68 
STAMPS. 
pared to sell at their own catalogue value, 
they invariably declare such stamps to be 
“ out of stock.” Of the truth of the above 
the writer cannot decide ; it has, however, 
the result that several of our largest phila- 
telists ask higher than catalogue value and 
prefer not to sell if they cannot obtain their 
price. On the other hand, there are others 
(candidly and emphatically termed “fools” 
by the more cautious of the philatelic frater- 
nity) who will sell at 25 per cent, less than 
catalogue value. 
The local supply is certainly more limited 
than the catalogue value would indicate, and 
it is only with difficulty that “ pine-apples,” 
the “ 2Jd. surcharges” and the “ fiscals” new, 
or used postally, may be obtained. The high 
rates of postage, and other economic condi- 
tions existing thirty to forty years ago, result- 
ed in a comparatively small circulation of 
stamps. The fire of 1882 in Kingston is be- 
lieved to have destroyed many stamps. 
General Postage Stamps, 
PINEAPPLES. 
First Jamaica issue, i860; face value id. to 1/ ; 
catalogue value, unused : — 6d. purple, £3 ; 1/ yel- 
lowish brown, £3. 5. o ; the rest varying from 6d. 
to 61 , used, and 2/6 to 40/ unused. 
Bisected Stamps. In 1861 the id. blue, with 
pineapple watermark, was bisected diagonally and 
used as a |-d and, if used, on the entire envelope, is 
now valued at £ 1 . 
