1. 1
Insurance
Statutes
April 29, 1857
SECTION 1. [On and after the first day of July, eighteen hundred and fifty-seven, the
following tax is hereby imposed, … to wit: … [on] any policy of insurance, contract or
instrument in the nature thereof, upon any house, factory, machinery, ship, steamer or vessel,
of any description, any goods, wares, or merchandise, or furniture, or any life insurance,
one-half of the duty levied on bills of exchange.
April 26, 1858
SECTION 1. Section one [of the Act of April 29, 1857] is hereby amended so as to read as
follows:
Section one—The following tax is hereby imposed, … to wit: … [on] any policy of insurance,
contract, or instrument in the nature thereof, upon any house, factory, machinery, ship,
steamer, or vessel, of any description, any goods, wares, or merchandise, or furniture, or
any life insurance, if to run for one year or more, one-half of the duty levied on bills of lading
as herein provided; if for nine months and not more than twelve months, three-fourths of
the rates last above established; if for six months and not over nine months, one-half of
the above established rates; if for three months and not over six months, one-fourth of the
above established rates.
April 23, 1860
SECTION 1. The Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint
two Inspectors of Stamps to reside at the city of San Francisco.
SEC. 2. The duties of the Stamp Inspector[s] shall [include] … to inspect the records of
policies of insurance issued at the city of San Francisco.
May 9, 1861
SECTION 1. On and after the first day of May, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, the following
tax is hereby imposed, … to wit: … [on] any policy of insurance, contract, or instrument,
in the nature thereof, upon any house, factory, machinery, ship, steamer, or vessel, of any
description, any goods, wares, or merchandize, or furniture, or any life insurance, one-half
of the duty levied on bills of exchange.
April 10, 1862
SECTION 1. Section one of [the Act of May 9, 1861] is hereby amended so as to read as
follows:
Section 1. On and after the first day of May, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, the following
tax is hereby imposed, … to wit: … [on] any policy of insurance, contract, or instrument
in the nature thereof, upon any house, factory, machinery, ship, steamer, or vessel of any
description, any goods, wares, or merchandise, or furniture, or any life insurance, one-half
of the duty levied on bills of exchange, as herein provided: if for nine months, and not less
than six months, three-fourths of the rates last above established; if for six months, and not
less than three months, one half of the rates above established; if for three months, or less,
one-fourth of the rates above established.
SEC. 2. Section seven of said Act is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
Section 7. No instrument or writing whatever, executed on or after the first day of May,
eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and chargeable by this Act with the payment of duty, as
aforesaid, and no contract of insurance, made and entered into with any insurance company,
or companies, or individual insurers, upon property or lives within this State, or upon vessels,
freights, or merchandise, owned, shipped, or consigned, by or to any person or persons in
this State, shall be pleaded, or set up, or given, in evidence in any court, or admitted to be
available in law or equity, but shall be and remain absolutely void, unless the same shall
be stamped and marked, as aforesaid, and it shall not be lawful for any person or persons
owning or controlling property in this State, to insure the same with any such insurance
company or companies, or individual insurers, or to enter into any insurance contract,
or to receive any policy on which the stamp tax has not first been paid; and in default of

2. 2
such payment by said insurer, insurers, insurance company or companies, every person so
insured, or receiving unstamped policies, shall become liable to the State of California for the
amount of tax on the sums named to be insured by such unstamped policies. Any person
or persons refusing or failing to comply with the provisions of this Act, or acting as Agents
for any insurance company, or individual insurer, who shall neglect, or refuse, or fail, to
comply with the same, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction
thereof, before any Court of competent jurisdiction, be fined, for each offence, a sum not
less than two hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars, the amount recovered to
be paid into the State Treasury.
SEC. 3. Any person, firm, officer, or agent, on his own account, or for, or on account of
any company, association, corporation, or individual, issuing any instrument or writing
whatsoever, charged by this Act, or the Act to which this is amendatory and supplemental,
with the payment of taxes or duty, shall be required to place such stamp upon the face of
every such instrument or writing, and to write upon the face of every stamp used the date at
which the same is placed upon every such instrument or writing aforesaid; and such stamp
shall not again be used. Any person, officer, or agent, failing to comply with the provisions of
this section, or issuing a stamp more than once, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and shall, upon conviction thereof, before any Court of competent jurisdiction, be fined in a
sum of not less than two hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, the amount
recovered to be paid into the State Treasury.
April 15, 1862
SEC. 3. … All insurers and insurance companies, or agents thereof, collecting premiums
at San Francisco, on the application of either of the Stamp Inspectors, shall exhibit to him
their records of policies, or certificates, issued, and their books, showing the amount of their
business, and the names of parties insured by them. All persons engaged in the collection
of premiums from citizens of this State, whether by the issuance of policies or certificates
of insurance, or by the indorsement of risks upon open policies, issued by the insurers or
insurance companies, shall be deemed to be insurance agents, for the purposes of this Act;
and the amount of stamp tax to be paid by such agents shall be ascertained by applying the
rates of duty established by law to the whole sum insured by such agents, to be ascertained
by the Inspectors from the books of the agency. Any receipt for the payment of a premium
of insurance, when no policy or certificate has been issued, shall be deemed a policy, for the
purposes of this Act, and shall be stamped as aforesaid. But no policy, certificate, or entry
of reinsurance, made by one company or individual for another, when the original insurance
has paid stamp duty, as herein before provided, shall be liable to the operations of this Act.
March 8, 1866
SECTION 1. No stamp shall be required nor stamp duty exacted on any contract of insurance
when limited to accident resulting in injury or death.
Insurance First Period, 1857–8
By the Act of April 19, 1857, effective occasionally Third, Exchange stamps were
July 1, 1857, bills of exchange drawn in, sold. They were initially printed in blue, first
but payable out of, California were taxed on white wove paper, then blue laid paper,
according to a graduated schedule of 22 rates and after mid-October 1857 in red (Mahler,
based on the amount of the transaction. The 1997a,b, 2010). Sixty-two intact stamped bills
tax on policies of insurance was defined to be from this period have been recorded (Mahler,
half that on bills of exchange. These Exchange 2010); since just over 100,000 stamps were
and Insurance rates are shown in Table I. sold, the survival rate of intact bills has been
These taxes lasted less than ten months, about 0.06%. Forty-six of these 62 bills bear
ending abruptly on April 26, 1858, when blue stamps.
the legislature replaced the tax on bills of During this same period the Insurance
exchange with one on bills of lading for stamps, printed exclusively in blue on white
shipments of gold or silver out of the state, wove paper, presumably had a pattern of
effective immediately. These dates demarcate usage and survival similar to that of the
a First Period of Exchange and Insurance early Exchange stamps. They paid the tax
taxes. State records reveal that during this on insurance policies and renewals. Like
time 50,683 sets of First, Second, and very bills of exchange, these documents remained

