all probability) unsuggested stamp was a representation of a man on horseback riding across country, within an oblong frame, inscribed above SEGNA TASSE, and having a circle containing the value on each side.

To return: the provinces of Northern Italy, together with the whole of the Southern peninsula and Sicily, having been added to Victor Emanuel's kingdom, it became necessary to have a new set of stamps bearing evidence on their face of their extended range of currency. Essays were accordingly submitted by M.M. Sparre, Pellas, and others, engravings of which have appeared in this magazine. The design of M. Pellas was remarkable for its beauty, and, indeed, it is difficult to understand why it was rejected; it formed a proof that Italian artists were capable of conceiving a worthy device, but the remaining essays were not remarkable for excellence. When the demand for essays rose to its height, they were produced on paper and in colours of all possible shades, but M. Pellas's production has only been printed in its six original colours-blue, black, green, carmine, yellow, and violet. It was not definitely rejected until June, 1863; some months after the appearance of the second 15 c., which was supposed, by English collectors at least, to form the vanguard of the new series.

Ultimately, Messrs. De la Rue and Co. were commissioned to prepare the design for this series; and on the 29th October, 1863, a royal decree was issued, appointing the 1st of December of that year as the day on which the emission should take place. To every copy of this decree was appended a card, headed FRANCOBOLLI POSTALI, 1863, and containing the eight stamps forming the series, each with a neat line ruled round and the word SAGGIO (specimen) printed across. At the foot was the signature IL MINISTRO DEL LAVORI PUBBLICI (the minister of public works) L. F. MENABREA. The design of these stamps is finely engraved, and the portrait of the king is more true than that of the Belgian monarch on the new issue for that country. The effect of the tracery in the 1 c. and 2 c. newspaper stamps is also excellent, nor are the colours unsuited to the character of the designs; too decided hues

To this list must be added the metamorphosed 15 c., which now does duty as a 20 c. stamp, but which we should like to see relieved from service altogether. The mys terious points or dots with which the 15 (or 20) c. is decorated have been already sufficiently dwelt upon, the mere mention of them is therefore sufficient.

Besides the orthodox emissions, there are also the hybrid newspaper stamps These were impressed on the blank sheets on which the journals were to be printed, just as they are on English papers. There is said to have been an issue of these so early as 1849, and consisting of eight values-1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, and 15 c., but we think that the 1 and 2 c. are the only values which can be relied on as existing. The design of those now in use is very simple, being only a double circle inscribed PERIODICI FRANCHI, and enclosing the value. Turin possesses, however, a stamp peculiar to itself, consisting of a single-lined circle with STAMPATI FRANCHI on its inner edge, c. 1 (or 2) R. POSTE TORINO in the centre. The impressions are printed in red. It was proposed that in place of them an adhesive stamp should be prepared and put in circulation; and the number of Le Timbre Poste which contained a cut of the wonderful SEGNA TASSE essay, contained also a cut of a still more wonderful essay for the projected newspaper stamp. It was rectangular in shape, and in the central circle was the profile of a woman, for which a Billingsgate lady might have been the model, and which was intended to symbolise Italy; PERIODICI in the upper, and FRANCHI in the lower margin; c.1 at sides, and floral ornament in

spandrels. However, as the editor of the Belgian journal remarks, if a movable stamp is required to replace the impressions, the 1 centesimo will surely answer the purpose.

There still remain for mention the 'administration' stamps. These are large labels which are known by the name of Bolli Gommati (gummed stamps). They serve-for what do you suppose, kind reader?-for official letters, possibly, but if so, this is only their secondary use; their principal employment being to seal the sacks of letters so as to prevent them from being opened during transit. For this purpose English clerks use wax, and we may be sure that German offi

cials show an equal partiality for this material, but the Italians require a large adhesive label. This stamp, which is represented by the annexed cut, bears the arms of Savoy, crowned and supported by flags, in a circle inscribed AMMINISTRAZIONE DELLE POSTE ITALIANE; the corners are filled in with a Greek pattern; colour magenta.

