Playing-Card Tax Stamps from the U.S.A.

The U.S.A. did not use stamps on a card, but adhesive stamps on the package, the 'Internal Revenue Stamps'. At some times there were different stamps used concurrently. Also revenue stamps not explicitly meant for playing-cards were used for them (and vice versa).

Above is one of the stamps in use from 1862 to 1883. The text is 'U. S. INTER. REV.' or 'U. S. INTER. REVENUE', 'PLAYING CARDS', and the value, e.g. 'FOUR - CENTS'. The value needed depended on the price of the cards. The stamp was hand-cancelled or stamp-cancelled.

From 1864, playing-card manufacturers were allowed to have their own 'private die' tax stamps.