Only one way to know. Buy
Every foot of Columbia tubing is made in our own mills from carefully selected and tested high-carbon steel and nickel steel. Columbia tubing is the strongest and best in the world.
Art Catalogue free if you call upon the agent, or by mail from us for two 2-cent stamps.
Branch Houses and Agencies are almost everywhere. If Columbias are not properly represented in your vicinity, let us know.
All Columbia Bicycles are fitted with
UNLESS DUNLOP TIRES ARE ASKED FOR.
are made of proper rubber, proper fabric, properly put together—proper tires in every way. Make bicycling pleasure absolute.
Hartford Tires are furnished with most bicycles of highest grade. Can be had on any.
New York. Philadelphia. Chicago.
We wish to introduce our Teas. Sell 30 lbs. and we will give you a Fairy Tricycle; sell 25 lbs. for a Solid Silver Watch and Chain; 50 lbs. for a Gold Watch and Chain; 75 lbs for a Bicycle; 10 lbs. for a Gold Ring. Write for catalog and order sheet Dept. I
to agents selling stamps from my 50% approval sheets. Send at once for circular and price-list giving full information.
100 all dif. Venezuela, Bolivia, etc., only 10c., 200 all dif. Hayti, Hawaii, etc., only 50c. Ag'ts w't'd at 50% com. List FREE! C. A. Stegmann, 5941 Cote Brilliante Ave., St. Louis, Mo
STAMPS! 100 all dif. Bermuda, etc. Only 10c. Ag'ts w'td at 50% com. List free. L. Dover & Co., 1469 Hodiamont, St. Louis, Mo.
Hold their place in the front rank of the publications to which they belong.—Boston Journal, Feb. 19, 1896.
| Magazine, $4.00 a Year |
| Weekly, $4.00 a Year |
| Bazar, $4.00 a Year |
| Round Table, $2.00 a Year |
Any questions in regard to photograph matters will be willingly answered by the Editor of this column, and we should be glad to hear from any of our club who can make helpful suggestions.
Several queries have been sent to the editor recently asking how to prepare gold for photographic use. Gold is one of the chemical elements. Its symbol is "Au," the first two letters of the word aurum, the Latin name for gold. Gold is used in photography in the form of chloride of gold. To make chloride of gold, pure gold is dissolved in a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric (muriatic) acid. This mixture is called "aqua-regia," from its being the only known solvent of gold. It is made by mixing one part of nitric acid, two parts of muriatic acid, and three parts of water. Gold dissolves very readily in this mixture.
Chloride of gold may be made from gold-leaf (such as is used by dentists), gold coins, scraps of gold ornaments, etc. Where the amateur prepares his own gold about half the expense is saved. Put the gold into a glass vessel and pour over it eight times its weight of aqua-regia. Set the vessel in a dish of hot water, and let it stand on the back of the stove till the gold is entirely dissolved. Pour the solution into a porcelain crucible, and subject to heat till all the free acid is evaporated or driven off. After the acid is evaporated, add three or four drachms of distilled water and evaporate again. When the water is evaporated, enough distilled water must be added to make the solution up to a standard strength—one grain of gold to three drachms of water. If twenty-four grains of pure gold are used, add nine ounces of distilled water. Keep this solution in a dark place or in an opaque bottle. The bottle may be wrapped in black needle-paper, which will also protect it from the light.
Gold coins and jewelry contain more or less alloy, but this does not seem to affect the print in any way. One grain of gold will tone from twenty to twenty-five cabinet prints. The chemical formula for chloride of gold is AuCl3, meaning that a molecule of chloride of gold contains one atom of gold and three atoms of chlorine. In order to preserve the gold chloride longer, it is usually prepared with salt, and is called chloride of gold and sodium. It is in this form that it is sold for use in photographic work, the pure chloride of gold attracting and absorbing moisture from the air.
The chloride of gold and sodium is prepared by dissolving common salt in a solution of chloride of gold and then evaporating the solution. Sodium chloro-aurate is also another name for this salt. Chloride of sodium is common salt, and the chemical formula is NaCl, meaning that it is composed of one part natrium (the Latin name for sodium) and one part chlorine. The chemical formula for chloride of gold and sodium is NaCl, AuCl3+2H2O, meaning that it is composed of one molecule of chloride of sodium, one molecule of chloride of gold, to which are added (+) two molecules of water. The chemical formula is also written in this way: NaAuCl4+2H2O. When chloride of gold and sodium is used for toning, a larger quantity by weight must be used than when the pure chloride of gold is used.
