U. S. revenue stamps, inscribed PLAYING CARDS, were included in the U. S. revenue general issues of 1862-1871, but after the general issue was retired in 1871, other revenue stamps were used to indicate the payment of the federal tax on playing cards.
New revenue stamps, designed specifically for the federal tax on the sale of playing cards, were introduced in 1894. This second series of playing card stamps would continue until the tax was abolished in 1965. This second issue is what this website is about.
As playing card collectors were are always ready to grade a deck by the condition and completeness. Why shouldn't this include the value of the revenue stamp on unopened boxes? As you will learn some of these stamps are very rare.
To understand the stamp descriptions you first need to learn some of the basic terms you will see in them.
The perforated edges of the stamp are described in several terms. They are:
Imperf/Imperforate - A stamp sold without perforations or separating holes.
New revenue stamps, designed specifically for the federal tax on the sale of playing cards, were introduced in 1894. This second series of playing card stamps would continue until the tax was abolished in 1965. This second issue is what this website is about.
As playing card collectors were are always ready to grade a deck by the condition and completeness. Why shouldn't this include the value of the revenue stamp on unopened boxes? As you will learn some of these stamps are very rare.
To understand the stamp descriptions you first need to learn some of the basic terms you will see in them.
The perforated edges of the stamp are described in several terms. They are:
Imperf/Imperforate - A stamp sold without perforations or separating holes.
Perf/Perforations - Holes punched between stamps to make it easier for an individual to separate two or more stamps. Perforation removes circular particles from the space between stamps. Collectors use a perf gauge to measure the perforations helping them to identify their stamp. If a stamp has 11 perforations in 2 cm, we say its “Perf 11.”
Rouletted - Rouletting cuts little slits in the paper between stamps, alternate spaces being left uncut.
Wmk/Watermark - A special mark incorporated into postage stamp paper as a security device, making it more difficult to counterfeit a stamp. Watermarks are thinner parts of the paper that sometimes may be seen by looking at the back of a stamp, but often require dipping in special fluid to be visible. The usual watermarks are USIR and 191R.
USIR stands for United States Internal Revenue and 191R represents the United States Postal Service.
EXAMPLES
RF3
02 C. (1896-99 - Wmk. USIR - Rouletted 5 1/2 & 7) - Blue, Ultramarine
RF is the designation used for playing card revenue stamps. This is known as the Scott number. The Scott catalogue of postage stamps, first published by Scott Publishing Company in 1868 is updated annually and lists all the stamps of the world.
02 C. means that it is a 2 cent stamp.
1896-99 are the years it was issued.
Wmk. USIR of course means it has an Internal Revenue watermark.
Rouletted 5 1/2 & 7 would mean there are two rouletted versions of this stamp.
Blue, Ultramarine means that the stamp came in two different colors.
RF5
07 C. on 02 C. (1917 - "ACT OF 1917"- Watermark 191R - Rouletted 7) - Ultramarine $700
07 C. on 02 C. means there is a 7 cent cancellation on a 2 cent stamp
"ACT OF 1917" will also be another cancellation on the stamp
$700 would be the valve of this stamp if in very fine condition. I have included values of most of the stamps that could increase the value of your unopened decks. Some are very rare.
RF3
02 C. (1896-99 - Wmk. USIR - Rouletted 5 1/2 & 7) - Blue, Ultramarine
RF is the designation used for playing card revenue stamps. This is known as the Scott number. The Scott catalogue of postage stamps, first published by Scott Publishing Company in 1868 is updated annually and lists all the stamps of the world.
02 C. means that it is a 2 cent stamp.
1896-99 are the years it was issued.
Wmk. USIR of course means it has an Internal Revenue watermark.
Rouletted 5 1/2 & 7 would mean there are two rouletted versions of this stamp.
Blue, Ultramarine means that the stamp came in two different colors.
RF5
07 C. on 02 C. (1917 - "ACT OF 1917"- Watermark 191R - Rouletted 7) - Ultramarine $700
07 C. on 02 C. means there is a 7 cent cancellation on a 2 cent stamp
"ACT OF 1917" will also be another cancellation on the stamp
$700 would be the valve of this stamp if in very fine condition. I have included values of most of the stamps that could increase the value of your unopened decks. Some are very rare.