Group of 15 Bank Drafts - 1860's and 70's dated Checks

15 Checks of the Hightstown Bank of New Jersey all with 10, 5 or 2 cents Washington revenue stamps. The initial revenue stamps in the United States were utilized for a short period during colonial times, with the Stamp Act being one of the most significant instances of their use. Following the nation’s independence, the first revenue stamps produced by the United States government were issued during the American Civil War, driven by the pressing necessity to generate funds to cover the substantial expenses incurred. Nevertheless, even after the conclusion of the war, the use of revenue stamps and the taxes they represented persisted. These stamps were employed to pay tax duties on items categorized primarily as Proprietary and Documentary. Proprietary stamps were used for tax duties on products such as alcohol and tobacco, as well as for various services, while Documentary stamps were designated for legal documents, mortgage deeds, stocks, and numerous other legal transactions. Both Proprietary and Documentary stamps typically displayed their respective labels, although several issues featured similar designs with slight variations. The issuance of the first revenue stamps commenced in 1862, and their use continued for over a century. For the initial twelve years, George Washington was the sole figure depicted on U.S. revenue stamps, until an allegorical representation of Liberty was introduced in 1875. Revenue stamps were produced in a wide array of types and denominations, making them highly sought after by collectors and historians alike. The use of revenue stamps was ultimately discontinued on December 31, 1967.