Hobbies Weekly No. 9
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PRESENTATION WOOD CARVING DESIGN WITH THIS NUMBER. Bich | For Amateurs of Both Sexes. No.9. VOL.|. DECEMBER 14, 1895. ‘ONE PENNY. ——————S —————— ———_—aa ey Wood Carving for Amateurs. Photographic Notes. Stamp Collecting and Philatelic News. Fretworking, Inlaying and Overlaying. Bent Iron Work. Our Midget Photo Frame Fretwork Competition,— The Prize Awards. Electricity,—The Induction Coil. Cycling and Athletics, Magic kantern Exhibitions. Weekly Presentation Design. Prize Competitions, Correspondence, Etc. x ae
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194 HOBBIES. CHAP. EX LANTERN LECTURES IN A VILLAGE, Continued. PART 2. the announcement of an adjournment until the next Friday. Punctually at seven o’clock the Committee turned up in full force, and Major Good-all-round took the chair. The Secretary, Mr. Bend-at- will, said that he had not prepared any minutes of the last meeting, but had entered | in a book the kind offers made by Mr. Distemper and Professor All-head. With regard to the screen the Committee would, he felt sure, be delighted to know that the work had been most | successfully carried out, and that it answered the purpose admirably. stepped into the large school-room—in a light case, which closed with two spring catches, so that no dust could get to the screen, and it would last their schools for many years. The Committee expressed themselves de- lighted, and the Major cordially thanked Mr. Distemper on their behalf. The Secretary said that the screen was such a thorough success that he would, with Mr. Distemper’s permission, make a careful drawing of it and write a description, and get his friend Mr. Paramidaphenot, the Editor of the Snap- Shot and Fuzzygraph Gazette, to publish it in his journal. (Applause.) The Major splendid ‘gas things” that Professor All-head Mr. Distemper had | enclosed the rollers—as they would see if they | UR last chapter was closed with | and he thought thatjthey should be entertained by members of the Committee. The Major interrupting said that:—Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen was pleased upon occasions to ask distinguished subjects to ‘(dine and sleep at Windsor Castle.” In the case of their friends he should be pleased to be a humble imitator of Her Majesty—his house was at the service of Mr. Bend-at-will. Proceeding, the Secretary said that so far he could see his way to obtain quite a dozen lectures. These included such varying subjects as:-—‘‘ TheWar with China and Japan.” A special correspondent of a prominent ‘ Daily ’’ would undertake this subject. Many of his slides had | been made in Japan, and they were coloured by Japanese artists, Their esteemed Vicar would lecture upon the Holy Land. He had quite recently returned from Palestine, and in the course of his travels had taken many Photographs. From these, Mr. Bend-at-will said, he had assisted to prepare Lantern Slides, and felt sure that a | most delightful evening would result. said they must also see the | had given them; they appeared to him very | wonderful. bags, and when thepressure got low they used to get their friends to sit on the ‘‘bags” to get the gas out. (Laughter). The Secretary said that the business before | them was the arranging of a programme for the winter session. If the Committee would allow him he should like to say that he had received many letters from ladies and gentlemen in the neighbourhood and elsewhere offering assistance. He would give some of the suggestions that had been made. It must be quite understood that the lecturers proposed to give their services, In the ‘‘wet-plate days” they had | The Major said the Vicar was no stranger to their platform, and he prophesied for his evening a crowded house. The Secretary continuing said that in the Christmas week he would suggest that they have a ‘Children’s Evening.” This he should be pleased to undertake, and proposed to have as a first part ‘‘ Alice in Wonderland,” the story to be told by children. He had already induced the mothers of four little girls to allow him to coach them up, and he had obtained a splendid set of slides which beautifully illustrated parts of the wonderful story. These parts would be recited by the “children as the slides were shown. The evening would open with one of their good old Christmas carols. He had pressed into theservice for the Children’s Evening their Organist and Choirmaster, who in his turn would bring a ‘“‘selected” Choir. In the second part he proposed to have some nursery rhymes musically described, and in order that the village boys and girls should wake up to the fact that it was really a Magic Lantern Show, he would have a set of real
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HOBBIES. 195 Comic Slides, and finish with Lantern Fire- works, Kaledicscopic effects. The Secretary apologised for describing the ‘Children’s Evening” at such length, but he was very anxious that they should enjoy themselves. Mr. Breadstuff, a gentleman who keeps the largest shop in our village, got up, evidently very nervous, and said:—‘Mr. Major, Mr. Secretary, and gentlemen; I’m not good at talking, but really when I find a gentleman, for he is a gentleman, like Mr. arranging such a splendid evening for our children, I feel I ought to do something. No | one can appreciate pretty pictures more than I do, but for the life of me I could’nt get up and describe ’em. I can’t sing, I can’t play, but I must be in it. So gentlemen, as there'll be ‘ten minutes for refreshments,’ I suppose? may I make bold to ask if I may be allowed to give the dear children the refreshments. I know what they like, and if you only say yes they shall have it, bless their hearts!” (Applause.) The Major got up at once and thanked Mr. Breadstuff, and said he was sure that his kind offer would be thoroughly appreciated by the children. Mr. Malt-and-Hops said he would take fifty tickets for that evening. ‘You can have the money now, Mr. Secretary, I know where to place the tickets.” (Applause.) Mr. Bend-at-will said that he was quite overcome, and only hoped that the ‘Children’s Evening” would be a success. Continuing he said that a friend of the Vicar’s, he did not catch the name, would give them an evening Bend-at-will | on ‘* The Heavens,” illustrated with Photographs | of the Moon and the better known planets. The next announcement he felt sure would | be received with enthusiasm. The Major’s son, who they all knew as “Jack,” was now a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. Amongst other pastimes he had taken up Photography. He had been half round the world, and whilst on his | panied by a continuous torrent of talk or, worse voyages he had picked up as he would say:— “lots of good things,” including Photographic Lantern Slides. He had promised an evening early in February, the title to be ‘The Queen’s Navy—what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard.” The Secretary said that in March he under- stood there was to be a Temperance Mission. He had been approached by the Honorary Secretary of the Band of Hope, Miss Good-at- heart, upon the question of holding a ‘‘'Temper- ance Night,” and should like to have an expres- sion of opinion before making any definite arrangements. He might say that the pro- gramme suggested was a Service of Song with a Temperance moral. The service would be sung by a special Choir, and the song illustrated. The Major rose and said he could see no reason why they should not grant the permission. He was not himself a total abstainer, nor could he be called a drunkard by even his enemies, if he had any, in a village like theirs. Although they did all they could, there was drunkenness and intemperance, which was not by any means he feared confined to the masses. He thought that good might result from an Exhibition of Pictures that told the story of a drunkard’s life and his conversion. He remembered seeing such Pictures, and he felt sure that ofttimes Pictures which spoke to people in a universal language were more telling than volumes of words, The Vicar said he highly approved of the suggestion. He had seen strong men moved to tears by a temperance story told as a Service of Song, and illustrated with Lantern pictures. The suggestion was unanimously agreed to. ——:0:—— We have set out six subjects, and in the next issue of Honsies will give six more. It will be understood that these few chapters are written with the desire to show that even within the narrow limits of a village the Lantern may be made a means of affording pleasure and in- struction. We should like to say that the play- ing of a little soft music as the Slide appears on the screen and when it is withdrawn is very helpful. The great mistake of all amateur Lanternists is the rushing on of Slides accom- | still, reading. Remember your audience came to see the pictures; let them have the oppor- tunity—you get relief and they are pleased. (To be continued). MAGIC LANTERNS AND SLIDES. The Best and Cheapest House in the World for Lanterns and Slides is WALTER TYLER’s. Thousands of Slides on Sale or Hire at lowest prices. Many Hundreds of Lanterns second- hand; great bargains. The Helioscopic Lantern, the best made. Second-hand Lists and Small Catalogues post free. Large Catalogue, 12 stamps. POSS ee WALTER TYLER, 48 to 50, and 94, Waterloo Road, LONDON, S.E. REND a
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HOBBIES. FOR = “AMATEURS CHAP. IlL—REQUISITES. BENCHES. EFORE speaking of the actual tools which per- form the Carving work, it will be advisable to mention the other accessories which are more or less necessary. A Bench is the first of : these. Amateurs who go in for a special Bench should have it made about three feet six inches long by two feet wide, and from three feet to three feet six inches high, according to the worker’s own size. It will be seen that the height is given so that the work may be done standing. This is strongly recommended. No one can have full freedom when sitting down, although arest might occasionally be taken when the background was being worked, or when some less important parts were receiving attention. An ordinary office stool will be found most suitable for this; it should be high enough to allow the arms their full swing. The Bench must be strong in every way, and it is well to fix it to the floor, so that there may be no shaking. Those who have no intention of going to the expense of purchasing a Bench will find a strong plain table most serviceable; and this should be a fairly unimportant article of house- hold furniture, so that sundry liberties may be taken with it—such as boring holes in the top, or fixing a Vice to the edge. Unless the table is very heavy, it should also be screwed to the fioor When important work is being carved, the necessity of having a secure and steady Bench will soon be discovered, or—to put it the other way —the annoyance given by a shaky one will quickly encourage attempts to make it firm. It is not advisable to use good tables for carving on—that is, dining-room or drawing- room tables. There can be no adequate means of attaching the panel to them, and as the worker is thus handicapped, the work will consequently suffer. HOLDING APPLIANCES. After the Bench or Table has been settled upon, what is next wanted is some contrivance to hold the Carved panel firmly in position. A Bench Holdfast may first be mentioned, but it is an expensive article, costing from five to seyen shillings, and need not be procured by an ordinary worker. The article to use is a Wood Carver’s, or, as it is sometimes called, a Bench Screw. Several holes should be bored in the Bench at convenient places, so that this may pass through them. To use the Screw,é first take off the nut. On each wing will be found a square hole which fits on to the point A; using the nut as a wrench, screw the sharp point into the back of the panel, then slip the A end through one of the Bench holes, place on the nut, and screw up tightly. The panel Bencu will then be held perfectly Ho.prast. secure. A square block of wood with a hole in it should be placed on the Screw, so as to come between the nut and the underside of the Bench. It prevents the Bench from getting worn, and if the Screw shaft be long, it also saves time. Any hard wood will do for this purpose. Brncu Screw. Bench Screws may be had from eight to twelve inches in length. The eight-inch size is large enough for ordinary use, and can be bought for three shillings and sixpence. If both sides of the Carved panel are to be seen when finished, the Screw must not be inserted into it. The plan in such a case is to take an ordinary deal board, and glue the panel to it. A piece of paper should always be placed in between; glue the paper to the deal board, and then the edges of the panel to the paper. When the whole has been pressed under some weight, and the glue is hardened, all will be quite secure. The board may then be fixed to the Bench with the Screw.
