re the jumper is, and how
he looks during the entire transit over the bar.

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.

I have a number of inquiries every week regarding water-marks in stamps,
especially since the U.S. has begun the practice. Many governments have
used this method as a prevention to counterfeiting. The water-mark is
made in the paper while in process of manufacture. When the paper pulp
is somewhat solidified, a roller is run over it under pressure. This
roller has on the outside a pattern made in brass or copper, and as it
passes over the wet sheet it thins the paper wherever the pattern has
pressed it. If well done, the water-mark can be seen by looking through
the paper. If poorly done, the water-mark can be seen indistinctly.
Philatelists look for indistinct water-marks by placing the stamp face
downward on a piece of black paper, or japanned iron, and then apply
pure benzine to the back of the stamp with a camel's-hair brush. This
method reveals water-marks better than any other. Formerly most paper
had a water-mark, but as a rule to-day it is used on fine qualities of
writing-paper only.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

England and her colonies have used water-marks in stamps since 1854. In
that year the Small Crown was used for 1d. red and 2d. blue. The V. R.
was used on the 6d. violet issued in the same year. In 1855 the Garter
was used for the 4d. in three sizes known as the "Large, Medium, and
Small Garters." To give an idea of the difference in value according to
water-marks I quote from a late catalogue:

Unused. Used.

Small garter, 4d. on bluish paper, $75.00 $1.25
" " 4d. " white " 100.00 2.50
Medium " 4d. " " " 60.00 1.00
" " 4d. " bluish " 75.00 2.00
Large " 4d. " white " 1.75 .08

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

In 1856 the "Large Crown" and the "Heraldic Emblems," or "Four Flowers,"
were used on the 1d., 1-1/2d., 2d., 3d., 6d., 9d., and 1s. stamps.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

Eleven years later the "Spray of Rose" was used on all stamps from 3d.
to 2s. The "Anchor" was u