3. 3
Figure Insurance-1. Policy of Home Insurance Co., November 10, 1857, amount $1000, stamped with
$1 blue Insurance (DIN10), on sewing machines of Wheeler and Wilson Manufacturing Co., San Francisco.
One of two recorded documents bearing blue Insurance stamps.

4. 4
Figure Insurance-2. Policy of Niagara Fire Insurance Co., November 10, 1857, amount $1000, stamped
with $1 blue Insurance (DIN10), on sewing machines of Wheeler and Wilson. The other of the two recorded
documents bearing a blue Insurance stamp.

5. 5
Table I
Exchange and Insurance Taxes, 1857–8 and 1861–72
Amount Exchange Insurance Amount Exchange Insurance
Above $20 to $50 .08 .04 Above $2000 to $3000 $6 $3
Above $50 to $100 .20 .10 Above $3000 to $4000 $8 $4
Above $100 to $150 .30 .15 Above $4000 to $5000 $10 $5
Above $150 to $200 .40 .20 Above $5000 to $7000 $14 $7
Above $200 to $300 .60 .30 Above $7000 to $10,000 $20 $10
Above $300 to $400 .80 .40 Above $10,000 to $15,000 $30 $15
Above $400 to $500 $1 .50 Above $15,000 to $20,000 $38 $19
Above $500 to $750 $1.40 .70 Above $20,000 to $30,000 $56 $28
Above $750 to $1000 $2 $1 Above $30,000 to $50,000 $90 $45
Above $1000 to $1500 $3 $1.50 Above $50,000 to $100,000 $175 $87.50
Above $1500 to $2000 $4 $2 Above $100,000 $200 $100
in effect for a short time (a month or so for Shown above are the key pieces from
exchange, up to a year for insurance), then a group of six stamped policies insuring
passed into personal or commercial archives sewing machines of the Wheeler and
whose survival depended upon the same Wilson Manufacturing Co. against fire at
vagaries of fate: fires, floods, earthquakes, various locations in San Francisco (Figures
deaths of key individuals, business successes Insurance-1,2). These two are virtually
or reversals, and similar elemental forces. identical except for being issued by different
The key difference between the Exchange companies, the Home Insurance Co. and the
and Insurance stamps of the First Period is Niagara Fire Insurance Co. Each provided
that far fewer of the latter were sold, a total $1000 coverage for one year commencing
of only 3321 spread over 20 denominations November 10, 1857, at a cost of $25, on
(no 4¢ or $100 stamps were ever sold, only machines stored at 157 Sacramento Street.
one $87.50, and four each of the $28 and The policies are even made in the same
$45; Mahler, 1997a, 2010). Any example is hand, that of Jonathan Hunt, agent for both
a first-class rarity. Smith (1903) referred to companies. Each bears a $1 blue Insurance
“documents in my possession, both insurance stamp (DIN10), cut square, with blue “GWW”
and exchange papers, bearing stamps in Controller’s handstamp, correctly paying the
blue,” but until recently no intact policies tax for amounts above $750 to $1000. The
bearing blue stamps were known to modern Records of the State Controller confirm that
revenue specialists. A decade ago it was Jonathan Hunt had purchased 32 Insurance
noted that “assuming the same survival rate stamps on October 17, 1857, including six
for insurance policies as observed for bills of of the $1 (Mahler, 1997a, 2010). These are
exchange, 0.06%, allows us to hope one or two the long-awaited discovery examples of blue
might still exist on original policies.” (Mahler, Insurance stamps on original policies. A fuller
1997a). That hope has now been fulfilled. description of the “Wheeler and Wilson Find”
is provided in Mahler (2009).
Insurance Second Period, 1858–61
In the original schedule of 1857, the year or more, the tax on insurance was set
Insurance tax had been specified indirectly, at half that for bills of lading, which was 30¢
not explicitly, defined to be half that for bills for amounts to $100, and 0.2% for all other
of exchange. When the Exchange tax was amounts; the Insurance rates were thus 15¢
rescinded in 1858, the Insurance tax was not; for amounts to $100, and 0.1% for all other
it was merely reformulated, tied instead to amounts. The legislature then introduced
the new Bill of Lading tax. For policies of one short-term rates, as follows:
Term Rates Amount to $100 Over $100
One year or more 15¢ 0.1%
9 to 12 months 75% of rates for one year or more 11¼¢ 0.075%
6 to 9 months 50% of rates for one year or more 7½¢ 0.05%
3 to 6 months 25% of rates for one year or more 3¾¢ 0.025%

