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U.S. Revenue stamps - continued This page illustrates plate number singles of stamps for taxes on distilled spirits, rectified spirits and related liquors. - Rectified Spirits (Springer prefix AG)
Rectified Spirits stamps, Class A and B Rectified spirits undergo at least three distillation processes, resulting in a very high alcohol content (95%, or 190 proof). The repeated processes remove most of the flavor compounds, resulting in a "neutral" spirit like vodka, or is used to produce other spirites, bitters and liqueurs. First Series (1872) Springfield 4B, 25¢ green and black, violet silk paper. Known with "plate letters" K, L and C (?) at top. No plate numbers reported. Series of 1875 Springfield 9, 20 gallons green and black, Hamilton, with coupons. No plate numbers reported.
Series of 1892
Springer AG??P, Levi Woodbury, Series of 1892, proof plate number 13848 Series of 1906
Springer AG??P, Levi Woodbury, Series of 1906, proof plate number 22020 Series of 1909
Springer AG??P, 5 gallons (up to 5.9), Series of 1909, proof plate number 31969
Springer AG??P, 10 gallons (up to 19.9), Series of 1909, proof plate number 34103
Springer AG??P, 20 gallons (up to 29.9), Series of 1909, proof plate number 32717
Springer AG??P, 40 gallons (up to 49.9), Series of 1909, proof plate number 42194
Undated series (1933?), Class B (black) This series continued the shell design of the Series of 1909, but is undated. It is assumed to have been required for new liquor taxes levied after the end of Prohibition.
Springer AG??P, 40 gallons (up to 49.9), Class B, shell design of 1909 series but undated, from plate prepared in 1933, proof plate number 127351 with CI
Springer AG??P, 80 gallons (up to 89.9), Class B, shell design of 1909 series but undated, from plate prepared in 1933, proof plate number F127300 with C.S.
Undated series (1934?), Class A (red) This series replaced the shell design with a target design, but is also undated.
Springer AG??P, 10 gallons (up to 19.9), Class A, undated series, from plate prepared in 1934, proof plate number F129021 with C.S.
Springer AG??P, 50 gallons (up to 59.9), Class A, undated series, from plate prepared in 1934, proof plate number F128683 with C.S.
Springer AG??P, 100 gallons (up to 109.9), Class A, undated series, from plate prepared in 1934, proof plate number F128562 with C.S.
Series of 1940, Class A (green) Type I ("Collection District" at bottom)
Springer AG??P, 1 gallon (up to 9.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145798, with EI, C and waffle C
Springer AG??P, 10 gallons (up to 19.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145346, with F, CS and C
Springer AG??P, 20 gallons (up to 29.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145683, with EI and C
Springer AG??P, 30 gallons (up to 39.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145719 with EI and C
Springer AG??P, 40 gallons (up to 49.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number F145349 with CS and double CC
Springer AG??P, 50 gallons (up to 59.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145720, with EI and C
Springer AG??P, 100 gallons (up to 109.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number F164320, with S
Springer AG??P, 110 gallons (up to 119.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number F145356, with CS (All Rectified Spirits Class A Type I proofs courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1940, Class A (green) Type II ("Located at" at bottom)
Springer AG??P, 1 gallon (up to 9.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164062 with S
Springer AG??P, 30 gallons (up to 39.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164171 with S
Springer AG??P, 40 gallons (up to 49.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164216 with S
Springer AG??P, 50 gallons (up to 59.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164222 with S
Springer AG??P, 60 gallons (up to 69.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type II, proof prepared in 1954, proof plate number F164244
Springer AG??P, 70 gallons (up to 79.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164237, with S
Springer AG??P, 90 gallons (up to 99.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164263, with S
Springer AG??P, 100 gallons (up to 109.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164318, with S
Springer AG??P, 110 gallons (up to 119.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164325, with S
Springer AG??P, 120 gallons (up to 129.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164339, with S
Springer AG??P, 130 gallons (up to 139.9), Class A, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164344, with S (All Rectified Spirits Class A Type II proofs courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1940, Class B (violet), printing of 1940, Type I ("Collection District" at bottom)
Springer AG??P, 1 gallon (up to 9.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145823, with EI
Springer AG??P, 20 gallons (up to 29.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145824, with EI
Springer AG??P, 30 gallons (up to 39.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145770, with EI and C
Springer AG??P, 40 gallons (up to 49.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145916, with EI and C
Springer AG??P, 50 gallons (up to 59.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145951, with EI and C
Springer AG??P, 60 gallons (up to 69.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145951, with EI and C
