we will point out some faults of omission. We do this with the less scruple as M. Mahé advertizes an amended edition, principally, we suppose, because he (as is explained in the May number of the Timbrophile) unwisely inserted the Moresnet stamps, having been made a complete April victim by the hoax which deceived all the philatelic world. Next time we advise him to adhere entirely to the author's MSS., and not to insert any additions or emendations of his own. GREECE. In the figures at the back of the 5 lepta green we have found two perfectly distinct varieties, one considerably larger than the other. This should be noticed by our author. BAVARIA. The 1 kr. black, with the red thread in the paper, and as to which, whether stamp or essay, opinions differ, deserves mention this thread certainly does not fall in the later impressions of the first series, which Dr. Magnus speaks of as printed on the paper prepared for the second. thread runs perpendicularly down the stamp. The An explanation is asked as to the watermarked figures on the blue and red IONIAN stamps, and why the yellow is unwatermarked: we cannot give any reason, but can confirm the accuracy of the observation that these watermarks are persistent. TUSCANY.-We are not satisfied that the watermark (page 32) of intersecting lines only occurs on the white paper of the 2nd printing in 1856, as we have well defined examples of it on the blue paper originally used. This would show that two watermarks were used during the currency of the blue paper series. The CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.-All the triangular stamps have the anchor in watermark, though at times it is difficult to trace. so-called lithographed stamps are not lithographed at all, they are woodcuts, printed from engraved woodblocks, and we have never seen a fourpence on plain paper. All the paper used is vergè. NEW SOUTH WALES.-In the series with laureated heads, the one penny brown-red, on laid paper, should find mention; and the statement that none of these were on other than plain paper is erroneous. QUEENSLAND. The watermark found on a specimen of the 2d. blue is not part of the arms of the colony, but a mere ornament, forming part of the border of the sheet on which the stamps are printed. The whole inscription runs, QUEENSLAND POSTAGE STAMPS, and this ornament occurs twice in the line. WESTERN AUSTRALIA. The present rosecarmine fourpence bears a watermarked CC and crown, and is perforated à la machine. The rose essay, of which Dr. Magnus speaks, is on fine tough bank paper and unwatermarkel: it does not bear the swan, as is supposed. The exceeding rarity of this essay will excuse the error made: it is not perforated, and but a few were struck as specimens. TRINIDAD. The one-penny red, without value on the face, has appeared on paper watermarked C C and crown. We NEWFOUNDLAND.-The bouquet of heraldic flowers spoken of is probably a portion of a mark of manufacture of the paper. call attention to our reply to a correspondent in our June number, who has found a name in the paper of the twopence carmine impression. In conclusion, we can only say that the pains and care bestowed by Dr. Magnus have veritably been a labour of love; and while it seems easy to suggest additions, yet to originate such an essay as his, demanded qualities for observation of the highest order: a demand abundantly fulfilled by the result. POSTAL CHIT-CHAT. THE NEWSPAPER STAMPS OF VENEZUELA (4, 1, and 1 centavo) were prepared in conformity with the stipulations of a postal treaty between that country and Great Britain, signed on the 1st May, 1861. The first series. printed in brown ink, was emitted on the 7th of the following August. DUCKS AND DRAKES. The ladies window' clerk at one of our post offices, hearing the usual 'rap rap' which announced the presence of an applicant for a letter, on going to the window, found there a Mr. Drake. Next window, if you please, Mr Drake,-this department is exclusively for Ducks.'-Stamp-Collector's Monthly Gazette. SAINT DOMINGO.-The narrow obsolete rectangles, bearing the arms and motto, are printed in an unusual manner. The arms and frame are impressed from a die as usual, but the inscription above and below is set up separately, and printed afterwards; and as little care was taken in adding these inscriptions, they are frequently found, either overlapping the design, or partly beyond the outer margin. HOW A MISTAKE AROSE.-On the margin of the sheets of the old issue for Lubeck, the shield of the city was printed enclosed in a circle, inscribed STADT POST AMT LUBECK. One of these impressions came under Dr. Gray's notice, in the early days of stamp-collecting, and was mistaken by him for an envelope, and, as such, included in his catalogue, where it still figures. It had, in fact, no value, being simply an official mark. BERGEDORF REPRINTS.-The extremely rareschg. and 3 schg. stamps have been reprinted at last. The value of the originals is not, however, in the least diminished by the existence of these re-impressions, which are easily distinguishable by the difference in the colour of the paper. The worth of the reprints themselves must be very slight, as, not being exact reproductions of the originals in all points, they are hardly more than imitations.