6. 6
To accommodate this rather unwieldy These large Insurance issues were
schedule, 36 large circular Insurance stamps mistakenly dubbed “Marine Insurance”
were created, printed in red. For each stamps by early catalogers, at least as far
time bracket, stamps were issued in nine back as Adenaw (1894), an error perpetuated
denominations corresponding to convenient ever since. They were in fact general purpose
amounts of coverage from $100 to $50,000, stamps designed to be used on all manner of
the same amounts specified on the nine policies or receipts.
lowest Bill of Lading denominations. As
always, the stamps were user-friendly; here Problematic Pro-rating
they stated not only the tax, but the time of This short-term schedule of 1858 was not
the policy and the upper limit of its coverage. well thought out, on two counts. The most
12 Month stamps, the most common—or obvious is that the pro-rating was not done
more appropriately, least rare—time bracket, proportionately, and left policies of less than
are known in all nine denominations. 3 three months untaxed. It seems obvious that
Month and 6 Month stamps are listed in for durations up to one-fourth of a year the
Cabot (1940) and Hubbard (1960) for all but rate should have been one-fourth the yearly
the highest denomination, corresponding to rate; up to half a year, half the rate; and up to
$50,000 coverage; state records show that three-fourths of a year, three-fourths the rate.
25 each of the unlisted stamps were issued Years later the Act of April 10, 1862, would
to the San Francisco County Treasurer, but correct this error. By then the Bill of Lading
all eventually returned unsold. For the little- tax had been abolished, and the original
used 9 Month stamps, the standard catalogs slate of Exchange taxes re-established. The
list only five (and price only one); again, the Insurance rates were again defined to be
other four were issued, but all returned half the rates for bills of exchange, with the
unsold (Kenyon, 1920; Mahler, 2011).1 following exceptions:
Term Rate
6 to 9 months 75% of basic rate (i.e., 37½% of Exchange rates)
3 to 6 months 50% of basic rate (i.e., 25% of Exchange rates)
3 months or less 25% of basic rate (i.e., 12½% of Exchange rates)
This made more sense. In the meantime, the two applicable, hardly an ideal situation;
though, by the letter of the law policies of less the public was left to deduce what the law
than three months were exempt. Amazingly, intended rather than what it said, and trusted
in a few cases the party affixing the stamps to pay the higher rate!
deduced what the rate should have been
under proportional pro-rating, and paid this End of the Second Period
“phantom rate”! On January 28, 1861, the U.S. Supreme
The effects of this disproportional pro- Court declared California’s tax on bills of
rating in the 1858 schedule were minimized lading unconstitutional. That tax, enacted
by a second flaw, namely that the brackets April 26, 1858, had replaced the Exchange
were not mutually exclusive, but overlapped tax originally enacted in 1857. Now the Act
at their endpoints. Policies of exactly nine of May 9, 1861, effective on passage, brought
months were taxed at both the 75% and 50% matters full circle, implicitly rescinding the
rates; six month policies at both the 50% tax on bills of lading and reestablishing the
and 25% rates; and three month policies Exchange and Insurance taxes enacted in
fell into both the three to six month 25% 1857 (see Table I). Thus ended the Second
bracket and the “phantom” bracket of up to Period for Insurance, which had lasted just
three months. Since the majority of maritime over three years, and began the Third Period.
policies were for exactly three months, they
were accidentally taxed at the proportionally The Stamps
correct 25% rate. Only policies strictly less As pointed out nearly a century ago
than three months were left out of the rate by Kenyon (1920), the large Insurance
tables. For six and nine month policies the stamps were printed in four distinct colors,
proportionally correct rate was the higher of which he called orange-vermilion, brick
red and carmine-lake, all on bluish paper,
and vermilion on white paper; Figure
1. The unlisted stamps were issued June 25, 1858, Insurance-3 shows examples of each. After
and returned July 31, 1861, along with 21 of the the denomination, its color is the next most
9 Mo./$7.50 and 23 of the 12 Mo./$50 (four and basic defining characteristic of a given
two had been sold, the only sales of these stamps). stamp. The fact that the seminal catalog of

7. 7
Figure Insurance-3. Left to right: large Insurance stamps in orange-vermilion, brick red, and carmine-lake
on bluish paper, and vermilion on white paper.
Adenaw et al. (1921) failed to incorporate stamp color, via the overarching notation
this fundamental descriptor into its listings “dull orange to deep rose”; their “dull orange”
is surprising, the more so as Kenyon was one and “deep rose” are evidently Kenyon’s orange
of the co-authors. [It is not generally realized vermilion” and carmine-lake.
that the detailed listings of Cabot (1940) were Using the Stamp Record of the State
copied verbatim from the now little-known Controllers, supplemented by intact stamped
work of Adenaw et al. —i.e. Julius K. Adenaw, documents, all deliveries by the Stamp
J. Delano Bartlett, Brewster C. Kenyon, E. Commissioners to the Controllers have been
H. Vanderhoof, Walter D. Grout and Frank identified by color Mahler, 2011a). The dates
L. Applegate, a veritable Who’s Who of state of first deliveries for the four printings were
revenue authorities.] These “savants of 1921” as follows:
made only a cursory nod in the direction of
Orange-vermilion on bluish paper May 13, 1858
Brick red on bluish paper July 1, 1859
Carmine-lake on bluish paper March 16, 1860
Vermilion on white paper December 10, 1860
As with all California issues of 1857–72, issuance to County Treasurers. During the
the Controller’s initialed handstamp was period they were in use, the Controllers, with
applied to these stamps before sale or their terms of office,2 were:
George W. Whitman January 7, 1856–October 6, 1858
Aaron R. Meloney October 11, 1858–March 15, 1860
Samuel H. Brooks March 15, 1860–November 20, 1861
Meloney used two handstamps, dubbed plain stamp color, then control handstamp, there
and fancy. are six distinct types. Detailed catalog listings
If the large Insurance stamps are classified have been proposed with the six types labeled
by denomination, then paper color, then A through F, in the following format:
—————————Thin bluish paper————————— Thin white paper
orange-vermilion brick red carmine-lake vermilion
(June 1, 1858) (July 1, 1859) (March 16, 1860) (Dec. 10, 1860)
GWW ARM plain ARM fancy SHB SHB SHB
A B C D E F
Appendix X lists the 36 large Insurance of the numbers sold, and proposed current
stamps in this format, with the best estimates prices.
2. All previously published works erroneously give the changeover dates from Whitman to Meloney
as October 12, 1858, and from Meloney to Brooks as January 15, 1860. In the State’s Stamp Record,
Whitman’s final entry is dated October 6, 1858, and Meloney’s first entry, October 11, 1858. Meloney
remained in office until March 15, 1860, with Brooks assuming the duties March 16.

