RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
George Washington
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: c. 1778
Attribution: Jean-Victor Dupin, 1718 - 1818?
Sitter: George Washington, 22 Feb 1732 - 14 Dec 1799
Medium: Engraving on paper
Dimensions: Image: 16.2 x 11.4cm (6 3/8 x 4 1/2")
Sheet: 26.2 x 19.9cm (10 5/16 x 7 13/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Topics: Business and Finance
Cannon
Shield
Natural resources commerce
Dress accessories
Symbols & Motifs
Colonial statesman
Weapons
Statesman
Swords
Military and Intelligence
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Public officers
Presidents
Congressional Gold Medal
Farmers
Sash
Government
Cannonball
Portraits
Flags
Civilian awards
Headgear
Science and Technology
Agriculturists
Surveyors
Costume
Men
Hats
Politics
Officer
[None]
Alexander Anderson
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Drawing
Date: c. 1804
Artist: Garret Lansing, 1804 - 1840?
Sitter: Alexander Anderson, 1775 - 1870
Medium: Ink on paper
Dimensions: Sheet: 25 × 18.6 cm (9 13/16 × 7 5/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Marvin Sadik
Topics: Neckwear
Art
Arts and Culture
Bowtie
Costume
Men
Neckties
Dress accessories
Portraits
Artists
G. Lansing
George Washington
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1798
Artist: William Nutter, 1754 - 1802
Copy after: Gilbert Stuart, 3 Dec 1755 - 9 Jul 1828
Sitter: George Washington, 22 Feb 1732 - 14 Dec 1799
Medium: Stipple engraving printed in color
Dimensions: Image: 22.5 × 18.5 cm (8 7/8 × 7 5/16")
Sheet: 24 × 19.7 cm (9 7/16 × 7 3/4")
Mount: 25 × 21 × 1.3 cm (9 13/16 × 8 1/4 × 1/2")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Gerard H. Gover
Topics: Business and Finance
Congressional Gold Medal
Neckwear
Farmers
Ruff
Government
Natural resources commerce
Dress accessories
Portraits
Civilian awards
Science and Technology
Colonial statesman
Agriculturists
Statesman
Surveyors
Costume
Military and Intelligence
Men
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Public officers
Politics
Collar
Presidents
Officer
[None]
George Washington
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Art Implement
Date: c. 1775-80
Artist: Johann Gottlieb Schmidt, 1742 - 1800
Copy after: Unidentified Artist
Sitter: George Washington, 22 Feb 1732 - 14 Dec 1799
Medium: Copper plate
Dimensions: Image: 15 × 10.3 cm (5 7/8 × 4 1/16")
Plate: 19.4 × 14.2 cm (7 5/8 × 5 9/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Topics: Business and Finance
Natural resources commerce
Dress accessories
Colonial statesman
Statesman
Printing plate
Military and Intelligence
Feather
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Public officers
Presidents
Nature
Printing surface
Congressional Gold Medal
Olive branch
Farmers
Government
Portraits
Ecology
Civilian awards
Headgear
Tricorne
Science and Technology
Agriculturists
Surveyors
Costume
Men
Hats
Politics
Officer
[None]
William Carnegie
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: c. 1805
Artist: J. Hibbert, Jr., 1775 - 1875?
Sitter: William Carnegie, 19 Apr 1758 - 28 May 1831
Medium: Engraving on paper
Dimensions: Image: 25.4 x 18cm (10 x 7 1/16")
Sheet: 37.8 x 27.6cm (14 7/8 x 10 7/8")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Topics: Weapons
Ships
Swords
Costume
Military and Intelligence
Seascape
Men
Dress accessories
Portraits
Waterscapes
Vehicles
Officer
[None]
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquis and 2nd Earl Cornwallis
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1793
Artist: John Jones, 1745 - 1797
Copy after: Daniel Gardner, 1750 - 1805
Sitter: Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquis and 2nd Earl Cornwallis, 1738 - 1805
Medium: Mezzotint on paper
Dimensions: Image: 60.6 x 38.1cm (23 7/8 x 15")
Sheet: 63.3 x 41.9cm (24 15/16 x 16 1/2")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Monroe H. Fabian
Topics: Nature
Soldiers
Government
Portraits
Ecology
Marquis
Headgear
Nobility
Tricorne
Animals
Human Figures
Weapons
Swords
Costume
Military and Intelligence
Men
Horses
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Hats
Politics
Aristocracy (Social class)
Officer
CHARLES MARQUIS CORNWALLIS.