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HOBBIES. In cases where glue would spoil the back of the panel, fixing could be done with brass- headed carpet nails, or with a Wood Clip such as is shewn in the accompanying sketch. The SSN 2 WN WN Woop Cure. Clip is screwed to the deal board, with the lip catching the panel edge, and thus holding it firmly in position. If preferred, these Clips could be used to hold the panel direct to the | Bench. They are very easily made. Ordinary Fretwork Cramps, which cost from sixpence to a shilling each, would be found useful for fixing work to a table which could not have a hole bored in it. VICES. When turned legs and balusters, or any awkwardly-shaped articles are being carved, it is difficult to get on without the aid of a Vice. Vices are not cheap, but they are very useful in more ways than one, and for other work besides Carving; so, if the amateur can afford one, he will find it a valuable addition to his workshop. A good Bench Vice, with steel jaws, could be had for four shillings. Wooden ones are about the same price, and are often sufficient for the purpose. Stronger Vices—‘ Joiners,” “Grip,” ‘‘ Parallel,” “Instantaneous,” etc., can | be had from ten shillings upwards. The worker should not buy one of these till he finds the actual necessity for it, by which time he ought to know exactly what sort of article will best suit his requirements, MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES, A Beech Mallet, such from one to two shillings according to size and finish. Other shapes may also be had, but in purchasing, a “Carver’s”” Mallet should be specified. A Router, which costs a shilling, isoccasion- ally useful for background purposes. It is not a tool which should be used often, but with certain Patterns it is a saving of labour. Wood-Carving Rifflers are now and then employed, though not often. and one might be added to the collection. A Riffler is made with a file at one end and a rasp at the other, and finely cut ones are specially supplied for Carving. They are chiefly used in figure work, but may occasionally be wanted otherwise. paper should ever be used, as they destroy all spirit in the ornament. Carver’s Mauer. As the sharpening of Tools is almost a science in itself, a Washita Hone, a selection of Arkansas Slips, Charnley Forest Blue Stones, or thin slips of Slate will be wanted, but these will be spoken of later on. A Strop, which is prepared with tallow and emery, is also required. as the illustration, costs | They are cheap, | Neither Fretwork Files nor Sand- | 197 When Tools get worn to such an extent that the Hone is ineffective to produce an edge, a Grindstone must be procured. Thiscosts money, and a good one, ten inches in size and fitted in an iron frame, can hardly be bought for less than nine shillings. A small six inch one could be had for five or six shillings, but it has much less power. A few sheets of Glasspaper for pointing the Arkansas Slips, some tracing and carbon paper, a pair of compasses, and perhaps some model- ling wax for taking impressions from Carved models, practically complete the “extra” outfit. The list seems long, and it is certainly not advisable to go in for everything at first, The initial expense must necessarily be a little heavy, and economy must be practised till experience | and skill justify an increased outlay. The various Tools will be described in the following chapter. (To be continued. ) Home Carpentry ror Hanpy Mren.—Amateurs and others who have adopted carpentry as a hobby will welcome a new book by Mr, Francis Chilton-Young (author of Hvery Man His Own Mechanic), which has recently been published by Messrs. Ward, Lock, and Bowden. Home Carpentry for Handy Men is not a handbook ; it is a complete work of reference, and must prove invaluable to all who undertake their own carpentry and building, whether in the house, the garden, or the farmstead. The book deals exhaustively with every imaginable structure which it might be desirable to erect, and the sound information is particularly valuable, as it is apparently the outcome of practical know- ledge, and is treated in a thoroughly practical manner. Special care has been taken in describing the various methods of coustruction, and although superfluous technicalities have been suppressed, all detail matters have received careful attention. The book is strongly bound in cloth, and is published at 7s. 6d.; it contains nearly 800 pages, boasts of 550 illustrations, and is furnished with a useful general index, and also an index to the diagrams. We have no hesitation in recommending it to those readers who go in for carpentry and joinery work. Phil May’s Winter Annual Of all Booksellers, Newsagents, and Bookstalls. Publishers: WALTER HADDON, Bouyverie House, Salisbury Square, London, E.C, NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS. oD The Editor of ‘“‘ Hobbies” is always ready to receive Suggestions for Articles for insertion in the paper. Any manuscript sent for his consideration must however be accompanied by a fully addressed and stamped envelope. Unsuitable contributions will be returned without avoidable delay, but it must be distinctly understood that the Editor will not hold himself responsible for the loss of any manuscript.
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198 HOBBIES. “ HOBBIES ” FRETWORK COMPETITION. MIDGET PHOTOGRAPH FRAME. HES ERA RAWIA RID: Sr First Prize:—A Treadle Fretwork Machine, with Nickel Plated Tilting Table, etc., H. A. Grant, 7, Lovely Lane, Warrington. Second Prize:—A Finely Nickel Plated and Polished 14-inch Hand Fretsaw Frame, Epwarp C. Fann, 2, Meridian Terrace, Bishopston, Bristol. Third Prizes (six) :—One Gross of the Best Fret- saw Blades each, Harry Brrcu, 18, Cherry Street, Wolverhampton; M. Srennine, 8, Fenton Street, Leeds; N. D. Brooxs, 50, Argyle Road, Brighton ; Jamzs W. Parrrivar, Lloyd’s Bank, Limited, Alvechurch ; Haroup G. Neumscen, 34, Beaufort Street, Chelsea, S8.W.; H. L. Frencu, (aged 11,) Chancery Lane, Thrapston, Norths. Highly Commended :—James Goven, Wednes- bury ; J. Epwarps, Liverpool; Sam Brscu, Wolverhampton ; S. Brown, Leicester ; T. K. Rosinson, Leeds; T. Pickertne, Durham; and James Doveuas, Milngavie, Scotland. The success of this Competition has far ex- ceeded our greatest expectations. Instead of receiving a few score of Photo Frames, some hundreds have been sent in, and for the past fortnight our editorial offices have been trans- formed into a small exhibition where privileged visitors have been pouring in to view the articles. Arranged systematically on long tables the display was most effective ; altogether, between twenty-five and thirty different varieties of wood were used, varying in colour from ivory white and bright orange to rich red and ebony black. And not only has the result surpassed our anticipations in point of numbers, but—what is of more importance—the excellence of the work has been most gratifying, and proves clearly that Fretwork is afavourite hobby amongst our readers. Indeed, we saw from the very outset that it would be quite impossible to select only three Prize winners without doing some in- justice to others, and—as intimated last week —we have been obliged to award five additional Third Prizes. Even now we are reluctantly compelled to pass over a number of extremely meritorious pieces of work, and we must explain to the numerous competitors who may naturally feel disappointed at not receiving any special commendation, that their Photo Prames are not necessarily of inferior merit, but have simply been outmatched by others where the general work shewed more care and finish. THE PRIZE ARTICLES. The Photo Frame which has been awarded the foremost place is pure white. It is cut entirely of Holly, the Fan of. one-eighth-inch, and the Overlay of one-sixteenth-inch thickness. Apart from all considerations of execution, this article had by far the most striking and hand- some appearance, and we would strongly advise all competitors and others to try a Frame in white alone. Holly can seldom be obtained pure and free from defects, but White Sycamore and White Chestnut are excellent substitutes ; they are practically similar in appearance, and can always be had in good condition. The work of this First Prize winner was excellent; the cutting was clear, sharp, and accurate, and the finishing clean and neat in every way. The Photo Frame, of course, was left unpolished, as all articles made of white wood should be. The Second Prize Frame was made of highly polished figured Mahogany (3-ply) with un- polished Plane Tree Overlays. Although exceedingly well done, the mere fact that the Fan background was polished had no weight with the Judges, particularly as this part of the work had been done before any cutting was commenced. But the work throughout was admirable, and left little doubt as to the position which the Frame should take. Of the Third Prize winners, Harry Beech sent a handsome Frame made entirely of Celluloid (which, to novices, we may explain is imitation Ivory). Here, again, no preference was shewn to the competitor for employing a special material, but the article was judged solely on its own merits, and the award made accordingly. Celluloid was used in several other cases, but not with success. In this instance the background was +, inch thick, and the Overlay 3 inch. The Frame submitted by M. Stenning was of plain Dark Rosewood, with white Overlays, and was remarkably well cut and finished. An excellent example of work was sent by N. D. Brooks, whose plain white Overlay Ornament standing against a polished Satin- Walnut ground made a very effective Frame. When received at our office the Overlay had become entirely detached from the Fan, but in no case was any damage in transit allowed to prejudice an article, and the work here was so good that it could not beoverlooked. We might
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HOBBIES. 199 suggest that when Overlay is to be applied to a polished ground, the gloss should always be scratched off that part which the Ornament is to lie against, otherwise, unless fine nails or pin points are used, the giue will not hold. James W. Partridge sent us a Frame of Walnut and White—all plain. The cutting throughout was clear and sharp, finishing good. A somewhat similar one was sent by Harold | G. Neumegen, who stated that it had been cut entirely with a Hand Frame, and that he had not broken a single Saw Blade during the work, An exceedingly meritorious example of care- ful Fretcutting was submitted by one of the youngest competitors, H. L. French. His Photo Frame was of plain Padouk with white Overlays, and was cut with the ordinary Hand | Saw. Apart from any consideration of age, the work was of such good quality that when we extended the Prize List we had not the slightest hesitation in including his name. We could fill pages in describing the many excellent Frames sent in, but a few more must be sufficient. One of the most pleasant effects of colour was obtained by Arthur J. Dicks, who selected a choice bit of Pencil Cedar with White Overlays. Another attractive com- bination was that chosen by Geo. E. Dyson, who had procured a very fine piece of grey- | stained Sycamore (Silbergris). J. Watford cut his Overlay Ornament in metal, and would easily have placed himself high on the list had he only taken a little more care with his Walnut background. H. Faulkes, Edward Mathews, and G. A. Savage shewed capital work, but used too heavy Overlays. White Frame of E. Madge, cut with a Shilling Hand Saw, did not escape our notice, and those submitted by Frans Gustaf Andersson (polished Padouk and White), John Turner (polished Walnut and White), and W. H, Luxton (plain Canary and White) are all worthy of mention. A. Fowler’s Celluloid Fan was well cut, but the painting of his Overlay was hardly successful. With a single word of praise to F. J. Evans and C. Henderson, we may now pass to some of the faulty articles. SUGGESTIONS. We can see that many Fretworkers have at- tempted Overlay work for the first time with this Midget Photo Frame. Considering this, the work as a whole is excellent, and in pointing out a few general faults we are merely giving suggestions as to what might be done another time. many competitors have fallen into is in an un- fortunate selection of wood. We originally suggested that one-eighth-inch wood should be used for the Fan, and one-sixteenth-inch for the Overlay, and the most succes:ful Frames are those where these thicknesses have been adopt- ed. Many workers, however, have overlooked our hints, and some have gone the length of using quarter-inch wood for both background and Overlay. This naturally spoils the work, and we may safely say that in fifty cases out of every hundred the appearance of the article was made heavy and clumsy owing to the use of too thick a wood for the applied ornament. In a number of cases want of judgment has also been shown in the selection of colour. | and the | One of the most noticeable errors which | The Walnut and | | been preferable. Nothing can surpass pure white, but no other wood could safely be recommended for both Fan or Overlay; and those who have tried a one- coloured Frame of Walnut, Purple wood, etc., must now admit that a contrast would have Unquestionably, white is the most suitable wood for the Overlays, and it should not be over one-sixteenth-inch in thick- ness. Many competitors have used very thin veneer wood, but this has too much the appear- ance of paper, and is, besides, too delicate when there are any projecting parts. With white Overlay, suitable backgrounds could be made from Mahogany, Rosewood, Walnut, Orange, Padouk, Pencil Cedar, or other similar varieties. Birds’ Eye Maple, or figured Oak, should not be used, as they appear too “spotty.” A great many Frames were simply ruined through an indiscriminate use of varnish, and this was all the more unfortunate as the cutting out and fitting together had been executed neatly. We are well aware that many Fret- workers look upon a plain article as unjinished, but varnish, when used at all, should be applied most sparingly ; and certainly those who looked | upon the huadreds of Photo Frames in our office, and compared the varnished with the plain, would have no hesitation in preferring the latter. In three cases good examples of polished backgrounds were submitted (each with plain Overlays), but in every case of varnishing the effect was marred. We would strongly urge every unsuccessful competitor to try another Frame; let him use woods of one-eighth-inch and one-sixteenth-inch thickness, and choose either pure white or some such contrast as we have suggested, and there is little doubt that he will then entertain a higher opinion of Hobbies Presentation Design No. 1. We cannot profess to be enthusiastic over the plan of gilding, silvering, painting, or enamel- ling the Overlays. In every case where this was attempted it is our candid opinion that the effect was spoiled rather than improved. Many competitors would do well to pay more attention to the finishing of their articles; that is, in using sandpaper more freely. Ragged edges have an unpleasant appearance, and only a little care and patience are required to remove them. Some good pieces of work had to be passed over for this reason. Again, in cutting | the radiated lines in the Fan, too fine a Saw Blade was generally used, with the result that the lines were often lost. Unfortunately many Frames were received at our office with the Overlay parts slightly damaged, but this was due more to the natural delicacy of the article than to careless packing or rough usage in transit. Indeed, several competitors would deserve a special prize for the ingenuity of their packing arrangements. In very few cases do we think that the damage to Frames will be beyond repair, and we have made every effort to have them all repacked as carefully as before. FURTHER COMPETITIONS. We are now making arrangements for two new Competitions. One will be for the best Models of a * Victoria,” the Design of which will be presented with Hobbies, No.10. We shall also have a simpler test Competition for readers under sixteen years of age. Particulars will be given next week.