-Caveat emptor. THE STAMP-COLLECTOR'S MONTHLY GAZETTE.-The May number of this journal contains the following notice, which will be read with regret by all who take an interest in philatelic literature. With this number the StampCollector's Monthly Gazette closes its career. For two years it has gone forth regularly, freighted with timbrophilic information for the benefit of its numerous readers; but it will do so no more. Its race is run. many this will cause surprise and disappointment, but it is inevitable new enterprises require all our spare time, and to continue the Gazette would be unjust to ourselves and to our patrons.' Το A SHEET OF FORGERIES.-A young correspondent of ours has sent us the 'last new thing' in forgeries. Upon a large sheet of green paper, five rows of stamps are ranged, between ruled squares. The stamps are of all kinds and countries, some used and some unused, but all are counterfeits. Among the number are large New Granada, Pacific Steam Navigation Company, Sydney views, Costa Rica, old Turkish and Spanish, Sicilian, &c., and so on; whilst thrown in with these are imitations of commoner stamps, such as the, 1, 2, 4, and 9 schg. Hamburg, schg. Bergedorf, Lubeck, &c. With few exceptions these forgeries are coarse and incorrect, but may nevertheless deceive young and inexperienced collectors, whom we desire to warn. To complete the descriptions of the sheet we have only to add, that at the foot, in printed characters, is the inscription, All at one penny each;' an inscription in itself almost sufficient to open the eyes of the unwary. CORRESPONDENCE. A PERMANENT STAMP ALBUM, To the Editor of 'THE STAMP-COLLECTOR'S Magazine,' SIR, I agree with your last month's correspondent that the paper for the proposed album should be of different colours, but the various hues chosen ought to be such as are most effectual and do not readily fade, or become soon soiled. I do not, for instance, think Brown mauve or any similar colour would be suitable. and green (light and dark) are such as would well throw out the shades of the stamps. A most important matter in connection with the album is that of pursuing the old system of compart ments, or having the work to consist merely of blank unruled paper. I am in favour of the conservative and well-tried mode of arrangements, which has succeeded very satisfactorily for many years. I have never been unable to place any stamp in my album on account of its size. Only let the compartments be a trifle larger than those in Öppen, and I do not think any incon venience will be experienced from want of space. As I said in my former letter on the same topic, there should be no catalogue, merely date of issue and the values and colours marked over and in the compartments. All printing and ruling should be in black ink. Geographical arrangement should take the place of alphabetical. Spaces should be apportioned to Mulready envelopes. Half the compartments (if any) devoted to American locals should be formed of smaller divisions than the remainder. But I am no favourer of locals. The shape of Oppen's album, in my opinion, is preferable to that of the larger and more expensive ones, though an increase in the length and breadth might be desirable to correspond with the augmented thickness, I am, Sir, Yours obediently, London. R. F. WILME. To the Editor of 'THE STAMP-COLLECTOR'S MAGAZINE,' SIR,-I quite agree with the remarks of your correspondent on stamp albums-their crippled and confined character-but I would go a step beyond him. Stamp albums, as at present devised have either the character of an illustrated catalogue, as Lallier's, or of a manufacturer's pattern book, such as those whose pages are divided into a trellis work of squares, or rectangles; and there is no opportunity for tasteful arrangement, either of design, or of colour. An album with information such as we have in Lallier's, and a sufficiency of blank pages, with a few faint diagonal and cross lines to guide the collector in arranging his stamps symmetrically, and according to his own taste, is yet a thing wanted. The stamps might then be arranged in a variety of tasteful designs-cruciform, quincuncial, and others--due regard being had to combination of colours, and the effect would be pleasing, instead of being horribly formal and tasteless. If a stamp album were a bare pattern book, or catalogue, it would be very well to have all of one issue brought together in rank and file, but I presume that is not the object of stamp collectors generally. The necessary gaps, too, in albums as now arranged must ever be a source of discomfort. Many are ambitious, no doubt, to have every stamp that has ever appeared, but many also would wish simply to form a sort of specimen album of the different varieties of stamps. More taste, too, might be displayed in getting up a stamp album. In these days of cheap illuminating processes, why should not an illuminated album be produced, with tasteful and appropriate border designs round the pages of the different countries? Such an album need be not very expensive, for I have no doubt it would command a very great sale, and bring an abundant return at a small profit. These hints, if made generally known through the medium of your magazine, might be productive of something better, at least, than what has hitherto been produced in this way. I am yours, &c., F. H. B. P.S.