“The next fair I call your attention to was held in the city of Albany. Unfortunately, I have no particulars concerning it except such as relate to the stamps. The first, of elegant design and workmanship, was prepared by Gavit, the well-known engraver of that city, but as the time drew near it was found impossible to have a supply printed in time; the plate was accordingly laid aside and never used. The design is copied from the one-cent blue carriers’ stamp, the well-known eagle on a branch to the left, with ‘Bazaar Post Office’ above, ‘Ten Cents’ below, the whole enclosed in a neat frame. I have seen impressions in scarlet, blue and black on yellow surface paper. The stamp actually used was much smaller, and produced by lithography by the same firm. The design is an eagle on a rock, with ‘Bazaar Post Office’ above and ‘Ten Cents’ below, enclosed in frame of single lines. It was printed in both red and black, and used during the fair. I may add, that, as far as I know, this is the only stamp of the series that has been counterfeited; the false stamp can easily be recognized by the absence of shading around the eagle. [Illustration] [Illustration] “Our next stamp takes us to Boston, where the most successful fair in the Eastern States was held. It is interesting to note that, while all the stamps issued in New York State took an eagle for the device, those used in New England States were adorned with figures of soldiers or sailors. The stamp before us represents a sailor with a wooden leg, holding the American flag in his right hand; the vignette is crossed by the legend, ‘National Sailors’ Fair,’ on label above ‘Ten’ below ‘Cents.’ They are produced by lithography, printed in light green and cut out by an oval punch with scalloped edges. The fair was held in January, 1864, and realized $147,000 for the cause. “The next stamp on our list comes from Springfield, Mass., and I have no information other than that supplied by the label itself. The design represents an officer bowing to two ladies, probably welcoming them to the fair, the figure 10, in rather large figures, being between them; in the center above is the inscription, ‘Soldiers’ Fair,’ below, ‘Springfield, Mass.’; figure 10 in the left upper corner, ‘Chubbuck’ in small letters in the lower right corner. It is evidently printed from a wood block in brownish mauve ink in various shades. Not the least interesting part of this stamp is the engraver’s name in the corner, ‘Chubbuck,’ the celebrated engraver of the Brattleboro stamp. [Illustration] [Illustration]