St. Nicholas Stamp Page.
The feelings of collectors, in relation to the stamps which it seems to them desirable to collect, change from time to time. The surcharged stamp was an exceedingly popular variety in the early days of collecting, that is, after surcharged stamps began to be issued. The variation was made in those days from the ordinary type with a distinct and worthy purpose. The fourpenny green stamp of Mauritius has the words “four pence” imprinted upon it, because it seemed desirable to make it plain that the stamp of this color was the fourpenny value. The stamps of Straits Settlements were provided in 1867 by surcharging the issues for India, where the values were expressed in annas, with the various denominations of cents required for use in Straits Settlements. It was not until a stream of surcharges of different kinds was produced, such, for instance,as the overprints made for Turks Islands in 1881, that surcharged varieties fell into disrepute. The unnecessary character of varieties of any sort is the one thing that turns the feelings of collectors against them. These feelings, however, are sometimes changed by the passage of time. The dislike for the unnecessary stamp, interfering as it does with its collection, prevents the issuing of very large numbers of them. The consequence is that the stamps become rare, and this in itself will make the most undesirable variety change io one which is eagerly collected.
Old German Stamps.
The stamps of old German states seem to be among the most desirable of low-priced varieties. Good specimens of them are becoming scarcer all the time. As an example of this, the stamp first issued for Saxony 
may be mentioned. This stamp could be obtained between 1870 and 1880 for a very small sum. Unused copies were sold in those days as low as fifty cents. The atalogue price for the unused copy is now sixty-five dollars, and the used is worth thirty. It is not likely that history will repeat itself in the next thirty years in relation to many of the early issues of Germany; but there is no doubt that very many varieties in fine condition will be valued much higher in a few years than they are now. The early issues of Thurn and Taxis are especially worthy of attention.
The Effect of New Issues.
There has been considerable discussion lately in relation to new issues. Some hold that the constant stream of them which is flowing from many countries will destroy all interest in collecting. Others think that it is the very variety which the frequent changes produce that will attract attention to stamps, and make collecting more popular even than it has been. It certainly would not be a good thing if new issues should cease altogether. Collecting would soon hecome distasteful, particularly to the young, because of its monotony. The interest that is excited in the mind of any collector by a new issue produces an impression which increases his desire to collect. There are some countries, however, in which the changes are so frequent and so unnecessary that a certain disgust arises in the minds of most collectors, causing them to dislike the particular country and to cease gathering its stamps. The fact seems to be that collecting is helped by new issues, but that the only countries that will permanently interest collectors are those in which they arc made for a good and sufficient reason.
Lack of Interest in Revenue Stamps.
A kind of stamp which was well liked many years ago was the revenue stamp used postally. There are many attractive varieties of these, as will be seen by consulting a catalogue under the head of Victoria. The number of foreign revenue stamps, however, which has been issued is very great; and since in many countries they are all good for postage, they have come to be a burden so far as the listing them in the catalogue is concerned. The interest in them also has declined to a considerable extent, and therefore they have been dropped from the standard catalogue.
Answers to Questions.
Stamps are printed in two or more colors mainly with the idea of making them more attractive and, therefore, salable. There are few of the great countries of the world that now issue stamps in various colors. The United States government has definitely decided not to make an issue of stamps in connection with the Lewis and Clark Exposition. Local stamps are not now issued in the United States, because the government does not allow to companies the privileges which they formerly enjoyed. The United States has now turned over these powers to the Genera) Post-Office.
There are very fine counterfeits of the early Swiss stamps, and it is no guaranty of genuineness that stamps come direct from Geneva or other cities of Switzerland, for it is in those places that many of the finest counterfeits have been produced.
It is a difficult thing to decide as to the genuineness of the stamps of Spain surcharged H P N. The counterfeit overprints are numerous, and the genuine are so coarsely printed that no one can select the good from the bad. These stamps, however, are not interesting varieties and are seldom collected.
The stamps of Prussia for the year 1866 should never be soaked in water to remove paper from them, for they were printed on a material which is easily destroyed, the intention being to prevent cleaning and reuse.