-You do good service by exposing the vendors of false stamps; some of the tempters to such base purchases seem now to be going a step beyond this, and to be swindling the unwary out of their money without any return, not even of base coin. A friend of mine sent to an advertiser of the name of Warriner for a tempting shilling's-worth of stamps, and a day or two after for another, enclosing the prescribed cost of the packets each time; after waiting some days he wrote again, but up to this time has neither received any packets, nor had any notice taken of his communications. ANOTHER STAMP ALBUM! AND WHY NOT REQUIRED. To the Editor of 'THE STAMP-COLLECTOR'S MAGAZINE.' SIR. What with Lallier's, Moens', Stafford Smith's, Oppen's, all Alfred Smith's ruled albums, ranging in price from sixpence to six shillings, and so on, ad infinitum, one would think collectors had enough and to spare of stamp albums. But no; Mr. Overy Taylor (whose last letter, by the way, is quite unworthy of him) proposes yet another a permanent one. In furtherance of this proposition, Mr. Taylor makes some rather bold assertions about existing postage-stamp albums, some of which he does not attempt to prove. He says among other things, A book is wanted which shall give room for new issues as they come out; as well as afford spaces for stamps already in existence. All the albums now extant are deficient in this particular' (these particulars would have been better). Take Lallier, the best of those mentioned in his letter-the last edition of course, -most certainly that album affords spaces for stamps already in existence' (i.e. all those issued previous to 1866, when the 4th edition was published). Mr. Taylor then proceeds to observe with reference to Lallier, until you get all the stamps for which spaces are allotted, your pages have an incomplete look.' Doubtless, so would any album which was not filled; and the larger, and consequently more permanent the book, the more 'mournfully apparent' would your vacancies be. If Mr. Taylor had taken the trouble to look at M. Lallier's introduction to the present edition of the album, before 'damning with faint praise' our albums in general and Lallier's in particular, he would have perceived that M. Lallier intended to publish, as occasion might require, supplements in the same form as the album itself, including of course, rare varieties as well as new issues of stamps. In fact, the present edition of Lallier's album is just what Mr. Taylor requires, viz., a permanent stamp album. It is preposterous to assert that collectors must refrain from obtaining rare varieties and newly-issued stamps, simply because there are no printed spaces for them. The former I have always been rather chary of, knowing as I do, how many of them are shams. For the latter there is plenty of room on either side of the spaces; nor do I quite see how placing them outside can be unpleasant, as Mr. Taylor would infer. He then proceeds to observe, the leading philatelists, we know, collect in blank albums,' and in another part of his letter an ordinary collector cannot do better than collect in a Lallier or Moens.' At the risk then of being thought only an ordinary collector, and not a leading philatelist, by Mr. 9. Taylor, I must tell him, that not only do I collect in a Lallier, but I think it out and out the best album we have, and immeasurably superior to all blank ones. I know several timbrophilists with large collections who think with me in this respect. With reference to the word 'podgy' in the last part of his letter, I have been unable to find it in any other dictionary but the Slang Dictionary, in which it is defined to be-1. Drunk! 2. Slightly excited!! 3. Fat!!! Now how a postage-stamp album can be 'Drunk,' 'Slightly excited,' or even Fat,' is utterly beyond my comprehension. Perhaps Mr. Taylor will explain in the next number. Trusting he will take all my remarks in good part, I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, South Kensington. J. M. STOURTON. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. MOONRAKER.--Of the two specimens of ninepenny Natal forwarded for our inspection, the one which is mounted is a reprint from the true die, the other is a mere imitation. W. S., Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.-The wood-block Capes differ from the ordinary engraved ones in having no interlaced lines to form the ground, and in being generally coarser in details. We have not a copy of the third edition of Lallier at hand, so cannot inform you why two pages are left blank before those for the United States. There are no such blank pages in the present edition. W. C. N., Glasgow.