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HOBBIES. A Philatelic Causerie by Percy C. Bisnop, Joint Editor of the ‘‘Svamp Cortectors’ Forrnicutiy ” Hax-Editor of ‘Tue Purateric JouRNAL” and “ Purwatertc Review or Reviews;” General Secretary of the Lonpon Paimarenic CLus. ‘ORGERIES are the bane of the wD young collector. In no less than five cases within one week the stamps sent to me for valuation have contained flagrant ‘‘frauds,”’ such as could only deceive the very young Philatelist. Happily the { Philatelic forger is not nearly so active now as in days gone by. Thestrong light of publicity, supplemented in several cases by imprisonment with hard labour, has been too much for him. | Stamps are still forged and ‘ faked ” by various parties on the Continent, but so far as England is concerned, the evil has been almost entirely abolished. Within the past month an Italian gentleman, who makes a speciality of forged European | stamps, has been hawking his fraudulent wares among the stamp dealers of Paris. It is to the credit of those gentlemen that, so far from | patronising his rubbishy goods, they have done all they can to spoil his rascally trade by | exposing him in their circulars and other publications. The pity is that they could not hand him over to the tender mercies of the law. The wily Italian evidently knew enough of French law to guard against such a contingency as that. He forges only obsolete stamps such as Parma, Tuscany, Modena, Sicily, and old issues of Italy ; and to forge these stamps is no offence under French law, as they are no longer | of any intrinsic value. In England it is very different. Signor Italiano had better not bring his rubbishy goods to London, or he will very soon be making his bow toan English magistrate. A case has for some time been troubling the | French courts which turns on the very absurd | point I have mentioned above. A M. Alphonse Levy was arraigned some two months ago on | the charge of forging stamps. In defence Levy pleaded that he had imitated only the stamps of obsolete issues which could no longer be described as ‘‘ Government securities.” This plea, had it been sustained, would—strange as it may sound to English ears—have procured Levy his liberty ; but the French Judge had the good sense to order an investigation, and the matter was submitted to Mons, Arthur Manry; the eminent Parisian Philatelist, for expert opinion. Mons. Manry, on consulting a list of the stamps which Levy had admittedly forged, at once saw that certain British Colonials, including Cape of Good Hope and Natal, were included therein. Now it happens that no British Colonial stamps have ever been de- monetised. An old triangular Cape of Good Hope stamp, if unused, is just as much avail- able for postage as a Cape stamp of the current issue. Thus Mons, Alphonse Levy would appear to have overreached himself. The matter is again before the Judge, on the strength of Mons. Manry’s report; and it is probable that Levy will soon be wishing that his knowledge of the postal administration of the British Colonies had been a little more extensive. But the great and glaring stupidity about this case is the anomalous condition of the French law, which would punish a man for imitating, say a common German stamp of the current issue, while it held him guiltless for forging say a 60 crazie stamp of Tuscany, worth to a Philatelist about £10. It is a matter of sur- prise that the leading Philatelists of France do not combine to do something in this matter. This subject of stamp forgery is of such vast | importance that I could fill my article with it every week; but Ifear I have already given it an undue proportion of space. My realobjectin open- ing the subject wasto announce that! shall shortly commence a series of notes on the most danger- ous forgeries in the market, illustrating the same in such a way as to make the detection of dangerous counterfeits a matter of comparative ease. My readers can help me in this by suggesting the countries which have give them the most trouble. With what country shall I start, please ? To Mr. Adolph Lohmeyer, a prominent American collector, the thanks of all Philatelists are due for a most acceptable reform. Hvery collector who recruits his collection with stamps from his own foreign correspondence has at some time or another had to complain of an unduly heavy postmarking, or in some cases of an unnecessary repetition of the postmark. I have seen stamps that would have been most
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HOBBIES. 201 valuable rendered absolutely worthless by reiterated cancellation. Mr. Lohmeyer has pointed out to the American Postal Authorities that a stamp once cancelled is always cancelled, and that it is not necessary for every postmaster through whose hands a letter or book-packet may pass, to impress upon the stamp his own particular cancellation. The reader may object that this reform will benefit only American collectors; but I think that indirectly it will prove to be a boon to the whole stamp collecting community. THE PLATE NUMBERS OF ENGLISH STAMPS—Continued. THE TWOPENCE, BLUE (1840-1879). Until 1858, when plate 7 was approved for issue, no plate numbers appeared on the blue twopenny stamps. Jor this reason plates 2, 3, 4, and 5 are only to be distinguished one from another by minute differences Plate 1, according to Hilckes authorities, was never used. The plate numbers which appear upon the stamps (in the same position as on the 1d. red) and other values and colours are — 5 centimes, green; 10c., brown red; 20c., grey green ; 50c., bistre, and 1 | franc red. These | stamps, I learn from are as follows :—7 (June, 1858), 8 (July, 1859), | 9 (March, 1861), 12 (Jan., 1868), 13 (March, 1868), 14 (April 24th, 1871), and 15 (Sept., 1875). The dates given in parentheses are those upon which each plate was approved by the Treasury for issue to the public. Of these plate numbers the rarest are 7 and 12, catalogued by Hilckes | at 1s. and 1s. 6d. respectively. But for the rarest specimens of the twopenny blue issue we must go back to the earlier varieties, which | bear uo plate number. Of these I shall give further particulars in some future number, illustrating my remarks with sketches of the distinctive features of each variety. THE TWOPENCE-HALFPENNY (1875-1884). The twopence - halfpenny English stamps are a com- paratively simple set, with no great rarities to lift them from the reach of the humblest collector. The plate number, as will be seen from the annexed sketch (illus- “i i trating plate 1) is very prominently placed | near the top of the stamp. Plates 1, 2, and 8 are in the lilac-rose colour, and have the anchor watermark. While plate 3 was still in use a change of watermark was decided on, and thus plate 3 is found also on paper watermarked orb. Plates 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, all have the orb watermark, and are in the lilac-rose colour. In 1880, when plate 17 was in use, the colour of the 23d. stamp was changed to blue; and plate 17 is found both in the lilac-rose and blue colours, Plates 18, 19, and 20, all of the blue colour, have the orb watermark, but with the issue of plate 21, the watermark known as “large crown” was adopted for these stamps. Plates 21, 22, and 23, all watermarked large crown, conclude the list of 23d. plate numbers. Scarcest of all these are plates 1, 2, 3 (orb), and 17 (lilac-rose). Plate 2 on blued paper is valued by Mr. L’Estrange Ewen at £5. NEW ISSUES OF STAMPS. +" Items for this department will be gratefully re- ceived from any Philatelic readers who happen to receive early information of new issues, or of im- pending changes in the postal arrangements of any country. Bexerum-—I am able to give the design of the new Belgian unpaid letter stamps. The a correspondent, are likely to be very much used, for at Antwerp alone the amount collected daily on account of insufficiently paid postage exceeds of design. | 500 frances. British Brcuvuanauanp, having lost its independence as a separate State, loses also its stamps. Henceforth Cape of Good Hope stamps will be used. GipraLteR.—There has been a change, or rather a multiplication of colours, of the 1 peseta stamp. It is now printed in brown and blue. Porruaat, like her neighbour Spain, is going in for a complete new set, with head of Dom Carlos to left. The values range from 2 reis. ao to 300 reis., there being thirteen stamps to the set. QuEENSLAND’s new 5d. stamp is to hand. It is singular that there has hitherto been no 5d. stamp for this Colony. In design the new stamp is similar to the 24d., except that the Queen’s head is on a plain groundwork. In colour the new comer is a full chocolate. Urvuauay has two new and most picturesque stamps, a 1 cent., olive, bearing the figure of a vaquero, and a 5 cent., brick red, with a picture of a locomotive. — SS — TAKE YOUR Sse SET OF 19 FRENCH COLONIALS, or GRATIS SET OF 5 BOLIVIA, 1894. 1c. TA 200, Either ONE of above fine sets will be presented Gratis to ever: purchaser of our Specia' “ XMAS" Packet, containing 96 Stamps, al different, including Perak, large tiger head, just issued; Chili, 20 ¢. black, scarce; Spain, 18' Canada, 8¢.; Java; Argentine; Cyprus; U.S. Unpaid, obsolete; Jamaica; Hyderabad; Swan River; Egypt, official; Zambezia, new ; Travancore; Italy, Parcel Post; Guatemala, bird; Congo Free State, magnificent view of bay; &c., &c. Free, 1/1. Selections sent on approval. Liberal discount allowed. Grand NEW Iilustraced Catalogue, 7rH Epirron. for Collectors; or Wholesale List with Addenda for Dealers. FREE. Exchange Circular—largest published—16 pages. Free, 34 FISHER, TITLEY & Co., Stamp Importers, BATH. STAMP COLLECTORS | EN Should send 1d. Stamp to Harry Hixcxes & Co., Ld., 64, Cheapside, Ke a London, E.c., for “* Specimen” copy Sey of Stamp Collectors’ Fortnightly. Contains articles for beginners, as well as for advanced Collectors. THE BEST STAMP PAPER COINC! We have received from Mr. Ernest Nister the “Victorian” Stamp Album (price 6d.) and the “Rowland Hill” Stamp Album (price 1s.) Both are well arranged and neatly bound, and young beginners will find them very useful.
