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6c Documentary Proprietary revenue stamp approved die proof

Morton Dean Joyce

In 1862, Congress instituted, among other taxes, a tax on proprietary items such as patent medicines and matches. It directed the issuance of revenue stamps in 1-cent, 2-cent, 3-cent, 4-cent, 5-cent, and 10-cent denominations to pay the proprietary taxes. However, the tax on patent medicines provided for a six-cent tax on patent medicines with a retail price of $1.01 to $1.50. In addition, the tax on a package of 501-600 matches was also six cents Although a 6-cent Inland Exchange revenue stamp had been issued, this documentary stamp could not be used to pay the tax on proprietary items.

Date

1871

Type

Revenue Stamps

Medium

paper (India); ink (black) / engraved

Department

NPM

Institution

National Postal Museum

Object number

npm_1996.2079.1

Credit

Gift of John R. Boker, Jr. in memory of Morton Dean Joyce