Stamps from the USA

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Playing-Card Tax Stamps from the U.S.A.

The U.S.A. did not use stamps on a card, but adhesive stamps on the package, the 'Internal Revenue Stamps'. At some times there were different stamps used concurrently. Also revenue stamps not explicitly meant for playing-cards were used for them (and vice versa).

Above are some of the stamps in use from 1862 to 1883. The text is 'U. S. INTER. REV.' or 'U. S. INTER. REVENUE', 'PLAYING CARDS', and the value, e.g. 'FOUR - CENTS'. The value needed depended on the price of the cards. The stamp was hand-cancelled or stamp-cancelled.
Note the 'L.C. & Co.' on the 1¢ stamp, that is for Lawrence Cohen & Co., cancelled November 1863.
Note also that the text on the second (brown) 5¢ and on the 10¢ stamp is 'PROPRIETARY' instead of 'PLAYING CARDS', but the cancellation 'S. H. & Co.' is for the playing-card maker Samuel Hart & Co.; the stamps were cancelled in December 1865.
You can see more of those overprints on pages prepared by Kristin Patterson.

From 1864, playing-card manufacturers were allowed to have their own 'private die' tax stamps.

These four are from A. Dougherty, with the 2¢ stamp in use 1865/1866, the 5¢ stamp in use 1866 to 1877, a smaller version of it 1878 to 1883, and the other two 1864 to 1866.

These two are from Lawrence & Cohen, with the 2¢ stamp in use 1865/1866 and the 5¢ stamp 1865 to 1874.

This stamp is from Jno. J. Levy, in use 1867 to 1873.

This stamp is from the New York Consolidated Card Co., in use 1876 to 1883.

This stamp is from Paper Fabrique Co., in use 1873 to 1880.

This stamp is from Chas. Goodall, in use 1870 to 1875. Note the similarity to the following stamp; the initials in the middle are those of Victor E. Mauger.

This stamp is from Victor Mauger & Petrie, in use 1877 to 1880.

This stamp is from Russell, Morgan & Co., in use 1881 to 1883.

This stamp is from Eagle Card Co., in use 1880 to 1883.

This final shown private die stamp is from Samuel Hart & Co., in use 1866 to 1877.

This stamp was in use from 1894 to 1896. The text is 'PLAYING CARDS - ON HAND AUG. 1894 - TWO CENTS' and 'U.S. - I.R.'.

This stamp was in use from 1894 to 1917. The text is 'PLAYING CARDS - ACT OF AUG. 1894 - TWO CENTS' and 'U.S. - I.R.'. The stamp was cancelled by the U.S.P.C.CO. with the date 5-1-01.

These stamps are similar to one above, they were in use from 1917 to 1919. The overprint mentions 'Act of 1917', when taxes were increased, and on the second stamp also the new value '7 CENTS'.

These also were in use from 1917 to 1919, the Act of 1917 is referenced by the overprint '17'. They were cancelled by N.Y.C.C.CO.

This is another stamp in use from 1917 to 1919. The overprint is the new value '7'. It was cancelled by S.P.C.CO. (Standard).

These again were in use from 1917 to 1919, the centre row of the cancelling shows the new value '7 CTS.' (cancelled by R.P.C.Co. (Russell) and dated 10-4-'17) resp. '7 CENTS' (cancelled by S.P.C.Co. (Standard) dated 10-4-1917).

This is the last version in use from 1917 to 1919, the overprint shows the new value '7c'. Both stamps were cancelled by R.P.C.Co. (Russell) on '1-25-'18'.

These stamps were in use from 1918 to 1919. The text is 'U.S.INT.REV.', 'PLAYING CARDS', and 'CLASS A'. Both stamps have have '7 CENTS' in the centre row of the cancellation, and they were cancelled by the U.S.P.C.Co. with the date 3-4-1919.

These are two more of the 'CLASS A' stamps, they were in use from 1919 to 1924. The text is 'U.S.I.R.', 'PLAYING CARDS', and 'CLASS A'. The left stamp has an '8c' overprint, and was cancelled by the P.P.C.Co., the right stamp was cancelled by U.S.P.C.Co. dated 8-1-1922.

These stamps were in use from 1919 to 1924. Note the '8 Cts.' resp. '8c' overprint! The left stamp was cancelled by the AD (Dougherty), the right one by R.P.C.Co. (Russell), both with dated 4-1-19.

This stamp was in use from 1924 to 1929. The text is 'U.S.I.R.', 'PLAYING CARDS', and '10 CENTS'. The stamp was cancelled by W. P. L. CO.