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202 HOBBIES. HOTOGRAPHY NOTES OF THE WEEK. T is very interesting to note that amongst readers of Hobbies there are many interested in Photo- graphy. We want to encourage this interest and shall be delighted to do all in our power professional or amateur. If in are met with, we shall be very glad to give advice upon any point. We hope our readers will not hesitate to send up Photo- graphs or Lantern Slides for criticism. We shall be just and candid, whatever remarks we may make or whatever advice we may give, we shall only be actuated by one feeling, and that is our desire that all who practise Photography shall do their best, and to that end we shall help them. In our issue of the 23rd ult. we commented to help Photographers, whether | the ordinary course difficulties | upon the formation of a ‘Lantern Slide | Exchange” in connection with Hobbies. This, we feel sure, is a possibility, and we are backed up in that surmise by the receipt of several letters. From the one which is most to the point, that of Mr. J. Boyle, junr., we extract the following ;— “T enclose particulars of a ‘Lantern Slide Exchange,’ and should be pleased to give you any further particulars; noticing your scheme I might say that I have generally found Lanternists opposed to parting with their Slides for gcod, and to prefer to lend same.” Another correspondent, Mr. L. W. Yardley, writes :—‘‘ My purpose of writing is to support your idea of a ‘‘ Lantern Slide Exchange.” I welcome the project, as I have been personally | trying to do something towards making the lives of the very poor more endurable and happier, but the difficulty has been the Slides. I have a large Oxy-hydrogen Biunial Lantern and a 12 foot screen. I have given several exhibitions, and contemplate giving one this Xmas as a free treat to the poor in the district in which I work.” These two letters will, we should think, be quite sufficient to induce those whocan to come forward and help. We renew our offer of 50 Slides, and if we can induce Mr. Boyle to take up the work of Organising Secretary, something might soon be done. He has sent us a set of Rules which we presume apply to an existing ‘‘ Lantern Slide Exchange,” as we note that the ‘‘Hxchange”’ is limited to 30 members. Entrance Fee 1/- Annual Subscription 2/6. Ordinary members have to place at the disposal of the ‘‘Excharge” not less than 50 Slides. All applications for loans of Slides to be accompanied with 6d. in stamps to form a fund for replacing broken Slides. All Slides are sent Carriage Forward, &c., &c. It seems to us that Mr. Boyle has sketched out quite an ideal ‘‘Lantern Slide Exchange.”’ An aggregate of 1,500 Slides—30 sets of 50 each—would give instruction and pleasure to hundreds. If 20 members are enrolled by the 1st January, we will increase our gift to 100 Slides, and if 30, to 150 Slides. Now then readers of Hobbies, come up and form your first Club! Mark all correspondence on this subject ‘‘Photography” c/o Editor Hobbies, &c., &c. A few nights since the Camera Club Lantern was put to a novel purpose. A member of the Committee, Sir David Salomans, who is much interested in Motor-carriages, occupied the chair, and Mr. G. H. Knight gave a lecture on ‘‘ Mechanical Carriages,’ which was profusely illustrated with Lantern Slides. A variety of modern Motor-carriages were shown. Mr. W. J. Dibdin, F.LC., F.C.S., recently delivered a capital lecture upon Micro-Photo- graphy at the Lewisham Camera Club. He enumerated eight distinct points as being especi- ally worth consideration, they were:—(1) The microscope, lens, and eyepiece. (2) Illumina- tion. (3) Camera. (4) Adjustment of Image on Focussing Screen. (5) Exposure. (6) De- velopment. (7) Plates. (8) Printing—P.O.P. for detail. Concluding his lecture Mr. Dibdin said :—‘ The novice must be prepared to spend no small amount of patience and plates; much depends on the accurate adjustment of the light and the focussing. The requisite skill can only come by simple work; no one need be dis- couraged by a few failures at first.’ In an article upon ‘“‘ The Adaptation of Means to Ends” over the initials C. J. in our contem- porary Photography, we read :—In general, slow plates give greater density, more contrast, and a steeper gradation of tones than rapid plates, but few Photographers take advantage of this difference. Too many consider that plates differ only in speed and being better or worse than others. Our advice to all workers in | Photography has ever been only to use rapid plates for very special purposes. Few can | appreciate such fractions of time as 1/100th of | a second with the result that, we venture to say, one-half of the failures in Photography are due to the use of rapid plates, and consequent over- exposure. Mr. Henry Norman, who proceeds to Ashanti as war correspondent for the Daily Chronicle, is fully equipped with Photographic apparatus ; his kit includes a ‘‘ Pocket Kodak.”
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HOBBIES. 203 The Collotype process of reproducing Photo- graphs is quite within the reach of the man with a Hobby. Upon this subject Mr. W. T. Wilkinson, who is an authority, recently at the Brixton and Chapham Camera Club said :— The process did not necessarily require an ex- pensive outfit; an amateur could obtain what was necessary for about £3 or £4. A proper Collotype press cost £10 or upwards, but was not indespensable, a very efficient substitute being | obtained in one of the machines with rubber rollers for domestic purposes at a cost of four- teen or fifteen shillings, and a drying oven could easily be made at small expense by the exercise of a little ingenuity. The Photographic Club have held a ‘‘ Limelight Jet Competition.” Mr.Andrew Pringle, F.R.M.S., | Sa aa ee | | obtained through any newsagent, price 1d. each, | or direct from the publishers, price 14d. post presided; many jets were offered in competition and elaborate testings made and duly registered. The ‘‘Otway’’ jet, made by Mr. Scarborough, | was declared to be the best. This jet consumed about eighteen feet of ‘‘Mixed”’ gas per hour, and gave better results than any other, many of which used a much larger quantity of gas. We understand that Mr. Scarborough is a man with a Hobby—the Lantern. He is Honorary Lanternist to the London Institution. The Photographic Copyright Union has now been fairly started. One of the principal objects of the Union is to secure to the owners of Copyright Photographs a reasonable fee from Newspaper and Magazine proprietors for the permission to reproduce Photographs. rule referring to this subject reads:—‘‘That each member promises not to allow a Copyright Picture belonging to him to be reprodaced, whether registered or not, for a less fee than 10/6 for a portrait, and 5/- for a view; but he is at liberty to charge a larger fee according to his own ideas as to its value.’’ Amateurs are eligible for election as members, and as one revised rule reads:—‘‘ That there be a donation fund,” and another ‘There shall be no annual | subscription.”” There is likely to be a rush for election. Dr. Hall Edwards, of Birmingham, invented a ‘Lantern Slide-binder,” which makes this too often tedious business a pleasure. The ‘‘ Binder” holdsthe Slide firmly, and permits of the Slide being turned round at will. A grooved piece of metal receives the binding material, and with a lever action this is pressed over the edges of the Slide, and the binding is accom- plished. It will be noticed that many of the Christmas Cards this year owe their origin to Photography. | It is a splendid ‘‘ Hobby” to take up. Good quarter plate negatives are freely purchased by the best houses in this special trade at prices ranging from 2s. 6d. to 21s. the permission of reproduction for Xmas Cards is insisted upon; for all other purposes the Photographer has the use of his negatives. has IMPORTANT NOTICE. The Supply of Back Numbers a6 The first and second numbers of Hobbies having been long since sold out, while the demand for them shows but little sign of abate- ment, we have thought it advisable to have these numbers reprinted, so that recent Sub- scribers may be enabled to complete their volumes, These are now ready, and copies may be free, Owing to the largely increasing number of annual subscribers, we have decided to suspend the rule relating to the non-supply of Presenta- tion Supplements with back numbers till the end of the year. Thus, till December 31st, we shall give away the Presentation Designs with all back numbers. @Werwms of Subscription The | 8. d. Three Months (including postage) ... A els, Six Months Do. ae 3.3 Twelve Months Do. 6 6 All letters relating to subscriptions or back numbers should be addressed to the Publisher of Hobbies, Bouverie House, Salisbury Square, London, E.C. SPECIAL OFFER TO ANNUAL SUBSCRIBERS. ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL. An illustrated description of a remarkable Design for a Fretwork Model of St. Paul’s Cathedral will be found in Hobbies No. 1. We present & copy of this elaborate and strikingly original Design to everyone who sends postal orders for 6,6 for @ year’s subscription to Hobbies. The subscriber will thus receive by post every week for one year a copy of Hobbies with the usual Weekly Presentation Design, the value of which will never be less than threepence, and as @ special present the Design for the model of St. Paul’s, the price of which ishalf-a-crown. Any weekly subscriber who may wish for a copy of the St. Paul’s Design can obtain one on sending a postal order for 2/6 to the Editor of Hobbies, Bouverie House, Salisbury Square, London, E.C. Theoffer to annual subscribers necessarily applies only to those sending their sub- scriptions direct to the Publisher at this office. TO ADVERTISERS. Ofttimes only | For Titling Negatives. Full particulars and Specimen Photograph : named with the Photo- script free on applica- tion. : H 170, FLEET ST., LONDON, B.C. THE PHOTOSCRIPT | LINDNER, | | TERMS FOR ADVERTISHMENTS. a 8: dt Per Inch aa ss 0 102"6 | One-Eighth Page = Le 10 One-Quarter Page oe Zea 0 Half-Page x or OY! 315 0 Page ... eee i O20 DiscouNT ON A SERIES OF INSERTIONS. | | a | Ail Communications to be addressed to the | Sole Advertisement Agents, JOHN HADDON & ©CO., | Bouverie House, Salisbury Square, London, E.C,
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HOBBIES. a Yr FRET SCROLL-SAWING, | Pees. NLAY avo OVERLAYING CHAP. IX_OVERLAYING. {537 N Fretwork Patterns Overlay work has d not hitherto received the attention it y) it, and still flood the market with novelties and curiosities which may appear striking in miniature, but are far from the possession of any artistic qualities. In reality Overlaying can be made a special feature in Fretwork. Over Inlaying it has the advantage of being much simpler, and it presents no difficulty to the Hand Saw worker. | Inlaying is purely a decorative Art, but Over- lay forms Ornament in relief; and although it may not be compared to carving, still it supplies a genuine, a simple, and an effective substitute. On the door of some Fretwork Cabinet, or on the lid of a small Secretaire, an Overlay Border supplies the want of a panel moulding ; and in Models of Buildings, Overlaying is a necessary feature. An advantage it has over mere Fret cutting is that the Article can usually be solid, and is consequently less liable—if liable at all—to break. Fig. 44 represents a door, the whole Ornament of which is Overlaid. Thus the panel is of solid wood, and as the Ornament is glued on very tightly, the door wili stand a fair amount of rough usage. The thickness of wood used naturally depends on the size of the Article and on the nature of the Ornament. It is seldom advisable to employ material for Overlaying more than one-eighth of | an inch thick. For general purposes, what is termed Inlay wood, (one-sixteenth of an inch in thickness,) which may be had in Rosewood, Wal- nut, Mahogany, Padouk, Orange, Satin, White Chestnut, and other varieties, is strongly recom- mended. Several layers may be done at once, and thin wood never gives a coarse effect to any Ornament, although always affording a certain light and shade. Suppose that Fig. 44 is the door of a small Hanging Cupboard. It has been decided to make two Articles, one in Mahogany with Satin- wood Overlay, and one in Orange with White Chestnut Overlay. There are a couple of doors in each Cupboard, so that the Fretworker has to cut four sets of Overlay, all of which are the same in pattern, and can therefore be done at once. With the double door, the centre Orna- ments will, of course, be reversed, so as to give a little variety ; but this does not alter the design. Secure two pieces of White Chestnut, and two of Satinwood, of one-sixteenth inch material, nail altogether very firmly, and proceed to cut out with a fine Saw. welldeserves. Designers have neglected | Were only one piece of Oyerlay Orna- ment required, it would be necessary to cut out at least two bits, as one- sixteenth inch wood is too thin for the Saw to cut with safety. Even when three or four Ornaments are done, it is not a bad plan to add an extra slip of common wood below, as the under piece is always apt to suffer. The different bits must be nailed tightly, as any jerking would produce very ragged edges, and might spoil the work. For this reason, it is suggested to drive in a few screws, as brass or wire nails may not hold Fig. 44. | sufficiently well. The work of Sandpapering must be done very gently. Fine Glasspaper only should be used, and unless the Ornament is very large the wood should be rubbed on the paper. After the Over- lay has been glued in position and is thoroughly fixed, it may receive another rub, care being taken not to round off any of the edges. With Chestnut, or any white wood, a fresh piece of Sandpaper should always be taken, as the darker sawdust of other woods will soil it. Overlay Ornaments may be cut to almost any degree of fineness, and no one need hesitate to attempt a piece where there may be even the most extreme delicacy. Although the Ornament itself is so frail that one sometimes fears to breathe in its presence, when once fixed in its proper place, it will be ready to B defy all comers—barring a chisel and hammer. It is quite possible—more, it is highly probable—that in the course of experience some delicate piece may break off; but the beauty of Overlaying is that a clean breakage is of Fic. 45. trifling consequence, and need
