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 London Philatelic Society and the stamp-dealers of London have appointed a joint committee to arrange for a postage-stamp exhibit in 1897. It is proposed to hold it at the Crystal Palace, and if proper conditions can be arranged to insure the stamps and take care of them during the exhibition, probably stamps to the value of nearly $2,000,000 will be shown.
The Swiss collectors will hold an exhibition this summer in Geneva, which will doubtless be very attractive. One of the largest collections of Swiss stamps is now for sale in New York city. It contains everything in used and unused condition—locals, general issues, singly and in blocks and sheets, post-cards, envelopes, money-order blanks, etc. The price asked is $6000, which is probably less than could be obtained if the collection were broken up and the stamps, etc., sold separately.
Holland holds a stamp exhibit at The Hague from July 17 to July 22, inclusive.
An elderly lady in British Guiana gave her rector an envelope addressed to "Miss Rose, Blankenberg," as an Easter offering. On the envelope was an unsevered pair of the extremely rare 1851 2c. rose British Guiana stamp. The envelope is probably worth $3000. A copy of this stamp, trimmed round, was sold in New York by auction, from the De Coppet collection, for $1050 several years ago.
The A.P.A. (American Philatelic Association) holds its annual meeting this year in the middle of August at Lake Minnetonka, a beautiful summer resort. The successor to President Tiffany will be elected, and preliminary canvassing for votes is now in active operation. Boston wants the 1897 convention.
Venezuela is out with another series of unnecessary stamps to commemorate "The Apotheosis of General Francisco de Miranda." Five varieties—5, 10, 25, 50, 100. It is a very good set to let alone.
J. C. Lunt, 109 Liberty Street, San Francisco, wishes to exchange stamps with Mexican collectors.
C. L. Pattison.—Columbian stamps, 1-30, inclusive, are worth 50c. per set, used. The Hawaiian Provisionals are worth $2.50 for the 2c. vermilion, 35c. for the 2c. brown, 8c. for the 2c. rose or violet.
Ross Baker.—Common coins have no selling value beyond their face if U.S. coins, or at bullion value if foreign.
E. L.—U.S. cents for 1806 worth 35c., 1826 and 1842 worth 5c., 1834 worth 10c. Half-cent 1806 worth 15c. These are the prices dealers ask. What they pay I do not know.
A. Hobbs.—In making a rubbing of a coin use thin transparent paper of a firm texture, and a hard lead-pencil. A soft pencil gives poor results.
J. Smythe.—Your Afghanistan stamp is all right. Practically all Afghanistan used stamps are badly damaged, for the reason that they cancel stamps by tearing off at least one corner. Sometimes more than half of the stamp is gone, and a part of the letter also.