New York Colonial Tax Stamp - Rm9

This is something I've had lying around for some time, which I find quite interesting.

I'm borrowing Siegel's scan of it, from when I got it, since it doesn't fit in my scanner. This is a 4-page New York newspaper (or at least 4 pages remaining).

It is stamped with a New York revenue tax stamp on newspapers. RM9, I believe - 1/2 pence? Hard to read the value.

The section in the Scott Specialized Catalog on these - "Embossed Revenue Stamped Paper" dictates that "a few of these were printed...", as opposed to colorless embossed stamps. This is one of the printed ones.

Its from July 2, 1759.

The New York ½d on newspaper is more common than the catalog value would suggest. This was a very rare item at one time (I think no copies were recorded in a census published in the 40s) but they turn-up with some frequency. The stamp is known on two newspapers - the New York Mercury illustrated above and the New York Gazette or the Weekly Post Boy

I think what the Scott catalog is saying is that for these Colonial tax stamps, most of the different varieties were embossed, but a few varieties, like this one, were printed.

I agree that the catalog value seems at least 2X where it should be. I've seen a number of these as well. I think these are neat items & I miss your webpage, which was a great source of information on them. Now I may have to buy another book.

It is interesting that the Massachusetts Colonial newspaper stamp was also printed and not embossed. I wonder if the newspaper presses of the 1750s would have pressed-out an embossed stamp?

Not possible. The printing in those days was letterpress, which does not put pressure on the paper. Later offset printing where the page is squeezed between the blanket and plate would be a possibility but these newspapers are way pre-offset.

It occurs to me that the way that the stamp was impressed probably also often was a function of its use.

For example: newspaper - high volume, just need to record payment of tax. Need a fast efficient stamp, but document security and authentication not required.

Some deed, or legal document: low volume, speed of application not critical. Embossing could in some cases be thought to provide extra security that the document isn't forged.

The above is just a guess of course.

Both the NY and Massachusetts stamps of the 1750's followed the standard practice of the mother country - embossed on documents and letterpress on almanacs and newspapers.