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HOBBIES. 205 cause little or no anxiety. A twig or berry may be knocked off, as shown in Fig. 45 ; but if no splinters haye been lost, it is the simplest matter to glue it again in its exact position, and a rub with Glasspaper will smooth everything over and hide the joint. Even did the berry happen to go amissing, another could easily be cut and planted in position” However, the pleasure of deliberately breaking a piece of Ornament, merely to have the privilege of mending it, need not be indulged in. That would be enjoying a luxury to excess. But if an accident does happen (as it will, sometime or other), there is no necessity to jump rashly to the conclusion that everything is spoilt; any possibilities of repair should be duly considered | before the amateur—forgets himself. FIXING OVERLAYS. To fix, paint the entire underside of the Ornament with glue, using a fine brush. For this purpose, it is often more convenient to use the strong liquid glue, which may be obtained in sixpenny bottles. This, however, is an open question. When ordinary glue is used, it should be dissolved to a consistency somewhat thinner than usual, and must be applied when hot. The wood should also be slightly heated. If the Overlay is to be left unvarnished, the glue brush ‘must not be allowed to wander over the edge, and the liquid must be put on sparingly. When it is seen that the Ornament is exactly in its right position, lay a flat board of wood above, and place the whole under some heavy weight. A copying press comes in very useful here, always provided that it is used in moderation. An extra turn of the screw would ruin the work; and, from the result, the world at large might fancy that some new scheme for | Inlaying had been devised. When White Chestnut, Holly, or any other light wood is employed for the Overlay Orna- ment, it is often preferred to varnish or polish the groundwork only. This, of course, should | always be done before the Ornament is placed on. In the case of varnishing, the Overlay could be applied just after the last coat has been given. Ornament, would help to hold it very firmly. Care, however, should be taken that no dust is flying about. polished ground, the polish must be scraped off those parts where the Ornament is to lie; otherwise, the glue will not helt, In speaking of polish and varnish, however, | Amateur Fretworkers should be warned against a reckless use of the latter material. A few years ago it was deemed absolutely necessary for the finish of an article that it should receive a heavy coat of thick, sticky varnish. But now the general taste is becoming more refined, and experienced Fretcutters prefer to leave the wood in its native purity. There is no doubt that many articles, which present large plain surfaces, look better when polished, but polish has a very different appearance from varnish. A _ well- polished piece of work looks handsome, but a varnished article will soon become greasy and dirty. A definite rule can hardly be given, but certainly it may be said that varnish should only be used when the case positively demands it. Large flat surfaces might be polished, but small articles, such as Brackets and Table Ornaments, Thus the varnish, drying round the | When Overlay is applied to a | should be left plain. On this subject more will be said in a future chapter. Occasionally it may be felt that glue is not sufficient to hold the Ornament which has been cut. As neither screws nor nails can be used, and as even a pin point driven through in the way previously described might be noticeable, the following plan—which has often proved successful—may be suggested. Procure a number of fine Pins, and break off a little less than quarter of an inch from the point. Then take the small Pliers, hold the pin by the point end, (see Fig. ; 46,) and press ie the blunt ex- eS eae i tremity into the eae = wood which is MW to be the back- a ground till only about one-six- Fic. 46. teenth of an inch projects. This may be done all over, and the Ornament then put on as before. The sixteenth part of an inch seems a very meagre hold to put much faith in; but when twelve or twenty Pin points are driven in, the best glue used, and good pressure afterwards applied, the Overlay runs a small chance of springing loose. As in the case of Inlays, all Overlay work should be kept from sunlight, and should not be placed near a strong fire, as thin wood, however well seasoned, threatens to warp if exposed to great heat. (To be continued.) FERETWORK & CARVING. HIGHEST AWARDS AND GOLD MEDALS received for our patterns in all parts of the empire. The special advantages we enjoy, coupled with the enormous stocks we hold, places us A 1 for variety, quality, and price, three great things for purchasers to consider. Our 2/6 Beginner's Outfit Consists of 12 inch Steel Frame, 24 Saw Blades, 3 Files, 3 Designs, Awl, Cramp, Wood, and In- structions. OTHER OUTFITS: 3/6, 6/- & 12/6 each. 4DUG+ Assorted Parcels of Fret- wood, 12 feet, 4/- POST FREE. 4+ERKG+ Books of Fret Carving Patterns 1/- OUR NEW CATALOGUE, containing trations of Fretwork, Carving, Picture Framing, Bent Iron and Bamboo Work, Designs and Materials, 64., post free. evox GIVEN AWAY. Kev With this New Edition of 20,000 copies, we shall present a finely finished pattern of the Crescent Wall Bracket, HARGER BROS., Settle, Yorks.
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206 HOBBIES. Weekly Presentation Design. No. 9. Carvep Lamp Bracket. leaf,” and there are two small fiutes on the face of the upper volute. The Shelf should not be less than 8 inch or # inch thick. Only one half of the diagram can be shown, ‘but no difficulty will be found in completing the arc with a pair of compasses. The nulls round the edge are very simply formed. When the Bracket is completed it may be polished, but on no account should a bright gloss be put on. All carved work is seen to better advantage when dull, and a_ high finish should not be applied Most Carvers will find this a simpler Pattern to work to than the Adams Frame which was presented with Hobbies No. 6. Th: Design is Italian iv character, but there are ne delicate and finely modelled scrolls to form, and on the whole the Bracket is easily within the capabilities of the average amateur. The Article is not merely intended for an Ornament. but when fitted together will be substantial and dur- able, and will be useful for the purpose for which it has been designed. As most Carvers have preferences for certain except in special cases. woods, and use them for The article may be fixed every article which they to any wall by means of attempt, we need not recommend a particular | ordinary brass hangers. wood as the one to beused. There are several | varieties which are suitable, and the worker | [Additional copies of this Design may be had, had better select that which he can handle | price 3d. each, on application to the Editor of most freely. Walnut or Italian Walnut are | Hobbies, Bouverie House, Salisbury Square, good woods, and Mahogany might be chosen if London, E.C. The Presentation Supplement the Carver thoroughly understands how to man- | will be given during the current week of age the grain. The article is too small for oak. | publication only, and will not be supplied with The support is one inch in thickness, and the | back numbers. All additional copies of the ornament throughout is in low relief, neverrising | Designs will have the Coupons, which are beyond the level of the outer edge. On the available for three months after the date of face of this piece is a simply modelled “ water | issue.] Presentation Desian No, 10. Dusicn FoR Fretworx Mopen or A Vicroria. For Carbs, Erc, The above is a miniature of the Fretwork Design which will be given away with Hobbies No. 10. This is a particularly striking and handsome Pattern, and has been designed specially for Hobbies. It is thoroughly original in character, and when cut out and fitted up will make an elegant and attractive ornament. We can say without the slightest hesitation that this is a Design which no firm would sell for less than sixpence or ninepence, and many of less value are soldat ashilling. Readers who are desirous of securing more than one Design Sheet should send in their orders for additional copies of the paper at once, as only a limited number of sheets can meanwhile be printed, and further copies cannot be supplied for less than threepence. This Victoria will be the subject of our next Fretwork Competition, and handsome Prizes will be awarded for the best Models sent in. Full particulars will be given in next week’s Hobbies.
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HOBBIES. 207 It is our intention that all Competitions which will be announced from time to time | in this column shall be decided by the skill or ingenuity of the Competitors, and not be in any way dependent on chance, FRETWORK.— MIDGET PHOTOGRAPH FRAME. For the result and particulars of this Competi- | tion see page 198. PHOTOGRAPHY.—NOVEMBER COMPETITION. For the best Photographs sent in last month, | Prizes have been awarded as follows :— First Prize, Ten [Shillings, to F. M. Thomson, 22, Avenue Road, Southampton, for “Cockie.”’ Second Prize, Five Shillings, to R. W. Copeman, Kulos Cottage, Henstridge, for “Feeding his Pets.” Honourable mention to R. Philips, for ‘Wells Cathedral from the Springs”; and to H. G.S. Fell, for ‘“ Approach to Cloisters, Gloucester Cathedral.” The Photographic Editor expressess his great satisfaction at the success of this Competition. Altogether 130 prints were received, and these we have classed as follows :— First Class 30 Second Class 33 Third Class 67 We hope to reproduce the Prize Photographs in next week’s issue of Hobbies, and also to give | some particulars of the Competition. INDOOR HOBBIES. Two Prizes of Ten Shillings and Five Shillings are offered for the best suggestions for a New Indoor Hobby. Paragraphs must not exceed 200 words in length, and in deciding this competition the novelty and practical character of the suggestions will be chiefly taken into account, Communications, marked ‘* Indoor Hobby,” must reach us to-day, December 14th FRETWORK DESIGNS Two Prizes of Ten Shillings and Five Shillings will be given for the best outline sketch of a Fretwork Card Receiver. Size, style, and treatment are left entirely to the Competitor, but the artistic and original nature of the Design will have considerable weight with the adjudicators. Sketches will be returned if a fully stamped and addressed envelope is enclosed. Parcels, to be marked “ Design,” should reach us on or before December 21st. PHOTOGRAPHY, We give every month a prize of Ten Shillings for the best Photograph, not to exceed 74-in. by 5-in., and Five Shillings for the second best. The choice of subject 1s left entirely to the Competitor. Photographs cannot be re- turned, and we reserve the right to reproduce any of them in Hobbies, if thought desirable. Photographs for Competition will be received up to the last day of each month, and those for this month must be sent to our office on or before December 31st, marked “ Photo.” NOTICE TO COMPETITORS, All Articles, Sketches, etc., for Competition should be addressed to the Editor of Hobbies, | Bouverie House, Salisbury Square, London, E.C. The name and full address of Competitor must in every case be sent. NoTE:—No correspondence can be entered inte with Competitors, and all awards made will be final. | turned into ice. Photographic Hints ox for Amateurs. PHOTOGRAPHS ON POST CARDS, MENUS, ETC. The following formula has been propounded by Ehrmann, a German chemist of note :— Ammoniacal Citrate of Iron 518 grs. Distilled Water .. pe SBE) op 18y, Ferri-cyanide of Potassium lsh 5 Distilled Water 28°39 ,, GC: Bichromate of Potassium .. 0°876 ,, Water .. vem 1G09Ees The ferri-cyanide should be freed previously by washing off the yellowish dust with which it is covered. The three solutions are, after filtering, mixed in the Dark Room, and are applied with a brush and allowed to dry. The image appears of a greenish-blue; for fixing it is only necessary to wash in plain water. A slight blue tint in the whites may be removed by passing in water acidulated with a 5 per cent. solution of hydro- chloric or citric acid. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MOONLIGHT. It is quite possible to take Photographs by bright moonlight, for which purpose use a rapid plate and an exposure about six times of that which would be given on a dull winter’s day. The lens may be left uncovered for about an hour ; slight over exposure will be of little con- sequence. Should there be snow on the ground the hour’s exposure may be reduced to say about 40 minutes. Of course it is not advisable to set up the Camera anywhere if moving objects are likely to cross the field of view. SNOW PICTURES. It is difficult to give a rule for photographing snow scenes. If with bright sunshine, and using an R.R. lens, the following may be relied upon :— Stop No. 1. 0-1 sec. 2 0:2 ,, 3. O4 ,, 4, 0-75 ,, 5 fits 6 ee Should the sun not be shining actinometer. HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH WATER. It is a great mistake to think that in order to use an | obtain a good Photograph, say of a waterfall or a ; running brook, that the plate must receive a very | short exposure. Instantaneous Photographs of rapids look very much as if the whole had been This is due to the fact that the human eye is unable to see any object in less than one-tenth of a second. The quickest ex- posure for running water should be from one-fifth to one-tenth of a second. If this practice is followed there will be life and motion in the water. Robinson, for instance, advises for sea studies a slow drop-shutter exposure, and in many of his ‘“‘wayve”’ pictures the motion of the eee is so well rendered that it can almost be elt. ;