When it was known that the department intended to issue a stamp of this class a number of essays sprung into existence. No one knows whether they were ever actually submitted to the inspection of the authorities, and it does not much matter. There was considerable variety, but little excellence of design. Some were simple black inscribed circles, others bore the arms of Savoy on a large scroll inscribed POSTE ITALIANE TRASPORTO DISPACCI. Some resembled the accepted stamp. Others, again, bore the king's head in a circle; and notably amongst these last was a set with the effigy on the current postage stamps in the centre. One, perhaps the handsomest of the lot, contained an emblematic figure of Italy seated, holding a crown in her right and a book in her left hand, with a ship and locomotive in the background. These essays were printed in a variety of colours; scme were perforated,

others were not; some were square, and some round, with scolloped edges. But it would be waste of space to catalogue at length the multifarious essays for stamps which after all scarcely come within the pale.

We have now only to add that in 1818 sheets of paper were impressed in the Turin post-office with a stamp representing a boy on horseback blowing a trumpet, in an octagonal frame, with value, 15, 25, or 50 c., in the lower margin; the size of the stamp was about 1 in. by in. It is affirmed that it had nothing to do with the prepayment of the postal rate, although the paper was called at the time of its production carta postale bollata. This question, however, we must leave to the decision of our foreign friends, who have greater facilities than we for the investigation of such points. We are indebted to them for much of what has been given above, and in this respect we are but 'gatherers of other men's flowers.' It was thought impossible that the foregoing paper should be other than a compilation, depending as it does upon facts which those who have preceded us in research have elucidated.

NEWLY-ISSUED OR INEDITED
STAMPS.

IN reference to philately may be adopted, with all necessary modification, the celebrated motion of a not-yet-forgotten demagogue, which must have electrified a large portion of the House, to the effect that 'the prerogative of the crown has increased, is increasing, and ought to be curtailed.' Notwithstanding that the secession from the ranks of philatelists of some distinguished amateurs is a sad reality, we may yet congratulate ourselves that the collection of postage stamps 'has increased, is increasing, and ought to be encouraged;' and this would seem the opinion of the acting postal officials, from the frequency and variety of their issues. scarcely has time to catalogue and arrange a series of impressions in albums, ere new candidates for admission start forth to claim space in the exhibition. The territory whose recent emissions head the present list,

One

but a short while since favoured us with a perforated series by way of variety, having previously entirely changed the hue of one impression, and added a couple of novel values to its original set. The free city,

which has proved so very free and easy in deluging our collections with falsities, forgeries, and humbugs of all kinds, certainly owed collectors some amends for her persevering appeals to the credulity of the unwary; and we are bound to own that her recent emission of envelopes goes far to redeem her lost credit. After this preamble we may proceed to business, and introduce our first engraving.

HAMBURG. From the interminable varieties of heads to right and heads to left, the eye always turned with relief to the pages containing the stamps of Hamburg or their congeners. The page devoted to the emissions of the free city will now receive the addition of seven envelopes (eventually, doubtless, of ten) and one adhesive, all of the same pattern, and which show a decided superiority over their elder brethren, though still bearing the distinctive peculiarities of their race. The improvement, however, will be scarcely appreciated on simple reference to our illustration, which merely notifies the adoption of the octagonal form and greater neatness in the inscription, without marring its distinctiveness, but cannot realize the pleasing effect produced by having the figures embossed, thus throwing them in advance of the castle in lieu of the original jumble. The new adhesive is of the value of 1 schilling, its colour, pink. The paper on which it is impressed is not so substantial as that of the other values, being of the same quality as that used for the Oldenburgs, &c., and like it, unwatermarked. The envelopes are similar in colour to their equivalent adhesives, but the tints. are much brighter, this is particularly the case with respect to the 1 sch. Those hitherto circulated made their debut on the 1st of April last. We conclude this notice with a specification of value and colour. Black schilling, mauve 1 sch., pink 1 sch.,

tesimi yellow, and the 20 centesimi rose, The other values are the 5 c. blue, and the 10 c. green. This now current series was first notified in our January number, page 9, under the head of Uruguay.

cause.

