chool
athletes--the real representatives of the younger generation--are
getting in everywhere, and getting in with credit to themselves.

THE GRADUATE.

[Illustration: STAMPS]

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 rise in value of many scarce stamps during the past two years has
been phenomenal. For instance, the L1 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