Painted by D. G. Dandier
Pub d as the Act directs, March 6 th 1798 by J. Jones N o 78 Great Portland Street Portland Place.
Engraved by J. Jones & J. Agnew, Extraordinary Clerk to His Excellency the Earl of Cornwallis, and Principal Engraver to His Excellency the Duke of York.
George Washington
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1796
Artist: Louis Charles Ruotte, 1754 - 1806
Copy after: Francois Bonneville
Pierre Eugène Du Simitière, c. 1736 - 1784
Sitter: George Washington, 22 Feb 1732 - 14 Dec 1799
Medium: Engraving on paper
Dimensions: Image: 10.3 × 8.5 cm (4 1/16 × 3 3/8")
Sheet: 24.7 × 18.3 cm (9 3/4 × 7 3/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Marvin Sadik
Topics: Business and Finance
Congressional Gold Medal
Farmers
Illustration
Government
Natural resources commerce
Dress accessories
Portraits
Civilian awards
Science and Technology
Colonial statesman
Agriculturists
Statesman
Surveyors
Costume
Military and Intelligence
Tassel
Men
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Public officers
Politics
Presidents
Officer
G. WASHINGTON.
Né en Virginie année 1733.
Commandant en Chef des Armées et Président Du Congrès d'Amérique.
Paris rue S. Jacques N o 295.
Marquis De Lafayette
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: c. 1815
Artist: Unidentified Artist
Sitter: Marquis de Lafayette, 6 Sep 1757 - 20 May 1834
Medium: Lithograph on paper
Dimensions: Image: 23.9 × 24.1 cm (9 7/16 × 9 1/2")
Sheet: 34.1 × 25.9 cm (13 7/16 × 10 3/16")
Mat: 55.9 × 40.7 cm (22 × 16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Topics: Military and Intelligence
Men
Portraits
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Officer
LAFAYETTE.
Benjamin Franklin
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1782
Artist: J. Pelicier, active 1780 - 1790
Sitter: Benjamin Franklin, 17 Jan 1706 - 17 Apr 1790
Medium: Engraving on paper
Dimensions: Image: 8.2 × 6 cm (3 1/4 × 2 3/8")
Sheet: 25.5 × 18 cm (10 1/16 × 7 1/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; transfer from the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topics: Social Welfare and Reform
Business and Finance
Legislators
Arts and Culture
Writers
Dress accessories
Eagles
Printer
Printed Material
Colonial statesman
Statesman
Signer of Declaration
Public officers
Diplomats
Nature
Wreath
Literature
Congressmen
Government
Diplomacy
Birds
Portraits
Ecology
Plants
Tradesman
Continental congressman
Science and Technology
Fur trim
Animals
Inventors
Lightning
Costume
Men
Philanthropists
Politics
Scientists
Postmasters
J. Felicier. Sculp. 1782.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Jeffrey Amherst
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1782
Artist: T. P.
Sitter: Jeffrey Amherst, 29 Jan 1717 - 3 Aug 1797
Medium: Etching on paper
Dimensions: Image: 15.8 × 8.9 cm (6 1/4 × 3 1/2")
Sheet: 25.5 × 17.9 cm (10 1/16 × 7 1/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; transfer from the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topics: Government
Portraits
Governors
British Army
Colonial Governor
Weapons
Swords
Military and Intelligence
Men
Public officers
Politics
Aristocracy (Social class)
Baron
Officer
L d John Cust
J
published 6 April 1782 by C. Breherton
William Loughton Smith
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Art Implement
Date: 1798-99
Artist: Gilles-Louis Chrétien, 1754 - 1811
Copy after: Amable-Nicolas Fournier, 1789 - 1854
Sitter: William Loughton Smith, 1758 - 1812
Medium: Copper plate
Dimensions: Plate: 8 x 6.7cm (3 1/8 x 2 5/8")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Topics: Printing surface
Business and Finance
Legislators
Congressmen
Government
Diplomacy
Natural resources commerce
Portraits
Lawyers
Planter
Agriculturists
Printing plate
Men
Public officers
Law and Crime
Politics
Diplomats
Minister
Christoph Friedrich von Bopp 1742-1804
Phillis Wheatley
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1773
Artist: Unidentified Artist
Publisher: A. Bell Publisher
Sitter: Phillis Wheatley, c. 1753 - 5 Dec 1784
Medium: Engraving on paper
Dimensions: Image: 12.8 x 10cm (5 1/16 x 3 15/16")
Sheet: 14.9 x 10.2cm (5 7/8 x 4")
Mat: 45.7 x 35.6cm (18 x 14")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Topics: Women
Books and reading
Arts and Culture
Literature
Writers
Papers
Quill
Portraits
Home Furnishings
Drafting & Writing Implements
Furnishings
Printed Material
Inkstand
Chairs
Seating
Tables
Law and Crime
Poets
Pens
Enslaved person
PHILLIS WHEATLEY, NEGRO SERVANT to Mr. JOHN WHEATLEY, of BOSTON.