—There are such things as French newspaper stamps, of which the impression you describe must have been one. BANKRUPT PHILATELIST.-You had better offer your collection to a respectable dealer, or advertise it for sale. J. D., Newcastle-under-Lyne.-Your penny stamp is unquestionably one of the 1864 issue. No English penny stamps with letters in the four corners were issued before that date. Moreover, as even perforation was not adopted until 1852, you will see how impossible it is that your stamp could have been issued in 1846; how it got on a letter of that date we cannot understand; but in this case, its discovery there cannot be held to prove, in the face of decidedly opposite and contradictory facts, that it was used at the date you name.-The red stamp is a Bremen declaration stamp, the other three are members of the new Belgian issue. T. 0.-Your Romagna, Finland, Luxembourg, and Naples specimens are all forgeries. JOHN T. T., Richmond, Yorks.-Mons. Moens has not issued a supplement to his album.-Receipt stamps cannot be used to prepay postage. Mrs. E., Liverpool. We are obliged by your forwarding us a specimen of the new Indian Stamp, which you will find described elsewhere, and also the Wurtemburg money-order envelopes.-Your copy of the small Geneva 'port local' 5 cents, black on green, is one of the oldest forgeries of that stamp. The colour of these forgeries is so different from the pure yellow-green of the true stamp, that no one who has ever seen the latter can mistake it; and the coarse lettering and careless details are sure criteria to all who know the real stamp. It is very singular how little the collecting world seems at home on the subject of these Swiss stamps. We almost feel tempted to present a paper on them. C. D., Blackheath, informs us that the postage stamps of Chili sometimes do duty as bill stamps. He has seen two of the values, the 1 and 5 c., on a bill of exchange, dated Valparaiso, 30th March, 1867.-We should hardly take this to be conclusive evidence of the constant employment of the postage stamps in the manner indicated. T. A. S., Hastings.-The impressions of the current penny New South Wales stamp on newspaper wrappers have long been known to, and accepted by, collectors. They are decidedly admissible as a distinct variety. Your specimen-uncancelled, but bearing the imprint of the paper, which is franked, across the face-is an unusual one; perhaps this imprint is considered a sufficient obliteration. P. E. W., Henley-on-Thames.-The circular stamp you sent for our inspection is no stranger to us. It comes, as you state, from Cashmere, and is a genuine label, not a postmark. It is generally found obliterated with a coarse red mark. There are impressions in red and in blue, as well as in black, but we are not aware whether the different colours indicate different values. DETAILS CONCERNING THE STAMPS OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES. WE have received the following interesting account of the Confederate stamps from our respected correspondent, L. H. B., to whom our thanks are due for the trouble he has taken. We insert the correspondence verbatim as received. To the Editor of THE STAMP-COLLECTOR'S MAGAZINE. DEAR SIR,-Deeming it a matter of importance to the science of philately that all doubts in regard to the stamps of the late Confederate States should be cleared away, I addressed a letter to Mr. John H. Reagan, expostmaster general of the late Confederacy, making inquiries in regard to them, and, in accordance with his reply, addressed Mr. H. St. George Offutt, of New York city, sending at the same time a copy of the latest edition of Dr. Gray's Catalogue for reference. It is this work to which he alludes in the course of his letters. I enclose exact copies of these three communications, addressed to myself, feeling sure that their importance warrants your publishing them in full. For his kindness, in giving so extended an account of the Confederate States postal affairs, Mr. Offutt deserves the thanks of philatelists the world over; and for his additional favours to myself, I cannot help here expressing my personal obligations. I remain, Sir, respectfully, West Springfield, Mass., U.S. Fort Houston, near Palestine, Texas, March 14th, 1867. SIR,-In answer to your letter of February 5th, making inquiries as to the description, &c., of Confederate postage stamps, I have to say that, having no specimens of these stamps, I am unable from memory to furnish the information you request. I think, at different times, and on one or another of the postage stamps, we used the likenesses of Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Jackson, Mr. Davis, and possibly Calhoun, but as to this last I am not sure. I do not think the likeness of Mr. Stephens, or General Beauregard, was ever used on our Office of Offutt, McAnerney, & Co., 39, Beekman Street, New York, April 4th, 1867. SIR,-Your favour of the 2nd inst., with the Illustrated Catalogue of Postage Stamps, was received last night, and I regret that the pressure of business engagements at the present time will preclude the possibility of furnishing you with a detailed history of