A Brief Study of Early Cancellations Chart showing comparative rarity of cancellations as found in 10,000 3c Greens MR. J. A. RITCHIE'S endeavor to compile information for a book in which will be classified the cancellations which postmasters placed on stamps in the early philatelic history of the United States has attracted the spontaneous and earnest support of collectors everywhere in the country, and deservedly so. Scott's is aiding Mr. Ritchie in every possible way, and in this connection our examination of 10,000 3-cent greens, picked at random from the issues of 1871 to 1879, is the basis for the accompanying table, which will be of interest to all collectors who are cooperating in the search for unusual cancellations. The following explanation will be helpful in interpreting this table: All cancellations which are faint, indistinct, or not sufficiently complete for identification, are classified under the heading "Non-descript smudges," or Group 1. The common types of "block" or 7 Organization—and Some Prizes (Continued from Page 15) Scout troop has held a stamp exhibit, we will make some sort of awards in the form of stamps or accessories-the exact character of these offerings will be decided upon later. There are a few simple rules which must be followed. In the first place, each exhibit must be held during the months of May, June and July. The date of each display must be given; the number of boys who competed; the place where the exhibits were held; the names of the judges. The names and addresses of the owners of the three collections which are declared to be worthy of prizes should be sent to Scott's and we will forward direct to them the awards we decide to make. The age limit for all contestants is 17 years, as this is a contest for juniors alone. We are prepared to give away hundreds of first, second and third prizes, if necessary—and will do this gladly to support our conviction that encouragement should in every possible way be accorded the young collectors of to-day. PACKET No. 6 A Representative Collection of Oddities and Varieties issued by the Colonies of France. All in fine condition, and no duplicates. Alphabetically arranged and mounted for transfer to the Album. TH CATALOGUE HE demand for the 1920 issue of our Catalogue has so far exceeded our expectations that the entire first printing was sold out before the date of publication. Work has already begun on a second printing, which will be ready for sale sometime between May 15 and June 1. We fear this also will be oversold. It may interest our readers to know that the advance orders for the 1920 Catalogue were more than double the number received on any previous edition. This proves our contention that the present boom in stamp collecting is due to a vastly increased number of collectors, rather than to any speculation on the part of the older collectors. Questions and Answers Note.-A glance through our Questions and Answers department should enable you to comprehend the sort of questions which are constantly being received by Scott's. From the many which have been asked us in recent months, two are answered herewith which have replies that are of popular interest. T. S. C. Why does the seal shown on the 5 cent stamp of Newfoundland, 1866-76, have feet like a dog? At the risk of being flippant we might reply, because he is built that way. In all probability, most of us know very little about seals. A few have seen them in an aquarium or a zoo or performing tricks at a circus, but the majority of us get our knowledge of them from books and pictures. Our idea of a seal is that it has flippers or fins at its sides and a The forked tail, somewhat like a fish. Newfoundland 5 cents of 1880-94 depicts a seal in this way. This is what the International Encyclopedia says about the structure of the seal: "Seals are specially modified for their aquatic life, particularly in the structure of the limbs. The upper arm and forearm of the front limb, and the two corresponding parts of the hind limb, are very short and more or less imbedded in the tissues of the body, while the hands and feet, especially the latter, are greatly enlarged and fully webbed. Five welldeveloped digits are present in all cases, but in the hind limbs the outer and inner digits are stouter and often longer than the other three." It must not be forgotten that there are several species of seal. In describing the gray seal, whose habitat is the North Atlantic, and which very possibly is the seal shown on the Newfoundland stamp of 1866-76, the Encyclopedia Britannica says: "A marked feature is the great length of the claws in the fore-flipper.-Another feature, which, so far as I know, is peculiar to this species, is the dog-like way in which, when on the alert, it carries its fore-flippers to the front." This may be the seal shown on the We 1866-76 stamp and explain the feet. (Continued on Page 21) |