Published according to Act of Parliament, Sept. r 1, 1773 by Arch. d Bell,
Bookseller N o 8 near the Saracens Head Aldgate.
Elizabeth Washington Gamble Wirt
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Painting
Date: c. 1809-10
Artist: Cephas Thompson, 1 Jul 1775 - 6 Nov 1856
Former attribution: John Vanderlyn, 15 Oct 1775 - 23 Sep 1852
Sitter: Elizabeth Washington Gamble Wirt, 30 Jan 1784 - 24 Jan 1857
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: Frame: 111.1 x 94.6 x 6.4cm (43 3/4 x 37 1/4 x 2 1/2")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Topics: Design
Women
Arts and Culture
Literature
Writers
Interior decoration
Portraits
[None]
Elizabeth Lonsdale Kay Daingerfield
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Drawing
Date: c. 1804-1806
Artist: Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, 12 Mar 1770 - 23 Jun 1852
Sitter: Elizabeth Lonsdale Kay Daingerfield, 1777 - 1845
Medium: Watercolor on paper
Dimensions: Sheet: 16.8cm x 14.5cm (6 5/8" x 5 11/16")
Mount: 23cm x 18cm (9 1/16" x 7 1/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Richard Dudley Sears family
Topics: Women
Chairs
Seating
Costume
Jewelry
Portraits
Home Furnishings
Furnishings
Brooch
[None]
Elizabeth Linn Brown
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Painting
Date: c. 1806
Artist: William Dunlap, 18 Feb 1766 - 28 Sep 1839
Sitter: Elizabeth Linn Brown, 1775 - 1834
Place: United States/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Philadelphia
Medium: Watercolor on ivory
Dimensions: 6.7cm x 5.3cm (2 5/8" x 2 1/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; given in loving memory of Katharine Lea Hancock by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren Conserved with funds from the Smithsonian Women's Committee
Topics: Women
Portraits
[None]
Col. Lewis Morris, IV
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Painting
Date: c. 1800
Artist: Unidentified Artist
Sitter: Col. Lewis Morris IV, 1752? - 1824
Medium: Watercolor on ivory
Dimensions: 8.1cm x 6.5cm (3 3/16" x 2 9/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; bequest of Herbert Leldon Kirk in memory of his wife, Ruth Chapman Kirk
Topics: Soldiers
Military and Intelligence
Men
Portraits
American Revolution (1775-1783)
[None]
Ann Elliott Morris
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Painting
Date: c. 1800
Artist: Unidentified Artist
Sitter: Ann Elliott Morris, 1763 - 1848
Medium: Watercolor on ivory
Dimensions: 8.1cm x 6.3cm (3 3/16" x 2 1/2")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; bequest of Herbert Leldon Kirk in memory of his wife, Ruth Chapman Kirk
Topics: Women
Bonnet
Costume
Portraits
Hats
Headgear
[None]
Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Drawing
Date: 1805
Artist: Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, 12 Mar 1770 - 23 Jun 1852
Sitter: Elisha Cullen Dick, 1762 - 1825
Place: United States/Virginia/Alexandria/Alexandria
Medium: Black and white chalk on pink prepared paper on wooden strainer
Dimensions: Image: 48.7 x 36cm (19 3/16 x 14 3/16")
Sheet: 55.2 x 40cm (21 3/4 x 15 3/4")
Frame: 72.5 × 56.7 × 5.7cm (28 9/16 × 22 5/16 × 2 1/4")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Donald T. Nowill
Topics: Medicine and Health
Physicians
Men
Portraits
[None]
James Riddle
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Drawing
Date: c. 1798-1802
Artist: Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, 12 Mar 1770 - 23 Jun 1852
Sitter: James Riddle, Feb 1755 - c. 1825
Place: United States/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/Philadelphia
Medium: Black and white chalk on pink prepared paper on canvas
