Postage and Revenue Stamp Collecting and Societies Explained

Postage and revenue stamp collecting is a fascinating hobby that has been around for centuries.

The first postage stamp was introduced in Great Britain in 1840, featuring a portrait of Queen Victoria.

These early stamps were not only used for postal purposes but also as a way to raise revenue for the British government.

Revenue stamps, on the other hand, were used to collect taxes on specific goods and services, such as tobacco and liquor.

There are many societies around the world dedicated to postage and revenue stamp collecting, offering a sense of community and shared knowledge for enthusiasts.

The American Revenue Association, for example, is one of the oldest and most prominent societies in the United States, with a wealth of resources and information for collectors.

US Revenue Stamps are a fascinating area of collecting that's often overlooked, but they offer a unique and affordable way to build a collection.

Revenue stamps were first issued in 1862 to raise funds for the Civil War, making them an interesting piece of history.

Most collectors collect revenue stamps used, which makes them less expensive than postage stamps.

The American Revenue Association has over 1,300 members and is a great resource for collectors.

Revenue stamps are less costly than postage stamps, especially for issues from the classic period of 1862-72.

Linns Stamp News published a book on US Revenue Stamps in 1994, covering four parts of the subject.

The book includes topics such as sewing-machine perforations, playing cards revenues, and medicine stamps used for advertising.

Revenue stamps were once widely collected, but as commemorative stamps became popular, they fell out of favor.

Today, revenue stamps offer a safe haven for collectors, with no new issues being printed since 1962.

Some countries allowed postage stamps to be used for certain fiscal purposes without an inscription on the stamps themselves. This was the case in Iceland.

In Thailand, stamps issued between 1887 and 1904 were inscribed "Postage & Revenue", showing a dual purpose for these stamps.

The British Empire and its colonies had a complex system of stamps that served multiple purposes.

In 1881, the Customs and Inland Revenue Act was passed in the United Kingdom, allowing stamp duties to be denoted by postage stamps, and vice versa.

This led to the issuance of dual-purpose stamps, starting with the Penny Lilac of 1881 and the Lilac and Green Issue of 1883-1884. The Penny Lilac was inscribed "Postage and Inland Revenue".

Existing postage and Inland Revenue stamps became valid for both purposes, and many British stamps with denominations up to 2s6d were used for both postal and fiscal purposes until 1968.

Some colonies officially permitted dual-purpose stamps in the 1880s, while others used existing revenue stamps for postal purposes.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many British colonies issued stamps with inscriptions such as "Postage & Revenue".

However, some high-value stamps primarily intended for fiscal use were still listed in postage stamp catalogues due to their inscriptions.

The issue of dual-purpose stamps created problems regarding the division of income between the post office and the treasury in some colonies, such as Malta and Natal.

After the late 1930s, many colonies dropped the "Postage & Revenue" inscription from their stamps, but some stamps remained valid for both uses.

Today, a few current or former British colonies, like Montserrat and Nevis, continue to issue dual-purpose stamps.

International Use is more common than you might think. Some countries, like Iceland, have allowed postage stamps to be used for certain fiscal purposes without any special inscription on the stamps themselves.

In fact, some stamps of Thailand (then known as Siam) issued between 1887 and 1904 were even inscribed "Postage & Revenue". This shows that the concept of using postage stamps for both postal and fiscal purposes has been around for a while.

Collecting postage and revenue stamps can be a fascinating hobby. Stamp collectors generally prefer dual-purpose stamps that were used for postal purposes.

If you're new to collecting, it's essential to know that fiscally used stamps tend to be cheaper than postally used ones. This is because collectors often prefer stamps with a postal history.

Some popular revenue philatelic societies include the American Revenue Association, the Fiscal Philatelic Society, The Revenue Society, and The State Revenue Society. These organizations can be a great resource for learning more about revenue stamps and connecting with other collectors.

As a collector, you'll want to know that stamp collectors generally prefer dual-purpose stamps which were used for postal purposes rather than ones which were used as revenues. This is because fiscally used stamps tend to be cheaper than postally used ones.

Some stamps have a dual purpose, such as postal fiscal stamps, which refer to postal use of a revenue stamp.

If you're just starting out, it's worth noting that postage stamps and revenue stamps are two different types of stamps.

Revenue societies are a great way for collectors to connect with like-minded individuals who share their passion.

The American Revenue Association, Fiscal Philatelic Society, The Revenue Society, and The State Revenue Society are just a few examples of revenue philatelic societies that bring collectors together.

These societies often provide valuable resources, such as expert advice and access to rare items, which can enhance a collector's experience.

Some notable revenue philatelic societies include:

Revenue stamps have a fascinating connection to tax, and it's worth exploring. Revenue stamps were first issued in 1862 to meet the demand for funds brought on by the Civil War.

The first revenue stamps were used to collect taxes on various goods and services, such as playing cards and medicine stamps. These stamps were a vital source of revenue for the government.

The American Revenue Association, a society dedicated to the study and collection of revenue stamps, was formed by hardy collectors who banded together in the early 20th century. Today, the association has over 1,300 members.

Revenue stamps were widely collected in the early part of the 20th century, but their popularity declined as other types of stamps became more popular. However, revenue stamps offer a safe haven for collectors, as none have been issued by the United States since 1962.

Most collectors collect revenue stamps used, which can make them less costly than postage stamps. Issues from the classic period of 1862-72 are especially valuable and sought after by collectors.

Here are some notable revenue stamp societies:

These societies provide a great resource for collectors looking to learn more about revenue stamps and connect with other enthusiasts.