1788 DOCUMENT

I have never seen one of these before. But damn it is a nice find.

Roos

Actually that is 6 pence not 1 pence in all sections. VI versus I

If you add it up it would amount to 2/6d or a half crown.

i.e 6d + 6d + 6d +1/

The stamp is a silver seal embossed revenue tax stamp from UK.

Nice. As JohnnyO pointed out, it is a tax revenue stamp (i.e., stamp duty) from the KGIII era.

They aren't common, but they aren't rare, either. I don't collect revenues, so without looking into rare varieties, the real value will be in the document with bonus if completely tied to document (i.e., tax revenue stamp is on embossed blue paper, metal staple, royal cypher label covering the staple on backside of document).

The basic tax revenue stamp should be in the $1+ to $10+ range when off-document. Fully on document worth more, and how much more will depend on the nature/history/importance of the document, but as with any historical document -- the sky's the limit. But quite frankly, the great majority of them will retail <$100 -- wholesale lots even less.

Unless you can document the history, a museum would be unlikely be interested -- they already have too much stuff in storage with no time to document and no space to display. It would probably get more views posted on SB.

The concept was that certain categories of documents (wills, bank checks, stock transfers, etc.) were to be taxed, and no individual document would be legal unless proof of payment of the tax was upon it in the form of an embossed revenue stamp.

The base paper was glued to the document, then two parallel cuts were made, and a tin strip run through the slits from the back. The embossment was applied, then a paper cypher-seal glued over the folded-over ends of the tin strip on the back. The seal bears the monogram & crown of the reigning monarch. The Georges are distinguished by a number in the ring of the crown.

The purpose of all this was to thwart removal and re-use of the stamp, as the tin strip (and its embossing) could scarcely avoid becoming mangled in the effort. Fraud was thus easily detectable.

No, I don't have the catalog as I don't collect revenues. (in theory)

However, it's a good bet that either Eric Jackson or Main Street Philatelics has one. Expect to pay full retail for it, though, if you buy straight from a dealer. I would suggest searching eBay or the online book marketplaces first.

Luv these little guys.