My Revenue Stamp Collection Newest Additions
These are the newest additions to my collection.
Click on any thumbnail below to pop up a window with a larger image and more information.
Scott # R27c. Added December 8, 2019
An 'ugly duckling' of a cover, but very scarce and important. A 5-cent Inland Exchange revenue used illegally as postage on a cover to England. This cover was highlighted in Labron Harris's September 2019 American Philatelist article 'Early U.P.U. Treatment of Invalid Postage' as the earliest use he had seen of 'Xs and Os' cover markings to indicate invalid postage.
Scott # R733. Added December 7, 2019
Army-Air Force Postal Service. Revenue stamped used illegally as postage on military cover from Nha Trang, Viet Nam to Kokomo, Indiana.
Scott # BCR4. Added December 6, 2019
Business college stamp simulating a 2-cent battleship revenue stamp, on a training check from 1900. Catalog number and value is from Jim Drummond's College and School Stamps Catalogue.
Scott # 73. Added December 1, 2019
Commissioners of Public Schools. 2-cent 'Black Jack' used illegally as revenue on a receipt from the Commissioner of Public Schools in Baltimore for a principal's desk.
Scott # R10c. Added December 1, 2019
E. C. Knight & Co. E.C. Knight was an importer and sugar refiner.
Scott # R33c. Added December 1, 2019
USPS. It's too bad that the stamp is munched, otherwise this would be a several hundred dollar cover. 10-cent Certificate used illegally as postage on an 1867 cover to Canada, not caught by the postal authorities. Hamilton, Canada receiving mark on reverse.
Scott # R3c. Added November 29, 2019
Horizontal strip of four 1-cent Proprietary stamps, used illegally as documentaries, short paying the tax (should have been 5 cents) on an 1869 payment order.
Scott # R151. Added November 29, 2019
Milnes & Houck, Shenandoah Iron Works. 3rd Issue 2c USIR with portrait shifted dramatically to lower right, on an 1872 check from the Shenandoah Iron Works.
Scott # 73. Added November 28, 2019
2-cent Black Jack used illegally as revenue on an 1866 receipt from an estate.
Scott # 286. Added November 27, 2019
Major H. H. Bandholtz. 2-cent Trans-Mississippi commemorative plate number single used illegally as revenue stamp on an 1899 check, signed by (then) Major H. H. Bandholtz, of future Philippines 'O.B.' overprint fame.
Scott # 285. Added November 27, 2019
Major H. H. Bandholtz. Two 1-cent Trans-Mississippi commemoratives used illegally as revenue stamps on an 1899 check, signed by (then) Major H. H. Bandholtz, of future Philippines 'O.B.' overprint fame.
Scott # R36c. Added November 10, 2019
USPS. 10-cent Inland Exchage used illegally as postage on an 1868 advertising cover to England. Caught once it reached England (note the 'MORE TO PAY' handstamp cancel). Receiving handstamps on reverse.
Scott # R153. Added November 10, 2019
USPS. Two 1-cent Franklin singles with red provisional overprints used illegally as postage on cover, used the first day of tax, July 1, 1898.
Scott # R153. Added November 10, 2019
USPS. Horizontal pair of 1-cent Franklins with red provisional overprints, used illegally as postage on cover. Interesting CHICAMAUGA NATL PARK handstamp cancel.
Scott # R164. Added November 10, 2019
USPS. 2-cent battleship documentary used illegally as postage on a July 9, 1898 early usage cover.
Scott # R164p. Added November 10, 2019
USPS. 2-cent battleship documentary used illegally as postage on a slightly out-of-period 1904 cover.
Scott # R164. Added November 10, 2019
USPS. 2-cent battleship documentary used illegally as postage out-of-period on a 1910 cover.
Scott # R164p. Added November 10, 2019
USPS. 2-cent Battleship documentary used illegally as postage out of period on a 1910 cover.
Scott # R37e. Added November 10, 2019
Diagonally bisected 10-cent Power of Attorney, plus a 25-cent Insurance, paying the correct 30-cent tax on an 1870 promissory note. The document itself is pretty beat up, but this is only the second reported example of R37e.
Scott # R164p. Added November 9, 2019
USPS. 2-cent battleship revenue stamp used illegally as postage on a 1903 postal stationery cover.
