Philately is only one of the many forms of "collecting" which are a part of our human nature, but it seems exceptionally conducive to sociability, good-fellowship, and general jollity. The Collectors' Club House in New York was taken in hand by a Christmas entertainment committee, who decorated the house with greens, put up a big Christmas tree, and made the whole house seem homelike. The entertainment was given on the night of the 28th of December, and those members who were unavoidably absent missed a great treat. The Christmas tree was stripped, and almost every one received a present of something he did not want--upon the condition, however, that the parcel should be opened by the recipient in full view of all the audience. The burlesque presents showed both good-humor and wit.
1d. black. 2d. black and green. 4d. black and orange. 6d. black and blue.
2s. 6d. black and violet. 3s. black and yellow. 5s. black and violet. £1 black and orange. £10 black and vermilion. 1s. on £1 blue and red. 2s. on 6d. lilac and red. With black surcharge.
15c. black and ochre, banana-tree. 40c. black and green, canoe.
1/2c. gray, two figures. 1c. rose, pagoda. 2c. green, two elephants. 3c. yellow, landscape. 4c. claret, pagoda. 5c. violet, bell.
The 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, 20, 24, 30, 50 centavos and 1 peso of the current series have been issued with "Official" surcharge.
4d. olive and green. 6d. mauve and green.
J. FETTERIDGE.--The "Officially Sealed" stamps are losing favor rapidly, and probably will be omitted in future catalogues. They are interesting as labels connected with the postal service, but they cannot be called postage-stamps.
F. G. ELLIOTT.--During the first half of this century the mint frequently made use of old dies when making a later issue. For instance, the 1838 1c. die was used for the 1839 issue. The figure 8 was changed to a figure 9 in a bungling manner, with the result that the date looks as if it had been struck 1838, and then restruck 1839.
C. RAWSON.--The 3c. U. S. Revenue "Telegraph" stamp, unperforated, is worth 75c.; perforated, 15c. The 3c. "Playing Cards," unperforated, $15; perforated, $4. The 3c. "Proprietary" and "Foreign Exchange" are not known unperforated; perforated they are worth from 5c. to 10c. each. The other stamps mentioned are worth 1c. each.