Sale 1166 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 24-26 October, 2017
Category — Revenues: Embossed Revenue Stamped Paper
-1/2p Red, Colonial Revenue (RM1). Act of January 8, 1755, in effect May 1, 1755, to April 30, 1757, beautiful bold strike at the bottom right corner of a Boston Evening Post newspaper dated August 23, 1756, interesting contents including letter published regarding William Shirley's recall to England (Shirley was governor of Massachusetts Bay and became commander in chief of North America after Braddock's death), also news reports from around the world, some edge flaws barely affect the stamp, Very Fine strike of this scarce early typographed revenue
-1/2p Red, Colonial Revenue (RM1). Clear strike on 65 x 40mm piece of newspaper, Very Fine strike, with 1982 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as on document
2p Massachusetts (RM2). Clear embossing at top left of part-printed bond dated 1755 and 1756, usual folds, light edgewear, Very Fine, with 1982 P.F. certificate
2p Massachusetts (RM2). Clear embossing at top left on 1755 part-printed land document, slight edgewear, some strengthening along splits at folds, still Very Fine
4p Massachusetts (RM4). Clear embossing at top left of part printed receipt dated Oct. 8, 1755, some slight splitting along folds but in an excellent state of preservation, Very Fine and scarce, with 1982 P.F. certificate
-1/2p New York (RM9). Clear strike on full front page of December 4, 1758 copy of The New York Mercury, war-related contents (battles, casualty figures, list of officers killed or taken prisoner), left margin slightly reduced, Very Fine strike of this rare Colonial revenue stamp, with 1985 P.F. certificate
6p "America", General Issue (RM26). Sharp impression on 68 x 40mm piece with part of Quebec dateline, also clear "Nine Pence Quire (2S)" paper cost mark next to seal, Very Fine and extremely rare, very few are known and most only exist as cut squares, with 1987 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as on document
1sh "America", General Issue (RM27). Sharp clear impression at top left of 8 x 13 in. handwritten Summons from Jan. 4, 1766 executed in Quebec and written in French, remarkably fresh with only minor splitting along folds, fresh and Very Fine, many examples have handwriting over the embossing, the example offered here is perfectly clear, with 1987 P.F. certificate
2sh3p, Die A "America", General Issue (RM30). Gorgeous sharp impression on November 2, 1765 renunciation of an inheritance executed in Quebec and written in French, "Nine Pence Quire" (6S) paper cost mark handstamp, properly paying the 2sh3p rate for releases, some slight edgewear and minor splitting along foldsVERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST REPORTED USE OF ANY OF THE "AMERICA" REVENUES, WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE ON NOVEMBER 1, 1765. PERHAPS FIVE OR SIX ARE KNOWN OF THIS DENOMINATION. THIS IS THE STAMP THAT STARTED THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. A PHENOMENAL PIECE OF AMERICANA.
The Stamp Act, passed by British Parliament in 1765, was one of the first attempts to directly raise revenue from the American Colonies after the War. The law imposed duties on all legal and commercial papers, pamphlets, newspapers, almanacs, cards, and dice. They ranged in value from three pence to ten pounds.
Attempts to raise revenue by imposing the Stamp Act produced widespread outcry among American colonists, leading to riots against stamp agents in many cities. Parliament was forced to repeal the law the following year. In reaction to the shocking demonstration of colonial opposition, the British government soon responded with stronger measures, including new taxes and the placing of troops in cities such as Boston.
American resistance precipitated by this British Tax Stamp, and the escalating hostilities on both sides, led to the Boston Massacre in 1770, the Boston Tea Party in 1774, and the Revolutionary War shortly thereafter.
Scott Retail $3,250.00 with no premium for the early date. This is the first we have offered in decades.
2sh6p "America", General Issue (RM31). Sharp clear impression on Dec. 24, 1765 agreement executed in Quebec and written in French, 8-1/2 x 13 in., neat "Nine Pence Quire (2S)" paper cost mark handstamp next to embossing, minor splitting along file folds sensibly reinforced with few hinges but remarkably freshVERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-SHILLING 6-PENCE GENERAL ISSUE USED IN QUEBEC.
Very few intact documents are known. With 1987 P.F. certificate
2sh6p "America" General Issue (RM31). Bold impression on handwritten 1766 document written in French, 9-3/4 x 15 in., "One Penny Quire (2S)" paper cost mark next to embossing, fresh and Very Fine example of this rare embossed revenue issue