VIRGIN ISLAND REVENUE STAMPS (RFV)
There are three varieties of U. S. Playing Card stamps overprinted for use in the U. S. Virgin Islands by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The stamps were requisitioned by the Collector of Customs, St. Thomas and ordered by the Governor of the Islands.
There are three varieties of U. S. Playing Card stamps overprinted for use in the U. S. Virgin Islands by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The stamps were requisitioned by the Collector of Customs, St. Thomas and ordered by the Governor of the Islands.
RFV1 was the first stamp furnished. The order for 10,000 stamps was dated May 14, 1920. The stamp currently in use in the U. S. was RF16 which is Scott's design RF2,, surcharged "8 Cts.". This stamp without the 8c surcharge was overprinted "VIRGIN ISLANDS 4 CTS." in carmine. The stamp in sheets of 100 were sent June 17, 1920. ($300)
RFV1 was the first stamp furnished. The order for 10,000 stamps was dated May 14, 1920. The stamp currently in use in the U. S. was RF16 which is Scott's design RF2,, surcharged "8 Cts.". This stamp without the 8c surcharge was overprinted "VIRGIN ISLANDS 4 CTS." in carmine. The stamp in sheets of 100 were sent June 17, 1920. ($300)
RFV2 was furnished on the second order. For 10,000 stamps, it was received December 4, 1925. At that time RF19, the small "10 CENTS'', was being used in the U. S. The order was filled by using RF17, the small CLASS A, no longer in production. This stamp was particularly applicable as no face value is expressed. The overprint is the same except the "4 cts." is in larger type with serifs. The order was dispatched in sheets of 200 stamps on January 16, 1926. ($200)
RFV2 was furnished on the second order. For 10,000 stamps, it was received December 4, 1925. At that time RF19, the small "10 CENTS'', was being used in the U. S. The order was filled by using RF17, the small CLASS A, no longer in production. This stamp was particularly applicable as no face value is expressed. The overprint is the same except the "4 cts." is in larger type with serifs. The order was dispatched in sheets of 200 stamps on January 16, 1926. ($200)
RFV3 was rushed to fill the next order for 10,000 stamps dated December 14, 1933. This stamp is the same as the previous one except perf 11. All the orders called for "perforated" stamps. The Bureau probably interpreted this to mean a suitable form of separation. The first two orders were filled with rouletted stamps as that was the form of separation being used at the time. The order was shipped in sheets of 200 stamps on March 5, 1934. The use of especially overprinted Playing Card stamps for the Virgin Islands was discontinued in October 1938. ($200)