8. 8
Comments
Only 25 full documents taxed at the schedule, it was $7, as the policy falls into the
Second Period rates have been recorded, 23 $5000–$7000 bracket. Only $6 was paid, by
policies and two renewals; all are listed in 6 Mo./$5 and 12 Mo./$1 stamps (DIN38, 53).
the accompanying census. Nineteen are for While the property insured was in Columbia,
one year, taxed at the 0.1% rate. One is for the policy was issued in San Francisco by
six months, taxed at 0.05%; four for three or the Liverpool and London agent there, and
four months, taxed at 0.025%; and one for presumably stamped by him. Evidently even
one month, by the letter of the law not taxable, some seven weeks after the Insurance stamp
but stamped at the 0.025% “phantom rate.” A taxes had been revised by the Legislature, the
large piece of a policy bearing two stamps and agent of one of the major insurers in the state
dated July 20, 1858, is also listed; this is the was still unaware of it. By implication two
earliest recorded usage of the large Insurance earlier items bearing large Insurance stamps,
stamps (Figure Insurance-4). dated May 15 and June 18, 1861, have also
The classification of four of these been classed as Second Period usages, and
documents is somewhat problematic. The a policy made some two weeks later, on July
Act of May 9, 1861, effective on passage, had 16, 1861, has been included as well.
rescinded the Second Period Insurance rates Besides Columbia, insured properties
and re-established the original First Period on recorded Second Period usages were at
rates, retroactive to May 1, 1861. It must have Healdsburg, Forest Hill, Sacramento, San
taken some weeks or months for this news Francisco, Stockton and Suisun City, but the
to reach all appropriate parties. For most documents all appear to have been issued
policies—at least those for a year or more— in San Francisco, and presumably stamped
the taxes computed by the two schedules there. Later this would change.
were the same; how then to classify the Three more usages of large Insurance
documents, Second Period or Third? Ideally stamps have been recorded, but now paying
the determining factor, if it could be known, the Third Period rates, before the new small
would be the schedule used to compute the red Insurance stamps came into general use.
tax; if the old rates were used even though The earliest recorded usage of the small red
the new ones were already in effect, the usage stamps is October 18, 1861, on a Liverpool
could be plausibly attributed to the Second and London Fire and Life Insurance Co. policy
Period. One policy furnishes a useful clue (Figure Insurance-34), but other users still
in this regard, issued by the Liverpool and had the old stamps on hand: a Hartford Fire
London Fire and Life Insurance Co. on July Insurance Co. policy dated September 18,
1, 1861, providing $6000 coverage for one 1861, for $1150 has the new $1.50 rate paid
year to William Daegner on a building and by 6 Mo./50¢ and 12 Mo./$1; a Connecticut
contents including gold scales in Columbia, Fire Insurance Co. of Hartford policy dated
Tuolumne County. (Daegner was the Wells November 1, 1861, bears a 12 Mo./$2; and
Fargo Agent at Columbia, and the building a renewal receipt affixed to an Atlantic Fire
was presumably their agency there.) For a Insurance Co. policy, dated November 1,
$6000 policy, the tax at the Second Period 1861, bears 6 Mo./$2.50 and12 Mo./50¢
0.1% rate was $6; by the Third Period (Figure Insurance-12).
Notable Examples
1. Portion of policy #405 of R. E. Haven, eleven bear at least one mismatching stamp;
Insurance Broker, San Francisco, July 20, evidently any combination was tolerated
1858, to Janson Bond & Co., stamped with provided the amount paid was correct.
6 Mo./$2.50 and 12 Mo./50¢ in orange- This is the earliest recorded usage of large
vermilion with blue “GWW” control handstamp Insurance stamps. Even better, these two
(DIN37A, 52A) (Figure Insurance-3). There appear to have been part of the very first sale
was no requirement for use of “matching” of large Insurance stamps! On May 29, 1858,
stamps, i.e. 3 Month stamps on three month brokers Haven & Johnston had purchased
policies, 6 Month stamps on six month one to ten apiece of 17 denominations,
policies, and so on; in fact the Act of April 26, totaling $50, including two apiece of the
1858, which redefined the Insurance rates, 6 Mo./$2.50 and 12 Mo./50¢; their next
made no mention of stamps whatsoever. purchase was on July 19, and it would have
Of the 25 recorded Second Period usages, been virtually impossible for stamps delivered