Springer AG??P, 70 gallons (up to 79.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number 145897, with EI and C
Springer AG??P, 80 gallons (up to 89.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number F145460, with CS and C
Springer AG??P, 90 gallons (up to 99.9), Class B, Series of 1940,Type I, proof plate number 145977, with EI and C
Springer AG??P, 100 gallons (up to 109.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number F145462, with CS and C
Springer AG??P, 110 gallons (up to 119.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type I, proof plate number F145463, with CS and C
Springer AG??P, 120 gallons (up to 129.9), Class B, Series of 1940, proof plate number 145888, with EI and C
Springer AG??P, 130 gallons (up to 139.9), Class B, Series of 1940, proof plate number 146019, with EI and C (All Rectified Spirits Class B Type I proofs courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1940, Class B (violet), printing of 1954, Type II ("Located at" at bottom)
Springer AG??P, 10 gallons (up to 19.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type II, proof prepared in 1954, proof plate number F164408, with S
Springer AG??P, 20 gallons (up to 29.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type II, proof prepared in 1954, proof plate number F164418, with S
Springer AG??P, 30 gallons (up to 39.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type II, proof prepared in 1954, proof plate number F164420, with S
Springer AG??P, 40 gallons (up to 49.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164445, with S
Springer AG??P, 50 gallons (up to 59.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164449, with S
Springer AG??P, 60 gallons (up to 69.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164478, with S
Springer AG??P, 80 gallons (up to 89.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number 164506, with S
Springer AG??P, 100 gallons (up to 109.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164726, with S
Springer AG??P, 110 gallons (up to 119.9), Class B, Series of 1940, Type II, proof plate number F164933, with S (All Rectified Spirits Class B Type II proofs courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Rectification Tax stamps Scott prefix RZ designates rectification tax stamps. Please report any plate number examples. Series of 1946 RZ1, 1¢
Rectifier of Distilled Spirits Special Tax stamps Series of 1906 / Act of 1890
Springer SBC??P, $200 annual special tax, Series of 1906, proof plate number 21736, with coupons (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Rectifier of less than 500 barrels Special Tax stamps Series of 1902 / Act of 1890
Springer SBD??P, Series of 1902, proof plate number 13995, with coupons prorating the annual special tax (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1909 / Act of 1890
Springer SBD??P, Series of 1909, same proof plate number 13995 as the 1902 series stamp despite design changes in the dates (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Springer SBD??, $100, F.Y.E 1935
Distilled Spirits Excise stamps Distilled spirits undergo only one or two distillation processes, with the result that they have more retained flavors from the original fermented material and a lower alcohol content than rectified spirits. Examples of distilled spirits are whiskey, rum, brandy and gin. The Scott RX prefix is assigned to Distilled Sprits Excise stamps, which are denominated in monetary values from 1¢ to $50,000. They were first issued in 1950 and were discontinued in 1959. All stamps feature Charles S. Fairchild, who was Grover Cleveland's Secretary of the Treasury 1887-89. Most plate numbers are known from proof sheets in the National Postal Musem. Very few examples of the final stamps are known with marginal markings.
Other tax stamps related to Distilled Spirits Additional examples are denominated by volume (1/10 pint, 1/2 pint, 1 pint...) and do not appear to be listed in Scott. Some may be assigned Springer numbers and appear in the Durland Catalog, while others may be assigned Lesher numbers and appear in the American Revenuer catalog. Series of 1887 - "Distillery Bonded Warehouse"
Springer AKB??P, 1/10 pint, from 3 gallon sheet, Series of 1887, proof plate number 7927 (Image courtesy of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum)
Series of 1897 / Act of 1897 - "Distillery Bonded Warehouse"
Springer AKB??P, 1/5 gallon, from 2-4/10 gallon sheet, Series of 1897, proof plate number 24069
Springer AKB??P, 1 pint, Series of 1897, proof plate number 31451
Springer AKB??P, 1 quart, from 3 gallon sheet, Series of 1897, proof plate number 23815
Springer AKC??P, 3 gallons, Series of 1897, proof plate number 35152 (All proof images in this section courtesy of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum)
Series of 1911 / Act of 1897
Springer AKB??, 1 pint, Act of 1897, most likely Series of 1911, hand-entered plate number PL 1230 from a sheet of 12, showing how these stamps were used. State of New York District No. 14, Distillery No. 128, the name of the manufacturer, Spring 1912 date made, Fall 1917 date bottled. The sheet did not have a traditional engraved plate numbers as is shown on the proof examples in this section. (Image courtesy of eBay / Precancels Perfins and More)
Springer AKC??P, 2-4/10 gallons, Series of 1911, proof plate number 37526 with siderographer initials R.B. This top "master" or case stamp was then followed by 12 strip-type bottle stamps (AKB??) which total 2-4/10 gallons. This is similar to the 1887 stamp above, but the plate number appears at the top of the full pane instead of adjacent to an individual bottle stamp.