Dimensions: Image: 49.3 x 30cm (19 7/16 x 11 13/16")
Sheet: 55.9 x 40.7cm (22 x 16")
Frame: 72.4 × 56.5 × 5.1cm (28 1/2 × 22 1/4 × 2")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Langdon R. Stevenson
Topics: Men
Portraits
Law and Crime
Judges
[None]
Samuel Murgatroyd
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1798
Artist: Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, 12 Mar 1770 - 23 Jun 1852
Sitter: Samuel Murgatroyd
Medium: Engraving on paper
Dimensions: Sheet: 7 x 7cm (2 3/4 x 2 3/4")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Estate of William Woodville
Topics: Business and Finance
Merchants
Businessperson
Men
Portraits
Drawn & engr. d by J. t. Nemin Philad. a
Samuel Murgatroyd
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1798
Artist: Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, 12 Mar 1770 - 23 Jun 1852
Sitter: Samuel Murgatroyd
Medium: Engraving on paper
Dimensions: Sheet: 7 x 7cm (2 3/4 x 2 3/4")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Estate of William Woodville
Topics: Business and Finance
Merchants
Businessperson
Men
Portraits
Drawn & engr. by J. Nemin Philad. a
Patrick Lyon
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: c. 1800
Artist: James Akin, c. 1773 - 1846
Sitter: Patrick Lyon, 1769 - 1829
Medium: Engraving on paper
Dimensions: Image: 14 x 11.4 cm (5 1/2 x 4 1/2")
Imprint: 17.7 x 11.4 cm (6 15/16 x 4 1/2")
Sheet: 19.4 x 14.1 cm (7 5/8 x 5 1/2")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Topics: Design
Prison
Business and Finance
Locksmith
Blacksmith
Interior decoration
Men
Portraits
Tradesman
Metalworker
Printed Material
Grav'd by J. Allen
PATRICK. LYON,
who suffered Three months severe imprisonment on merely a vague suspicion for the internal Robbery of the Bank of Pennsylvania.
Elizabeth Grimké Rutledge
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Painting
Date: c. 1791
Attribution: John Trumbull, 6 Jun 1756 - 10 Nov 1843
Sitter: Elizabeth Grimké Rutledge, ? - 1792
Medium: Oil on mahogany panel
Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.6 x .3 cm (4 1/16 x 3 x 1/8" )
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Topics: Women
Portraits
[None]
M. de Rochemont
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1806
Artist: Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, 12 Mar 1770 - 23 Jun 1852
Sitter: M. de Rochemont, Late 18th - 19th century
Place: United States/District of Columbia/Washington
Medium: Engraving and roulette on paper
Dimensions: Image: 5.6 x 5.6 cm. (2 3/16 x 2 3/16 in.)
Sheet: 8.9 x 7.3 cm. (3 1/2 x 2 7/8 in.)
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Estate of William Woodville, VIII
Topics: Men
Portraits
[None]
John Samuel Sherburne
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1805
Artist: Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, 12 Mar 1770 - 23 Jun 1852
Sitter: John Samuel Sherburne, 1757 - 1830
Place: United States/District of Columbia/Washington
Medium: Engraving and roulette on paper
Dimensions: Image: 5.6 x 5.6 cm. (2 3/16 x 2 3/16 in.)
Sheet: 6.4 x 7 cm. (2 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.)
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Estate of William Woodville, VIII
Topics: Legislators
Congressmen
Government
Costume
Men
Dress accessories
Portraits
Public officers
Law and Crime
Politics
Stock
Jurist
[None]
John Trippe
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1809
Artist: Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, 12 Mar 1770 - 23 Jun 1852
Sitter: John Trippe, 1785 - 1810
Medium: Engraving and roulette on paper
Dimensions: Image: 5.6 x 5.6 cm. (2 3/16 x 2 3/16 in.)
Sheet: 7.9 x 7.3 cm. (3 1/8 x 2 7/8 in.)
