Hover your cursor over the image to see a zoom at right.
Use your mouse's scroll wheel to change the zoom level.

Or click here to see the full-size high res image

Scott Number: 71 Collection Reference No. for Communications: 5175

Denomination/Type: 30c Franklin, orange, perf. 12

2025 Scott Catalog Value (for a single stamp): $ 250.00

Estimated Retail Value: $ 500.00 What is this?

Cancel Method: Manuscript

Cancel Date: January 19, 1867

Cancel or Company Type: Law Firm, or Federal, State or Local Government

Company: Wheeling Post Office

City: Wheeling

State: West Virginia

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.

If you have any information or comments about this cancel or stamp, please email me.