A subscriber asks if the value of United States postage-stamps is likely to increase in the future in a manner to make them a safe investment. We can only judge of the future by the past, and taking that as a criterion, the United States stamps, with, of course, the exception of the common low values, will increase in value in the future to a far greater extent than they ever have in the past. There are to-day many millions of dollars invested in postage-stamps for collections, and while the question of stamps as an investment was somewhat doubtful ten or more years ago, at present the prominent collectors have less hesitation in investing in rare stamps than in United States bonds. The former they know will pay large interest. The recent great increase in the price of all old United States stamps is due to the buying up by collectors of all the rarities they can get, and the trend of the prices is always upward, not down. It is reported that nearly all of the Columbian stamps on sale at Washington have been disposed of, only a few values being left. It is a last opportunity to get those much prized stamps at face value as the prices will rapidly rise after they are sold out. The eight-cent stamp with ornaments in the corner has been issued, thus completing the set. The color is darker than the previous stamp. The Grand-Duke Alexis Michaelivitch of Russia, who died in March, was an ardent stamp collector, and although only nineteen years of age, had already done much for the pursuit through his writings. He had planned many greater things to do for philately, but these the stamp world will lose through his early death. When the new issue of Mexico was placed on sale, a band of music was engaged for the occasion, and after the Postmaster-General had opened the post-office window, the stamps were sold to the strains of music. E. C. TATNALL.--Lithographed stamps are printed from stones, while all the United States, and majority of other stamps are printed from steel plates. In lithographic printing the lines are coarser and the surface smooth, while steel-plate printing shows fine lines and perfectly clean surface. The 1870-2 issue of France is lithographed. ADVERTISEMENTS. [Illustration] _Could I have another Glass of that_ [Illustration: HIRES' Rootbeer] Give the children as much Hires' Rootbeer as they want. Take as much as you want, yourself. There's no harm in it--nothing but good. A 25 cent package makes 5 gallons. The Chas. E. Hires Co., Philada. [Illustration] a Living Picture of health--because she uses Pond's Extract at her toilet, and appreciates the fact that no substitute can equal it. Avoid substitutes; accept genuine only, with buff wrapper and yellow label. POND'S EXTRACT CO., 76 Fifth Ave., New York. [Illustration] Sick Headache AND Constipation are quickly and pleasantly cured by Tarrant's Effervescent Seltzer Aperient. The most valuable family remedy for