A stock solution may be prepared by adding 15 grains of chloride of gold and sodium to 7½ oz. of water. (By a "stock solution" is meant a solution that keeps for a long time, and may therefore be prepared in a large quantity.)
The toning-bath is made by taking 3½ oz. of water and pouring in the gold solution till the mixture will turn blue litmus-paper red. (About half an ounce will be sufficient.) To this mixture add bicarbonate of soda until it turns the red litmus back to blue. This bath should be prepared about half an hour before it is needed for toning. A saturated solution (see first paper on simple chemistry) should be made of bicarbonate of soda, and kept in stock.
Bicarbonate of soda is a fine white powder, soluble in ten parts of water. It is used for neutralizing the excess of acid in gold toning-baths. Natural deposits of bicarbonate of soda are found in Africa, where it is called "trona," and in South America, where it is called "urao." Its chemical formula is HNaCO3.]
Names of chemical elements mentioned and their atomic weight:
| Atomic | ||
| Chemical Element. | Symbol. | Weight. |
| Carbon | C | 12 |
| Chlorine | Cl | 35.5 |
| Gold (Latin name Aurum) | Au | 196 |
| Hydrogen (standard weight) | H | 11 |
| Oxygen | O | 12 |
| Sodium (Latin name Natrium) | Na | 23 |
Hydrogen is the lightest substance known, and an atom of hydrogen is used as the standard weight by which all other atoms of the chemical elements are weighed.
Sir Knight Silas Leon Smith, New Orleans, La., asks for a formula for making paper which can be exposed in the camera like a plate. Calotype-paper is probably the paper which Sir Silas says he has seen described, and which produces a positive picture when exposed in the camera. The process is too long to describe in the space devoted to the "Answers to Querists," but the formula may be found in Wilson's Cyclopedia of Photography, which is in most public libraries. Sir Silas sends a formula for sensitizing paper to produce a red image, for which he will please accept thanks. The formula will soon be published in the Camera Club, and credit given.
Sir Knight Frank Evans, Jun., sends the following formula for developer, which he recommends both for plates and for bromide paper.
EIKONOGEN DEVELOPER.
NO. 1.
Sulphite of Soda (Crystals) 3 oz. Hot Water 45 " Thoroughly dissolve, then add 1 oz. of eikonogen.
No. 2.
Sal Soda 4 oz. Water 15 " To develop, take of No. 1, 3 oz.; No. 2, 1 oz.
This developer can be used over again.
Irving R. Kenyon asks what paper should be used and what rules should be followed by persons submitting manuscripts to editors. It is not a matter of paper or rules that determines the value of poetry or prose articles. True, there are a few rules, but they are those dictated by convenience chiefly. For instance, write on one side of the paper only. Do not roll manuscripts. Fold them. Use common letter-paper, any convenient size. Write plainly, punctuate according to your judgment, and insert paragraphs where needed. If you can do so, have your manuscript typewritten. This is not a condition to its acceptance; merely a more easily read form for it. Put your name and full address at the top of the first sheet. A long letter to the editor is unnecessary. You can say that the manuscript is submitted at the publisher's regular rates, if you wish. These rates vary from ½ to 3 cents per word, with perhaps 1 cent per word as the average. Newspapers pay by the column, but rarely more than 1/8 cent per word. Anything beyond these simple rules is needless. Whether or not your production is accepted depends on many conditions: Its merit; its suitability to the publication to which you send it; the supply of such matter which the editor has already in hand, etc.
Archibald R. Smith asks if there is a national flower, and if there is none, which is the favorite American flower? There is no national flower, and no pronouncedly favorite one. Efforts are always making to have a flower selected as the national one, but they meet with indifferent success. Everybody seems busy, and there is no authority competent to decide, save, perhaps, Congress, and that is busier than the rest of us. The golden-rod and the rose have, we believe, their partisans. Harry R. Harbeck, 183 Elm Street, Albany. N. Y., is interested in photography, and wants to hear from others who have amateur photographs of interesting spots near their homes. He has many good Albany views. Edward C. Wood, 156 School Lane, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., is well posted on the medals and souvenirs prepared to sell to visitors to the United States Mint in his city, and kindly offers to procure for members any of them at actual cost. There are fac-similes of the Liberty Bell and medals bearing the Lord's Prayer.
