Two Proprietary Match & Medicine Stamp Improper Uses

Improper uses of match & medicine revenues don't come around as often as I'd like, far more scarce than improper uses of postage stamps on documents from the period.

Two documents:

1. Scott #RS194a and #R3c, both improperly used as documentaries on an 1865 invoice for medical attendance, medicine, and interest.

2. Scott #RS195a improperly used on an 1868 receipt for payment for 4 gravestones.

Both RS are from D. Ransom in Buffalo, NY., producer of "Dr. D. Ransom's King of the Blood" and other "remedies".

It's nice to find both the 1-cent and the 2-cent denominations as improper uses.

Less sure of the bottom example. I didn't bother bidding since I knew you were going to want them and I was unlikely to outbid you.

The initials on the stamp of the bottom example match the two signatories.

P.S. Thanks for not bidding!

The bidding ramped up at the end, so while no "OMFG bargain!" on either one, still less each than what either Richard or Eric would have priced them at in their retail stocks.

The style doesn't really impress me. But it's just a scan, so it can't be taken too seriously.

There must have been a reason that they were not in stock instead of being put in an auction. Probably has something to do much material at this point that he didn't care. And he knew you would see them.

He's put some incredibly rare material in his auctions, some items going for 5 figures that he's never had in stock. It's a smart move. If you only put dross in the auction it won't keep specialists or big budget collectors engaged, but if you put some scarce or unusual material in there on a regular basis, it keeps people coming back... and there's no seller's commission to pay.

I understand that part of it; he has long had high catalog items in the auction. And he is not getting any younger either. He is only about 5 or 6 years younger than I am. RF is about 5 years older than I am.