“The last of the series is a remembrance of Stamford, Conn. It represents a soldier on guard, with the name of the town, ‘Stamford,’ in straight line at top; on arched ribbon, ‘Soldiers’ Fair’; below, in straight line, ‘Fifteen Cents.’ It is printed from a wood block in brown ink on white paper. There were many other fairs held throughout the length and breadth of the loyal States, but although I gave special attention to the subject at the time, the above described are all that I have been able to discover. The success of the post-offices at the soldiers’ fairs induced other charitable institutions to adopt like means of raising money, among which may be named the Children’s Aid Society, the Orthodox Jewish Fair, etc., etc., but as they lack the national element, I do not think them worthy of collection; but the series I have described, which is composed of thirteen stamps, all told, and considering the small number, the interest attached to them and the great events they commemorate is well worthy an honored place in the collections of American philatelists.” [Illustration] So from their origin the Red Cross seems to have a special right to these stamps. Their success will be apt to cause various organizations to desire to copy this idea. This will lead to an unfortunate result. Such repetitions will tire the public and the multiplicity of the stamps will create a lack of interest and destroy their usefulness not only for these other charities, but for the purpose for which they were revived in this country—the anti-tuberculosis work of the American Red Cross. It is to be hoped that our unfortunate American habit of “running a good thing into the ground” will not lead in this case to the destruction of the usefulness of the Red Cross Christmas Stamp by the overproduction of these charity stamps. [Illustration: SOME CHARITY STAMPS OF SWEDEN.] IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER, WOULD YOU NOT LIKE TO JOIN? [Illustration: _THE CHALLENGE_ A CARTOON APPEARING IN THE PHILADELPHIA “LEDGER,” LAST NOVEMBER.] FUNDS RAISED THROUGH SALE OF RED CROSS CHRISTMAS STAMPS, 1908 AND OBJECTS TO WHICH THEY WILL BE APPLIED The following is a brief statement of the results of last year’s stamp sale, showing in general terms the manner in which the money raised will be applied. The total fund secured so far as reports at hand show was $138,244.51. CALIFORNIA— California Red Cross Branch and its Subdivisions $4,530.49 To be applied to Sanatoria, educational work, Day Camps, District Visiting Nurses, etc. COLORADO— Associated Charities of Colorado Springs $684.62 To be applied to establishing free sanatorium for Tuberculosis patients. CONNECTICUT—