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208 HOBBIES. CHAP. IX—-TPHE USES OF WOOD. ITH _ numerous | be fitted to the wood much more easily than to Bent Iron Work | the Ribbon Strips, and will be considerably Ornaments it is | stronger. ‘The wood in this case should be advisable—even | painted black, as the surface exposed is too necessary—to | small to look well when polished or varnished. introduce wood. | In speaking of Pipe Racks, a few different It has been | methods of arranging the Holder are shown. shown how Wall | (See Figs. 68 to 71.) These are but four out of Plates for| many varieties. The matter gives little Brackets and Hooks can be made, and how | trouble, although care should be taken to have Wooden Stands are required for Letter and | the pipe spaces of an easy and convenient size. Newspaper Racks. For Pen Holders they are also useful, and one or two further instances where wood, in some way or other, may be employed advantageously will ba given. TABLE STANDS. Another kind of article where wood can be safely used is the Table Stand. Ss os PIPE RACKS. Figs. 72 and 73 give @ * With a Pipe Rack, such as Fig. 67, a slip of | examples. In the former wood about an inch broad will be very helpful instance there is a narrow in fitting the article together. When entiraly | Wood rim with a simple | nulled outer edge. In the latter case there is a square 5 border with a series of © curves outside it. These ye Stands would have small round wooden toes, which should be screwed on from below. When the Stand is to be used as a mere mat, that is, if it lies flat on the Fic. 67. of Bent Iron, there is always a difficulty in fixing the Pipe Holder firmly to the back. The wood should be Ash, or some equally tough quality, and must not be less than one- OS table without any quarter of an inch thick. | Lae AS PEN. toes, wood is un- The curves and scrolls are fixed to the edge | SoS necessary. Bent of this slip by means of small screw nails. | ¥ 3 Iron Mats, however, Ordinary wire nails might occasionally be used, | es se can only be laid on but the strain of the Iron is apt to pull them | a covered table, as they would scratch a out; and in every article at least one or two | polished surface. screws should be introduced. The Holder can | The woodwork of Figs. 72 and 73 might be | varnished if desired, but if the article is small ¢ f ( ) @ ( ) | blackening is better. | BOXES. | Bent Iron Work Boxes can be made up very Gride Th poo Gy! neatly by using a skeleton woodwork frame. Fie, 69. | — — aN | SC mbmememney Cua Fic. 70. Te Fie. 71 | eae ae iy
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HOBBIES. 209 Fig. 74 shews rather a plain specimen, but | others eould be ornamented to any degree. | With all Boxes great attention must be paid to | the proportion, as large and clumsy ones when blackened all over -have a very melancholy and | funereal appearance. It is sometimes rather difficult to fit in the Ribbon Iron ornament; | and if the Box be light and narrow small wire | nails may be used for fixing instead of screws. When a hole is drilled in the metal, the nail can easily be pressed into the wood. There is no room to hammer it, but the sharp point can | soon be induced to enter the edge of a piece of wood, which is usually soft. The Box lid will be fixed with ordinary Brass hinges, which, like the rest of the article, will afterwards receive the attentions of the blackening brush. WALL BRACKETS. For Wall Brackets (as Fig. 75) a T-shaped piece of wood about three-eighths inch wide is often desirable. If the Bracket is large, the T must be of Iron; or strips of Ribbon Iron may be fixed to the wood to prevent | the possibility of its giving way. The object of this is to provide a hold for the Shelf and Support. It gives a very un- finished appear- ance if these run right up against the edge of the Strip Iron ; besides there would be no adequate means of adjusting them. The Support, as | usual, will simply be one-half of the lower portion of ee _,, Fie. 75. the Bracket, but it will not require any frame- work. The Shelf may be of polished or varnished wood, or it may be of Iron. An Iron Grill Shelf, however, limits its own usefulness, as only certain articles can be placed upon it. There is, too, a difficulty in making it look well in conjunction with the Support. But here, again, the worker is referee, and his judgment | must be trusted. Brackets have a very good appearance, and look exceptionally well when hung up against a light self-coloured Wall Paper. Corner Brackets are not generally recom- mended for Bent Iron Work, the chief reason being that they must necessarily be put in a corner, and are, therefore, too far removed from the admiring or the critical eye. It must be remembered that a Bent Iron Ornament has to be viewed somewhat differently from a piece of Fretwork. The Fret Article has to be looked at from the front; it is the surface which has to be seen—the fret, whereas a Bent Iron Ornament is seen to better advantage when ‘half on.” (Here, of course, the article is alluded to, not the reader.) The full front view shews but a thin wiry line, but a half-side aspect gives a real impression of the — Scroll Ornament at a glance. MISCELLANEOUS. Delicate Flower Stands and Holders, which threaten to give way without some sup- port, might heve a simple wooden Stand, such as Fig. 76; or if it be a tripod Ornament, as Fig. 77; asingle screw in each leg will fit all tight. When the reader does & Fia. 76. | little Fret-cutting, as well as working in Bent Iron, he should certainly try to | combine the two Arts. With Inkstands, Pen Holders, Letter Racks, and many other Ornaments, fretted | pieces of woodwork har- monise well with the Ribbon Tron. The introduction of a little wood can also be very helpful in the process of fixing. In many cases it is preferable to Iron, as it is much lighter, and can be handled more freely. Holes are not easily drilled in solid Iron, while with wood it is mere child’s play. In saying this, how- ever, the reader must be warned against the danger of recklessly trusting to wood, when the actual size of the article demands the use of Tron for strength and durability. This would be a serious error, as in some unlucky moment the whole article might collapse, and the tedious work of days would be undone Eras: Fie Bear in mind that the wood used must be tough and strong. Pine, for instance, is far too soft; Birch or Lime might occasionally be tried ; but the best common woods are Ash and Oak. Mahogany is good when a polished Stand is required. (To be continued.) BENT IRON WORK. Send a 1d. stamp for particulars of our New Tool, “THE IoNICAL,” pronounced by all who have used it to be invaluable for producing accurate spiral curves, ->§ BAMBOO WORK, — 3- The Popular Hobby. Price Lists and Designs sent on receipt of stamp for postage. THE AMATEUR’S MARKET 8, BRITANNIA BUILDINGS, LE e DS. GESSO AND MODELLING. Notes on Gesso Work, by Walter Crane.—* For working in Gesso the best material I have met with - is called ‘ Denoline.’” The Studio. — “ For Modelling ‘Denoline’ is equally satisfactory.” To popularise *Denoline” with the readers of Hobbies we will send two ONE SHILLING Tins of “Denoline” and a Book of Instructions, post free, for 1s. 9d. and a Coupon, up to 3ist December, 1895. THE DENOLINE CO.,40, George St., Edinburgh. REGISTERED
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210 HOBBIES. NOTES ON SPORT. HE Rugby Union would seem to be well rid of its late adherents in the North. Those who have read the new rules and restrictions which the Northern or “ Broken time” Union has imposed on its men and clubs, will, we are sure, endorse our opinion. It seems that the Northern Union has fixed the princely sum of 6/- per week as the reward for its players. To earn this, ‘ time” must be broken—that is, a man must leave his work early, or repair to it late, at least once, in order to qualify for the receipt of the 6/- We take it that if he loses but ten minutes, that is sufficient. At anyrate the players do not get their money and retain their freedom, as in return for this somewhat paltry consideration each man has to sign an agree- ment absolutely binding himself to his club, from which he is unable to break free without special leave. Even should he obtain permission to make a change, he is limited in his choice of new friends to the 22 clubs which constitute the newly-formed Union. Further than that, this 6/- makes the player, who once accepts it, a professional at running, swimming, and cycling. We do not think the position of a Northern Union Rugby Football Player is an enviable one. We think it would have ‘been more satisfactory if those Northern men, who could not see their way to play football quite for love, had embraced the Associ- ation code of rules. Aman whois paid for “broken time” can be none other than a professional. There are very few sports which we care to see exploited by paid players, and, of all sports, we think Rugby foot- ball is the oneleast suitable. Rugby is pre-eminently the amateurs’ game, and unless it is played for love and for sport, in the best of tempers, and with mutual consideration, it is and must be a failure. We do not prophesy a very brilliant or unchequered career for the Northern Union. Football at Cambridge is looking up wonderfully. The University teams at both Rugby and Association are doing wonderfully well, the exponents of the hand- ling code being exceptionally brilliant. The great match with Blackheath a week or two ago, and which ended in a scoreless draw, is said to have been pro- ductive of the finest football ever seen at Cambridge. The Light Blue men are very confident about the re- sult of the great annual inter-University match against Oxford which is fixed for the 11th inst. Previous to a boxing match itis quite customary for each pugilist to profess himself confident of certain victory. The University men do not adopt this tone, and Oxford is even bold enough to openly admit her anticipation of defeat. If the Cambridge estimate of its ability to win the inter-University contest is as accurate as her rival’s forecast, the result of the forthcoming match would appear to be a foregone conclusion. Still the Oxford men are said to be improving steadily, if slowly. The Dark Blue Association team is also none too well spoken of this year, numerous defeats at the hands of comparatively weak clubs having been chronicled We are not quite sure whether we shall be right in putting chess in the category of sport, but, if so, we ought to mention, while enumerating the list of poor Oxford’s defeats,that the combined University has been beaten rather heavily by the!Birmingham Chess Club. The so-called races for women recently decided at the Aquarium, London, can only be regarded as one of those unfortunate sorts of catastrophies which might happen to any sport. We look at the Aquarium show with nothing but regrets. That women should race at all is undesirable, but that they should take part in exhibition performances, under fire of the gaze of the Aquarium lounger, is to us almost incredible. Cycling as a sport and pastime is now far too firmly established for this class of entertainment to do much harm. Still the result, if it is worth speaking of, must be of a detrimental character. Road record trials by women are bad enough, but public racing for money, at the Aquarium, is a stage to which we should have thought the newest of new women would hardly have aspired. We do not think the suggested cycle tax will come to much. If a strong Government like the present does not see its way to recommend such a tax, it is hardly likely that a weaker one will do so. Cyclists are now a considerable power in the land, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer who would boldly risk the result of a combined adverse cycling vote would be a brave man. Apart from this, we think the tax would be un- popular and, in a sense, unfair. It would press very hardly upon the labourer who wished to use a cycle for travelling backwards and forwards to his work, or to get out for a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday into the fresh country air. It must not be forgotten that the people who are shouting so loudly for the taxation of cycles are the lineal descendants of the folks who opposed the rail- way train for fear it should prevent the hens from laying and the cows from giving milk. All cyclists are not gentlemen, we know, neither are they all angels; but in every other large class of people, that can be classed together, the same thing will be found. We trust the unruly section of cyclists may be led to mend its ways, but the ridiculous and childish pre- judice that still exists against the votaries of the wheel must come to an end sooner or later. The Stanley Show of cycles has for years been a landmark in the wheel world. The exhibition at the Agricultural Hall, London, which has recently closed, was a worthy successor to its forerunners. The Show was well supported, both by cycle makers, and especially by makers of cycle parts and accessories, as well as by the general public. Thelarger companies of cycle makers are nearly all pledged to the “National” Exhibition at the Crystal Palace, the only really big firm trading in complete bicycles at the Agricultural Hall being the Rudge, Whitworth Co., of Coventry and Birmingham. This firm made the best exhibit. Great interest was, however, centred in the displays of one French and three American firms, all of whom sent some well-finished, business-looking, machines, although we can hardly see what probability there is of these foreign makers doing any extensive business in this country. The Stand of the Simpson chain naturally excited some interest, but we do not think Mr. Simpson was successful in persuading many people that his chain embodied “An entirely new principle in mechanics,” or that any such advantages in speed and ease as have been claimed for it could be substantiated to the satisfaction of an impartial critic. The Bi-tricycle, which is a bicycle having two twin frontwheels running close together, we regarded as purely a fad. Such a cycle has many obvious draw- backs, and we failed to see thatit offered any corres- ponding advantages.
