ts so far as possible. Correspondents should
address Editor Stamp Department.

Plate-number collecting is booming. The newest development is the issue
of priced catalogues of the 1894 varieties, both with and without
water-marks. As yet no one has ventured to price any of the earlier
issues, but the demand for them is already greater than the supply.

A number of correspondents ask how many stamps are taken from each sheet
in plate collecting. Usually three, and care must be taken that the
stamps are not torn apart and that the margin is kept attached. The
usual form of imprint on the sheets of the present issue is the
following:

[Illustration: Bureau, Engraving & Printing. 149]

Some collectors keep the imprints from top, bottom, left, and right
sides, but most are content with one only. Plate No. 89 is the rarest of
all so far.

The Pittsburg Library has set apart an alcove for philatelic literature.
The other American libraries will probably soon be obliged to do the
same.

F. SCHOENTHALER.--The U.S. silver dollar of 1800 is worth $2. The
trade dollar is worth bullion value only.

F. M. L.--The 1845 dime is worth 20c.

H. J. LEAKE.--Confederate bills are very common, and I therefore
advise their collection, as it is comparatively easy to get a very
large number by the expenditure of little money, and they are very
interesting to all Americans. The dimes of 1829 and 1823 are sold
by dealers at 25 cents each. Your half-dollar is worth face only.
Mexican coins are worth their weight in silver only.

GEORGE FRANCE, JUN.--The 5-cent U.S. Internal Revenue is the
ordinary kind, of which many millions were used. It is sold by
dealers at 2 cents.

C. E. A.--I cannot undertake to look over a large lot of common
stamps when a little study on your part would enable you to fairly
understand them yourself. It would not be fair to you. One of the
great merits in stamp-collecting is that it trains the eye as well
as the mind.

S. HALL.--I cannot advise you about joining the A.P.A. Personally
I am not a member.

PHILATUS.

* * * * *

A GOOD CHILD

is usually healthy, and both conditions are developed by use of proper
food. The Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk is the best infant's
food; so easily prepared that improper feeding is inexcusable and
unnecessary.--[_Adv._]