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Estate of William Woodville, VIII
Topics: Costume
Military and Intelligence
Men
Dress accessories
Portraits
Stock
Officer
[None]
J. Wiest
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Drawing
Date: c. 1805
Artist: Augustus Day, active c. 1800 - 1834
Sitter: J. Wiest, 18th - 19th century
Medium: Pencil and opaque white on paper
Dimensions: Image: 10.9 x 5.6 cm (4 5/16 x 2 3/16")
Sheet: 12.7 x 8.8 cm (5 x 3 1/2")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Estate of William Woodville, VIII
Topics: Costume
Men
Dress accessories
Portraits
John Sessford
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: c. 1803-10
Artist: Charles Peale Polk, 17 Mar 1767 - 6 May 1822
Sitter: John Sessford, 1776 - 1862
Medium: Verre églomisé
Dimensions: Glass: 14.1cm x 12.1cm (5 9/16" x 4 3/4")
Frame: 21.8cm x 20.1cm (8 9/16" x 7 15/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Estate of William Woodville, VIII
Topics: Arts and Culture
Columnist
Literature
Writers
Men
Portraits
Journalism
History
Journalism and Media
Unidentified Man
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: c. 1790
Attribution: Edme Quenedey, 1756 - 1830
Sitter: Unidentified Man
Medium: Roulette and engraving on paper
Dimensions: Image: 5 x 5 cm. (1 15/16 x 1 15/16 in.)
Sheet: 6.3 x 6.3 cm. (2 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.)
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Estate of William Woodville, VIII
Topics: Costume
Men
Dress accessories
Portraits
Stock
[None]
John Thurman
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Drawing
Date: 1797
Artist: Thomas Bluget de Valdenuit, 1763 - 1846
Sitter: John Thurman, 1732/3 - 1809
Medium: Black and white chalk on pink-coated cream paper
Dimensions: Image: 45 x 31.7 cm. (17 11/16 x 12 1/2")
Sheet: 53.5 x 38.2 cm. (21 1/16 x 15 1/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Patricia White Rockwood
Topics: Business and Finance
Merchants
Businessperson
Men
Portraits
Developer
Valdeneit 1797
John Thurman
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Object type: Print
Date: 1798
Artist: Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, 12 Mar 1770 - 23 Jun 1852
Copy after: Thomas Bluget de Valdenuit, 1763 - 1846
Sitter: John Thurman, 1732/3 - 1809
Medium: Line engraving and stipple engraving on paper
Dimensions: Image: 5.6 x 5.6 cm. (2 3/16 x 2 3/16")
Sheet: 6.2 x 6.2 cm. (2 7/16 x 2 7/16")
Credit line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Patricia White Rockwood
Topics: Business and Finance
Merchants
Businessperson
Men
Portraits
Developer
[None]
Stamp from the Stamp Act of 1765
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Postage Stamps
Date: 1765
Place: GREAT BRITAIN
Medium: blue-grey paper; vellum; ink; metal
Dimensions: Height x Width: 1 13/16 × 1 3/4 in. (4.6 × 4.45 cm)
Alternative titles: Scott Catalogue Great Britain RM31a
Topics: Colonial Era (1607-1776)
U.S. Stamps
Description: In 1765, the British Parliament passed An Act for Granting and Applying Certain Stamp Duties in the British Colonies and Plantations in America, commonly called "The Stamp Act of 1765." Parliament had imposed taxes through the use of embossed revenue stamps, also known as impressed duty stamps, in Britain since 1694. In addition, between 1755 and 1757, Massachusetts colony instituted a tax using embossed revenues, while New York colony imposed a similar tax between 1757 and 1760. Despite the history of taxation in the colonies, the Stamp Act generated intense opposition, in part because the taxes were imposed at higher rates in the colonies than in England. The Stamp Act required that certain court documents, contracts, and property transfers be executed on stamped paper or they would be subject to penalties and would not be enforceable.
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.
The 2-shilling 6-pence stamp paid the tax on a variety of contracts, leases, conveyances, protests, and bills of sale, as well as conveyances of real property of more than two hundred acres but not more than 320 acres. The 2-shilling 6- pence stamp is the most common of all of the Stamp Act revenues. There are approximately forty to fifty stamps recorded. However, all but eleven or twelve are off document. Most of the off-document examples are unused stamps on colored paper stapled to vellum. It is speculated that these may be remainders that were discovered many years after repeal of the tax.
This example is one of forty-two copies known, and one of only eleven on blue-grey paper. The remaining copies are on blue, beige, or white paper.
The stamp pictured here is in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum's permanent collection. John A. Brill of Philadelphia donated it to the National Philatelic Collection on May 25, 1889. According to the donor, the stamp was from the estate of "the Hon. Welbore Ellis, Commissioner of the Internal Revenue for Great Britain," by whom he likely meant Welbore Ellis Agar, an art collector and a commissioner of His Majesty's Customs (1776 -1805).
Reference:
Koeppel, Adolph. The Stamps that Caused the American Revolution. Manhasset, New York: Town of North Hempstead American Revolution Bicentennial Committee, 1976.