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HOBBIES. ait *% All communications to be answered in these columns should be marked ‘‘ Correspondence,” and must be addressed to the Editor of Hobbies, Bouverie House, Salisbury Square, London, H.C. In nocase can we reply to enquiries by post, ELECTRICITY, W. K. Noriry.—The best battery for your purpose is that made by the E.P.S. Co., of 4, Great Winchester Street, London, who will supply an accumulator, and also tell you the nearest place (to you) where it may be recharged. Non Exectic.—We do not understand the battery from your description ; but even if we did, we should want to know the E.M.F. and internal resistance of each cell, to be able to calculate the candle power. We cannot tell you how long your battery will last without recharging. Dynamo.—You have omitted to give the current in Amperes, 80 we cannot possibly even give a guess at the candle-power or the power required to drive it. You will not light your lamps at all if you connect as you propose. We can hardly tell how long your E.S. Cell will last; perhaps six months. FRETWORK, CARVING, &o. FRED HALFORD.—We have your suggestion as to Hobbies Coupons, and have made a note of it. H. Marrin.—We do not fancy that you can get such a pattern as you wish. Write to any publishers of Fretwork Designs. B.J.S.—You can easily obtain an ink-bottle for Hobbies Design No. 5 from any fancy stationer. The prices vary, but you should get a good one for a shilling. ALEX. SrewaRT (Campbeltown).—The best Fretwork Machine and Lathe which you can purchase at a really moderate cost is the ‘‘Companion.” We believe the price is 38/- FRETWoRK.—Use French Polish. We cannot give full instructions in a short answer, but the whole subject of olishing will be dealt with later on. Meanwhile any ocal eabinet-maker will give you a few hints. H. W. Precx.—1. You will find it much less trouble to buy the reprint of Hobbies No. 1 with its Presentation Design, than to try to copy the Pattern from the finished Midget Photo Frame. Why not transfer your patterns by means of black carbon paper instead of pasting them down ? Or, if you prefer the latter plan, why not make a duplicate design by placing a sheet of transparent tracing paper over it, and tracing the outline with a sharp pencil? 2. We do not stock Fretwork Patterns for sale. METAL WORK. T. WHITNEY.—You will find some suggestions as te the making of Hall Lamps in one of our coming chapters on Bent Iron Work. J.R.W.—A list of the Tools required for Bent Iron Work is given in Hobbies No.1. You can obtain them from any of the dealers in Bent Iron Work Materials who advertise in our columns. STAMPS. K.M.B. (Maidstone).—It is possible that your stamp is an oxidised 4 anna red. Better let us see it. ©.H. (Chertsey).—The stamps are Mexicans. We should not care to value them without seeing the specimens. C.P. (London).—Your Brunswick stamps are certainly “some good,” and if you will send them to us with stamped envelope for return, we shall tell you how much they are worth. A.R.T, (Falkirk)—Any stamp catalogue would answer your purpose. Lincoln’s, perhaps, would be better for you than Gibbons’, illustrations of the various issues being much clearer in the former. D.R.B. (Ayr).—Most decidedly. The Van Diemen’s Land stamp, pen-cancelled, would be worth very little com- pared with a properly postmarked specimen. If you send us your copy we will tell you what it would fetch. H.M.G. (Marlborough).—The best English catalogue, and, indeed, the standard book on the subject, is Hilckes’ “ Catalogue of English Adhesives,” published at 4s. 6d., at 64, Cheapside, London, E.C. The same firm issue an album of the sort you require, PHOTOGRAPHY AND LANTERNS. J. Boytzz, Jun.—You will notice that we comment upon the ‘Lantern Slide Exchange” under “ Notes of the Week” (Photography). We quite hope to be able to arrange something of the kind. A Constant READER.—Suggestions as to Slide making will be given in our Lantern series of articles. We do not purpose giving away Presentation Designs of Slides with Hobbies. E, Hatt.—The plate you mention is not now in the market so far as we know. You might write to Fallowfield’s, 146, Charing Cross Road, W.C. ; they could certainly tell you whether it is possible to obtain the plate. J.E.8.—If you want to make a pen and ink Lantern Slide you should use ground glass, with a very fine ‘ matt” surface. If you only want to put a title upon the glass, you had better varnish the Slide with negative or collodian varnish. 8. E. PkipHam.—We shall as soon as possible publish one or two articles upon Stereoscopic Photography. In the meantime we would advise you to write a line to Mr. W. I. Chadwick, St. Mary Street, Manchester, who, we think, issues a pamphlet upon Stereoscopic Photography, and who makes a special convertible Camera. W.S. (Wantage).— We can thoroughly recommend “Photography applied to the Microscope,” by F. W. Mills, 1s. 6d. Or, if you require a more advanced book, “ Practical Photo-Micrography,” by Andrew Pringle, 10s. 6d. Both these books are published by Iliffe & Son, or can be obtained of our publishers, T. R. JarpLEy.—On reference to the ‘ Notes of the Week” you will see that one of our subscribers, at least, besides yourself, is ready to help to form the “ Lantern Slide Exchange.’”” We will gladly lend you a few Slides for Christmas, if you will write and ray when you need them. You must pay carriage both ways. Shall we send you fifty ? BAMBOO WORK. J.R.W.—The Tools you require for Bamboo Work are— Bending Iron, Bunsen Burner, Tenon Saw, Hammer, Rasp, and Bradawl. Other Tools are useful, but not absolutely necessary. We have a number of articles on this hobby already prepared, and will insert them whenever we can find space. «"s AS we are obliged to go to press nearly a fortnight before the date of publication, we must ask Correspondents not to be dis- appointed should answers to their queries not appear so soon as they expected. In every case we shall endeavour to supply an answer in the first possible issue.
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212 HOBBIES. THE INDUCTION COIL. HOW TO MAKE AND USE IT. CHAP. N the last chapter it was shewn that an Electric discharge through a partial vacuum shews very marked differences to that taking place pheric pressure. In the latter case a spark, or short flash, not unlike a flash of Jightning in miniature; but when a rarefied medium is employed the spark itself disappears, giving place to a more voluminous, but softer and less vivid illumination. At the positive electrode this illumina- tion takes something of the form of a brush extending in the direction of the negative, but the negative electrode itself appears surrounded by a distinctive glow, or aureole, of its own. In rare- fied air or gas the discharge can also take place through a much greater distance than under ordinary conditions, until avery high degree of rare- faction is reached, but when that degree has been passed a reverse action sets in, so rapidly indeed that an absolute vacuum is assumed to be an absolute insulator—probably the only one. the case of rarefied air alone, the brush is of a red colour and the aureole violet. A trace of the vapour of alcohol, turpentine, naphtha, or other volatile hydrocarbon, causes this red brush to split up into bright bands alternated with dark ones. Ifvery smal! quantities of various gases are injected into the globe, a variety of colour is imparted to the illumination. Thus for instance carbonic acid gives a stratified green brush and a lavender coloured aureole; nitrogen, a red brush and violet aureole; and hydrogen, blue and red. Then again, the light emitted from these dis- charges has the power of producing brilliant fluo- rescence in certain substances, particularly in uranium glass, the sulphurets of calcium and strontium, and in solutions of sulphate of quinine. Uranium glass exhibits a brilliant green fluo- rescence; sulphate of quinine, blue; and the calcium and strontium sulphurets, a bright yellow. through air at the ordinary atmos- | the discharge appears in the form of | In | | Wile The most convenient way of practically producing all the different effects just enumerated will be with the aid of vacuum tubes, which were first made by Geissler, an inhabitant of Bonn, after whom they take their name of Geissler’s tubes. These are made of thin glass, and have two platinum elec- trodes passing through and sealed into the ends. The discharges, of course, take place between the inside ends of the electrodes, and through any desired medium containedinthetube. They are usually of about five to twelve inches long and of a wonderful variety of shapes, a few of which are illustrated here. When the fluorescence of uranium glass is desired to be shewn, it generally constitutes the substance of the tube itself. In other cases the fluorescent body may be contained within the vacuum tube, or in a separate glass vessel. A few of the more common types will now be described. In Fig. 22 are given three shapes of the simple tube employed to shew discharges through rarefied air and gases. To connect them to the Induction Coil a couple of silk covered wires are to be used, one end of each wire being placed in one of the secondary terminals of the Coil, and the other two ends hooked into the platinum loops, or electrodes, at the ends of the tube. The most intense illumination will generally be noticed in the most contracted portion of the tube. A different form is shewn in Fig. 23, consisting of a long tube with a number of uranium glass bulbs inter- spersed along its length. 6©)= 2 ae Fig. 22.
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HOBBIES. 253 This is generally known as a bulb tube, and gives very pretty effects owing to the fluorescence of the uranium glass. Fig. 24 illustrates a rather com- plicated form, consisting of an inner tube, through which the electrical dis- charge takes place, and an outer containing tube. In the intervening space between the inner and outer tubes, a solution of sulphate of quinine, or other fluorescent substance, is placed : the result,as may be imagined, is very beautiful. Somewhat similar tubes, but with the outer vessel of a globular shape, admitting of larger designs, are shewn in Fig. 25. The inner tube may take the form offlowers,vases, animals, etc. A particularly beautiful tube of this kind is known as Gassiot’s Cascade, see Fig. 26. As shewn, there is an outer vessel divided up internally into three sections by glass partitions. Fig. 24. the loose end of this wire near, and pointing at, the outer coat of foil, so that the charge may pass. By this means the Jar can be quickly charged, but bear in mind that there must bea short space between the outside coating of foil and the end of the charging wire. Many experi- ments may be made with the Leyden Jar, and among them a very interesting one known as Lichtenberg’s Dust Figures. This necessitates a dry sheet of glass, or other insulating material, together with some powdered sulphur and red | lead. Take up the charged Leyden Jar by its | outer coat, and with the ball trace out any design | upon the glass, or, if preferred, the design may | be traced with an iron point connected by a wire | with the ball of the Jar. This is to impart a | charge to the glass sheet, either positive or negative, as the case may be. Place the mixed | powder of red lead and sulphur into a muslin | bag, and sift it over the glass. By this process | the red lead will become positively electrified and the sulphur negatively, and each will settle down The middle part contains a vase of | uranium glass into which dips a tube | leading up to the top division. The middle and lower sections of the globe are connected by one or more holes passing through the lower partition; while the electrodes, as can be easily seen, are sealed into the extremities of | the globe. When connected with the Induction Coil, the Juminous discharge will pass from the upper portion of the globe, down through the tube to the bottom of the vase from which it appears to rebound upwards and out- wards, over the edge of the ‘now fluo- rescent vase, falling gracefully down all round, and finally passing through the lower partition to the electrode. The upper and lower bulbs will also appear luminous, while the uranium vase glows with its own green fluo- rescent light. Other tubes may be made to represent illuminated writing, mottoes, monograms, names of cele- brated people and places, or, in fact, nearly anything that human ingenuity can devise. Gassiots’ Star, illustrated in Fig. 27, is produced by the rotation of a single tube by means of a little driving Fig. 25. —— Fig. 26. in its own peculiar way, manifesting the traced design. Well dry and mix the powder before use. (To be concluded.) Our Advertising Coupon Bcheme, Every copy of our Weekly Presentation Supple- ment now contains a Coupon which, by special arrangement with our Advertisers, will, under the | following conditions, be accepted by the Firms | whose names are printed on the back of the Sup- | plement as an equivalent of Threepence in Cash. machine, known as the vacuum tube rotator. | The rotator may be worked by hand, or by a small electric motor, and produces a star-like | effect. The experiments with vacuum tubes are, perhaps, the most beautiful that can be performed It is, of course, an optical delusion. with the Induction Coil, but | there are also a great many others which claim attention, and these will now be dealt with in their due order. Previous mention has been made of the Leyden Jar; this can be charged from the Induction Coil, as follows :— Insulate the Jar by placing it upon a dry sheet of glass, or Fig. 27. ‘ebonite, and connect one of the Coil electrodes | with the ball leading to the inside coating of foil by a short piece of wire; attach one end of another wire with the other electrode, and hold Each Coupon is numbered and dated, and will remain good for three months. The Coupons will be accepted in payment, not only for any articles specifically mentioned in the advertise- ments in our pages, but for any goods sold by the Firms who have agreed to take them. The one consideration of any importance is that ot more than five per cent. of the amount of any one order shall be paid in Coupons. For | example, if it be desired to purchase goods to | the value of 5/-, it would be sufficient to send a postal order for 4/9 and one Coupon; if the bill came to 10/- two Coupons and a postal order for g/6 would be required; and it the amount were 20/-, a postal order for 19/- and four Coupons would need to be sent. Should less than five shillings worth of goods be required, the sender of a Coupon will be entitled to a discount of one halfpenny for every shilling, Coupons cannot be accepted for sums of less than one shilling. It should be clearly understood that when, for instance, goods to the value of 20/- are’ordered, it is not necessary for the purchaser to buy four numbers of the current week’s issue of Hobbies. All back Coupons should be preserved. Each is available for three months, and may be used at any time during that period. Further details of the scheme, with a list of Firms who have agreed to accept Coupons, will be found on the back of the Weekly Presentation Supplement. A Table shewing the system of discount from One Shilling to a Pound is also | given.