9. 9
Figure Insurance-4. Portion of policy, R. E. Haven, San Francisco, July 20, 1858, stamped with 6 Mo./$2.50
and 12 Mo./50¢ (DIN37A, 52A), the earliest recorded usage of large Insurance stamps.
that day in Sacramento to have been used in with blue “ARM” fancy control (DIN26C, 29C),
San Francisco July 20. (Figure Insurance-7).
2. Policy #581 of Home Insurance Co., 5. Policy #646 of Quaker City Fire Insurance
November 10, 1858, to Wheeler and Wilson Co., September 25, 1860, to H. Crandell &
Manufacturing Co., $1000 for one year on Co., $1000 for one year on a hotel in Forest
sewing machines and other merchandise in Hill, stamped with 12 Mo./$1 carmine-
their building at Montgomery and Sacramento lake with “SHB” control (DIN53E) (Figure
Streets, San Francisco, stamped with 12 Insurance-8). One of five recorded policies
Mo./$1 (DIN53A) (Figure Insurance-5). As with identical coverage, dates and stamps,
with the two policies made a year earlier each issued by a different company. Forest
bearing blue stamps (Figures Insurance Hill, now a ghost town, was in Placer County,
1, 2), here too a policy with identical date 17 miles north of Auburn.
and coverage was obtained from the Niagara 6. Policy #983 of Continental Insurance Co.,
Insurance Co, #18023, bearing the same December 10, 1860, to the estate of John
stamp. Both stamps have blue “GWW” Rivett, $3000 for one year on a building in
handstamp and are generously cut square, Sacramento, stamped with 3 Mo./$2.50
the only recorded large Insurance stamps on and 12 Mo./50¢, both carmine-lake “SHB”
document not cut to shape. (DIN29E, 52E) (Figure Insurance-9). Policy
3. Policy #56 of Humboldt Fire Insurance Co., #984 has also survived, for $2000 to the same
May 26, 1859, to Daniel Gibb & Co., $10,000 parties, stamped with two 6 Mo./$1 (DIN35).
for one year on merchandise in their building 7. Policy #1726 of Hartford Fire Insurance
at Post and Vallejo Streets, San Francisco, Co., to Chas. B. Cooley, $400 for one year
stamped with 12 Mo./$10 orange-vermilion on a dwelling in Sacramento, January 10,
with “ARM” handstamp (DIN56A) (Figure 1861, 40¢ tax paid by two 12 Mo./20¢
Insurance-6). Only 45 of these were ever vermilion on white paper (DIN51F) (Figure
sold. $10 is the highest-denomination large Insurance-10). Policies were seldom made in
Insurance stamp recorded on document. amounts this small, and these are the only
4. Policy #218 of Merchants’ Insurance recorded 12 Mo./20¢ stamps on document,
Co. of Hartford, March 7, 1860, to H. C. This is also the earliest recorded usage of
Hayden, Agent, $3000 for one year on sewing white paper stamps. The large Insurance
machines and other merchandise stored at stamps were printed first on bluish paper,
the northeast corner of Pine and Leidesdorff with subsequent printings only of the most-
streets (Hayden is identified in the 1858 San used denominations on white paper. The 29
Francisco Directory as agent for Wheeler & recorded documents bearing these stamps
Wilson’s Sewing Machines), stamped with 3 have a total of 44 stamps on bluish paper
Mo./$2.50 and two 3 Mo./25¢, all brick red and only five on white paper.

10. 10
Figure Insurance-5. Policy of Home Insurance Co., November 10, 1858, $1000 for one year, stamped with 12
Mo./$1 (DIN53A) cut square, on sewing machines of Wheeler and Wilson Manufacturing Co., San Francisco.