Scott # R557. Added November 9, 2019
USPS. 4-cent documentary used illegally as postage on cover, caught by the USPS, and marked 4-cents postage due.
Scott # R12c. Added November 9, 2019
2-cent orange Playing Cards used illegally as a documentary on 1864 bank check.
Scott # R13c. Added November 9, 2019
T. E. Sexton. T13 major double transfer at bottom on a Delaware CDV.
Scott # R33a. Added November 9, 2019
10-cent Certificate imperf and 20-cent Inland Exchange imperf on an 1863 promissory note paying the correct tax rate of 30 cents.
Scott # RE15. Added November 5, 2019
Plate number margin imprint capture, plate # 332. Plate number singles on Wine revenue stamps are extremely scarce.
Scott # R6c. Added November 5, 2019
Tioga Railroad Co. Previously unrecorded variant of Tolman cancel #T-4D. Minor double transfer in letters of bottom scroll.
Scott # R3c. Added October 26, 2019
Damon & Baker. Selection of very scarce Damon & Baker printed proprietary cancels. Company was located in Coaticook, Quebec, Canada. Cancels vary by date, font, and ink color. Full retail prices of these cancels range from $250 to $400 per stamp, with the green ink cancels being the most rare and expensive.
Scott # 294. Added October 26, 2019
Irregular reconstructed block of 14 mint OG 1-cent Pan Americans with counterfeit 'IR' handstamp overprints. Interesting aesthetic piece... would be better if it were genuine.
Scott # R18c. Added October 12, 2019
3-cent Proprietary used illegally as a documentary revenue on a purchase receipt.
Scott # R162. Added October 6, 2019
B. G. Vasen, Real Estate and Insurance. 1/2-cent gray battleship revenue, along with a 1-cent battleship, paying 1.5 cents tax on an insurance policy from 'The Insurance Company of the State of Illinois'. Fractional cent rates are fairly uncommon.
Scott # 65. Added October 5, 2019
Two 3-cent Washington singles used illegally as revenue stamps on an 1865 certificate of debt for an estate.
Scott # R229. Added October 5, 2019
USPS. 2-cent documentary used illegally as postage on cover in-period.
Scott # R38c. Added October 5, 2019
Illegal use of 10-cent Proprietary as a documentary revenue on an 1867 promissory note.
Scott # R123. Added October 5, 2019
Brady's Bend Iron Co. While at first glance it appears to be a handstamped cancel, it is actually a printed cancel. See my page devoted to the cancels of the Brady's Bend Iron Co.
Scott # RB24. Added September 29, 2019
USPS. 1-cent Proprietary battleship revenue stamp, used illegally as postage on cover. It was caught and held, with 1-cent postage due stamp affixed. Nice straight-line 'DUE 1 CT' marking below the revenue stamp.
Scott # R154. Added September 29, 2019
USPS. Block of 4 of 1-cent Franklin with red provisional 'I.E.' overprint, used illegally as postage on cover.
Scott # R164p. Added September 27, 2019
USPS. 2-cent battleship documentary used illegaly as postage on a cover addressed to a passenger on the Chicago Great Western Railway. Unfortunately reduced at bottom.
Scott # RB22. Added September 27, 2019
J. D. Van Volkenburgh. Likely philatelic, but very attractive and unusual regardless. J.D. Van Volkenburgh of Hamilton, Missouri owned a 'post office book store' that sold 'Books, Stationery, Cigars and Tobacco, Newspapers, and Periodicals.' He was an early member of the American Philatelic Society. This lot consists of 7 checks, starting with a nice 2-cent battleship documentary with margin marking. The remaining 7 checks are all comprised of a wide variety of PROPRIETARY battleship revenue stamps, affixed illegally. Because most of the proprietary battleship revenues were denominated in fractions of a cent, this allowed for all sorts of fun colorful combinations of 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 1, 1-1/4, 1-7/8, and 2-cent proprietary battleships, totaling 2 cents on each check. One of them was caught, and a 2-cent documentary battleship affixed over the proprietary stamps.
Scott # R1c. Added September 24, 2019
Very interesting illegal usage of 1-cent express used as postage on cover. It was caught, marked 'Bad' in manuscript, along with 'Due 2c'.
