The Portland daily press., 1890-03-29

Turn over the two points of the closed side,
thus forming one On the open end divide
and crease up on opposite sides. Press the
points in so as to make triangle. open II
and put the two points together so as to form
a square, then turn them each back title
way, now placing it in its original position;
put up the sides, pull the ends and your little
steamer is finished
OF the boys caps, and numerous other
achievements that can be produced with
these fow descriptions wc tnIfiK VIII prove
simple amusements, and lead the way for
perhaps something more elaborate in future.
About Stamp Collecting.
New York Start
The American schoolboy that prides him
self on having the biggest collection of post
age stamps in his native village, town or
country, will hear with envy that the French
Navy Department in Paris has amassed not
merely huge album, but gigantic library
of such precious trif1es. 1t is the largest
collection in the world. This, of course, is
public property.
The most valuable of all private collections
belongs to Mr.. Philippe de Ferrar of Gal
liera family, who regularly attends the Paris
mart to enrich his album. This family SOU
venir has already cost more than $500, 600, or
100000 francs. How much more will be
spent on this costly luxury will depend on
the combined influences of the future war
with Germany, the influenza, the attitude of
Ministry. For, if the French Republic goes
to the dogs, it seems fair to infer that this
album, or this series of albums, will share
the same fate. The acquisition of stamps
seems to be the. only object for which M.
Ferrari considered his mothers millions
good enough to be spent, for he has been
known to pay from $500 TO $500 for
collection from which he wanted only
single stamp.
Meanwhile, the Rothschilds, as mainstay
or safeguard of their fortunes, have a collec-
tiOn of postage stamps valued at 100000
francs, an asset which might be used as
collateral security If the great firm should
ever have to borrow cash from Jay Gould or
the young Vanderbilts.
There are over one hundred and fifty
postage-stamp sellers in Paris, which shows
what rage Frenchman have for collections
of this kind. While, of course, holding a
good stock Of almost every printed specimen
of stamp under the sun, some of these stamp
sellers make specially Of having on hand
the rarer sort of stamps belonging to certain
countries. Thus, one dealer has the older
sort of stamp from Australia and the
Mauritius; and another those belonging to
the earlier issues in Reunion, Hawaii.
Australia, Buenos Ayres, Spain and the
British colonies. Still another is we'll sup
piled with varieties from England and her
colonies.
Within the last few years perfect craze
for the collection of postage-stamps has
sprung up in Germany. 1t Is not by any
means confined, as in England, to school
boys and hobbyriders, but extends, as in
France, to gr0wn.up people engaged in
various walks Of life, post-office and other
officials, clerks, young business men, etc.
1t infests, in fact, all ranks in society. A
Postage Stamp Exchange and Mart was
opened in Vienna in 1887 1t holds its asszes
in large, seven-windowed room, has its
regular organization officers. and even an
organ The Austrian PostOffice sells annu-
ally 5000 forms worth of stamps out of use
to collectors. No less than 10000 forms
worth of Eastern postage stamps are ex-
n0ffpTSrevery year from Vienna. Cards Of
admission the Postage Stamp Exchange
are on no conditions delivered to collectors
under eighteen years of~aase: Inc passion
| is regarded by some as sort Sf>1 auness ,
| but others think that If young men Decome
interested in foreign postage stamps, they
countries whence the stamps come. Stamp
| collecting is, therefore, the royal road to the
| learning of geography and means of com.
| mercial education. Not long ago General
| Kaulbars sent to one of the Russian papers
| letter conceived as follows: 81 desire tt
| express my lively sense of gratitude to the
| foreigners who detest me, for the great
| number of anonymous letters that they have
| sent me. These letters have furnished me
| some amusement. and at the same time they
| have augmented the postage stamp cOllec
| tiOn of my little daughter"