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Playing Cards Revenue Stamp On Box Of Checkers

 
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Posted 02/04/2025   12:04 am  Show Profile Bookmark this topic Add John Becker to your friends list Get a Link to this Message
I recently came across this box of checkers, which has a "Playing Cards" revenue stamp affixed to it. Were checkers also taxed? (I.e., is this a proper use?) And what else beyond playing cards might have these stamps on them? I see no date or date code of any sort on the packaging. Are the regulations for taxing these readily available? A quick romp through ebay shows no other examples of such a use.





The stamp is Scott # RF27, perf 10 horizontal coil, with "A.P.C.CO." precancel for the Arrco Playing Card Co., which would indicate 1940 use or after
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Posted 02/04/2025   07:48 am  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add revenuermd to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
John,

The checkers were made by Halsam! I think that somehow the stamp got adhered to the checkers box. I know of no connection between Halsam and Arrco. The tax law specifies that these stamps were for decks of playing cards containing no more than 54 cards (the standard four suits of 13 cards each plus two jokers).
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Ron Lesher
Edited by revenuermd - 02/04/2025 07:48 am
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Posted 02/04/2025   10:12 am  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add revcollector to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
What would they have used on a deck of 8's and 9's pinochle cards plus jokers, which would be a deck of 58?
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Posted 02/04/2025   12:00 pm  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add revenuermd to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
Pinochle decks have fewer cards than a standard deck. There are no 8's and no jokers in a pinochle deck. So only 48 cards in a pinochle deck.
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Ron Lesher
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Posted 02/04/2025   1:09 pm  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add revcollector to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
That depends on the deck. I have seen decks with both 8's and 9's. I used to play with the family as a boy.
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Posted 02/04/2025   3:39 pm  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add m and m to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
Standard pinochle deck is nine thru ace twice each suit. Never saw any other cards used. I also played as a kid.
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Posted 02/04/2025   4:45 pm  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add Cjd to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
If we can believe Mystic:


Quote:
One tax stamp was required for every 54 cards in a deck (the 52 cards and two jokers). So a regular deck of 64 Double Pinochle cards would require two stamps, while a box of two Double Pinochle decks (which contained 128 cards) needed only three stamps.

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Posted 02/04/2025   8:07 pm  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add revenuermd to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
According to Brittanica and Wikipedia the Double Pinochle deck has 48 cards. That is the deck my parents had and I remember vividly playing with my parents and grandparents.
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Ron Lesher
Edited by revenuermd - 02/04/2025 8:09 pm
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Posted 02/04/2025   8:46 pm  Show Profile Bookmark this reply Add m and m to your friends list  Get a Link to this Reply
My understanding was one deck one stamp for each deck in the retail package.
a standard Pinochle deck has 48 cards. One stamp. Two sets in a package had two stamps. I have not heard of or seen any playing cards requiring more. Tarot cards maybe?
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Edited by m and m - 02/04/2025 8:56 pm
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