Scott # 113. Added September 15, 2019
Three 2-cent Post Horse and Rider singles used illegally as revenue stamps paying tax on three receipt transactions on the same ledger sheet for shares of a pension from an estate.
Scott # R18c. Added September 13, 2019
Block of 5, vertical pair, and 3 singles of R18c used illegally as documentaries, along with a block of 10 of R15c, paying 50 cents tax on an 1871 indenture.
Scott # R164p. Added September 8, 2019
USPS. 2-Cent battleship revenue stamp used illegally as postage on a 1901 advertising cover from 'The Clyde New England and Southern Lines' steamship company. Black Bay Station flag receiving machine cancel on reverse.
Scott # R164p. Added September 8, 2019
USPS. 2-cent battleship revenue stamp used illegally as postage on a return envelope to the Workmen's Benefit Association, with a nice Black Bay Station receiving machine cancel on the reverse.
Scott # R15c. Added September 8, 2019
USPS. 1st issue 2-cent USIR used illegally as postage on cover. Unfortunately used long out of period, so presumably philatelic. If this were used in-period for the stamp, multiply the retail value by 8x-10x.
Scott # R58c. Added September 7, 2019
Wilcox & Delleker. Custom House Broker entry of merchandise for the Port of Philadelphia, with an attractive cameo at top left.
Scott # R27c. Added September 7, 2019
Eight R27c singles used on an 1867 promissory note, at least 5 of which exhibit legitimate 'freak' perfs. Unlike the fabricated freak perfs you frequently see with the perforations at bizarre angles, these exhibit the extra perfs in a manner consistent with having fed the sheet of stamps through the perforator a second time: the extra perfs parallel to the initial perfs.
Scott # R87c. Added September 7, 2019
R87c is very scarce on document.
Scott # R87c. Added September 7, 2019
Two $3.50 Inland Exchange singles paying $7 tax on a warranty deed. R87c is very scarce on document, even more so as either a multiple or multiple singles.
Scott # R152b. Added September 3, 2019
First National Bank.
Scott # R155. Added September 3, 2019
The Union National Bank. Ornate multi-line handstamp cancel.
Scott # R6c. Added September 3, 2019
American Baptist Home Mission Society.
Scott # R155. Added September 2, 2019
Second-day-of-tax usage.
Scott # R81c. Added September 2, 2019
$2 Conveyance, $1 Entry of Goods, and 50-cent Original Process, paying $3.50 tax on a mortgage. The $2 conveyance is a misperforated top sheet margin single missing the top row of perforations, as well as several plate scratches in the margin.
Scott # R15d. Added August 18, 2019
T15 major double transfer on 2-cent USIR silk paper (unlisted in Scott) on an 1871 sight draft. Prices shown are for the T15 double transfer on normal paper, off document.
Scott # R155. Added August 18, 2019
Arena Publishing Co. The earliest typewritten check I have seen. During this period, checks were almost exclusively handwritten.
Scott # R24c. Added August 4, 2019
The Challenge Sulky-Wheel Cultivator Agency. Sales agent contract.
Scott # R15c. Added August 4, 2019
English & Dixon. Manufacturers of The Ohio Mower & Reaper, Pitt's Separator, Carey Horse Power, & Castings of All Kinds.
Scott # 73. Added August 4, 2019
Oregon Stage Company. 2-cent Andrew Jackson used illegally as a revenue stamp on a receipt from the Oregon Stage Company.
Scott # 178. Added August 4, 2019
First National Bank of Lockhaven. 2-cent Andrew Jackson used illegally as a revenue stamp on a holographic check.
Scott # 73. Added August 4, 2019
2-cent Andrew Jackson used illegally as a revenue stamp, along with a 5-cent Agreement 1st issue revenue stamp, underpaying the tax on this promissory note. Per rate tables, the tax should have been 10 cents, not 7 cents.
Scott # 135. Added July 17, 2019
Union Trust Company of New York. Extremely scarce illegal usage, 2-cent grilled banknote used as a revenue. This is the first grilled banknote I have seen used illegally.
Scott # 68. Added July 17, 2019
Iron Cliffs Company. 10-cent Washington used illegally as a revenue stamp on an 1859 draft from the Iron Cliffs (Mining) Co. The tax due on the transaction was 10 cents, but the underlying 2-cent revenue imprint (RN-B1) was ignored, as is the case on all reported examples of the Iron Cliffs drafts. Tying blue oval handstamp is especially nice.
