Colonial America
1755 Red Revenue Stamped Paper Scott RM1 Cut Square
1755 Colonial America French & Indian War Period, Revenue Stamped Paper. Half Penny. Scott RM1. ERP1. Newspaper Use Cut Square Impression, Used with Partial Corner Lacking, Fine.
This is an original British American Colonial Tax Revenue Stamp, as found illustrated in the Scott Specialized Stamp Catalog. It is nicely printed in red, with an impressive "Eagle" vignette design at center on a 2" x 1.5" marginal cut square with some partial printed text showing and the lower right corner torn affecting a small portion of the Tax stamp. This is listed as the First Colonial revenue per the Act of January 8, 1755 and was in effect from May 1, 1755 through April 30, 1757 during the French and Indian War Era. The 2024 Scott catalog lists a value on a full document of $2,500.
The 1755 Colonial America Red Newspaper Tax Stamp holds significance in American history as one of the earliest forms of taxation on newspapers. These stamps were introduced by the British government as part of the Stamp Act of 1755, which aimed to generate revenue from the American colonies to cover the costs of British military presence and administration. The tax required that publishers affix the stamps to each copy of a newspaper before circulation, leading to increased costs for publishers and contributing to growing tensions between the colonies and Britain, ultimately culminating in the American Revolution. This American use revenue is extremely scarce, and is highly popular with Colonial era "Taxation" related collectors for obvious reasons.
The 1755 Colonial Embossed Revenue Stamp, listed as Scott Catalogue RM1, is a notable piece of American postal history. These stamps were introduced during the colonial era to signify payment of taxes or fees on various legal documents, such as deeds, licenses, and contracts.
The RM1 stamp is distinguished by its intricate design, featuring ornate patterns and official seals characteristic of the time period. Collectors value these stamps for their historical significance and rarity, as surviving examples from the colonial era are relatively scarce.