Bob Rose was our speaker in December on the topic “U.S. Revenues donated to the Philatelic Foundation by the National Postal Museum.” Bob started out with a detailed history of the NPM’s effort to sell the millions of excess revenue stamps it held, including a review of the two Matthew Bennett revenue stamp auctions. He also showed an extensive listing of the many thousands of stamps donated to the PF by the NPM in 2017.
Bob brought a number of these rare revenue stamps to our meeting that evening. He showed full booklet panes (of 4 stamps each, including tabs) of the $1,000 and $10,000 documentary revenue stamps. He also showed examples of the $400 wine stamp, a 1/3 barrel beer stamp and the very rare 1.7 cent wine stamp.
This was followed by sheets (of 4 stamps) of the 25, 100 and 500 barrel beer stamps. Bob also showed 4-stamp booklets of the $1,000 Silver Tax stamp, along with booklet panes of the $30, $50, $100 and $500 Silver Tax stamps. Another item was the $100 Marihuana stamp, also in a booklet pane of 4.
Finally, Bob brought out uncut sheets of Stock Transfer stamps (containing 4 panes of 4 stamps each) of the high values, ranging from $30 to $10,000. Needless to say, we were all astonished with these wonderfully rare stamps that are now held by the PF!