Series 1868 Distilled Spirits 40 Gallons, Proof on Card

Black proof on card of the 1868 distilled spirits stamp, 40 gallon denomination. This is a production item produced for the 1869 edition of “The American Bond Detector,” a guide for helping to detect counterfeit currency, bonds, and taxpaid stamps. The book’s illustrations were produced from original Treasury Department dies and plates to which “pie cut” defacements were intentionally added. The second image is for reference — a scan of the full page from the Bond Detector on which the stamp was illustrated.

Examples of the 40 gallon stamp itself are rare. This items represents an opportunity to acquire a proof made from the original Treasury Department die in superb condition.