Faced with the financial demands of the Civil War, our Federal government issued the Revenue Act of 1862. This Act created ways to raise new revenue, as well as formed the Department of Internal Revenue. Nearly every kind of document was taxed (including deeds, insurance policies, telegrams, stock certificates, etc) and what were considered luxuries (such as playing cards, liquor, tobacco, matches, perfume.) Revenue stamps were designed to affix to these various items proving that the tax had been paid. Not enough!Doesn't the stamp help date the photo? Read somewhere that the stamp wasn't used before 1864, or some such date.
Welcome to the forum. What size are these photos?First off I would like to say this is a great site! I recent got a few photos and the men appear to look familiar but I am not certain of who they could be any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!View attachment 3283
Playing card size and cardboard would seem to indicate that they are "cabinet cards" and that would date them around early 1870's to 1924.Thanks correction 2 & 5 (not #4 as mentioned above) are playing card size (cardboard type stock) and the others are locket gems (metal)