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 Unused
US #RB21 Unused
US #RB22 Unused
US #RB23 Used
US #RB25 Used
US #RB27 Used
US #R162 Used
US #R163 Used
US #R164 Used and Unused
US #R167 Used
US #R168 Used
US #R169 Used
US #R171 Used