Harper's Round Table, July 2, 1895 Part 17

San Francisco's "Chinatown."

Chinatown proper is bounded by Pacific Street on the north, Kearny Street on the east, and California and Stockton streets on the south and west respectively. Three of the princ.i.p.al car lines pa.s.s through it, so much of Chinatown and its life can be seen even by one coming up from downtown on the cars.

One is much amused by the curious ways and dress of the Chinese children, especially the young ones. Sometimes around Chinese New-Year's there is a great celebration and much firing of fire-crackers. Then the buildings are decorated in the brightest colors, and each Chinaman salutes his friend or neighbor with "Quong he fat choy" (Happy New-Year). Chinamen also make presents to their white friends at this time, sometimes very elaborate ones.

Post Street is the most common street for Chinese funerals, which consist of but one or two carriages, and sometimes only a hea.r.s.e. From the vehicles are thrown out slips of paper about an inch and a half by five inches, with slits cut in them. There is a common belief that the devil must go through every hole in every piece of paper before he can reach the soul of the dead.

N. WHEATON, K. T. R.

SAN FRANCISCO.

Want Corner.

Margaret Seymour thinks her hobby such a queer one that no one else is interested in it. She is tracing the Sigurd or Siegfried Myth. She asks if _Elder Edda_, Jordan's _Sigfrid's Saga_, and Geibel's _Tragedy of Brunehild_, have ever been translated into English; also where to find the _Volsunga Saga_. _The Brunehild Tragedy_ can be had in English from French & Sons, publishers, 18 West Twenty-third Street, New York. Can any member tell us about the others? Sidney T. Mirams, lives in Elder Street, Dunedin, New Zealand, and is a member of our Order who collects stamps. Moreover, he says he has some to trade; also wrappers and post cards. Charles F. Hoffman, 16 Whitehall Street, New York has started an eight-page monthly called _The Courier_, and will send a free sample to all who ask. Its price is twenty-five cents a year, but it is to be raised to thirty-five cents. It is a good juvenile amateur.

[Ill.u.s.tration: STAMPS]

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.

This Department is conducted in the interest of the readers of HARPER'S ROUND TABLE--(1) To give the _important_ stamp news of the day; (2) to a.s.sist the young collectors to collect _intelligently_ by giving them hints on those subjects which are usually so difficult to understand, such as perforations, water-marks, papers, colors, methods of manufacture, varieties of dies, and the care and management of their philatelic treasures: (3) to answer questions in this column, or by letter, provided a stamped and addressed envelope be enclosed with the inquiry. I hope, however, all collectors will provide themselves with a catalogue, sold by all stamp-dealers, as this will in itself answer such questions as "What is the value of a ---- U. S. stamp?"

MOLLIE DAVIS.--The stamp is catalogued at 2c.

LANTIE V. BLUM.--I advise young collectors always to buy stamps from well-known, respectable dealers. See our advertising columns for names.

C. P. MCKILLOPP.--The 10c. green U. S. 1851 unperforated is worth 60 to 75 cents. The same stamp perforated is worth 25 cents. The 10c. 1861 is worth 5 cents; the same stamp grilled is worth 40 cents. The 6c. Lincoln 1870, grilled, is worth $4, but without grill 2 cents.

F. G. CLAPP.--The Richmond stamp is a fraud. Look a little sharper, and you will find the 2c. current issue with a white line inside the frame of the triangle. There is a new issue of U. S.

envelopes. The water-mark has been changed.

L. H.--The gold coin has no premium, owing to the monogram. I should prefer to see the Blood, Boyd, and Bouton stamps before making any definite answer, as you do not give the dates of the letters to which they are affixed.

MURRAY CAMPBELL.--The various Confederate bills are worth very little. The stamp-dealers sell them very cheaply.

E. P. TRIPP.--The revenue-stamp is worth 2 cents. The 1c. 1851 _without_ the outer line at the bottom, and the same stamp perforated (1856) _with_ the line are the scarce varieties.

ROY THOMPSON.--There is no premium on the fractional currency used during the war, unless it is perfectly fresh and has never been circulated.

C. G. ATHERTON.--Sverige means Sweden. The French stamp is a revenue, not a postage-stamp. The Brazil is a newspaper-stamp.

E. C. CROSETT.--The scarce variety of the 7c. 1870 U. S. is the one without the line around the inner circles of the bulb.

J. K.--The Kew-Kiang, Wuhu, etc., are Chinese local stamps, and were issued primarily to sell to collectors. I would not advise buying them, as, speaking philatelically, they are simply trash.

A. E. BARROW.--English stamps surcharged I. R.--Official, are simply official stamps used for governmental mail matter. The blue, green, and red "Jenkins Camden Despatch" are either reprints or counterfeits. In either case they are of no value. The New Zealand and Confederates mentioned by you are all catalogued regularly.

A. B. JOHNSON.--The 1882 re-engraved of U. S. 1870 have most of their lines deepened. It is almost impossible to explain by words, but a single look at the originals and the re-engraved will show you once for all the difference. The embossing of the U. S. stamps was made on the supposition that the cancellation of an embossed stamp would make it impossible to use the stamp a second time.

Possibly it would do so if the embossing were strong enough to pierce the stamp with numerous holes, but practically the idea was a failure. Clear embossing may be measured by a millimetre scale.

PHILATUS.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ivory Soap]

An experienced laundress will tell you that shirts never look as white as when washed with Ivory Soap.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.

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There's lots of snap and vim in this HIRES' ROOTBEER. There's lots of pleasure and good health in it, too. A delicious drink, a temperance drink, a home-made drink, a drink that delights the old and young. Be sure and get the genuine

[Ill.u.s.tration: HIRES' Rootbeer]

A 25 cent package makes 5 gallons. Sold everywhere.

The Chas. E. Hires Company, Philadelphia, Pa.

[Ill.u.s.tration: If afflicted with SORE EYES USE Dr. ISAAC THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]

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WONDER CABINET =FREE=. Missing Link Puzzle, Devil's Bottle, Pocket Camera, Latest Wire Puzzle, Spook Photos, Book of Sleight of Hand, Total Value 60c. Sent free with immense catalogue of 1000 Bargains for 10c.

for postage.

INGERSOLL & BRO., 65 Cortlandt Street N. Y.