FREE: UNITED STATES US 1862 SCOTT R55 REVENUE FIRST SERIES REVENUE R551862 50c BLUE -ENTRY OF GOODS

U.S. Revenue Stamps –
Expand Your Collection or Start a New One
Intricate Revenue stamps are mostly larger and feature more rich detail than classic U.S. stamps of the same years and for usually a fraction of the price.
When the Civil War erupted in 1861, the country was on the verge of bankruptcy. A plan was developed to generate internal revenue – money collected from taxes placed on domestic items such as tobacco, alcohol, medicine, perfume and playing cards. Stamps were provided as proof of payment. Examining used U.S. Revenue stamps offers a window into the past – the government required several unusual cancellation techniques such as private cancels, manuscript initials and perforated initials.
The same legislation that created these stamps also created the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP).
In 1862, specific Revenue stamps were required for many taxable items – leading to a wealth of interesting stamps for modern collectors.
Link;
http://www.mysticstamp.com/viewProducts.asp?sku=R135b