11. 11
Census of Insurance Policies and Renewals Bearing California Revenue Stamps
FIRST PERIOD (July 1, 1857, to April 26, 1858)
$1 Rate (above $750 to $1000)
Date Company Amount Stamp(s) Location Comments
11/10/1857 Home Ins. Co. $1000 $1 Insurance (DIN9) S. Francisco #461; Wheeler & Wilson Mfg. Co., on
Sewing Machines, 157 Sacramento St.
11/10/1857 Niagara Ins. Co. $1000 $1 Insurance (DIN9) S. Francisco #17991; details as above
(All other rates)
No examples recorded
SECOND PERIOD (April 27, 1858, to May 9, 1861)3
One Year orMore
Amount to $100, tax 15¢
No examples recorded
Amount over $100, tax 0.1%
Date Company Term Amt. Tax Stamp(s) Location Comments
7/20/1858 R. S. Haven, Broker ??? ??? $3 6 Mo./$2.50 (DIN37A) ??? Piece only; “GWW” handstamps
12 Mo./50¢ (DIN52A)
11/10/1858 Home Ins. Co. 1 year $1000 $1 12 Mo./$1 (DIN53A) S. Francisco #581; Wheeler & Wilson Mfg. Co.,
on sewing machines, etc.
11/10/1858 Niagara Ins. Co. 1 year $1000 $1 12 Mo./$1 (DIN53A) S.Francisco #18,023; as above; many tone spots
4/8/1859 Liverpool & London 1 year $10,000 $10 12 Mo./$5 (x2, DIN55B) S. Francisco On “50 Vara lot No. 532”
Fire & Life Ins. Co.
5/26/1859 Humboldt Fire In. Co. 1 year $10,000 $10 12 Mo./$10 (DIN56B) S. Francisco #56
3/7/1860 Merchants’ Ins. Co. 1 year $3000 $3 3 Mo./25¢ (x2, DIN26C) S. Francisco #218; for Wheeler & Wilson Mfg.,
3 Mo./$2.50 (DIN29C) Co., on sewing machines, etc.
8/21/1860 Hartford Fire Ins. Co. 1 year $2000 $2 12 Mo./$2 (DIN54) Healdsburg #1305
9/18/1860 Aetna Ins. Co. 1 year $5000 $5 12 Mo./$5 (DIN55B) Stockton #489, to Wm. Pierce
9/25/1860 Charter Oak Ins. Co. 1 year $1000 $1 12 Mo./$1 (DIN53E) Forest Hill #1233; to H. Crandell & Co. on
hotel
9/25/1860 City Fire Ins. Co. 1 year $1000 $1 12 Mo./$1 (DIN53E) Forest Hill #136; same property as above
9/25/1860 Hartford Fire Ins. Co. 1 year $1000 $1 12 Mo./$1 (DIN53E) Forest Hill #1305; ditto
9/25/1860 Imperial Fire Ins. Co. 1 year $1000 $1 12 Mo./$1 (DIN53E) Forest Hill #???; ditto
9/25/1860 Quaker City Ins. Co. 1 year $1000 $1 12 Mo./$1 (DIN53E) Forest Hill #646; ditto
12/10/1860 Continental Ins. Co. 1 year $3000 $3 3 Mo./$2.50(DIN29E) Sacramento #983
12 Mo./50¢ (DIN52E)
12/10/1860 Continental Ins. Co. 1 year $2000 $2 6 Mo./$1 (x2, DIN36E) Sacramento #984
1/10/1861 Hartford Fire Ins. Co. 1 year $400 40¢ 12 Mo./20¢ (x2, DIN51F) Sacramento #1726; stamps on white paper
5/15/1861 Imperial Ins. Co., 1 year $700 70¢ 6 Mo./25¢ (DIN34C) Stockton? Renewal of policy #284,191, one
Calif. Agency 12 Mo./50¢ (DIN52F) of six recorded renewals
6/18/1861 Imperial Fire Ins. Co. 1 year $2000 $2 12 Mo./$1 (x2, DIN53C) Stockton #294,617; renewal attached dated
6/21/1862 (see below)
7/1/1861 Liverpool & London 1 year $6000 $6 6 Mo./$5 (DIN38) Columbia On bldg. and contents incl. gold
Fire & Life Ins. Co. 12 Mo./$1 (DIN53) scales; tax $7 by new rates
effective May 1,1861, old rates
used here
7/16/1861 Hartford Fire Ins. Co. 1 year $750 75¢ 3 Mo./3¾¢ (DIN23) Marysville #2309; underpaid
3 Mo./25¢ (DIN26)
Nine Months to 12 Months
Amount to $100, tax 11¼¢
Amount over $100, tax 0.075%
No examples recorded
3. These Second Period rates were replaced with a new schedule by the Act of May 9, 1861, which made the new rates retroactive
to May 1, 1861. I have used May 9, not May 1, as the nominal termination date for the Second Period; in practice, the old rates were
used for some time thereafter, until news of the new schedule was disseminated.

12. 12
Figure Insurance-6. Policy of Humboldt Insurance Co., May 26, 1859, $10,000 for one year, bearing 12
Mo./$10 with “ARM” control (DIN56B), the highest recorded large Insurance denomination on document.

13. 13
Figure Insurance-7. Policy of Merchants’ Insurance Co. of Hartford, March 7, 1860, $3000 for one year,
stamped with 3 Mo./25¢ (x2) & 3 Mo./$2.50 brick red (DIN26C 29C), on Wheeler and Wilson sewing
machines.

14. 14
Figure Insurance-8. Policy of Quaker City Fire Insurance Co., September 25, 1860, $1000 for one year,
stamped with 12 Mo./$1 carmine-lake (DIN53E), on hotel in Forest Hill.

15. 15
Figure Insurance-7. Policy of Continental Insurance Co., December 10, 1860, $3000 for one year, stamped
with 3 Mo./$2.50 and 12 Mo./50¢ carmine-lake (DIN29E, 52E).

16. 16
Figure Insurance-9. Policy of Hartford Fire Insurance Co., January 10, 1861, $400 for one year, stamped
with two 12 Mo./20¢ on white paper (DIN51F), the earliest recorded usage of white paper stamps.

17. 17
Six to Nine Months
Amount to $100, tax 7½¢
No examples recorded
Amount over $100, tax 0.05%
Date Company Term Amt. Tax Stamp(s) Location Comments
5/1/1861 Atlantic Fire Ins. Co. 6 Mos. $3000 $1.50 9 Mo./75¢ (x2, DIN44D) Suisun City #67; to Wm. Pierce; stamp
unpriced by Cabot, only 92 sold;
1 yr. renewal affixed (see below)
Three to SixMonths
Amount to $100, tax 3¾ ¢
No examples recorded
Amount over $100, tax 0.025%
Date Company Term Amt. Tax Stamp(s) Location Comments
3/9/1859 Humboldt Fire In. Co. 4 Mos. $3000 75¢ 6 Mo./$1 (DIN36) S. Francisco #26; to Daniel Gibb & Co. on
merchandise in New Orleans
Warehouse; overpaid by 25¢
8/14/1860 Quaker City Ins. Co. 3 Mos. $3500 87.5¢ 3 Mo./12½¢ (DIN25D) S. Francisco Marine policy #479, on cargo of
6 Mo./25¢ (DIN34E) bark “Vickery,” voyage San
12 Mo./50¢ (DIN52E) Francisco to New Westminster
8/14/1860 Neptune Ins. Co. via 3 Mos. $3500 87.5¢ 3 Mo./12½¢ (DIN25D) S. Francisco Marine policy #72, on cargo of
Pacific Ins. Agency 6 Mo./25¢ (DIN34E) bark “Vickery,” voyage San
12 Mo./50¢ (DIN52E) Francisco to New W estminster
8/31/1860 Home Ins. Co. 1Mo. $3000 75¢ 3 Mo./25¢, (DIN26D) S. Francisco #841: H. C. Hayden, Agent (for
12 Mo./50¢ (DIN52) Wheeler & Wilson Mfg. Co.),
on Sewing Machines,
Montgomery St.
4/20/1861 Security Fire Ins. Co. 3 Mos. $10,000 $2.50 12 Mo./50¢ (DIN52E) Not stated Renewal #401 on policy #348;
12 Mo./$2 (DIN54F) $2 on white paper
Figure Insurance-10. Renewal of Imperial Fire Insurance Co. Californian Agency, May 15, 1861, $700
for one year, stamped with 6 Mo./25¢ on bluish paper plus 12 Mo./50¢ on white paper (DIN34C, 52F).

