Lot 3

(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--PRELUDE.) Mounted stamp from the Stamp Act of 1765

Previous image preload Next image preload

(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--PRELUDE.) Mounted stamp from the Stamp Act of 1765

Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000

Current Bid: $9,000

(1 Bid)

by Swann Auction Galleries
June 25, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
Live Auction
104 East 25th Street
New York, NY, US 10010

THE LITTLE PIECE OF PAPER WHICH STARTED IT ALL


Mounted stamp from the Stamp Act of 1765.
No place, circa 1765
Embossed stamp on blue-gray paper reading "II Shillings VI Pence," just over 1½ inches square, mounted as issued on a slightly larger piece of vellum, with a small period staple sealed on verso by a printed revenue cypher, just under 1 inch square, partly lacking; light soiling. 


The Stamp Act of 1765 required expensive duty stamps to be affixed to many kinds of legal documents. The cost was higher in the colonies than in England, which sparked resistance from colonial legislatures and Sons of Liberty street protests in Boston, New York, and beyond. The act was repealed in March 1766, but the idea of liberty had taken root.

"The embossed revenue stamp could be impressed upon ordinary paper; however, it was not possible to impress the stamp on vellum. Instead, for documents prepared on vellum, the revenue stamp was impressed upon either beige or dark blue paper, which had been glued and stapled to the vellum. The back of the staple was covered with a cypher bearing the Coat of Arms of George III, probably to prevent reuse of the embossed stamp. These cyphers are thought to be the inspiration for the first adhesive postage stamps."--Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Koeppel and the museum have traced only 42 surviving examples of these free-standing vellum stamp preparations, with only 11 on blue-gray paper as seen in the present example. Koeppel, The Stamps that Caused the American Revolution, pages 2, 20-22; Scott RM-31.

  • Medium: No place, circa 1765
  • Condition: Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
32.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
27.00%
$1,000,001+:
17.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000