"IT."

BY EMMA J. GRAY.

Many of the games with which we are familiar in the United States are well known throughout Great Britain and on the Continent. But among the most amusing and most popular of English games is one of which we know little or nothing. It is dignified by the two-lettered name, "It."

This is altogether suitable for the parlor, and may be played by everybody if we will except the very young people. It creates roars of laughter, on account of the funny mistakes made by the questioners. "It" is a great mystery, and the longer it is played the greater mystery often it becomes. Only those understanding this game may remain in the room. All others must leave; there is no alternative. One of the party, unfamiliar with the game, is then selected to return, and must, by questioning those in the parlor, learn what "it" is. When he knows "it," he too must remain behind, and some one else is selected to fill his place. In this way the game is carried on, until each one in turn comes in and finds out the secret.

"It" is really the person who sits at your left, but, before this is discovered, usually much amusement is made. The game is played in the following way:

All in the parlor must sit in a circle, and must not change their positions. When the player is called in, he is told to ask a question of whomever he may please, and the person must correctly answer. For example—"Is 'it' white?" As everybody present is white, the answer is necessarily "Yes."

The questioner then asks another person, "Is 'it' thin?" and if the person to the left of the person thus questioned is thin, the answer is again "Yes." Perhaps this question may be repeated, and some one else is asked, "Do you also think 'it' is thin?" and if this person has some one for a left-hand neighbor who is very stout, of course he answers "No."

And thus the questioner is mystified, and must continue question after question. For a long time he may think "it" is a thing. Therefore a good question to put would be, "Is 'it' alive?" And then he might ask, "Is 'it' in this room?" Then he might try complexion, and again would be mystified, for if he asked, "Is 'it' a brunette?" and the reply being "Yes," his next question, "Has 'it' dark eyes?" would perhaps have for answer, "No"; and, "Has 'it' light hair?" "Yes." And so the secret seems harder than ever.

A good way is to ask the same questions over and over, and try to locate "it" in that way. But the questioner should not easily be discouraged. A few points may be given to him, such as some of the above. The players would better announce "It" as a trick game.

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.

In the summer of 1895 a complete unperforated sheet of the current 5c. U.S. unwatermarked was found in the post-office of New Orleans. A well-known collector bought the sheet for $1000. Some months later another collector who was looking up Plate Nos. discovered unperforated sheets of the current 3c. and 4c. stamps on unwatermarked paper (Plate Nos. 47 and 50 respectively). These unperforated stamps have been put on the market at $24 for a pair, or $12 each in larger blocks. No single stamps to be sold. The demand has been very lively, and most of the stamps have been sold at that price.

Of the 1890 issue the following are known to exist unperforated: the 2c., 4c., 5c., and 15c. Very few copies have come on the market, and those have been eagerly snapped up by the big collectors. Hitherto these unperforated stamps have probably been mere accidents, but there is danger in their becoming hereafter "accidental on purpose."

Plate Nos. are still booming. The early pink 2c. and ultramarine 1c. are comparatively easy to get. But the early Plate Nos. on watermarked paper are quite scarce. There must be quantities of these in the smaller post-offices. Fifteen dollars are offered for Plate 89 in any color.

As soon as a great rarity is discovered hundred of collectors look over everything they can find, and, wonderful to say, the stamp supposed to be unique rarely remains in that condition. The 10c. Baltimore, first catalogued about a year ago, was hardly announced when a collector in Louisville found another copy on the original envelope. And now another copy has turned up in Washington. The other day a lady who had relatives living in Florence in 1852 was induced to look over her old letters, and among them was one envelope bearing a beautiful strip of three 2 soldi Tuscany worth $50 each. The strip of three is probably worth $200 at least. Several other rare stamps were in the same lot.

The Argentine Republic has just issued a complete set of post-cards, embossed envelopes, and wrappers in commemoration of the eighty-sixth anniversary of the republic's independence. It is said that this issue is not to serve for a limited time, but will continue indefinitely. Argentine has not been very conservative in the making of new issues during the last decade. Complete series were issued in 1888, 1889, 1890, 1892, with some additional values in 1891, Columbian 2c. and 5c. in 1892, and official stamps in red and in black surcharges, with the inevitable inverted surcharges, some perforated, others rouletted, etc.

From present appearances it looks like a good set to let alone. As to their appearance, they are ugly in comparison with the Greek Olympian stamps, which have been put on the black list. The following is a complete set of this commemoration series:

3 centavos post-card, orange on buff.

4 centavos post-card, gray on buff.

6 centavos post-card, violet on buff.

6x6 centavos post-card, violet on buff.

3 centavos letter-card, orange on buff.

4 centavos letter-card, gray on buff.

½ centavos wrapper, blue.

1 centavos wrapper, brown.

2 centavos wrapper, green.

4 centavos wrapper, gray.

5 centavos envelope, pink on buff.

L. Warren.—The only way to detect counterfeit stamps is to know what the originals are. Paper, water-mark, perforation, roulette, color of ink, size, and peculiarities of the engraving, and many other factors enter into the problem. Dealers usually keep an album of all the different varieties of counterfeits of every stamp for the purpose of comparison. Duplicate counterfeits are at once destroyed. In addition, dealers, like the advanced collectors, study the peculiarities of all genuine originals which come into their hands, and are always ready to take time and trouble to see fine collections, and talk over the different stamps. It is only by this method that a man becomes an expert in these days of dangerous counterfeits. Gradually an intuitive knowledge of forgeries is developed, so that frequently an expert will condemn a stamp which seems to be in all essentials a genuine one. If not an expert there is only one way to buy valuable stamps, namely from collectors or dealers, known to be experts, and known to be responsible.

W. K. Dart.—The current 2c. have three forms of triangle (see Round Table for May 12, 1896). They have no particular value, either used or unused. I would advise you to get a catalogue for 25c., as it is impossible for one to quote prices on a long list of ordinary stamps for every one of the many readers of the Round Table. Study your stamps by the aid of the catalogue.

S. E. Seorah.—The A.P.A. will hold their annual meeting at Lake Minnetonka, a beautiful summer resort in the lake country of Minnesota.

Philatus.

A GOOD CHILD

is usually healthy, and both conditions are developed by use of proper food. The Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk is the best infant's food: so easily prepared that improper feeding is inexcusable and unnecessary.—[Adv.]