18. 18
Figure Insurance-11. Policy of Imperial Fire Insurance Co. Californian Agency, June 18, 1861, $2000
for one year, stamped with two 12 Mo./$1 brick red (DIN53C). Renewal attached dated June 21, 1862,
stamped with $2 small red Insurance (DIN69) with “GRW” monogram handstamp.

19. 19
8. Renewal receipt for policy #284,191, The arrival at the San Francisco mint
Imperial Insurance Co. Californian Agency, in 1858 of 800 ounces of gold from the
May 15, 1861, $700 for one year, to Mrs. F. J. Fraser River region in present-day British
Huggins of Stockton, stamped with 6 Mo./25¢ Columbia triggered a wild rush to that area.
brick red with “ARM” fancy control plus 12 New Westminster sprang into existence on
Mo./50¢ vermilion on white paper (DIN34C, the north bank of the Fraser, and became
52F) (Figure Insurance-10). Ms. notation a major outfitting point for expeditions. In
“Stamp $.75” added to the $8.75 premium, February 1859 it became the capital of the
making $9.50 received; this shows that the newly-created Colony of British Columbia.
stamp tax was passed by the insurers to the The Fraser River rush was short-lived, but
public. Here the 70¢ tax was overpaid by 5¢. opened the door to far-ranging exploration
One of two recorded combinations of stamps and richer strikes in the 1860s.
on blue and white papers. 12. Renewal receipt #401 on policy #348,
9. Policy of #294,617 of Imperial Fire Security Fire Insurance Co. California
Insurance Co. Californian Agency, June 18, Agency, April 20, 1861, to S. C. Shaw,
1861, to Frank Huggins, $2000 for one year $10,000 for three months, tax at the 0.025%
on a dwelling in Stckton, stamped with two rate $2.50, stamped with 12 Mo./50¢ and 12
12 Mo./$1 brick red “ARM” fancy (DIN53C) Mo./$2, the latter on white paper (DIN52E,
(Figure Insurance-11). 54F)) (Figure Insurance-14). The second of
A renewal receipt (now inscribed “San the two recorded combinations of stamps on
Francisco Agency”) for one year is attached, blue and white papers, which best shows the
dated June 21, 1862, stamped with $2 small contrast between the papers.
Insurance (DIN69) with “GRW” monogram
handstamp, and ms. cancel as newly required The “Phantom Rate”
by the Act of April 10, 1862. 13. Policy #841 of Home Insurance Co.,
August 31, 1860, to H. C. Hayden, agent for
Short-Term Rates Wheeler and Wilson Sewing Machines, $3000
10. Policy #67 of Atlantic Fire Insurance Co., for one month on “Sewing machines, Work,
May 1, 1861, to William Pierce, $3000 for Upholstery, Portable room Paintings, Mirrors
six months on a warehouse in Suisun City, and Similar articles on exhibition contained in
Solano County, stamped with two 9 Mo./75¢ the one Story Frame Pavilion building on West
brick red with “SHB” control (DIN44D) (Figure Side of Montgomery Street between Sutter &
Insurance-12). This stamp was unlisted by Post Streets, San Francisco,” stamped with
Cabot and Hubbard; only 66 were sold. The 12 Mo./50¢ and 3 Mo./25¢ carmine-lake with
only recorded example of the 0.05% rate for “ARM” handstamps (DIN26E, 34E) (Figure
six to nine months. Ex-Joyce. Insurance-15). The exhibition referred to was
Renewal receipt #122 is affixed, dated the Industrial Exhibition, or Mechanic’s Fair,
November 1, 1861, for an additional year, opening September 4, 1860, in a pavilion on
taxed at the Third Period $3 rate, stamped the corner of Sutter and Montgomery.
with 6 Mo./$2.50 and12 Mo./50¢, both on The 75¢ tax paid on this one-month policy
white paper (DIN37F, 52F). One of three is one-fourth that for a year’s coverage in the
recorded usages of large Insurance stamps same amount. Strictly speaking, because of
to pay Third Period rates; this and one other a legislative blunder no tax need have been
made the same day are the latest. paid. Short term rates had been set as follows:
11. Marine policy #479 of Quaker City Term Rate
Insurance Co., August 14, 1860, $3500 on 9–12 months 75% of one year rate
the cargo of the bark Vickery on a voyage 6–9 months 50% of one year rate
from San Francisco to New Westminster 3–6 months 25% of one year rate
(British Columbia), tax at the three-month Logically, for durations up to one-fourth of a
0.025% rate 87½¢, paid by 12 Mo./50¢ and 6 year the rate should have been one-fourth the
Mo./25¢ carmine-lake and 3 Mo./12½¢ brick yearly rate; up to half a year, half the yearly
red, all with “SHB” control (DIN25D, 34E, rate; and up to three-fourths of a year, three-
52E) (Figure Insurance-13). The cargo was fourths the yearly rate. The Act of April 10,
insured for $7000, and the policy providing 1862, would so stipulate. In the meantime,
the other $3500 has also survived, marine though, policies of less than three months
policy #72 of the Neptune Insurance Co. via were exempt. Amazingly, in the case at hand
the Pacific Insurance Agency, identical to this the “phantom rate” that would have applied
one in all details. under proportional pro-rating was paid. It is
natural to wonder at the logic employed.