Springer AKC??, 3 gallon case consisting of 1 pint bottles, Act of 1897 / Series of 1911, plate number 1942-1 from a sheet of 12, showing how these stamps were used. State of New York District No. 14, Distillery No. 128, the name of the manufacturer, Spring 1918 date bottled. (Image courtesy of eBay / Precancels Perfins and More)
Springer AKC??P, 3 gallons, Series of 1911, proof plate number 48002. This top "master" or case stamp was then followed by 240 strip-type bottle stamps (AKB??) which total 3 gallons. (All proof images in this section courtesy of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum) Act of 1917 1 gal p# 58736
Springer AK??P, 1 gallon, Act of 1917, Class B, proof plate number F58739 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1918 Class B 30 gal p# 127280, 128944 Series of 1941 Class B 1 gal p# 145452 Series of 1941 Class A 10 gal p# 145453
Series of 1933 (?) - "Internal Revenue Bonded Warehouse" Two types exist. Plates prepared from 1940 include the volume (1 pint, 4/5 quart, etc.) reading vertically in the center column. Earlier printings did not have this marking.
Springer ATB??P, 1/2 pint (1938), Carlisle, proof plate number F138590 with CS and C
Springer ATB??P, 4/5 quart (1938), proof plate number F138721 with CS and C (All proof images in this section courtesy of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum)
Distilled Spirits Tax stamps Distilled Spirits generally refers to various types of rum. There are two types of Distillied Spirits Tax stamps. The red "bottle" stamps were in effect from 1934 to 1954. The stamps were sold to distillers at 1¢ each, and the distiller then self-reported and paid the tax based on the volume of each bottle. Values were in fractions of pints, quarts and gallons. Most examples were damaged or destroyed when the bottle was opened. The other type paid the tax based on the volume of a crate or cask. Values were typically in multiples of 10 gallons, up to 130 gallons, with coupons allowing for single gallons and tenths of gallons with the 10-gallon range. These stamps were not sold to the general public. Plate number examples of the actual stamps are rare. Most examples come from proof sheets in philatelic archives. Series of 1869 Lesher 4, 40 gallons, with coupons to 49.9 gallons, Series of 1869
Series of 1872, Type I frame design with denomination, narrow border and "spiky" numbers
Springer AG??P var, proof of 20 gallon frame, Series of 1872, plate prepared in 1907, plate number 24831 Lesher 61A, 80 gallons, Series of 1872, Zachary Taylor
Example of how the bicolor frame and tax paid stamp portraying Columbus Delano were printed. This example has mixed "round" numbers on the coupons but "spiky" numbers on the actual stamp. Delano was Secretary of the Interior 1870-75 and founded what is now the National Park Service by protecting Yellowstone. He died in 1896, making this 1872 stamp not only another rare example of portraying a living person on a U.S. stamp, but perhaps the only example while the person was actively serving in office.
Series of 1875 Type I narrow frame design with denomination, "spiky" numbers on stamp, "round" numbers on coupon Springer AG?? / Lesher 80 (?), 10 gallons, Series of 1875, Abraham Lincoln
Springer AG??P var / Lesher 80 var (?), 10 gallons, plate prepared before 1891, frame plate number 2 Lesher 81 (?), 20 gallons, Series of 1875, Abraham Lincoln
Lesher 81 var (?), 20 gallons, frame plate number 24831 Lesher 82, 30 gallons, Series of 1875, Type I, Abraham Lincoln Lesher ??, 40 gallons, Series of 1875, Type I, U.S. Grant Grant was serving his second term as president when this stamp was issued. It caused such a furor that ABNCo reprinted the stamp using the BEP portrait of Lincoln. Lesher 83, 40 gallons, Series of 1875, Type I, Abraham Lincoln Grant was still serving his second term as president when this stamp was issued. It caused such a furor that the stamp was reprinted using the BEP portrait of Lincoln. Lesher ??, 60 gallons, Series of 1875, Type I (?), Abraham Lincoln
Type II narrow frame design with denomination, "round" numbers on frame and coupon
Lesher 85, 70 gallons, Series of 1875, Type I, Abraham Lincoln, black BEP plate number 1 (Image courtesy of Rick Burdsall) Lesher ??, 80 gallons, Series of 1875, Abraham Lincoln
Example of how the bicolor frame and tax paid stamp portraying John J. Cisco were printed. Cisco was a successful New York dry goods merchant who made a fortune and retired in 1842 at age 36. He was appointed Assistant Treasurer of the U.S. by Democratic presidents Pierce and Buchanan as well as by Republican president Lincoln, much to his surprise, serving from 1853 to 1864. At his retirement from government, Lincoln insisted he be appointed a director and the treasurer of the Union Pacific Railroad. Cisco died in 1884, so this series from the 1870s is an early example of featuring a living person on a U.S. stamp. Lesher ??, 100 gallons, Series of 1875, Abraham Lincoln Later Series, Type III wide frame design without denomination, with wide border and "spiky" numbers
Springer AG??P var, proof of 30 gallon frame, Series of 1872, plate prepared in 1907, plate number 25663
Springer AG??P var, proof of 40 gallon frame, Series of 1872, plate prepared in 1904, plate number 18748
Springer AG??P var, proof of 60 gallon frame, Series of 1872, plate prepared in 1909, plate number 30204
Springer AG??P var, proof of 80 gallon frame, Series of 1872, plate prepared in 1909, plate number 30308
Springer AG??P var, proof of 90 gallon frame, Series of 1872, plate prepared in 1902, plate number 13973
Series of 1878 All stamps of the 1878 series portray Daniel Webster. Proof sheets of 3 from the National Postal Museum archives indicate that the 10, 20 , 40, 50 and 90 gallon tax stamps do not have plate numbers.