This stamp is an 'olympic provisional' from 1932.
It was used for the 'Olympiad Playing Cards' made by P. J. Wenger.
(scanned by Eric Jackson)

This was a stamp in use from 1929 to 1940. The text is 'PLAYING CARDS', '10 CENTS', and 'U.S.INT.REV.'. The stamp was cancelled by K. P. Inc. in 1930.

This stamp was in use from 1940 to 1965. The text is 'PLAYING CARDS', '1 PACK', and 'U.S.I.R.'. It was cancelled by A.P.C.CO. (Arrco).

This is another stamp in use from 1940 to 1965. The text is 'PLAYING CARDS', '1 PACK', and 'U.S.INT.REV.'. It was cancelled by E.E.F. CORP. (Fairchild).

Taxes on playing-cards were abolished in the U.S.A. in 1965. Many manufacturers continued using stamps with their own design to seal the package.

For some time, there also was a stamp for free-of-tax cards.

If I date the cards in the corresponding pack correctly, this is a stamp that was in use c. 1946.

There existed sealing bands for multiple packs (presumably 12) of playing-cards.

This is part of such a band. You can see the complete band in reduced size.
These bands also existed with a similar text, but additionally with a version in German language on it, and with the red overprint with a value of 7 cents per pack.
From the tax value I think that the 7¢-bands were in use 1917 to 1919, and the 8¢-bands from 1919 to 1924.

I have also seen a band with a slightly different design, and with the red overprint without a value, just 'Internal Revenue Tax Paid'.

Some states raised an additional tax on playing-cards using stamps on the box. I have seen examples from Alabama, Arizona, and South Carolina.

This 1¢ stamp and the 4¢ stamp were probably the first tax stamps for playing-cards used in Alabama. I have been told that they were in use in the early 1940s.
The text is 'STATE OF ALABAMA', 'PLAYING CARD' and 'CHANCE CARD' together with the value. There were more stamps with other values.

This 1¢ stamp and the 5¢ stamp were presumably used later in Alabama, but again I have no information on the dates.
The text is 'STATE OF ALABAMA', 'PLAYING CARD' and the value.
There were also other values. I have seen a pack with one 5¢ and two 1¢ stamps.

This 1¢ stamp was presumably used in Alabama afterwards, but I have no information on the dates.
The text is now 'ALABAMA', 'PLAYING CARD TAX' and the value. Stamps with other values existed, too.

These stamps were used in Alabama in 1947.
The text is 'ALABAMA', 'PLAYING CARD', and the value. One 5¢ and three 1¢ stamps were on the box, together with a copy of the last U.S.I.R. stamp shown earlier on this page.

This is a stamp that was used in Alabama around 1950.
The text is 'ALABAMA', 'PLAYING CARD', and the value is 10¢.

These stamps were used in Alabama presumably around 1955.
Two of each stamp were on a box for two packs, together with a copy of the last U.S.I.R. stamp shown earlier on this page on the wrapping of each deck.

This is another stamp from Alabama which was in use recently and probably still is now.
The text is again 'ALABAMA', 'PLAYING CARD', and the value is 10¢.

In Arizona, playing-cards were regarded and taxed as 'sporting goods'.

This stamp was used in Arizona, possibly around 1960 (but I am not sure of that).
The text is 'ARIZONA SPORTING GOODS', a signature, 'CHAIRMAN STATE TAX COMMISSION', and the value (10¢).
The stamp was inside a box for a double pack.

The tax in South Carolina was a Business License Tax that was also raised for playing-cards. Please note that the following examples may be in a wrong order as concerns date of use.

These stamps were used in South Carolina around 1960.
The text on the left stamp is 'STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA', the value, and 'BUSINESS LICENSE TAX', that on the right stamp is 'SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LICENSE TAX' and the value.
One 40¢ and one 8¢ stamp were on the box for a double pack, together with a copy of the small '1 PACK' U.S.I.R. stamp shown earlier on this page on the wrapper of each pack.
I also have in my collection a pack produced in 1956 with two of these small stamps on the box.

This is a different version of the small stamp above. The text is 'STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LICENSE Tax', and the value is 10¢. The stamp was on a single pack, from either 1943 or 1963, and because of he value it might well be 1943.

This is another version of the small stamp. The text is 'SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LICENSE TAX PAID', and the value is 24¢. The stamp was on a single pack, probably also from around 1960.

