Tried using all my charm and wiles, but the tellers would not give/sell me this. They were in a goofy mood though and let me take a pic! Any xtra info would be greatly appreciated.
Noost.. Very cool... the date on that check is my Birthday!! The engraved Dog should be in the (EL)you just got. Look how February is abbreviated...LOL Very cool... RickieB
I tried to get it for you for your bday lol. (note to self: bring glass cutter next time)I can't seem to find the dog. THought it was Bruno at first, but it is not. I wish I would have taken more time to get a better pic/examination, but didn't want to give them a chance to change their minds. And its pretty far away in a dry area for good finds
Very funny hontonai... :hug: ...just the first part of course the Feb 16... It would be like "Voices from the Grave" if I were that old. RickieB
That is super neat too see. Thanks for sharing this Noost, too bad you couldn't get hold of it yourself. So do you think someone tried to deposit this at the bank? hontonai beat me to the age joke... Sorry RickieB, it was the first thing that ocurred to me too... LOL! But I have a question about the date, what is the year on this? I only see 189x. Since there is a postage stamp on this, did someone actually mail this, unprotected in an envelope/carrier? I've seen a thread on CT about currency with postage stamps and understand that postage stamp engravers worked on currency engravings, so I'm curious if this check fits the category of currency with stamps on them and IF/WHY people would mail a check not placed in an envelope or carrier for more protection? For me, this is also an interesting piece to see because, Chase National Bank was the former bank merged with Bank of Manhattan Co. that created Chase Manhattan Bank, today's Chase Bank of JPMorgan Chase, where I currently do my banking.
Stamp Noost,very intresting ,was that 2 cent stamp cancelled ? Also I was wondering did people just slap stamps on checks & send without envelope ? I also collect post cards & some times you get an old stamp that hasn't been removed that is worth 10 times the price you paid for the post card. I've never seen a stamp cancelled on a bank check.
The stamp is a revenue stamp, not a postage stamp. There was a tax levied on many fiscal documents including checks to help pay for the Spanish-American War. The stamp shows the two cent tax was paid. There was also a tax on checks during and after the Civil War and briefly during 1933. The revenue stamps on Civil War era checks and other documents are well collected and there are collecting references on these. The 1933 tax was usually shown by a rubber stamp on the check. I have an example that I will post.
No wonder I couldn't find it anywhere. Looking for the wrong thing. Thanks Here is a link to the full size image I think it says 1891. And pretty sure it was from a 5/3rd bank or Independent bank because I was worried they wouldn't help me w/o an acct. Seems I have accts. at almost all other banks for some reason.
I think the check is the reason for the bank. Looks like the signers last name is Gay and the ribbon under Commercial bank says of Geo P. Glazier & Gay a co-partnership. Maybe its a paycheck? IDK
Very cool Noost....$ 87.03 was alot of Bling in those days....Payroll I think not unless it was for a doctor, lawyer, or Indian cheif....and that IMO would be a years pay. Go Ravens....going all the way this year!
The stamp in question is the famous "Battleship Revenue" Series of 1898 of Revenue Stamps made for both Documentary and Proprietary Revenue stamps. It features the USS Maine. http://www.battleship-revenues.com/ The 2 cent Documentary served several purposes: Battleship Revenues weren't the only revenue stamps used on checks: there was stamped revenue paper (which the check could be printed onto), and at least several different stamps (Orange and blue stamps that had the face of George Washington on it, one was a Blue Liberty Head). I've also seen regular postage stamps used in lieu of Revenue stamps to indicate tax paid as well.
Poking around the idea of making a Battleship Revenue article on Wikipedia, and found this: http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/taxstamps_20011008/refreshercourse.aspx