Series of 1894 / Act of 1894 All stamps of the 1894 series portray Daniel Webster.
Springer AD??P, 10 gallons, Series of 1894, proof plate number 13577, with coupons to 19.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 30 gallons, Series of 1894, proof plate number 23310, with coupons to 39.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 40 gallons, Series of 1894, proof plate number 17478, with coupons to 49.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 80 gallons, Series of 1894, proof plate number 21351, with coupons to 89.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 90 gallons, Series of 1894, proof plate number 17733, with coupons to 99.9 gallons
Series of 1910 / Act of 1894 All stamps in the 1910 series portray Daniel Webster.
Springer AD??P, 10 gallons, Series of 1910, proof plate number F134568 with CS, with coupons to 19.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 20 gallons, Series of 1910, proof plate number 46765, with coupons to 29.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 30 gallons, Series of 1910, proof plate number 46413, with coupons to 39.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 40 gallons, Series of 1910, proof plate number 40022, with coupons to 49.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 50 gallons, Series of 1910, proof plate number 32258, with coupons to 59.9 gallons and intials JCN and JTWM
Springer AD??P, 60 gallons, Series of 1910, proof plate number F127458, with CS and coupons to 49.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 70 gallons, Series of 1910, proof plate number F127448 with CS, with coupons to 79.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 80 gallons, Series of 1910, proof plate number 40334, plate number at top, with coupons to 89.9 gallons Springer AD??P, 80 gallons, Series of 1910, proof plate number F134622 with CS, plate number at right, with coupons to 89.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 90 gallons, Series of 1910, proof plate number F122850, with coupons to 99.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 100 gallons, Series of 1910, proof prepared in 1936, plate number F134533 with CS and C, with coupons to 109.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 110 gallons, Series of 1910, proof prepared in 1933, plate number F157460 with C.S., with coupons to 119.9 gallons
Springer AD??P, 120 gallons, Series of 1910, plate prepared in 1933, proof plate number F127461 with C.S., with coupons to 129.9 gallons (All Series 1910 Distilled Spirits proof images courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Undated series (1930s)
Springer AD??P, 1 gallon, undated series, plate prepared in 1938, proof plate number F138107 with CS, with coupons to 9.9 gallons (All Distilled Spirits proof images courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Distilled Spirits Stamp, ATF issue, undated (1950s) Lesher 294, 1959, shield in serrated circle: no plate numbers known
Series of 1940, Tax Paid Distilled Spirits stamps (brown, printed on blue paper) Springer AD??P, 1 gallon (up to 9.9), Series of 1940
Springer AD??P, 20 gallons (up to 29.9), Tax Paid stub, coupons and stamp, Series of 1940, proof plate number 146025 with EI and C
Springer AD??P, 30 gallons (up to 39.9), Tax Paid stub, coupons and stamp, Series of 1940, proof plate number F146076 with EI and C (All Distilled Spirits proofs courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Please report any additional examples.
Distilled Sprits bottle stamps - Undated series Two types exist. Type II plates prepared from 1940 include the volume (1 pint, 4/5 quart, etc.) reading vertically in the center column. Earlier Type I printings did not have this marking. Issued in the same Series Numbers as with tobacco, cigar and cigarette stamps. (Example: Series 102 is 1932; Series 111 is 1941). However, the Series Number does not appear on either the proofs nor the final stamps.
Springer ARB??P, less than 1/2 pint, proof plate number F127724 with C.S.
Springer ARB??AP, 1/2 pint, Type II, proof plate number 139275 with EI indicating Electrolytic Iron plate finishing
Springer ARB??AP, 3/4 pint, Type II, proof plate number 130087 with CI indicating Chromium Iron plate finishing
Springer ARB??P, 4/5 pint, proof plate number 130705 with CI
Springer ARB??, 1 pint, Type I, plate number F127694, with C.S.
Springer ARB??P, 1 pint, Type II with volume in the gutter between left and right columns, proof plate number 128078 with CI
Springer ARB??P, 1 pint, proof plate number 139269 with EI and C
Springer ARB??P, 4/5 quart, proof plate number 137078 with EI and C
Springer ARB??P, 1/5 gallon, proof plate number 128124 with CI indicating Chromium Iron plate finishing If you do the math, "4/5 of a quart" and "1/5 of a gallon" are actually equivalent volumes. It is unclear why two revenue stamps were prepared. It would be the same as printing two stamps for 8 ounces and a half pound, or for 50 cents and a half dollar.
