2017-12-19 Tue

The Revenue Act of 1862 imposed taxes on different products like patent medicines and matches to raise funds for Civil War. Payment of taxes was indicated by using Stamps. A discount of 5% to 10% was offered to manufacturers who designed and produced dies using their own money. These tax stamps were also used as advertising material and many grabbed this opportunity.

The 1¢ and 4¢ Holman Liver Pad Co. stamps are very interesting. Dr. George W. Holman produced pads filled with medicine. They were worn under the clothing so that the medicines are absorbed directly through the skin.

The stamp features Dr. George W. Holman wearing one of his liver pads. Holman claimed that the medicine would cure malaria, jaundice, dyspepsia, rheumatism, neuralgia, and seasickness.

The 1¢ stamp has a listed value of $22.50 and the 4¢ stamp has a listed value of $11.