1898 Battleship Revenue Stamps

Spanish-American War Revenue Stamps

Beginning in 1895, Cuba had been fighting a war of independence from Spain. When riots broke out in Havana in January 1898, President McKinley sent the battleship USS Maine to protect American citizens and interests. On February 15, 1898 – just three weeks after arriving – the Maine mysteriously exploded in Havana Harbor, killing 266 crew members. The rallying cry "Remember the Maine!" helped ignite the Spanish-American War.

To fund the war effort, Congress passed the War Revenue Act of 1898, imposing taxes on consumer goods ranging from patent medicines to playing cards. These taxes required revenue stamps affixed to the products. Among the most striking designs were these battleship stamps – issued the same year the Maine tragedy shocked the nation. The majestic battleship imagery captured America's naval pride during the war that would establish the United States as a world power.

Get a mix of used and unused 1898 Battleship Revenue stamps with small imperfections that don't detract from their beauty or collectability.  These stamps were printed on paper with the “USIR” watermark.  They are rouletted 5½.

Order today and receive:
US #RB20
US #RB21
US #RB22
US #RB23
US #RB25
US #RB27
US #R162 (used and unused)
US #R163
US #R164 (used and unused)
US #R167
US #R168
US #R169
US #R171