Curious Illegal Usage Of 2c Bureau On Bank Check

At first glance this looks like a nondescript illegal usage, a bit beat up, likely a $10-15 item at retail.

But the timing is curious. It's dated February 21, 1891... but that stamp wasn't issued until 1894. Unless it's a contrived item, the only thing I can think of is that it was retroactively taxed at the time the check was submitted for payment, some 3+ years later.

The reverse shows nothing except for the endorsement of the payee, presumably a family member.

Thoughts?

Seems to be a popular stamp used on checks. Here is another on a check fragment but the date on this one is clearly 1898.

The first one seems contrived all the way around, or just a mistake. The tax on checks ended in 1883, there was no reason to put anything on a check in 1891. The next tax on checks was 1898, so it seems unlikely to be related to that tax. So if the initials really match, then someone simply made a mistake.

Mahler does state in his book in the bank check chapter referring to a check dated October 1.

"The October 1 cancel does not prove usage on that date, since cancels are known to have occasionally been back dated" then goes on to say later "As with Proprietary and playing cards stamps, postage stamps were not valid for payment of documentary taxes. Their use was also widely tolerated, though albeit somewhat less than that of the Proprietary and playing cards stamps"

I think your deduction of back dated must be correct.

It would have to have been backdated from 1898. For what reason? I would not think it could be valid after 7 years.

I was referring to your check.

It's not my check, it's Dan's post and check.

Apologies. I often get the two of you confused.

Me too.

Just use the avatar icons... pretty easy to tell us apart that way.

When I first looked at the date it looked like Feb 31st.