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 American Philatelic Association has just been holding its annual
convention at Clayton, New York. Two sessions were held each day August
13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th. This should be a very powerful society, but
is not on account of poor management. For 1895-96 the following officers
were elected: J. K. Tiffany, president; Alvah Davison, vice-president;
N. W. Chandler, treasurer; C. W. Kissinger, secretary. The next annual
meeting will probably be held in Wisconsin or Minnesota.

The year 1888 the Belgium government withdrew the 5-franc stamp from
use. During its life about 45,000 were used, most of which were probably
saved by collectors. A short time ago 2400 of these stamps, unused, were
found in the Brussels post-office, and these have just been sold by
auction to one man, who paid 36,000 francs for the lot, more than three
times their face value.

The making of new issues of postage-stamps primarily to sell to
collectors has not been stopped. Peru intends to issue one commemorative
stamp on September 10, 1895. Uruguay will issue three stamps in
commemoration of Joaquin Suarez on October 8, 1895. The pious Belgium
postmaster proposes to make two series of local stamps for use in Liege
and Brussels in commemoration of St. Lambert, the first bishop of
Belgium. France has surcharged her own 15, 25, 30, 50 centimes, and 1
franc stamps D. S. for use in the colony of Diego Suarez. I advise
collectors to leave all the above out of their collections. Any money
spent for them is simply thrown away.

The new 3, 5, 30, and 50 cent postage-due stamps have been reported as
issued; but no copies have yet reached the New York post-office.

It is rumored in stamp circles that the U. S. government is going to use
paper water-marked with an eagle for use in printing stamps. I hope the
postal authorities will see that the water-mark will be made
sufficiently clear to be seen distinctly on every stamp. The present
system is simply laughable. In 99 instances out of every 100 the present
water-mark can be seen only on the margins of the sheets, and one stamp
may contain the water-mark of a portion of one letter only, while others
have parts of two letters. Other governments seem to have no difficulty
in making clear and artistic designs for use as water-marks.