the postage stamps used during the existence of the Confederate post-office department. As an officer of that department, it was my duty to procure postage stamps, and if I were to furnish a statement of the difficulties that presented themselves in obtaining engravers, tools, machinery, ink, gum, &c., &c., it would tire the patience of even the most enthusiastic collector of postage stamps. Suffice it to say, the first postage stamps obtained by me were lithographed on stone, by Hoyer & Ludwig, in Richmond, Virginia, in the month of October, 1861, and are indicated as 1, on page 83*; the style 2 was engraved and lithographed by the same parties; as was also 3, of which I attach, in the catalogue, a proof impression. The portrait of 1 is that of Jefferson Davis, 2 is that of General Andrew Jackson, and 3 was designed for James Madison, but the artist made a caricature of it. Numbers 4 and 5 || were electrotyped and printed for me by *(No. 1). Head of Davis to right in oval; inscription above, CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA. Large rect., 5 cents, green, blue. (No. 2). Head of Andrew Jackson to left in oval; inscription above, C. S. A. POSTAGE. Large rect., 2 cents, Thomas De-la-Rue & Co., London, England, and the electrotyped plates were subsequently brought to the department at Richmond, and used there by Messrs. Archer & Daly. No. 4 was designed for the portrait of John C. Calhoun, but was so imperfectly printed, that they were never issued or used, and in a short time after their reception from England the rate of postage was changed, so that that denomination became obsolete. The 5 is correctly described in the catalogue. The 6 §, though bearing the imprint, Keatinge & Ball, &c., was engraved by a Mr. Halpin, an Englishman, employed by Archer & Daly, in Richmond, and he also engraved the numbers 7 and 8¶. The 6 is correctly described in the catalogue as b. The one mentioned as a was engraved by Mr. Archer, and had the denomination expressed in letters, thus, TEN CENTS. The portrait was not satisfactory, and the plates were only used until the others, marked b, could be prepared. The engravers, Messrs. Archer & Daly, failed to comply with the terms of their contract, and a new one was entered into with Messrs. Keatinge & Ball, of Columbia, South Carolina, and the plates were delivered to them in 1864. They were requested to place their imprint upon them, for the purpose of enabling the department to fix responsibility of issue. Keatinge & Ball never engraved postage stamps for the department. I am unable to give the precise dates of issue, as all my records are in the possession of the United States government, and, I presume, are field in the 'rebel archives.' The stamps were engraved in the order in which they are represented in the catalogue. As I have in my possession counterfeits of each denomination, I have attached genuine issues in their proper places, in order that you may have the means of testing such as may be submitted to you by vendors of stamps. The counterfeits I have, some fifteen different (No. 6). Head of Davis to right in oval; inscription, POSTAGE above; CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA on sides. Rect., a, Ten cents (value in words), blue; b, 10 cents, light-blue, dark-blue. (No. 7). Head of Andrew Jackson in oval; inscription, POSTAGE, and c. s. in lower corners. Rect., 2 cents, lake-red. (No. 8). Head of Washington in oval; inscription, CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA. Rect., 20 cents, green. The local stamps, figured on page 127, were not recognized by the department, and were merely used by postmasters for convenience in prepaying postage during the period which intervened between the 1st of July, 1861, and the date when the department was enabled to supply the several post offices. They were never issued, or used, at the Richmond post-office, and their issue elsewhere did not meet the approval of the department, and but few of them were printed. I believe that I have answered all the doubtful points presented by you, except as to the precise dates of issue, which is not material. The first five were issued (with the exception of 4, which was never issued) in the latter part of the year 1861. Numbers 6, a and b, and 7, were issued in 1863, and 8 in 1864. If any other matters for inquiry in this connection suggest themselves to your mind, you need not hesitate to write to me, as it will always give me pleasure to furnish such information as may be in my possession. Respectfully, H. ST. GEORGE OFFUTT. Office of Offutt, McAnerney, & Co., Hardware and General Commission Merchants, 39, Beekman Street, New York, April 12th, 1867. DEAR SIR, I have been obliged to defer until now acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 8th inst. I am repaid for my attention to your first communication by your expressions of pleasure, derived from my condensed and hastily prepared sketch of Confederate States postage stamps. You express surprise at the seeming scarcity of the 2 c. stamp of first issue, but, to me it is surprising that any of them can be found, |