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I have a question for the U.S. revenue stamp collectors here. What approach do you take to collecting first issue revenue stamps (i.e., those issued during the Civil War)?

According to Scott, many of these stamps exist perforate, part perforate, and imperforate. Do you 1) try to collect one of each perforation variety as is typically done for postage stamps, or 2) only collect one of each value/color regardless of the perforations (or lack thereof) since perforation varieties on this issue were the norm rather than the exception?

I have a few revenues in my collection, and while I know we can collect whatever we like however we like, I'm trying to get a feel for how those with more experience work with stamps in this area.

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Download free U.S. stamp album pages at philosateleia.com

Where to begin...

First off, what everyone going into these issues MUST know, the part-perforated and imperforate varieties of the US First Issue Revenues are BEST collected as imperf between pairs or larger multiples. There is no other way to be assured you have a genuine copy instead of a wide-margin perforate example trimmed down to make an "a" or a "b"

I do collect single part-perfs and imperfs, but only at very good prices.

Examples of singles tied to documents are also pretty safe.

These varieties were produced because in the first few months of use, the printer could not keep up with his contracted-for requirements... their perforating equipment was slower and less efficient than their printing presses... they delivered stamps in whatever state they had.

That being said... part-perf and imperf varieties are in some cases more common than the fully perforated varieties.

That is because the "Matching Use" requirement for the documentary titles was dropped after 18 months or so as being totally unworkable in the field.

That means that some titles never or rarely got sent back to press after the requirement to use a Mortgage stamp on Mortgages requirement, (as an example), was dropped.

It also means that part-perfs and imperfs SHOULD show up only on old paper, not experimental paper.

You should also know that in many cases, imperf proofs are less expensive than issued stamps... and are often seen sold as issued stamps... you need to recognize the correct paper also.

I collect and study ALL revenues... not the just the 1st issue. I'm more concerned with filling out all face-different, (8 different types left). I know that some of my single perf varieties are suspect.

You can choose to collect these in any manner you'd like. Just don't pay any premium for an imperf variety as a single no matter how they are listed and priced in Scott. I suppose when you see a copy with frame line or more of the adjacent stamps on BOTH sides... it would be pretty safe.

I use the National Revenue pages which includes seperate sections for all varieties as singles. You can just remove any of these pages you'd prefer not to deal with.

I use all the pages as blank spaces certainly don't disturb me ... and I insert blank quadrilled pages for multiples and documents.

I imagine that revenuecollector will show up soon to give you a link to his very nice US Revenue reference charts... I'll not steal his thunder.

I don't know if he indeed collects all forms and varieties, but it's obvious he studies them all extensively.

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"Fairy Tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."
G. K. Chesterton

Wow, what a lot of great information! That's a lot to think about, but gives me a better idea of how to approach that particular series. Thank you for the feedback.

If anyone else wants to chime in, I'm all ears.

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Download free U.S. stamp album pages at philosateleia.com

If you want more.... much, much, more... the definitive reference from 1899 on perfs and papers on these is available as a free public domain download from Google Books.

It is a bit tough to find as we usually call it "The Boston Revenue Book" as that was it's title in a 1979 reprint. Here is it's original title page.



And here's the Google link to download it to your computer... (this may not work as the search string text is a bit long and complex... you might have to do the search from info on the title page.)

http://books.google.com/books?id=Eq0pAA ... &q&f=false

And here is a very brief excerpt from the preface, supporting what I said earlier that will give you a taste...

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"Fairy Tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."
G. K. Chesterton

Excellent info--many thanks!