40l Charity Tax single on cover

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Object Details

Description

Some experts believe this stamp was issued in 1831, making it (not Great Britain's Penny Black) the first stamp. But all four known covers date from after 1840, and the stamps do not seem to have been used for postage. One theory is that the proceeds went to a charity or public project.

Date

June 17, 1848

Object number

1999.2013.1

Type

Covers & Associated Letters

Medium

paper; ink (black); adhesive

Dimensions

Height x Width: 3 9/16 x 5 5/16 in. (9 x 13.5 cm) Height x Width: 6 1/8 x 5 5/16 in. (15.5 x 13.5 cm) [open]

Place of Origin

Piraeus, Greece (early kingdom)

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National Postal Museum Collection

Data Source

National Postal Museum

Topic

American Expansion (1800-1860)

Covers & Letters

Metadata Usage

Usage conditions apply

Link to Original Record

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/hm8a51abf5c-cc58-4cf7-a9b7-c77445df306c

Record ID

npm_1999.2013.1