Taxes have always been with us; when the first postage stamps made their appearance in 1840, revenue stamps had already been in use for over 200 years. The early stamps were embossed or printed on the document being taxed but there is a known use of a tax stamp, as an adhesive, used in Furstenberg, Germany, dated March 25, 1775.

Among revenues may be found stamps rich in historical associations, stamps beautiful, quaint and novel in design and form, and stamps possessing an integrity of purpose sadly lacking in modern postage issues. (Not to mention stamps far rarer than any “airmail invert” at a tiny fraction of the price!)

Beyond revenue stamps as such, lies the rich and endless field of other non-postal Cinderellas---stamps, stamped paper, seals, labels, things and devices issued publicly and privately, officially and unofficially, to serve a bewildering variety of purposes.

Interest in the revenue and Cinderella fields is growing rapidly, and as a present or potential collector of these fascinating stamps, you may wonder where to turn for up-to-date information, where to obtain needed material unavailable from most dealers, and how to contact fellow collectors with similar interests. There is just one answer---The American Revenue Association!

Founded in 1947, the ARA is a non-profit corporation serving the needs and interests of ALL collectors of revenues, tax stamps, stamped paper, telegraph and railroad stamps, and general non-postal Back-of-the-Book material---U. S. and foreign, federal, state, provincial, local, municipal and private. The ARA is by far the largest, oldest and fastest-growing national or international society fulfilling this goal.

The ARA Offers You As A Member..

THE AMERICAN REVENUER---The journal of the American Revenue Association, The American Revenuer, is published six times per year and features illustrated articles on every phase of fiscal and Cinderella philately---U. S. and foreign, Scott and non-Scott, historical data, catalogue listings, book reviews, and reports of new issues and discoveries.

This award winning journal is generally acknowledged as one of the finest in philately today. Every issue of TAR contains intriguing and exciting excursions into little-known and seldom-explored philatelic byways. Our advertisers, both dealers and collectors, are there to sell, trade and buy the stamps you need or have. Contributions to TAR are invited-YOUR discoveries, ideas and studies will find a welcome place in its pages.

LIBRARY---The ARA maintains a lending library of books, pamphlets, catalogues and periodicals, old and new, pertaining to revenues and cinderellas. Any of this material may be borrowed by members at no cost other than shipping both ways.

AUCTIONS AND SALES DEPARTMENT---The ARA Auction and Sales Departments offer members the opportunity to buy and sell revenue and Cinderella material through periodic auctions appearing in The American Revenuer and through sales books. Both foreign and United States revenue stamps are offered. These services allow members a prime opportunity to sell or obtain moderate to higher priced revenues and cinderellas at low commissions.

Membership Classes & Fees:

REGULAR MEMBERSHIP---Annual dues are $21 and include a subscription to The American Revenuer (TAR), Membership and Library directories and occasional special supplements to TAR. The ARA operates on a calendar year; dues are not prorated, new members joining after July 1st will be considered paid-up through the end of the following year.

CONTRIBUTING MEMBERSHIP---This optional class of membership pays a minimum of 150% of the regular dues. A special card is issued and the letters CM prefix the membership number. The ARA is a recognized non-profit organization under IRS section 501 (c)3 so that any amount paid beyond the regular dues is fully tax deductible.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP---Any member who is over 21 and has been a member for at least three years can become a life member by paying a fee equal to 20 times the regular membership fee. An application is available from the Secretary.

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP---This is conferred by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors in recognition of outstanding contributions to fiscal-philately or to the Association. Honorary Life Members are exempt from dues.

AIRMAIL SERVICE---Applicants residing outside of the USA, Canada or Mexico may add to their regular or contributing dues for airmail delivery of The American Revenuer. Copies of the magazine will then be airlifted to the country of destination then forwarded by surface mail; without this additional fee, all publications will be sent by surface mail. The schedule is as follows: Central America and Caribbean-$12, South America, Western Europe and North Africa-$16, and the rest of the world-$20.

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