This is yet another version of the small stamp. The text is again 'SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LICENSE TAX', and the value is 8¢. The text has a different arrangement. The stamp was on a single pack, probably from around 1970 or later.

	This stamp is from Jno. J. Levy, in use 1867 to 1873.

	This stamp is from the New York Consolidated Card Co., in use 1876 to 1883.

	This stamp is from Paper Fabrique Co., in use 1873 to 1880.

	This stamp is from Chas. Goodall, in use 1870 to 1875. Note the similarity to the following stamp; the initials in the middle are those of Victor E. Mauger.

	This stamp is from Victor Mauger & Petrie, in use 1877 to 1880.

	This stamp is from Russell, Morgan & Co., in use 1881 to 1883.

	This stamp is from Eagle Card Co., in use 1880 to 1883.

	This final shown private die stamp is from Samuel Hart & Co., in use 1866 to 1877.

	This stamp was in use from 1894 to 1896. The text is 'PLAYING CARDS - ON HAND AUG. 1894 - TWO CENTS' and 'U.S. - I.R.'.

	This stamp was in use from 1894 to 1917. The text is 'PLAYING CARDS - ACT OF AUG. 1894 - TWO CENTS' and 'U.S. - I.R.'. The stamp was cancelled by the U.S.P.C.CO. with the date 5-1-01.

	These stamps are similar to one above, they were in use from 1917 to 1919. The overprint mentions 'Act of 1917', when taxes were increased, and on the second stamp also the new value '7 CENTS'.

	These also were in use from 1917 to 1919, the Act of 1917 is referenced by the overprint '17'. They were cancelled by N.Y.C.C.CO.

	This is another stamp in use from 1917 to 1919. The overprint is the new value '7'. It was cancelled by S.P.C.CO. (Standard).

	These again were in use from 1917 to 1919, the centre row of the cancelling shows the new value '7 CTS.' (cancelled by R.P.C.Co. (Russell) and dated 10-4-'17) resp. '7 CENTS' (cancelled by S.P.C.Co. (Standard) dated 10-4-1917).

	This is the last version in use from 1917 to 1919, the overprint shows the new value '7c'. Both stamps were cancelled by R.P.C.Co. (Russell) on '1-25-'18'.

	These stamps were in use from 1918 to 1919. The text is 'U.S.INT.REV.', 'PLAYING CARDS', and 'CLASS A'. Both stamps have have '7 CENTS' in the centre row of the cancellation, and they were cancelled by the U.S.P.C.Co. with the date 3-4-1919.

	These are two more of the 'CLASS A' stamps, they were in use from 1919 to 1924. The text is 'U.S.I.R.', 'PLAYING CARDS', and 'CLASS A'. The left stamp has an '8c' overprint, and was cancelled by the P.P.C.Co., the right stamp was cancelled by U.S.P.C.Co. dated 8-1-1922.

	These stamps were in use from 1919 to 1924. Note the '8 Cts.' resp. '8c' overprint! The left stamp was cancelled by the AD (Dougherty), the right one by R.P.C.Co. (Russell), both with dated 4-1-19.

	This was a stamp in use from 1929 to 1940. The text is 'PLAYING CARDS', '10 CENTS', and 'U.S.INT.REV.'. The stamp was cancelled by K. P. Inc. in 1930.

	This stamp was in use from 1940 to 1965. The text is 'PLAYING CARDS', '1 PACK', and 'U.S.I.R.'. It was cancelled by A.P.C.CO. (Arrco).

	This 1¢ stamp and the 4¢ stamp were probably the first tax stamps for playing-cards used in Alabama. I have been told that they were in use in the early 1940s. The text is 'STATE OF ALABAMA', 'PLAYING CARD' and 'CHANCE CARD' together with the value. There were more stamps with other values.

	This 1¢ stamp and the 5¢ stamp were presumably used later in Alabama, but again I have no information on the dates. The text is 'STATE OF ALABAMA', 'PLAYING CARD' and the value. There were also other values. I have seen a pack with one 5¢ and two 1¢ stamps.

	This is a different version of the small stamp above. The text is 'STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LICENSE Tax', and the value is 10¢. The stamp was on a single pack, from either 1943 or 1963, and because of he value it might well be 1943.

	This is another version of the small stamp. The text is 'SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LICENSE TAX PAID', and the value is 24¢. The stamp was on a single pack, probably also from around 1960.

	This is yet another version of the small stamp. The text is again 'SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS LICENSE TAX', and the value is 8¢. The text has a different arrangement. The stamp was on a single pack, probably from around 1970 or later.