Harper's Catalogue

Thoroughly revised, classified, and indexed, will be sent by mail to any address on receipt of ten cents.

This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain many valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L.A.W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.

There are several well-known rules in bicycling to-day which have established themselves by custom, and yet many of which, perhaps, will not be found in any book. They are, none the less, rules to be followed, because they are founded on experience. Riding in the city is very different from riding in the country, and there are certain differences in riding in small towns from either the country or the city. In the country there is no reason why one should not ride on side-paths or sidewalks if the road is better there. There is much less traffic, not so many pedestrians, and no one has any objection to this side-path riding there.

It is very different in towns, however. There, whether the law forbids sidewalk riding or not, no bicyclist should leave the street. In towns and in cities bicycles become in every way subject to the laws of carriages; a wheelman should keep always on the right-hand side of the road on principle. When a horse and carriage or another wheel is approaching, he should turn to the right, although both the driver of the horse and carriage and the rider of the wheel must give him room to pass on the right. In overtaking and passing either carriages or bicycles, you should pass to the left, turning, in other words, from the right-hand side of the road in towards the centre. In turning a corner, there are several rules to be observed, and in practice they ought all to be observed invariably. If you are turning into a street to the left a wide circle should be made, keeping well to the right, leaving room always at the corner for any vehicle, whether bicycle or carriage, to easily pass.

In fact, a good principle is to keep straight on until the cross-road is nearly passed, then turn to the left, and running into the cross-road close to the curb at the right. Where there is a road with a walk, or a car track, or anything of the sort in the centre that divides the avenue into two roadways, always keep on the right hand of the two, and when it is necessary to cross in order to get into a side road, do the crossing as quickly as possible. If this one rule alone were followed, many accidents would be avoided.

The use of bells and brakes constitutes an important part of city riding. Every man or woman who rides in a city should have a brake. There are times when nothing can save a fall except a very powerful brake. You may be riding close behind a horse-car, a cable-car, or carriage, when either the cars are obliged to stop suddenly, or perhaps a horse falls down. The sharp turn required to avoid running into the cars or carriage on a slippery pavement would throw the rider. Back-pedalling is of no use in the emergency, and a brake is the only thing that will save a collision. In like manner, in riding at night, and turning a corner, some one may come upon you suddenly when only a brake will save a collision. Bells are of just as much use. It is always safe, and therefore advisable, to ring your bell as you cross a cross-street. One should never overtake and pass another bicyclist, especially a woman, without giving a distinct notice by ringing a bell. The rider may be new to the wheel, or a hundred different things might happen to change the direction of the leading rider, and the notice given by ringing the bell will often save a catastrophe. No corner should be turned without notice being given by ringing the bell. No carriage should be overtaken and passed without the same notice.

Of course this looks as if one would be kept ringing the bicycle bell continually in the city, which is indeed the case; but after a moment's thought it will appear that any vehicle which moves without noise is obliged to give notice by ringing bells just as frequently. Cable-cars, trolley-cars, horse-cars, etc., are all ringing bells continually, and yet the newspapers each day contain notices of accidents from one or the other. Hence one should make up his mind that if he is to ride in the city he must be continually on the watch, and must continually be giving notice of his presence by the only noise-making method at his command—the bell.

This Department is conducted in the interest of Amateur Photographers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor Camera Club Department.

A CAMERA CLUB PRINT EXCHANGE.

There is scarcely a State in the Union but what is represented in our Camera Club, and its membership extends to Canada, the maritime provinces, and Europe. Correspondence and local photographic chapters are formed among the members, who find that the exchange of ideas and experiences are of the greatest help to the amateur who wishes to improve.

A few weeks ago one of our members living in a Western State, wishing to have a picture of the Treasury Building in Washington, wrote to the editor, asking if some member of the Camera Club living in that city would not be willing to send him a print of it in exchange for one of some Western views, a list of which he enclosed in his letter. By a singular coincidence the same mail which brought this letter brought one from a member residing in Washington, who stated that she had made some fine negatives of the government buildings, and asking suggestions in regard to the printing and mounting. The address of the young lady was sent to our Western correspondent, and the exchange of prints made to their mutual satisfaction.

This incident has suggested to the editor the idea of forming a photographic-print exchange for the benefit of the members of the club who wish to form a collection of views from different localities. Suppose some member of the club wished photographs of the State Houses. He could state his wish, and say what pictures he had to offer in exchange. Members residing in the capitals of the different States, who cared to make the exchange, could correspond with the member wishing the pictures.

If the starting of a photographic-print exchange meets the favor of the club, a limited space could be given each week to the printing of the requests. The print exchange would enable one to make a fine collection of views, and the members would receive many helpful suggestions from seeing the work of other amateurs. The addresses and wants would be published in the Camera Club Department of the Round Table, but the correspondence would of course be carried on by mail, and not through the Camera Club.