Scott # 71. Added June 30, 2019
Wheeling Post Office. Very scarce and unusual illegal usage of 30-cent Ben Franklin on an 1867 receipt for the purchase of stamps. There would have been no reason for a 30-cent tax on this transaction. The ink color and hand of the stamp's cancel match that of the document, so it does not appear that this is a fabrication. Given that the size and color of the stamp match that of the 2-cent Bank Check and the 2-cent USIR, I speculate that a hurried clerk grabbed the nearest small orange stamp, thinking it was the appropriate revenue stamp. We'll never know for certain. The stamp also has an extra row of perforations.
Scott # R44c. Added June 29, 2019
Lost Lake Gold and Silver Mining Co. Very unusual mining stock certificate from a company supposedly located in the 'Montania Territory'. The only records I can find of said territory is an 1864 New York Times announcement: 'The Committee [on Territories] are also perfecting a bill for the erection of the Territory of Montania, composed of a portion of Idaho and Utah Territories.' Very interesting item.
Scott # R36b. Added June 28, 2019
A. A. Low & Brothers. 10-cent Inland Exchange part perforate on a June 1863 bill of lading for pottery to be carried on the ship Surprise to Hong Kong. Bills of Lading to overseas destinations are quite scarce. The document is on a thin and very delicate tissue paper. No wonder very few survived. Note the large-format embossed seal at right.
Scott # R32a. Added June 28, 2019
A. A. Low & Brothers. 10-cent Bill of Lading imperforate on a March 1863 (EMU) bill of lading for supplies to be carried on the bark Benefactor to Hong Kong. Bills of Lading to overseas destinations are quite scarce, and EMUs even more so. The document is on a thin and very delicate tissue paper. No wonder very few survived. Note the large-format embossed seal at center.
Scott # R32a. Added June 28, 2019
A. A. Low & Brothers. 10-cent Bill of Lading imperforate on a March 1863 (EMU) bill of lading for coal to be carried on the bark Benefactor to Hong Kong. Bills of Lading to overseas destinations are quite scarce, and EMUs even more so. The document is on a thin and very delicate tissue paper. No wonder very few survived.
Scott # R6c. Added June 27, 2019
Neptune Steamship Co. Lovely 2-color printed bill of lading from 'The Neptune Line of Screw Steamers, direct between Boston and New York via Long Island Sound. Steamship vignette at upper left. This appears to have been the first leg of a journey with Hong Kong as the ultimate destination.
Scott # R27a. Added June 27, 2019
Privately rouletted imperf of the 5-cent Inland Exchange, on piece. Upper left corner was torn when the document was torn, and then reattached. There are a handful of known examples of privately rouletted 1st issue revenues, most being 2-cent denominations. This is the first 5-cent I've seen.
Scott # R19a. Added June 23, 2019
American Telegraph Company. Early matching usage (EMU) of 3-cent Telegraph imperforate on a May 1863 telegram. Stamp is superb.
Scott # R2c. Added June 5, 2019
USPS. Horizontal pair and single of 2-cent Playing Cards, used illegally as postage on an 1865 cover from Colas Mouth, West Virginia. The single and the left stamp from the pair each have a vertical plate scratch. If you digitally position the single above the left stamp of the pair, it looks like it could be one long continuous scratch crossing both stamps. Very unique piece.
Scott # R24c. Added June 5, 2019
The National Ink Co. Stunningly beautiful 3-color agent's certificate from The National Ink Company, printed in red, blue, and metallic gold, with a patriotic eagle vignette.
Scott # R17c. Added June 5, 2019
3-cent and 2-cent Playing Cards revenue stamps used improperly as documentaries, paying 5 cents tax on a sworn affidavit.
Scott # RB28. Added June 5, 2019
W. Schumacher, Pastor. Two vertical pairs of 2-1/2 cent Battleship propietaries, used improperly as documentaries, paying 10 cents tax on a Michigan marriage certificate. Same pastor as this similar improper usage.
Scott # R13c. Added June 5, 2019
2-cent proprietary used improperly as a documentary, along with a 3-cent Foreign Exchange, paying 5 cents tax on a notarized affadavit.