Springer ARB??AP, 1 quart, proof plate number 144257 with EI and double CC
Springer ARB??P, 1/2 gallon, proof plate number F129827 with C.S.
Springer ARB??P, 1 gallon, proof plate number F129831 with C.S.
Springer ARB??P and ARB??P var, 1 gallon, both for plate number 130044. The Type I proof without the vertical marking was prepared in 1934. They Type II proof with "1 GALLON" vertical marking in the center gutter was prepared in 1940. The 1940 proof sheet is also marked "ALTERED".
(All images in this section courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
"Form 1595" Collector's Certificate of Tax Payment of Distilled Spirits for Shipment in Tank Cars 1937 series examples are known. No plate numbers are known. Director's Certificate of Tax Payment of Distilled Spirits for Shipment in Tank Cars, Tank Trucks or Pipelines 1953 series examples are known. No plate numbers are known.
Re-imported American Distilled Spirits stamps Series of 1891
Scoville CRS2, also Springer CF??, Series of 1891, plate number 5650 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Scoville CRS2P, also Springer CF??P, Series of 1891, proof plate number 5650 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1940
Springer CF??P, Series of 1940, proof plate number F144335 with CS (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Imported Spirits stamps Series of 1879 / Act of 1879 The Series of 1879 stamps were printed with an 18__ date. No plate number examples have been reported.
Imported Distilled Spirits stamps Series of 1891
Scoville CIS??P, Series of 1891, with a 19__ date, proof plate number 30366 with initials JTWM and JWB Series of 1933 Scoville CIS7, Series of 1933: no plate number reported Series of 1935 Scoville CIS9, Series of 1935, red brown: no plate number reported
Distilled Spirits for Exportation stamps Series of 1878 A The Series of 1878 stamps were printed with an 18__ date for expected use 1878-99. Springer ADA??, Springfield 2B, (25¢) black. Series of 1878 B The Series of 1878 stamps were re-engraved and reprinted with a 190_ date for expected use 1900-09.
ADA??P, Series of 1878 re-engraved with a 190_ date for expected use 1900-09, proof plate number 27861 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) The same plate 27861 was later re-engraved with just 19__ for expected use after 1910. Series of 1878 C The Series of 1878 stamps were re-engraved and reprinted with a 19__ date for expected use after 1910.
ADA??P, Series of 1878 re-engraved with a 19__ date, plate reviewed (but not approved) in 1933, proof plate number F127245 with C.S. (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Markings on the proof sheet indicate that the "Series of 1878" was to be corrected to "Series of 1936" before the plate could be approved. The previous plate number below pos 4 was cleared, and a new plate number was assigned in the then-current format. Similar proof sheets of plates F68099 and F68100 from 1919 say Series of 1878 with no indication that a correction to a new series is required. The F and C.S. on this example and the C in the UL corner of the full proof sheet all indicate plate finishing and hardening processes that were standard in the 1930s. Springer ADA??, Springfield 2G, black on blue paper Series of 1899 / Act of Feb. 21, 1899
Springer ADA??P, Springfield ??P, Series of 1899 engraved in 1902 with 190_ date, female figure in black, proof plate number 9082
Springer ADA??P var, Springfield ??P var, Series of 1899 re-engraved in 1917 with 19__ date, female figure in black, new proof for same plate number 9082 Series of 1940 Springer ADA??, 10¢ blue, McCulloch. No plate number examples have been reported. Distilled Spirits for Exportation Without Payment of Tax stamps Series 1955 No denomination, blue. No plate number examples have been reported. Gin / Distilled Spirits for Export stamps Please report any plate number examples.