Some of our amateurs have been abroad, and have made fine negatives of foreign scenes: the stay-at-home amateurs might, through the print exchange, be able to obtain some of these pictures. Amateurs who make a specialty of some particular subject or branch of photography might add to their collection, and in many ways the exchange would be a source of pleasure and profit.

The plan of exchanging prints is not a new one to our amateurs, for several of the prize-winners in our photographic contest exchanged prints of the prize pictures.

In making exchanges it is better to send unmounted prints, as the pictures can then be mounted on cards of uniform size, or placed in an album.

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.

It is now reported that instead of 200,000 sets (except the 5c.) Nova Scotia cents issue, there were 200,000 stamps only, divided as follows:

1c.52,000

2c.54,000

8½c.54,000

10c.28,000

12½c.12,000

The price paid was about $10,000, and the entire quantity of stamps has been divided into 2000 lots, each containing the same number of stamps, and the price was fixed at $6 per lot. Stanley Gibbons, of London, the English agent, stated in a letter that 80 sets would cost $500, and that single sets would retail at $6. In Stanley Gibbons's paper announcing prices of the Nova Scotia sets, advertisements of other dealers appeared offering sets at $2.40 to $3.60. Harry Hilckes, of London, states that sets have been offered to him at 62c. per set. The difference between $6 and 62c. per set is simply ridiculous. Collectors should not pay fancy prices for stamps which are common.

The French government announces the early withdrawal of the 75-centime adhesive stamp, the 5c. and 60c. envelopes, and the 3c. newspaper wrapper.

The new Japanese stamps which were to be issued in Japan on September 12, 1896, were received on letters in London on September 5.

The S.S.S.S. adds the following to its list of speculative stamps the collection of which should be discouraged:

Uruguay (Suarez memorial), 1c. black and violet; 5c. black and blue; 10c. black and red. Venezuela (Miranda), 5c., 10c., 25c., and 50c., and 1c. Bolivar.

The desire to differentiate minute varieties on the part of advanced collectors gives point to a story which is going the rounds of the philatelic press. A certain dealer secured a lot of U.S. stamps with original gum, etc. Some were older than other copies of the same issue, others were a little "off," still others had had the gum soaked off, etc. He began marking them "uncancelled"; a better copy became "unused," a still better one "original gum"; then advancing, "old original gum," "older original gum," "very old original gum"; and still there were a few which seemed to him should be classed by themselves, so after much thought they were labelled "pre-historic gum."

McHenry Coal.—The 1827 dime can be bought for 20c.

W. G. Crawford.—I do not understand your inquiry regarding postal-cards. There is a "Postal-Card Society" in existence which is quite active, but stamp-collectors, as a rule, confine themselves to adhesive stamps. In many instances, however, cut square envelopes are added. Entire envelopes of the U.S. are coming into favor gradually.

W. T. Holden, 36 Marcy Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y., wishes to exchange stamps. I believe dealers are eligible to membership in the Dorchester Stamp Exchange. I do not know the New York Stamp Exchange. All the philatelic societies in New York have exchange circuits of their own, confined to their own membership. Dealers are not eligible to membership in "The Philatelic Society, New York"; but members who afterward become dealers can continue their membership if they wish.

H. O. Koerper.—The 1839 dime is offered by dealers at 20c. each; the 3c. piece in fair condition from 10c. to 20c. each. Worn copies of either are worth face only. U.S. fractional currency which is not fresh and clean is worth face only.

L. V. Green.—Continental, Colonial, and Confederate paper money is extremely plentiful. With a few exceptions, dealers do not care to buy, except in large quantities. One house held Confederate money in bales, and sold it by the pound. The copies mentioned by you have no money value.

T. A. B. Osage.—No illustration of the St. Louis stamp appeared in No. 871 Harper's Round Table, page 875. It was illustrated in No. 826 (August 26, 1895). You say you have a copy of the 5c. St. Louis, and ask its value. It is impossible to express any opinion as to the value of a rare stamp until after examination. I am always glad to oblige a subscriber to the Round Table, but I cannot be responsible for the loss of stamps in transit. If you wish me to examine it I will do so, provided it be sent by express prepaid. When returned, it would be sent express at your expense. In the case of less valuable stamps, they can be sent by registered mail, and an addressed envelope stamped for return in the same way should be enclosed with the stamps. If stamps are sent in the regular mail, they will be returned the same way, provided an addressed and stamped envelope be enclosed.

Mary Willis.—French assignats are worthless. The French government made thousands of millions, which gradually sunk in value from par with gold to absolutely nothing within four years. The same was true of Colonial and Continental currency in this country, with the solitary exception of Vermont Colonials, which were redeemed at par.

G. T. T.—Your 1853 quarter is the common variety, worth face only.

Philatus.

YOUNG MOTHERS

should early learn the necessity of keeping on hand a supply of Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk for nursing babies as well as for general cooking. It has stood the test for 30 years, and its value is recognized.—[Adv.]