First, let me state that I only collect NCC cards manufactured between 1890 and 1904. The company was created in 1888 but the first cards left the factory probably in December 1889. On February 20, 1904 the United States Playing Card Company officially registered the NCC name as their trademark. This is why the price list page only shows the cards it does.
As the article on the left shows Tax Revenue Stamps for playing cards started again in 1894. Commonly called "Second Issue".
NCC card decks manufactured between 1890 and 1904 would only have 4 possible stamps on the box.
But, any deck sold before August 1894 would not have a revenue stamp. Only decks, sitting in the factory waiting to be shipped or in a store waiting to be sold, on that date would have gotten a stamp.
All of these stamps will have a USPC cancellation on them.
Pictures of the stamps are all shown below. For more detailed information just contact me and I'll send you an informative pdf about Tax Stamps.
If you have any deck with an unbroken stamp it may enhance the value. Some stamps may be worth more than your cards.
The stamps used were;
As the article on the left shows Tax Revenue Stamps for playing cards started again in 1894. Commonly called "Second Issue".
NCC card decks manufactured between 1890 and 1904 would only have 4 possible stamps on the box.
But, any deck sold before August 1894 would not have a revenue stamp. Only decks, sitting in the factory waiting to be shipped or in a store waiting to be sold, on that date would have gotten a stamp.
All of these stamps will have a USPC cancellation on them.
Pictures of the stamps are all shown below. For more detailed information just contact me and I'll send you an informative pdf about Tax Stamps.
If you have any deck with an unbroken stamp it may enhance the value. Some stamps may be worth more than your cards.
The stamps used were;
RF1 a 2 cent Red/Lake colored stamp with the words "On Hand August 1894". These were placed on decks that dealers still had for sale in their inventory. After that date the decks would be coming from the factory with a RF2, RF3 or RF4 stamp.
RF2 a 2 cent Ultramarine/Blue stamp with the words "Act of August 1894". These were placed on decks, by the Manufacturer before they left the factory. These stamps were used until 1895.
RF3 looks, to the untrained eye, to be a duplicate of RF2. But stamp collectors will look closely at Perforations and Roulettes on the edges to tell the difference. These appeared between 1896 and 1899 and used until 1917.
RF4 also looks like the others, but has more Perforations and usually the company name stamped on it. Watch for a cancellation date. It was used between 1902 and 1917.