Distilled Spirits Bottled in Bond for Export stamps Series of 1897 / Act of 1897 The proof sheet of Springer ANC??P 3 gal. / ANB??P 48 1/2 pint bottles, Series of 1897, has plate number 16510 in pencil
Springer ANB??P 4/5 gallon bottle stamp, Series of 1897, from ANC??P 2.4 gal case, proof plate number 16543
The proof sheet of Springer ANC??P 3 gal. / and ANB??P 12 1 quart bottles, Series of 1897, has plate number 16559 in pencil (All proof images courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1977
Springer ANB??, Series of 1977, plate number 62712 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Distillery Warehouse stamps Series of 1875 Springfield 5, 10¢ green and black, female figure, square frame, Series of 1875 Series of 1878 A with 1800's dates Springfield 6A, 10¢ green and black, Zachary Taylor, wide frame, Series of 1878, on green silk paper Series of 1878 B with modified design for 190x dates
Springer ABH??P, 1 cask, Zachary Taylor, Series of 1878 B, proof prepared in 1903, plate number 16033 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1878 C with modified design for 19xx dates
Springer ABH??P, 1 cask, Zachary Taylor, Series of 1878 C, proof prepared in 1909, plate number 29238 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1910
Springer ABH??P, 1 cask, Series of 1910, proof prepared in 1911, plate number 36215 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Distillery Bonded Warehouse stamps
Undated series
Springer AKB??P, 1/2 pint, proof plate number 48220 from proof sheet prepared in 1939 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
General Bonded Warehouse stamps Series of 1894 / Act of 1894
Springfield 1, also Lesher 14, also Springer AC?? Series of 1894, Andrew Jackson, plate number 34750 (Image courtesy of U.S. Specialist)
Lesher 14P, also Springer AC??P, Series of 1894, Jackson, proof plate number 43433 from sheet created in 1914 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
General Bonded Warehouse Re-Transfer stamps This is more of an authorization stamp than a service or tax stamp. Series of 1894 / Act of 1894
Springer ACB??P, from a proof plate prepared in 1894 with 1800s dates, proof plate number 36163
Springer ACB??P, from a proof plate prepared in 1912 win 1900s dates, proof plate number 36163 (Proof images courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Special Bonded Warehouse stamps for Brandy / Series of 1877 Springfield 1, (10¢) Female figure, green and black on green silk paper Series of 1890
Turner A-2a, Springer ABM??P, Series of 1890, Grant, proof plate number 14069, from proof sheet created in 1909 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Turner A-2b, green and black, Grant, red SPECIMEN Special Bonded Re-Warehousing stamps for Brandy / Series of 1877 Springfield 1, (10¢) Female figure, green and black on green silk paper Series of 1910
Springer ABM??P, Series of 1910, proof plate number 34375, from proof sheet created in 1910 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Special Bonded Re-Warehousing stamps for Grape Brandy Series of 1877 Female figure, green and black on green silk paper
Series of 1911 / Act of 1897
Lesher 18, also Springer ABM??, 1 pint bottle stamps, Series of 1911, plate number 1495 (Image courtesy of U.S. Specialist)
Springer AKC??P, 3 gallons, Series 1911, proof plate number 38328 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Undated series
Springer AKB??P, less than 1/2 pint, 1938?, Carlisle, proof plate number F138686 with CS (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Springer AKB??P, 1 pint, Carlisle, 1943?, proof plate number 153228 with EI (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Springer AKB??P, 4/5 quart, Carlisle, proof plate number 110359 with EI (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Springer AKB??P, 1 quart, Carlisle, proof plate number 142407 with EI and C (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Wholesale Liquor Dealer stamps Series of 1872 / First Series / Act of June 6, 1872
Springfield ??, Springer SBA??P, Eagle, proof, plate number 3 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1875 Springfield 5, Eagle, green and black Series of 1878 Springfield 20B, 5 gallons, Winfield Scott, green and black on green paper Series of 1910
Springfield 35, Springer SBA??P, 10 gallons with coupons up to 19.9 gal., Series of 1910, proof plate number 32747
Springfield 38, also Springer SBA??, 40 gallons with coupons up to 49.9 gal., Series of 1910, plate number 34062 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Springer SBA??P, 40 gallons with coupons up to 49.9 gal., Series of 1910, proof plate number 34110 Series of 1934
Springer SBA??, 100 gallons with coupons up to 109.9 gal., Series of 1934, proof plate number 128989F with CS
Springer SBA??, 200 gallons with coupons up to 209.9 gal., Series of 1934, proof plate number F129008 with CS Series of 1946 Springer SBA??, $110, black, pale green card, F.Y.E. 1946, no plate number Series of 1950 Springer SBA??, $110, black, F.Y.E. 1950, no plate number Series of 1951 Springer SBA??, $110, green, F.Y.E. 1951, no plate number Series 1955 Springer SBA??, black, F.Y.E. 1955, no plate number (All proof images courtesy of the National Postal Museum unless credited otherwise)
Retail Liquor Dealer stamps Early series Springer
SB??, $25, Series of 1873: no plate number Series of 1894 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1894, proof plate number 3083 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1895 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1895, proof plate number 3075 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1896 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1896, proof plate number 3083 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1897 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1897, proof plate number 3057 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1899 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1899, proof plate number 3064 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1900 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1900, proof plate number 3063 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1901 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1901, proof plate number 3064 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1902 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1902, proof plate number 3064 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1903 / Act of 1890 Series of 1904 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1904, proof plate number 15750 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1905 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1905, proof plate number 15697 twice (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1906 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1906, proof plate number 15760 twice (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1907 / Act of 1890 Series of 1908 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1908, proof plate number 15722 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1909 / Act of 1890 Series of 1910 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1910, proof plate number 31410 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1911 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1911, proof plate number 35094 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1912 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1912, proof plate number 35214 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1913 / Act of 1890 Series of 1914 / Act of 1890
Springer SB??P, $25, Series of 1914, proof plate number 39466 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Springer
SB??, $25, F.Y.E. 1926
Retail Dealer in Fermented Liquors special tax stamp Springer SA??, $20, F.Y.E. 1934 Please report any plate number examples.