Scott # R18c. Added June 5, 2019
3-cent proprietary revenue used improperly as a documentary on an estate receipt for disbursement of proceeds of the estate.
Scott # R3c. Added June 5, 2019
Horizontal pair of 1-cent proprietary revenues used improperly as documentaries on an estate receipt for grave stones.
Scott # R3c. Added June 5, 2019
1-cent proprietary used improperly as a documentary on an order for payment.
Scott # R13c. Added June 5, 2019
2-cent proprietary used improperly as a documentary on a receipt for an estate disbursement.
Scott # R18c. Added June 5, 2019
3-cent proprietary used improperly as a documentary revenue on an 1865 receipt for estate payment ordered by probate court.
Scott # R28c. Added June 5, 2019
5-cent Playing Cards used improperly as a documentary revenue on an 1865 receipt for estate payment ordered by probate court.
Scott # R3c. Added June 5, 2019
John Strong, Notary Public. 1-cent proprietary used improperly as a documentary, along with two 2-cent Bank Check revenues, paying 5 cents tax on an affidavit for estate expenses.
Scott # R3c. Added June 5, 2019
1-cent and 2-cent proprietary revenues used improperly as documentaries on a promissory note.
Scott # R13c. Added June 5, 2019
2-cent Proprietary used improperly as a documentary on an 1864 estate receipt.
Scott # R29c. Added June 5, 2019
The First National Bank. 5-cent Proprietary used improperly as a documentary revenue on an 1867 deposit receipt.
Scott # R29c. Added June 4, 2019
The First National Bank. 5-cent Proprietary used improperly as a documentary revenue on an 1867 deposit receipt.
Scott # R29c. Added June 4, 2019
The First National Bank. 5-cent Proprietary used improperly as a documentary on an 1869 deposit receipt.
Scott # R3c. Added June 4, 2019
Horizontal pair of 1-cent proprietary revenue stamps used improperly as documentaries on a holographic check.
Scott # R228. Added June 4, 2019
Postal Express Service. Horizontal pair and a single of R228 used illegally as postage on a World War I armistice cover, with 3 strikes of a circular 'POSTAL EXPRESS SERVICE' cancel, along with a violet American Expeditionary Forces censor handstamp. Given that the return address matches the addressee, one must conclude that this is a philatelic handback cover. Still, a very interesting item regardless. Where would a U.S. soldier abroad have gotten the revenue stamps?
Scott # R3c. Added June 4, 2019
Thomas Kensett & Co. Horizontal pair of 1-cent Proprietary, used improperly as documentary revenue stamps. Thomas Kensett & Co. was an oyster and fruit canning company.
Scott # R164p. Added June 4, 2019
USPS. 2-cent battleship revenue used illegally as postage, with large flag cancel, caught and double penalty assessed, two 2-cent postage due stamps affixed.
Scott # R154. Added June 4, 2019
USPS. Margin imprint block of 4 of 1-cent Franklin with red provisional 'I.R.' overprint, used illegally as postage on cover.
Scott # RB2a. Added June 4, 2019
National Exchange Bank. Improper use of 2-cent proprietary revenue stamp as a documentary.
Scott # R13c. Added June 4, 2019
2-cent proprietary revenue stamp used improperly as a documentary on an 1864 receipt. Stamp also exhibits a plate crack at top right.
Scott # 267. Added June 4, 2019
2-cent Washington used illegally as a documentary revenue stamp on a Colorado Springs promissory note.
Scott # 113. Added June 4, 2019
1869 2-cent horse and rider postage stamp used illegally as a revenue stamp on a receipt for an estate's purchase of marble grave stones.
Scott # R164. Added June 4, 2019
USPS. 2-cent battleship documentary used illegally as postage on cover, caught and marked 'Due 2' with 2-cent postage due stamp affixed.
Scott # R15c. Added May 29, 2019
USPS. 2-cent USIR used illegally as postage on an 1868 Danville, Virginia cover, caught and held for postage, with 3-cent Washington subsequently affixed paying proper postage.
Scott # R13c. Added May 29, 2019
F.C. & M.D. Wells. 2-cent Proprietary used improperly as a documentary revenue stamp.
Scott # RB1a. Added May 27, 2019
Horizontal pair of 1st issue 1-cent Washington proprietary stamps used improperly paying the 2-cent tax on a check from the First National Bank of Sandusky.
