This tintype carte bears a revenue stamp on its mount canceled by
"O.J. Hamlin, Artist". Another revenue on the back of the
tintype itself is tied by a dateless postal circular
marking that reads "CHASE MILLS N.Y."
This revenue stamp seems to have been accepted to pay the 2¢
drop rate. While such uses are known for letters, this item is the
only use of revenues for both postage and taxation on a single item
that I have encountered.
The facts that the postal marking ties the stamp and that I.R.S
records show that Hamlin operated a studio a plausible
25 miles from Chase Mills seem to authenticate the item.
What is puzzling however, is how it was addressed. Perhaps a lost
enclosure was slipped into the tintype holder. Or is it possible
that the photographer's cancellation was the address?
The portrait is of a woman. A sitter/admirer perhaps?...
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