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- 3p Massachusetts Colonial Issue embossed revenue stamped paper on document
3p Massachusetts Colonial Issue embossed revenue stamped paper on document
Object Details
- Description
- On its first day of use in the colony of Massachusetts, the three pence [penny] "Pine Tree" revenue stamp was affixed to this colonial legal document dated May 1, 1775. This document specifies that six pounds were to be attached to the goods/estate of Jose Briant, blacksmith, to repay a debt to a Stephen Coffin. Briant had refused to pay Coffin a promised two pounds, seven shillings and ten pence; and now the bill was increased to six pounds to include damages. The accused was to be held at Salem, Massachusetts until the second Tuesday of July when he was to answer to Stephen Coffin. The document was addressed to the sheriff or deputy sheriff of Essex County. It bears the signatures of Thomas Berry, a witness, and Joseph Willot, the deputy sheriff.
- Prior to the Revolutionary War, taxes on materials, including paper used for documents, were levied by Parliament. This document is one of the earliest examples of revenue stamps. The use of this type of stamp for legal documents was fairly common but was central to colonial protests over the Stamp Act of 1765.
- Donated by the Milton A. Holmes Memorial Fund and Dr. E.M. Moore on January 31, 1968.
- Data Source
- National Postal Museum
- Date
- May 1, 1755
- Object number
- 0.276929.1
- Type
- Revenue Stamps
- Medium
- paper; ink (black)
- Dimensions
- Height x Width: 6 1/2 x 8 1/4 in. (16.5 x 21 cm)
- Place
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Postal Museum Collection
- On View
- Currently on exhibit at the National Postal Museum
- Title
- Scott Catalogue USA RM3
- Topic
- Colonial Era (1607-1776)
- U.S. Stamps
- Record ID
- npm_0.276929.1
- Usage
- CC0
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