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  • 3c Proprietary general issues revenue stamp plate proof
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3c Proprietary general issues revenue stamp plate proof

Object Details

Description
In 1875, the Bureau of Internal Revenue awarded the printing contract for revenue stamps, previously held by Joseph R. Carpenter, to the National Bank Note Company. National Banknote prepared a new series of proprietary stamps, commonly referred to as the "second proprietary issue," in 1-cent, 2-cent, 3-cent, 4-cent, 5-cent, and 6-cent denominations. The stamps were issued between October 1875 and the termination of proprietary taxes on July 1, 1883. Imposed to finance the Civil War, the proprietary taxes applied to items such as matches, proprietary medicines, and perfumes.
Three printers produced the second issue proprietary stamps. The National Bank Note Company produced the stamps from1875 through February 1879, when that company consolidated with the American Bank Note Company. American Bank Note held the printing contract until October 1880, when the Bureau of Engraving and Printing assumed responsibility for the production of proprietary stamps. In 1881, the Bureau added a 10-cent stamp to the series.
Between October 16, 1875, and April 2, 1883, 21,470,985 proprietary stamps were issued in the three-cent value. The National Bank Note Company printed this 3-cent orange plate proof on India paper. National Bank Note, American Bank Note, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing each produced die proof impressions of this stamp in the issued color and trial colors.
References:
Turner, George T., Essays and Proofs of United States Internal Revenue Stamps: A compilation with relative prices, 1974: Bureau Issues Association, Inc., Arlington, MA.
Toppan, G.L., H.E. Deats and A. Holland. 1899. An Historical Reference List of the Revenue Stamps of the United States. Boston: Boston Philatelic Society. Reprinted as The Boston Revenue Book. Lawrence, MA: Quarterman Publications, 1979.
Data Source
National Postal Museum
Date
1875-1883
Object number
1999.2018.314
Type
Revenue Stamps
Medium
India paper; ink (orange)
Dimensions
2.4 x 3.1 cm (15/16 x 1 1/4 in.)
Place
United States of America
See more items in
National Postal Museum Collection
Title
Scott Catalogue USA RB13
Record ID
npm_1999.2018.314
Usage
Not determined
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/hm83e0c5e33-57d4-4ebf-90b6-83ef6721eae4
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HomeSmithsonian National Postal Museum

Plan a Visit

Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission is always free!

2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20002

The museum's main entrance is located on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. Other entrances have variable hours.

street map of Postal museum

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