Interesting Use Of A Revenue Stamp

Found this in a collection purchased as a box lot. Don't know much about how revenue stamps were used but typically find them affixed to checks and other financial documents. This one was on the back of an old photograph.




Can't make out the first name. The last name appears to be Smith. This could be somebody's great great grandpa. He doesn't look pleased staring at the camera. I'll bet he considered a camera new fangled technology.


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The script would suggest a limited education.
Perhaps the first name could be Horrace (sic : Horras)

Photographs were taxed for a while, most likely during the Civil War.

Very common usage in the day. Back when everything had to have a stamp on it. Playing cards, matches, medicine and also photographs. Many have been shown on this forum,

Peter

Thanks Pete. New to the hobby. Learning something new everyday. Wasn't sure if the revenue stamp belonged on the back of the picture.

Photos were taxed from the Act of June 30, 1864 to the Act of July 13, 1866 based on the price of the photo.

That information is very helpful in dating this photo.

It sure looks like the name is Gerrit Smith. And dating the photo using dates rev collector mentioned he would be about 67 to 69 in the photo. So the stamp is dated - July ?? Maybe 1866.

Not sure if he is the same one, but after searching and seeing another photo as a bit younger man I believe it very well may be him. May be a significant piece of history. If it is, he has quite an interesting and storied past. A leading United States social reformer, abolitionist, politician, and philanthropist who lived from March 6, 1797 died Sept. 28, 1874 in New York.

Interesting. Time to do some more searching. Just google his name.

Mike

Not to be pedantic, but the while these are the dates of legislation, the actual dates the tax on photos was in effect was from August 1, 1864 through July 31, 1866.

No1

Did a little more research online. Found some manuscript signatures of Gerrit Smith. Noticed similarity. I have reached out to organizations who would be able to determine if photo is of this historic figure. Noticed in old photos he had full beard in his younger days. Photo posted here shows a partial beard only around his neck. When I learn more I will let you know.

No1

Heard from someone in the know regarding photo. His response to me:

This is not the Gerrit Smith from Peterboro. I have seen this
picture before, but never with the signature! Thanks for sending both
sides. The signature is definitely not right. I am Smith's biographer,
and have dealt with his atrocious handwriting for decades.

I was also a US stamp dealer from the early 1970s to 1993. I
specialized in pre-1900 stamps in F-VF condition. It was fun and I had a
great collection myself. I sold the business to a dealer in Albany, and
started doing sterling silver craft work. I'm still doing that--and
research and writing on the abolition movement and the Smith family.

Thanks for thinking of us. Norm

Getinold- Thanks for that info. Oh well. I did not think the signature was his but probably the photographers anyway. Now that we know he is not that Gerrit, I wonder where he is truly from. There are so many Smiths in this world we may never find out. Just have to keep dreaming.

Mike