Scott # RB11a. Added May 27, 2019
The Continental National Bank. Vertical pair of 1-cent proprietary revenue stamps used improperly as documentaries, caught and a correct revenue subsequently affixed to pay the tax.
Scott # 65. Added May 27, 2019
3-cent Washington overpaying the 2-cent tax rate for a receipt. A correcting revenue stamp appears to have fallen off.
Scott # 76. Added May 27, 2019
5-cent Thomas Jefferson used illegally as a revenue stamp on an 1865 marriage certificate from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Scott # R11c. Added May 27, 2019
Improper use of 2-cent Playing Cards revenue stamp on a tax collector's receipt.
Scott # 701. Added May 27, 2019
Very scarce 20th century high-denomination illegal usage. The same stock from the famed Knox Phagan scandal.
Scott # 113. Added May 27, 2019
2-cent horse and rider used illegally as revenue on a receipt of payment for cheese.
Scott # R3c. Added May 26, 2019
New York Central Railroad. Horizontal pair of 1-cent Proprietary revenue stamps used improperly for documentary purposes on a New York Central Railroad voucher.
Scott # 113. Added May 26, 2019
Illegal usage of 2-cent horse and rider (Scott #113) postage stamp as revenue stamp on a note payable on Mechanics Bank (Providence) due this month on deposits.
Scott # R164. Added May 5, 2019
Kansas City Smelting and Refining Co. Horizontal pair of 2-cent battleship documentary revenue stamps, along with 3 mexico revenue stamps, on an 1898 sight draft.
Scott # R167. Added May 5, 2019
Kansas City Smelting and Refining Co. 1-cent, 2-cent, 5-cent and 10-cent (x2) battleship documentary revenue stamps on an 1899 sight draft, along with 4 Mexico revenue stamps.
Scott # R202. Added May 5, 2019
Vincent S. Maginn, notary public. U.S #R202 or R213 along with Italian revenue stamps, on a 1915 protest of unpaid draft.
Scott # R18c. Added March 24, 2019
Mathew Brady. Scarce 'Washington' script printed cancel. Considerably more scarce than the 'Brady' script cancel.
Scott # R18c. Added March 24, 2019
Mathew Brady. Great strike of 'Brady' script cancel on a CDV of an unidentified soldier. CDV has front marks tying together the 'Brady' and 'Washington' script printed cancels.
Scott # R167. Added March 23, 2019
USPS. 2c Trans-Mississippi (286) used with two each 3c and 5c Battleship Documentary Revenues on registered cover from New Orleans to Edinburgh, Scotland, New Orleans Jul. 1, 1898 registered datestamp, transited New York with registry label applied over 2c Trans-Mississippi, London registered handstamps, Edinburgh and New York backstamps. Most unusual use to pay the 8c registry fee plus double the 5c UPU rate. Despite the illegality of using revenue stamps as postage, this cover passed through both New Orleans and New York without complaint by postal clerks. Ex Dr. Heimburger.
Scott # R250. Added March 16, 2019
Mangled, tattered, and torn, but still unusual and interesting. A parcel fragment franked with three complete strips of R250, a strip of three R249, two complete strips of R246, a single of R246a, and several smaller denominations, totalling $13,792.65 in tax paid. Stamps are both handstamped and cut canceled. Catalog value referenced above is for cut cancels.
Scott # R7a. Added March 16, 2019
The Ben Franklin Associates. Printed cancel on an admission ticket to the 59th Semi-Annual Conference of The Ben Franklin Associates, to be held on July 4, 1863. The only reported example.
Scott # 178. Added March 16, 2019
Etiwan Fertilizers. Spectactular oval handstamp cancel on a 2-cent Andrew Jackson used illegally as a revenue stamp on a holographic check.
Scott # R116. Added March 16, 2019
Foreign entry, design of 70c (the semicircles at left and right of top ribbon).
Scott # R50b. Added March 14, 2019
Jefferson Gold and Silver Mining Co. Very scarce part perf to find still on original document. Part of next stamp showing at bottom.
Scott # R36c. Added March 14, 2019
Continental Insurance Co. Certificate or profits with allegorical figure at left and great stylized globe in clouds at center.