Forest Gaines, 703 North State Street, Champaign, Ill., wants to buy Nos. 644 and 655, March 1 and May 17, 1892, Harper's Young People. T. J. Pleavin, 61 Bland Street, Alexandra Park, Manchester, England, wants to hear from members describing their home scenery, industries, and interests, and he promises to reply in the same line. E. Raymond Jefferis is informed that the Table has at present no badges in stock. If new ones are in hand in future, due notice will be given on this page. David Blondheim says he has read Recreations in Botany, recommended in the "Handy Book," and now asks for definitions of genus, family, species, and classes. Genus is a group, having so many points of structure in common that they receive a common name. A genus may not be the lowest group, for all the species of oak may form a single genus only. In the animal kingdom the lion, tiger, and leopard species form a single genus, namely, the cat. A family is a group of organisms, more comprehensive than the genus, because based on fewer points of likeness. A species is an ideal or single group that proceeds from a single ancestor, and reproduces itself in readily identified forms, as the dog, the rose. Classes are general divisions of things having general points in common, but capable of being subdivided into species, genus, and families. Suppose you write to the author, in care of the publishers, suggesting definitions of these terms in future editions.
The centre of population of the earth is asked for. It would be impossible, we think, to determine such a point. Carrie Brush, Chelsea, Iowa, is interested in natural history, and wants specimens and correspondents. Harry J. Blunt asks again that question about entering the Naval Academy at Annapolis. Apply to your member of Congress. Only one cadet is allowed from each Congressional district at one time. There is no expense attached. Each cadet receives a salary equal to his board, tuition, and uniforms. Edith F. Morris is secretary of the New York Stamp Exchange, which issues comprehensive rules. If you want these rules, enclose a stamp to her at 95 Third Avenue, New York.
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.
One of the leading English philatelic journals says, "Some day we may be able to publish a list of postmaster dealers" (those who make or cause to be made new surcharges, etc.). Such a list would be most instructive. It would explain much, and open the eyes of many collectors to what is going on in certain quarters.
Of the rare wood-block Cape of Good Hope errors it has been definitely ascertained that only 201 of the 1d. error and 386 of the 4d. error were printed. Each sheet contained 64 stamps, and only one stamp on each of the 587 sheets was an error. It is wonderful that any copies should have survived.
One of the Boston papers claims that the P.O. clerk who sold the first U. S. stamp in 1847 and the first U. S. envelope in 1853 is alive, and in the Boston Post-office to-day. His name is James Lafitte Smith, seventy-nine years of age, and he has been in the service of the U. S. Post-office Department for more than fifty years.
The movement to encourage collecting "straight" issues of stamps and to disregard minute varieties is gaining ground. One dealer in New York printed a catalogue omitting different perforations, etc., etc., and his album corresponds with the catalogue. Now another of the large dealers has sent out circulars notifying customers of a catalogue and an album on the same lines. It is a step in the right direction. Let the millionaires—and there are many of them—who are stamp-collectors, make up albums showing different perforations, inverted water-marks, double impressions, etc. They have the time and the money necessary. But ordinary collectors of moderate means are not wise in trying to follow them. The whole tendency hitherto has been to force the money values of stamps into prominence, and naturally this has attracted the attention of speculators. The pleasure in collecting stamps has been lost sight of. I hope the corner has been turned.
Harry T. Lees.—Send your address to the stamp editor.
G. Tarletan.—Before postage-stamps and stamped envelopes were used it was the custom to collect the postage from the receivers of the letters. The postage was charged according to weight and distance. For instance, I have a number of letters sent from Illinois to New York, on which the postage was $1.87½ each. The same letter could now be sent for 4c. In the few cases (comparatively) where the postage was prepaid the postmaster either wrote the word "Paid," or else printed on the letter "Paid 5c." (10c., 25c., etc.). As such letters are neither stamped envelopes nor do they bear adhesive stamps, they are not collected by philatelists. Consequently they have no value.
Wurtemberg.—You say you have a "complete" set of unused Wurtemberg stamps. If you mean a set from 1851 to date, you have a fortune in your grasp. Some of the earlier issues, used, sell for 5c. or 10c. each, but unused they are worth $50 or $100 each.
Philatus.
The frequent use of a good soap like the Ivory will purify the complexion as no cosmetic can.
Second-hand printing-presses. All sizes and makes. Catalogue free. F. L. Garbutt, Garbutt, N.Y.
