Cape Triangle 6-D Used As Revenue 1865

Is this as good as I hope it is? In my ancient 2005 Scott, the stamp cats an italicized $500 used (vs. only $190 mint), presumably because this last issue of Triangulars were soon superseded by the Rectangles. Have had it for decades, in my mind's eye bearing the 1d, just now seeing it's the 6d!


*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***
*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***

The British "customs and inland revenue act" that allowed the use of postage stamps for revenue purposes was passed in 1881. It is unlikely this practice existed anywhere in the empire before 1881. The Cape Colony had revenue stamps.

It may just have been a fee levied on the post bill.

Catalogue prices tend to be for postally used examples. Postage stamps used for revenue purposes are worth much less. However, as used in piece, there may be value in it for someone collecting these post bills. Whether that will be more or less than as a used stamp, I do not know.

Demand may be low, but supply may also be low.

I think this is a most wonderful and scarce item. Congratulations.

Sorry to be snarky, but this is too good to let slide. The first reply here was so head-in-the-sand, so little-knowing but quickly pronouncing, that I can't resist a rejoinder.

The British "customs and inland revenue act" that allowed the use of postage stamps for revenue purposes was passed in 1881. It is unlikely this practice existed anywhere in the empire before 1881.

Please see: Cape of Good Hope: Authorised Postal Fiscal Use of Triangulars and Rectangulars 1864-68, The London Philatelist, July-August 2024, pp. 405-9, for an analysis occasioned by this very piece, showing that the Cape Triangulars and Rectangulars were authorized for payment of documentary taxes during 1864-8, long before 1881.

The Cape Colony had revenue stamps.

Yes but their delivery was delayed, which is why postage stamps were thrown into the breach in 1864.

It may just have been a fee levied on the post bill.

Oh, "just" a tax rate (in fact per the Stamp Act of July 26, 1864, there was a blanket 6d stamp tax on bills of exchange, post bills and promissory notes in all amounts exceeding £10), Kinda like, hmm, "just" a fee to deliver a letter?

Catalogue prices tend to be for postally used examples.

Oh really? You don't say.

Postage stamps used for revenue purposes are worth much less.

Careful now.

However, as used in piece, there may be value in it for someone collecting these post bills. Whether that will be more or less than as a used stamp, I do not know.

As a prime example of one of the two authorized usages of the Triangulars (the other to pay postage) it is of interest to anyone seriously collecting them. It is probably worth in the low four figures.

Demand may be low, but supply may also be low.

Supply is definitely low, but I daresay demand will be higher once this article is assimilated. "The touch of the master's hand"!