Thursday June 9, June 16, and June 23 from 7-8PM
Confused when trying to decipher “back of the book” listings?
Finally, a course that will explain B.O.B mysteries and provide historical perspectives of the times!
Course Description: During the COVID pandemic many collectors are reported to have reached into the back of the Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue to explore the revenue stamps that show (1) the payment of government taxes, (2) the payment of fees for government services, or (3) that one has a credit with the government. During this threesession course we will begin with the import duties on distilled spirits, wine, and teas that Alexander Hamilton thought would be sufficient to support the new nation in the 1790’s. There will be more internal taxes in the 1790’s, only to be abolished by Thomas Jefferson. But some of these taxes came back to help pay for the War of 1812. From there we will jump to the federal taxes that helped to pay for the Spanish-American War: documentary, proprietary, and beer stamps from 1898 – 1902. Finally, we will look at the return to taxation of various kinds of documents, proprietary items, and cordials and wine. These would pay for the enlargement of the federal government and for the expansion of trade as Europe engaged in the Great War.
Intended Audience (who should attend): Beginning to advanced collectors
Instructor Bio: Dr. Ronald Lesher is a long-time philatelic exhibitor and a nationally and internationally accredited judge. Ron’s column, “The Tax Collector”, has appeared in most issues of The American Stamp Dealer & Collector. Lesher has been a frequent contributor to The American Revenuer and State Revenue News; his research also has appeared in The American Philatelist and The U.S. Specialist. In 2021 he received the Luff Award for distinguished philatelic research.
Visit the Summer Seminar Page to register for the course!