The World of Amateur Journals.
The Jester of recent date has some clever pictures bringing an old joke up to the bicycle age. A man elopes with the daughter, the steed being not saddle-horses as of old, but a tandem bicycle. The father, from an upper window does not shoot or holler, or get down and ride after the fleeing couple on his fastest horse. Instead he fires some tacks out of his gun. The tires are punctured, and the daughter returns humiliated.
The Corresponding Chapter, of which Charles Turnbull, of Hartford, Conn., is president, Arthur F. Kraus is vice-president, and Edward F. Daas, 1717 Cherry Street, Milwaukee, Wis., is secretary and treasurer, expects soon to have an official newspaper organ. The Chapter is prospering. It wants members, especially in foreign countries.
F. E. Maynard, 420 Angell Street, Providence, R. I., wants to receive sample copies of amateur papers.
Homer C. Bright, treasurer of the Columbine Chapter of Denver, Col., sends word to the Table that the old Columbine is doing well after a reorganization, and has started the publication of the Columbine Jester, which is neat and bright. Its editor is Homer C. Bright, and his address is 314 West Fourth Avenue. He asks us some questions about copyright, and whether he may take anything out of other papers, provided he gives credit. In answer to the first: It is scarcely necessary to copyright an amateur paper. The cost is $1 each issue. Ask the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C., for printed instructions. In reply to the question about clipping items: Yes, take extracts from anything you find in any other publication, unless there is a notice accompanying the article expressly forbidding it. You would not, however, take the entire article without first getting consent from the publisher. This you can, in the case of an amateur paper, probably secure for the asking.
Charles P. Follansbee, 118 South Elliott Place, Brooklyn, N. Y., desires to receive sample copies of amateur papers. Henry Feldson asks if the Table thinks autograph-collecting or amateur journalism the better hobby. It is impossible to answer such a question in favor of one or the other. Both afford instruction, and few hobbies ought to be ridden that do not do that much for the rider. The only advice is, ride the one you take the most interest in. Frances Bragdon, 1709 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Ill., also desires sample copies of amateur papers.
Who Can Enlighten Us?
I enclose a sketch of a button. Can you tell me what it is? The star is blue, set in a little from the white enamelled background. The belt is silver, raised up above the white background. I have quite a large collection of buttons, and would like to hear from other button collectors on the subject of exchanging specimens.
D. W. Hardin.
1003 Court Street, Saginaw, Mich.