, worth 20c.; 1802, 25c.; half-cent, 1809, 10c.; 1828, 20c.; 10c. shinplaster, face. "Army and Navy" is not a coin, but is a token, and has no money value.
D. W. Hardin, 1003 Court Street, Saginaw, Mich., wishes to exchange U. S. Revenues with beginners in the same line.
H. L. Mossman.—Canadian penny, 1854, is worth face only.
Constant Reader.—1. See reply to A. W. de Roade in No. 893. 2. The coins have no premium. 3. Apply to any respectable dealer.
F. T. O.—Bergedorf half-schilling is worth 50c. The 5c. Columbian worth 1c.
Del Rose McCann, Ridley Park, Pa., F. Mikelski, Bath, Me., wish to exchange stamps.
J. Rico.—Do not attempt too much. The collection of minor varieties requires time, money, and knowledge. You had better collect "straight" stamps only. By the time you have got together three or four thousand you will have required much knowledge, and then be in a position to decide what special line, if any, you purpose to take.
A. A. Lato.—West Indian and U. S. stamps unused were the fashionable stamps during the past year. The results of the late auctions indicate quite a falling off in values. Probably now would be a good time to collect them, if you care to specialize in them.
Philatus.