Don't Get Suckered In By This Frequent Error

I've seen this before where this stamp has been misidentified.



It is not an RJA28. It's an RJA33. The handstamp is used as a cancel in this case.

I believe you, but why not explain to the folks that do not know this?


Peter

Link to the Kelleher auction with mid-described stamp:

https://stampauctionnetwork.com/V/v51937.cfm#61

The preprinted overprint NARCOTIC is Bureau printed in 1919.

The PWR and date is handstamped alone on an R228.

Here is a genuine RJA28:



Sorry for the lack of info. Got a little ahead of myself.
(Photo courtesy of Philatelic Foundation.)

I have a similar example on a five cent value. The PWR was used as a cancellation but I don't think they are all that common.

My example has a handstamp additional narcotic.

Here is another example of the handstamp used alone, the company provisional


Earlier, P-W-R overprinted the word NARCOTIC and hand cancelled the stamp. This was about a week after the tax was effective. This provisional is not listed in the Scott Specialized.

These are not in my realm of expertise but interesting nonetheless; can someone explain what they were used for?

Or maybe more specifically, what were labeled "narcotics" that required/prompted the use of a revenue stamp?

These stamps were used to pay the tax on medicinal narcotics and on opium that was being imported to manufacture those medicinal narcotics. The tax was effective February 25, 1919, a day after the law was passed, not leaving any time to produce tax stamps. The tax rate was 1¢ per ounce. Opium was thus taxed twice, when it was imported and then again on the manufactured product. Powers-Weightmann-Rosengarten (P-W-R) was a prominent medicinal manufacturer in Philadelphia that merged with Merck & Co. in 1927.

An absolute essential guide if you have any interest in these stamps.

That Drummond fellow gets around.

Drummond's book on Narcotic taxes is invaluable. But there is ongoing research by advanced collectors that is continuing to expand our knowledge base and adding to the wealth in the Drummond book.

Thank you Revenuermd.