SWEDEN. Few if any countries have 'kept on the even tenor of their way,' as far as concerns postage stamps, like Sweden. Not one of the two distinct emissions, or of the three Stockholm locals, has given any trouble to collectors, either by its rarity or any other All reliable catalogues chronicle the same individuals, the sole distinction known being some trifling variations in tint. Except a few wretched imitations of the locals, the forgers themselves have scarcely tried their dishonest hands at them. In the marvellous collection lately owned by Dr. De Volpi, of Munich, there are a few first-rate proofs, and these are almost the only ones we have seen. Still, like the Hamburgs, the Swedes have always afforded an agreeable variety in our albums, and the two specimens of what may possibly be a third complete emission, retain a character of their own.

The

design, as will be seen on reference to the annexed cut, closely approaches that of the brown 3 öre, the upper portion being identical, or very nearly so, with that stamp. The values and colours of the new issue are 17 öre lilac and 20 öre scarlet. These values have not heretofore been employed, and

whether they supersede others or are merely supplementary, and in the latter case do not constitute themselves the forerunners of a new emission, we are not in a position at present to decide. They are unwatermarked. KALTBAD. The Rigi-Kaltbad local, first

noticed in the November number of our last volume, and again in the February one for the present year, is here depicted, but we know no more of its origin, purpose, and history than we did before. We can only offer it to our readers' notice, as in duty bound with regard to every candidate for public patronage, whether eligible or ineligible.

HAITI. The black republic now possesses two stamps, a medio real light-green having been added to the 1 real previously emitted. We trust, as 'our sable brethren' have entered upon the path of postal progress, they will not rest satisfied with their present issue, but will produce a series of stamps worthy to take rank beside the artistic emissions for the sister republic of Liberia.

FINLAND.-Annexed we give a cut of the latest novelty for this province. The stamp is printed in two colours, the band inscribed STADS POST being red, and the remainder of the design bright-green; on white paper. That the

stamp is a government issue we have no reason to doubt. It will be observed that the new monetary denomination, PENNIA, which is abbreviated on the stamps issued a couple of months since, is here given at full length.

THURN AND TAXIS, NORTH.-A black silbergroschen, same type as the highervalues of the current series, is now added to that set.

NEW SOUTH WALES.-A correspondent forwards the description and rough sketch of a stamp he states to have discovered among some old Australians, which, whether resuscitation or impostor, we judge our duty to lay before readers. Head of Queen to left, in circle, CAMBRIA NOVA AUSTRALIS in

TURKEY.-The local post-office has emitted the subjoined stamp of unique appearance. The Turkish legend signifies GAZETTA TAMGASSI CHEHIR POSTASSI, or, in plain English'seals for the journals sent through the local post.' The value is 31

P.L.

JOURNE

paras. As the 5 paras blue was said to be also for journals, we do not quite understand the reason for this new emission, but we hope to live and learn.

CUBA.-A new issue of Cuban stamps has taken place. The type is the same as that of the old issue, identical with the 1864 Spanish, but the latest arrivals bear the value in centesimos, and the date 1866. The emission consists of four values:-5 centesimos lilac, 10 c. blue, 20 c. green, and 40 c. rose, upon unwatermarked white paper. The perforatory improvement which finds favour in the mother country is not adopted by her West Indian colony.

ST. KITTS. From a set of proofs of the essays proposed for adoption by this island, we described the new design, of which the subjoined cut is a representative.

O

POST

VICTORIA.-Victoria at last! The hideous black sixpenny -for -peace to its manesSTAGE we must not speak ill of the defunct, will now have the advantage, the only one it was ever likely to have, of not being readily procurable, having passed into the community of 'has-beens.' Its successor is of the same type as the recently-emitted tenpenny, colour blue, watermarked with the figure 6. It was emitted early this year. The colour of the threepenny has been changed from blue to lake, we are told, but have not seen one; device remains the same.