Revenue stamps used postally

Abstract

Postal authorities often made a formal distinction between adhesives used for mail, and those meant for the collection of revenues. Those labels could not, at times, be used interchangeably. Accounting systems required an easy identification of monies collected from the sale of postage-stamps, from those collected for other fiscal purposes. Postage-stamps used fiscally appear to be quite common. They are usually seen on documents other than letters, such as permits, applications, advertising posters, receipts and court documents which required the payment of a levy. An ink cancellation, or, alternatively, a hand-stamp-police, customs, etc, as the case may be - annuls the postage adhesive used fiscally. [excerpt]