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HOBBIES. less, name and address inclusive, and one h enny for every additional word. Single letters, initials and a*, The charges for advertisements alfpens in this page will be sixpence for every twelve words or figures are each counted as a word; but undivided numbers (as 152), and prices (as 10s. 6d.) count as only one word each. In every case the name and address of the advertiser must be given for cannot at present undertake to supply a private name or number and receive replies to ai All advertisements must be accompanied by remittances, otherwise they cannot be inserted. When- Postal Orders, and not stamps. Office. ever possible, payment should be made Lr pe and we vertisements at our Letters should be marked " Advt.,” and must be addressed to the Publisher, Hobbies, Bouverie House, Salisbury Square, London, E.C. Nore.—Trade Advertisements can only be inserted in this page at the rate of one shilling per line. Antique Carving Patterns.—Sets 1, 2, and 3 contains 26, 22, and 25 large patterns respectively, of panels, rails, &c. 1s. free—Jackson, Thorngate, Barnard Castle. Bargain._Junior Bicycle for sale, good condition, new tyres, £1.—G. Shiers, Lexden, Princess Road, Bournemouth, Belgian Hares,—Belgian Hares, 3 beauties, 2 bucks, 1 doe, 6 months old, out of doe winner of several first prizes, good all round, no rubbish, 7/6 each, £1 the lot.—I’. L. Spreckley, Darlington. Cheap Typewriter wanted in good working order, send particulars.—Silver, Letcomb, Wantage. Qhristmas Presents.—A few choice old steel en- gravings, well framed, very select. Send for particulars.—Baker, West End, Southampton. Collie.—For sale, a grand champion-bred Collie Bitch Pup, sable and white; should make a winner; age six months. If sold at once the low sum of two guineas will be accepted. Particulars, pedigree, etc., from Chas. Smith, Milton House, East Derebae Hlectrical Coil and Battery.—Splendid instrument, approval, 5/.— Walker, 2, Chetwynd Street, ees il Blectric Bell, quart Leclanché battery, push, 50 ft. wire, staples, instructions, complete set, 4/6. Better value impossible. New catalogue, stamp.—Electric, Lord Street, Openshaw, Manchester. Engraving for Sale, artist proof before letters, Luther burning the Pope’s Bull in the Square at Wurtenburg. — Apply, W., 47, Sillwood Road, Brighton. Fascinating Home Occupation. Samples, with particulars, 7d.—Stanley, Billson Street, Poplar, London. Ferreting.—Splendid active pastime; good working ferrets at rats, 4/6 ; large rabbiters, 5/-—Thos. Davey, Breeder, Dereham, Norfolk. Foreign Stamps.—Sheets on approval.—_Pheenix Stamp Co., 31, Radnor Street, Peckham. Fretwork, Carving, Bent Lron,and Bamboo Materials; Fretwork Outfits from 9d., Bent Iron 5d. and 6d. per pound, splendid Fretwood from 2d. per square foot. Lund, H Dept., 70, Manningham Lane, Bradford. For Sale, 1895 Pneumatic Tyred Safety, no punctures, balls throughout, £7 10s. or exchange; also Volume 47 The Phonetic Journal, unbound, perfect condition, 3/-, post free. This is genuine.—E. T. Davis, West Lavington, Devizes, Wilts. Fer Sale, 550 different stamps. What offers?—K. Chadwick, Ashfield, Burley, Leeds. Guns.—A. Ward’s single, top lever, central fire, breach- loading gun, 12-bore; cost £3 3s.; sacrifice 17/6; money wanted.—W. Taylor, Gas Works, Merthyr. High Class Tools—For New Illustrated Price List, send 3d. to Osborn Brothers, Tool Merchants, 48, Fratton Street, Portsmouth. M.4. How to make an Electric Night Light that will work well for years without attention, post free, 6 stamps; also how to attach an electric alarm to clock, 6 stamps.—James, 11, Stanbury Road, Peck- ham, S.E Bi Inlaid Walnut Writing Desk, splendid condition, sacrifice, 10/6.—Carr, 47, Brecknock Road, N.W. Magic Lantern Slides.—To exchange for the above a nickel plated grammophone, cost £2 12s., or cash offers.—Oldham, Chemist, Wisbech. Mandoline wanted. Exchange first 3 vols. Strand Magazine, publishers’ covers.—Runnicles, Drum- mond Street, Hampstead Road. Members for Amateur Photographic Club Wanted, prizes monthly, no subscription.—H. W. Greenston, 9, Queen Street, Mayfair, London. New Book of Instructions in gilding, graining, mix- ing paint, French polishing, picture-frame making, mount cutting, etc., 1,000 valuable recipes, free 1/2— McQuhae, Cockermouth, and all Booksellers. Pair Norwich Canaries, 7/6; young cocks, 5/-. Use- ae “ey ids Station, Monkton Deverell ath. Photographs.—Realising collection unmounted photo- graphs, Swiss, Italian scenery, cabinets 2d., 8 in. by 10 in. 4d. each; also beautiful specimens colour photography, including Palestine.— Alpha, 170, Upland Road, East Dulwich. Photography.—4 plate camera, 3 double backs, R.R. lens and stand, £2, or offer.—Photo, 20, Ospringe Road, N.W. Stamps. — Antiqua, Bahamas, Barbados, Cape (triangular), St. Christopher, St. Vincent, all values; also Mulready Envelope Wanted.—C. Hudson, Westbourne Road, West Kirby. Stamps.—7 Australian, 3 Natal, 2 Transvaal, 3 Capes, 50 for 6d.—Hellowell, Westbourne Road, March, Huddersfield. Stamps.—Cheap sets, all different ; 10 Germany, 4d.; 10 United States, 5d. ; 12 France, 5d.; 6 Bavaria, 4d.; 6 Sweden, 4d.; 8 Hollands, 5d.; 12 Belgium, 5d.; 10 Austria, 5d.; 5 Greece, obsolete, 5d. Approval sheets. —Terry, 6 Welbeck Road, Birkdale, Lancashire. Turning, Carving, and Fretwork Tools Wanted exchange melodeon, or buy.—Noah Robins, Yeovil. Wylde’s Circle of the Sciences, two large, thick volumes, 2,340 pages, illustrated with hundreds of Steel and other engravings, splendidly bound half- ealf, gilt, clean and perfect, cost £5 5s., sell for ee ta Stead, Union Street, Heckmondwike, orks. MAKE YOUR OWN FENDERS. Three different Fender Top Patterns. One Ashpan Pattern, 1/6 free, or 6d. each. Kettle Stand and Iron Stand Pattern given to every purchaser.—TULLOOH, Dealer in Fretwork Materials, Millfield, Sunderland. 7s, 6d, a Week Salary And upward offered to both sexes (for spare moments) every- where. The work may be done evenings. Apply, enclosing | addressed envelope, to M. TrRuscorr & Co., 5, Sherwood Ter., | Chelston, Torquay. wl Bazaars. — Owing to the insertion of additional matter, we have been compelled to omit our article on Bazaars and How to Decorate Them from this week’s issue of Hobbies.
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HOBBIES. 215 ToBacconists COMMENCING. See Illd. Guide & Catalogue (259 pgs.) 8d., “‘How to open a Cigar Store, £20 to £2,000.”—Tobacconists’ Out- fitting Co. (Reg.), 186, Euston Rd., mdon. N.B.— Shopfitters and showcase makers for all trades. (Over 50 years’ reputation). Mgr., H. Myers. XMAS GIFT. Genuine Electric Lighting Watch Set. Just the thing for dark nights and winter mornings. Lights instantly. Two powerful Batteries and handsome Brass Fittings. Will not get out of order. Price 7s. 6d., post free.— H. PRICE & Co., 4, Berry Street, Clerkenwell Road, E.C. FRETWOODS, Planed and Sandpapered both sides by our Special Machinery. For 5s., Post FREE, We will send, 2 SQUARE FEET each, 3-16ths in. Mahogany, ITALIAN WaLNut, Flowered Oak, Canary, | White Holly, Lacewood, 10 to 15 in. wide. For 2s. 6p., Post FREE, 2 square feet each of any three above kinds; or any three of the following—Hungarian, J apanese, or Black Ash, Birch, Teak, Cedar, Chestnut, Sycamore, &c. IMPORTANT .—These are Sample Parcels of Best Quality Woods. DRY, SOUND, AND CLEAN. WRITE AT ONCE FOR LIST. STAR SAWS, 6 Dozen for 1s. 6d. HINDLEY & JONES, Fretwork Stores, NORFOLK MARKET HALL, SHEFFIELD. “ HOBBIES” COUPONS ACCEPTED. JOHN GREEN, FR.HS., SUPPLIES EVERYTHING FOR WHE GARDEa. /f you want anything, however small, state require- ments or send for Catalogues. Strawberry Plants in great variety; 100 plants in four best sorts (J. G.’s Selection) free for 5/-, Cash with Order. Carnations, splendid border varieties, robust healthy plants, 6 varieties free for 4/-; 12 varieties for 7/6, Cash with Order. Alpine Auriculas, most charming varieties, the finest strains in England, scarcely two in a hundred alike. Grand year old plants 2/6 per dozen, 16/- per 100. Smaller Plants, same strain, 1/3 per dozen, 8/- per 100, free for Cash with Order. All who make Gardening a Hobby should see m Great Catalogue, which is up to date and full of a the best novelties in Seeds and Plants. Price 1/- (which may be deducted from first order over 10/-). JOHN GREEN, F.R.H.S., NORFOLK NURSERIES, DEREHAM. WAN FOUNTAIN PEN BS Sreé 10/6, 16)6 ¥ 25) th stated, Catalogues {ree oy application 16 REDUCED FACSIMILE, NIB GUARANTEED PEN. Vv 14 CARAT GOLD IRIDIUM
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216 HOBBIES. WRITE FOR OUR NEW AND ENLARGED CATALOGUE. THE DESIGN, CLOCK TOWER) { 0 GIVEN AWAY | SMG. aki, 36 ins. high. | FRET WORK CARVING. THREE GOLD MEDALS, TASMANIA. PRIZE MEDAL, ANTWERP. THREE PRIZE MEDALS, AMSTERDAM. &~ No other Firm in tne United King- dom has obtained an Award for Fretwork Designs or Materials at any International Exhibition. SEND AT ONCE “eX SIXPENCE Xo. for our new and greatly enlarged Catalogue of Designs, Machines, Tools, and every requisite for Fretwork, Wood Carving, and Bent Iron Work, with which WILL BE - - FREE... m a Handsome Design for a Fretwork Model of the CLOCK TOWER OF THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, “BIG BEN,” the published price of which is 1/- SPECIMEN TESTIMONIAL. Mr. ALEXANDER PLANT, Greenock, writes :— I was very much surprised and delighted at the magnificent design of “ Big Ben,” and your splendid Catalogue of Fret- work Designs, etc., which is a most instructive Book for Fretworkers, Wood Carvers, and others; and I may safely say that the Catalogue and Design are worth four times what you are selling them at. Send at once SIXPENCE for Catalogue and Presentation Design. THE CLOCK TOWER DESIGN, “BIG BEN, 36 ins. high. JH. SKINNER & CO., 1 veer, DEREHAM, NORFOLK. Printed cat Published at the Office of “‘ Hopsims,” Bouverie House, Salisbury Square, London, H.U. Sole Advertisement Agents,_JoHN Happon & Co., Bouverie House, Salisbury Square, London, E.C.