Temporary Retail Dealer in Fermented Liquors (Malt or Vinous) special tax stamp Uncatalogued, $2.20, known with handstamped 1948 date Please report any plate number examples.
Retail Dealer in Liquors At Large special tax stamp Springer
SAB??, $27.50, F.Y.E. 1944 Please report any plate number examples.
Wholesale Dealer in Fermented Malt Liquor [Beer] special tax stamp Springer
SAF??, $55, F.Y.E. 1945 Please report any plate number examples.
Wholesale Dealer in Malt Liquors [Beer] special tax stamp Springer
SAF??, $50, Series of 1873: no plate number
Springer SAF??P, $50, Series of 1914 / Act of 1890, proof plate number 37640 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Springer
SAF??, $100, F.Y.E. 1957 Please report any plate number examples. Retail Dealer in Fermented Malt Liquor [Beer] special tax stamp Springer
SAE??, $20, F.Y.E. 1937 Please report any plate number examples.
[Temporary] Retail Dealer in Fermented Malt Liquors special tax stamp (fairs, reunions, picnics, carnivals, charitable events...) Unlisted, $2.00, example known with 1940 handstamped date Please report any plate number examples.
Retail Dealer in Malt Liquors [Beer] special tax stamp Series of 1873-1885 $20, Series of 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885: no plate number Series of 1891 / Act of 1890
Springer SA??P, $20, Series of 1891, proof plate number 3071 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1892 / Act of 1890
Springer SA??P, $20, Series of 1892, proof plate number 3078 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1893 / Act of 1890
Springer SA??P, $20, Series of 1893, proof plate number 3071 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1894 / Act of 1890
Springer SA??P, $20, Series of 1894, proof plate number 3078 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Series of 1895 / Act of 1890 Springer SA??P, $20, Series of 1895, proof plate number 3071 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1900 / Act of 1890
Springer SA??P, $20, Series of 1900, proof plate number 3071 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Springer SA??, $22, F.Y.E. 1956 Please report any additional plate number examples.
Still special tax stamp There was a $20 annual special tax on owners of stills. Series of 1899 / Act of October 1, 1890
Springer SBF??P, $20, Series of 1899, proof plate number 1498 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Manufacturer of Stills special tax stamp Springer SBE??P, $50, Series of 1882 Springer SBE??P, $50, Series of 1884 Series of 1887 / Act of 1887
Springer SBE??P, $20, Series of 1887, proof with hand-assigned plate number 1498 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1890 / Act of October 1, 1890
Springer SBE??P, $20, Series of 1890, proof plate number 1498 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1891 / Act of October 1, 1890
Springer SBE??P, $20, Series of 1891, proof plate number 1498 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1895 / Act of October 1, 1890
Springer SBE??P, $20, Series of 1895, proof plate number 1498 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1901 / Act of October 1, 1890
Springer SBE??P, $50, Series of 1901, proof plate number 1494 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1903 / Act of October 1, 1890
Springer SBE??P, $50, Series of 1903, proof plate number 1494 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1905 / Act of October 1, 1890
Springer SBE??P, $50, Series of 1905, proof plate number 1494 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Series of 1910 / Act of October 1, 1890
Springer SBE??P, $50, Series of 1910, proof plate number 32694 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Springer SBE??, $55, F.Y.E. 1953
Special Tax Stamp for a Worm The tax was not for the worm appearing in tequila bottles. Rather, the tax is on a coiled piece of copper tubing used to distill whisky, known as a worm. Individuals might build their own still, but still required a worm to make their home-made still function properly. Series of 1886 $20, Series of 1886: plate number unknown
190 Proof Alcohol stamps (1938)
Proofs of case stamp (Springer AV??P) and strip stamp (Springer AV??P), plate number 79010 (Images courtesy of the National Postal Museum) The actual stamps were printed in black, on bright blue paper.