A Story of West Point. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.25.
And Stories of Army Life. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.25.
A Story of the War. Illustrated by Gilbert Gaul. Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.25.
A Story. Illustrated by R. F. Zogbaum. Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.00.
Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey through Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Greece, and Turkey, with Visits to the Islands of Rhodes and Cyprus, and the Site of Ancient Troy. Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $3.00.
Copiously Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $3.00 per volume.
| IN SOUTHERN EUROPE. |
| IN CENTRAL EUROPE. |
| IN NORTHERN EUROPE. |
| IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. |
| IN MEXICO. |
| IN AUSTRALASIA. |
| ON THE CONGO. |
| IN THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE. |
| IN SOUTH AMERICA. |
| IN CENTRAL AFRICA. |
| IN EGYPT AND PALESTINE. |
| IN CEYLON AND INDIA. |
| IN SIAM AND JAVA. |
| IN JAPAN AND CHINA. |
OTHER BOOKS BY COLONEL KNOX:
2 vols. Copiously Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $2.50 each.
| THE YOUNG NIMRODS IN NORTH AMERICA. |
| THE YOUNG NIMRODS AROUND THE WORLD. |
"If flowers had a language, as has oftentimes been said,
I wonder if the buttercups would cry aloud for bread?"
"Papa, is Mrs. Bigelow very poor?"
"No, Cedric, Mrs. Bigelow is well off; don't you know what a nice house she has?"
"But she sleeps in the hen-coop, papa."
"Why, Cedric!"
"She said she did."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you remember when she was here to dinner night before last she excused herself, and said she must go home early because she went to bed with the chickens!"
Elderly Gentleman. "Well, my son, can you tell me what little boys are good for, anyway?"
Boy. "Yes, sir; they're good to make men out of."
He was a delicate young man in a pink shirt and duck trousers, both of which he wore in a pompous and conceited manner. He was seated in the train dangling his tennis racquet, and busily amusing a number of bright young ladies and gentlemen of his party.
"Ah, how good! Here's the conductor. Watch me astonish him."
"Ticket, sir," said the conductor.
"My dear man," said the young man, "my—er—face is my ticket."
The conductor smiled and looked around at the young man's friends, and then, in a polite and apologetic manner, said, "I beg your pardon, ladies and gentlemen, but my orders are to punch all tickets, and I'm afraid I might destroy this ticket so much that I can't turn it in at the end of the run."
Here the young man colored redder than his shirt, and hastily produced his ticket amid shouts of laughter from his friends.
The penny-in-the-slot-machine can be found in the remotest portions of the backwoods, and sometimes it is about the only thing to remind one of civilization that can be found there.
A weary hunting party stopped at a small hotel off in the backwoods not long ago, and wishing to remove the evidences of their long tramp before supper, found after washing that to secure a towel they would be obliged to make use of a slot-machine that stood next to the wash-basin. The sign read, "To obtain a clean towel put a penny in the slot, and pull the drawer slowly out." One of the party was somewhat of a wag, and procuring all the coppers he could gather he proceeded to abstract the towels one at a time. He had reached the fifth towel when the proprietor entered to wash his hands. He gazed at the man with the five towels in astonishment. The wag laughingly complimented the proprietor upon his enterprise in selling new towels for such a little money. It is needless to say the proprietor later put up a sign that read, "For the use of a clean towel put a penny in the slot."
Every lover of art knows of the celebrated works of Meissonier, the painter. Now Meissonier not only could paint, but he could tell a good story, and he was especially fond of relating this little anecdote of his gardener, whose horticultural erudition was remarkable. A smattering of learning is a dangerous thing, and Meissonier's gardener had a little knowledge of the Latin tongue, which he was fond of using to name his different plants. Meissonier for a long time was sceptical of the correctness of his gardener's Latin, so one day he set a trap for him by giving him the roe of a red herring and asking what seed it was. Without hesitating the gardener gave it a long Latin name, and promised that it would bloom in about three weeks. Meissonier chuckled to himself, and agreed to inspect the blooms in three weeks or more. When the time came the painter questioned his learned horticulturist about it, and that party led him into the hot-house to an enormous flower-pot. There, sure enough, were the blooms in the nature of the heads of six red herrings just emerging from the dirt in the pot. Meissonier breathed a deep sigh, and shook his gardener's hand, exclaiming, "What a wonderful man you are!"