Seal

Object/Artifact

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Seal

Entry/Object ID

VC.2005.43

Description

Custom duty stamp set of the US Revenue Cutter Service: top stamp has a circular border on which is written "FIFTY CENTS"; center image is that of a eagle standing on one foot and holding a shield containing 13 vertical stripes; the eagle has its head turned to its right; bottom stamp has a rectangular border except for the top edge which is curved; within border is "COM.REV.C.S." on top and "L * CENTS" at bottom; in center within a rope circular border is 13 stars in horizontal rows of 1/4/3/4/1.

Collection

Van Cortlandt Manor Object Collection

Made/Created

Date made

1800

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

See description

Material

Laid paper

Condition

Notes

Remarks: The embossing lacks sharp definition on the circular edge above the eagles head on the top embossing stamp. there are scattered stains. There is glue and scotch tape on the back of the object.

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

On August 4, 1790 Congress authorized the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, to create a maritime service to enforce customs laws. Alternately known as the system of cutters, Revenue Service, and Revenue-Marine this service would officially named the Revenue Cutter Service in 1863. This would be similar to the notation on the bottom stamp "COM.REV.C.S.". In 1915 this service was incorporated into the U.S. Coast Guard. Some information about the intended use of the duty seal is contained in Alexander Hamilton's letter of instruction to the officers of the revenue cutters dated 4 June 1791 as follows: "You are empowered, amongst other things, to affix seals on packages found in certain situations. For this purpose, proper seals will be prepared and transmitted. Till they are required, any other may be made use of". Source: BOX Files PCR to SS 1951-52. Found in Map drawer at Bellwood. See MEMO in File folder for Alexander Hamilton's 1791 letter of instructions to the Commanding Officers of the Revenue service regarding the arbitrary style of the initial seals. See also possible additional research avenues in the National Archives branches at NARA-Boston & NARA-Philadelphia. Finding Aid for this collection is Holdcamper, Forrest . "Preliminary Inventory of the Bureau of Customs NC154". NARA, 1968. The microfilm records of interest are Letters of the Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton sent (M175) to Collectors of Customs and received (M174) and a correspondent file (M178).

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Union Church, Storage, Shelf 29B

Note Type

Department

Note

Curatorial