Lock Seal stamps Lock seals were Internal Revenue stamps used to show that warehouses for alcohol had not been opened. Priester (prefix LS), Lesher, and Springer (prefix AY) are the major catalogs for lock seals. They are not listed in Scott. Priester LS 10A, also Springer AY??, 1872-90, blue with red serial numbers
Priester LS 29D, also Springer AY??, 1872-90, plate number 1 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson) Turner L-4, also Springer AY??P, 1879, red proof, Type I
Priester LS 60B, also Springer AY??, 1879-92, black with red serial number, plate number 1461, Series B, with imprint (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Priester LS 70A, also Springer AY??, 1890-1913, black with red serial number, plate number 4532, Series V (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Priester LS 72A, also Springer AY??, 1890-1913, sky blue with red serial numbers, plate number 13082, Series R; plate number 20480, Series U, Y, Z. The "G" is one of a string of printers' initials. (Images courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Priester LS 73A, also Springer AY??, 1890-1913, dark brown with red serial numbers, brown plate number 20480 Series A, B, C, E, F, G (Images courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Priester LS 73A, also Springer AY??, 1890-1913, red brown with red serial numbers, brown plate number 20480 Series H, K, L, M, S (Series R image courtesy of Chris Principe; other images courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Priester LS 73P, also Springer AY??, rose brown, proof plate number 40291 prepared in 1913 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Priester LS 74A, also Springer AY??, 1890-1913, red with dark blue serial numbers, plate number 32703, Series B (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Priester LS 75, also Springer AY??, 1890-1913, red with blue serial numbers, plate number 40291, Series U (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Priester LS 80, also Springer AY??, 1890-1913, rose with blue serial numbers, hand entered plate 2, Series X (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Priester LS 81C, also Springer AY??, 1890-1913, green with black serial numbers, plate number 1206, Series K (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Priester LS 81D, also Springer AY??, 1890-1913, green with black serial numbers, plate number 17532, Series X (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson) Priester LS 95, also Springer AY??, 1890-1913, orange with black serial numbers, Series A
unlisted, also Springer AY??P, proof plate number 33951 in gray, prepared in 1934 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
unlisted, also Springer AY??P, 1952 series, proof plate number 54222 in light gray, prepared in 1959 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Please report additional examples. Later lock seals were apparently printed without plate numbers.
Industrial Alcohol Bonded Warehouse stamps No plate numbers have been reported for these bottle coupons or bottle strips.
Industrial Alcohol Transfer stamps This is more of an authorization stamp than a service or tax stamp. It does not appear to be listed in Scott, but is mentioned in Durland.
Springer ACE??, 1923, black on blue paper, plate number (F)98907 (Image courtesy of Eric Jackson)
Springer ACE??P, proof plate number F120728 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Non-Beverage Alcohol Transfer Receipt stamps
Lesher ???, 3 gallons, proof plate number F121896, prepared in 1931 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum) Lesher 173, 8 gallons
Unknown alcohol-related tax paid proof
R???P, 80 gallons, from a proof plate prepared in 1909, proof plate number 30308 (Image courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
Other Alcohol Tax stamps Plate numbers have been reported on taxpaid revenue stamps or proofs printed for Distilled Spirits Bottle Labels (Springer ARBxx) Many of these plate numbers are known only from proof sheets or Bureau of Engraving and Printing records. In many cases, plate number examples on actual stamps have not been reported. Plate numbers are not known on Distilled Spirites stamp for Stock On Hand (Lesher 1, 1868) Some of these stamps are huge, up to 8 inches high by 16 inches wide. Please report any new discoveries.
State Alcohol Tax stamps Plate numbers are unusual on state-issued revenue stamps of any type. Stamps with serial numbers, counting numbers, tracking numbers, position numbers, row or column numbers and other references are often mis-described as having "plate numbers." However, exceptions are known with genuine plate numbers, especially if the state-level stamp was printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Please report any new discoveries.
California 8 oz. / 5¢ Distilled Spirits tax stamp, possible plate number A1L5
Maine State Liquor Commission LS4, LS6, nondenomimated, with serial numbers
North Caroline W60S, 7¢ Wine Tax specimen, serial number 000
Pennsylvania B4 (1937), 1 Pint on 50¢ Beverage Tax, plate number 32 (Image courtesy of eBay / mattstef)
West Virginia B8 (1961), 1/4 barrel, Nonalcoholic Malt Beverage Tax, with serial number (Image courtesy of The American Revenuer, Nov.-Dec. 2008)
District of Columbia Beverage Tax stamps Congress had jurisdiction over the District of Columbia, so when tax stamps were desired at the local level, they were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. First Series, flat plate printings
Scott RE??P, 1/16 gallon, prepared in 1934, flat plate proof plate number F129501
Scott RE??P, 1/10 gallon, prepared in 1934, flat plate proof plate number F128720
Scott RE??P, 1/8 gallon, prepared in 1935, flat plate proof plate number 131703
Scott RE??P, 1/5 gallon, prepared in 1943, flat plate proof plate number (F)154014 Second Series, rotary press printings
Scott RE??P, 1/80th gallon, printed in 1950, rotary press proof plate number 161715
Scott RE??P, 1/16th gallon, printed in 1948, rotary press proof plate number 160187
Scott RE??P, 1/5 gallon, printed in 1948, rotary press proof plate number 160189
Scott RE??P, 1 gallon, printed in 1955, rotary press proof plate number 165379 Third Series, rotary press printing with values as surcharge
Scott RE??P, blank gallon, printed in 1958, rotary press frame, proof plate number 166776 The blank frame was to be overprinted with a fractional gallon value in a process similar to how the values for wine stamps and the final series of postage due stamps were handled. This avoided the time and expense of having to create separate plates for each fractional gallon value. (All DC beverage tax proof images courtesy of the National Postal Museum)
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