20. 20
Figure Insurance-12. Policy of Atlantic Fire Insurance Co., May 1, 1861, $3000 for six months on a
warehouse in Suisun City, tax $1.50 at 50% of the one-rear rate, stamped with two 9 Mo./75¢ (DIN44D).
The only recorded example of the 50% rate for policies of six to nine months. The 9 Mo./75¢ is unpriced
by Cabot; only 92 were sold. Ex-Joyce.
Renewal receipt for an additional year affixed, November 1, 1861, Third Period $3 rate paid by 6 Mo./$2.50
and 12 Mo./50¢, both on white paper (DIN37F, 52F), the latest recorded usage of large Insurance stamps.

21. 21
Figure Insurance-13. Marine policy of Quaker City Insurance Co., August 14, 1860, $3500 on cargo of
bark “Vickery” from San Francisco to New Westminster, British Columbia, tax at the three-month 0.025%
rate 87½¢, paid by 12 Mo./50¢ & 6 Mo./25¢ carmine-lake and 3 Mo./12½¢ brick red (DIN25D, 34E, 52E).

22. 22
Figure Insurance-14. Renewal receipt of Security Fire Insurance Co. California Agency, April 20, 1861,
$10,000 for three months, tax $2.50 as 25% of the one-year rate, stamped with 12 Mo./50¢ and 12 Mo./$2,
the latter on white paper (DIN52E, 54F). One of the two recorded combinations of stamps on blue and white
papers; this one best shows the striking contrast between the two papers.
Insurance Third Period, 1861–72
During the Second Period of Insurance were created in the same 22 denominations
stamp taxes, the rates were half the Bill originally issued in blue in 1857, one for
of Lading rates. In January 1861, though, each rate, as listed above in Table I, using
the U.S. Supreme Court declared the bill of the original dies.4 There was a lag of some
lading tax unconstitutional. It was implicitly months, however, before the new stamps
rescinded by the California legislature in its came into general use. The Records of the
Act of May 9, 1861, which in its place re- State Controller show that the large Insurance
established the original schedule of taxes stamps continued to be sold throughout May,
on bills of exchange. The Insurance tax was June and July 1861, with the last sale on
now reset to half that on bills of exchange, as July 30, after which the notation “Policies of
during 1857–8. This initiated a Third Period Insurance closed” appears; the first delivery of
for Insurance, which would last until the the small red stamps reached the Controller
expiration of the stamp taxes on December only on August 1, 18615 and the first sale was
31, 1872. New small red Insurance stamps made on August 5. Even then it was necessary
for the stocks of the large Insurance stamps
still in the hands of the public to be depleted
before the new stamps were used exclusively.
4. From the Stamp Commissioners Minute Books,
The earliest recorded usage of the small red
June 1, 1861: “The Board after an examination of
the dies prepared under the provisions of [the Act
Insurance stamps on an intact document is
of April 29, 1857] adopted the same for Exchange, October 18, 1861, and the latest recorded
Insurance, Attorneys and Passengers, and ordered use of the large stamps, November 1, 1861
that the Secretary of State cause such stamps to (Figures Insurance-12, 34). In late 1866
be printed and delivered to the State Controller. ...” the small Insurance stamps and all other
5. In contrast, the first delivery of the new Circulars would be replaced by the general
Exchange stamps was on June 15, 1861. state revenue stamps (the “Rectangulars”).

23. 23
Figure Insurance-15. Policy of Home Insurance Co., August 31, 1860, $3000 for one month, on Wheeler
and Wilson Sewing Machines displayed in pavilion of the Industrial Exhibition or Mechanic’s Fair, San
Francisco, which opened September 4, 1860. Tax 75¢ at the “phantom rate” for policies of less than three
months, paid by 12 Mo./50¢ & 3 Mo./25¢ carmine-lake (D25E, 34E).

24. 24
Short-Term Rates Unlike the 1858–1861 Second Period, when 9
The Act of May 9, 1861, failed to pro-rate Mo., 6 Mo., and 3 Mo. stamps were created,
the Insurance taxes for short-term policies, this time no new stamps were issued for these
but this was remedied by the Act of April 10, short-term rates, and until now they have
1862, which set the following short-term rates: been virtually unknown to philatelists. Only
Term Rate eight documents taxed at these rates have
6 to 9 months 75% of one year rate been recorded.
3 to 6 months 50% of one year rate
3 months or less 25% of one year rate
Notable Examples
20¢ Rate (above $150 to $200) Francisco, premium $2, stamped on reverse
1 Policy #7069 of Phoenix Insurance Co., with 20¢ brown rouletted (D6a) and U.S. 10¢
September 17, 1866, to E. Hooper, $200 Bill of Lading (R32c) (Figure Insurance-17).
for one year on a barn in Linda Township, The second of the two recorded examples of
“about two miles from Marysville,” Yuba the 20¢ rate and the only recorded example
County, premium $7.50, stamped with 20¢ of the 20¢ roulette on document.
Insurance with tablet error “ABOVE $50 TO The 20¢ is tied by “LIV. & LON. & GLOBE
$100” instead of “ABOVE $150 TO $200” INS. CO. S.F.” dated handstamp, and the
(DIN62a) and U.S. 10¢ Inland Exchange U.S. 10¢ by a dated herringbone that breaks
(R36c) (Figure Insurance-16). One of two the paper of the stamp. Why were different
recorded examples of the 20¢ rate, and one of cancels applied to the two stamps? The
two recorded examples of the 20¢ tablet error answer illustrates a fine point of U.S. stamp
on document. The stamps are cancelled by tax regulations. In his Circular No. 82 of
“J. F. SMITH & CO. M’VILLE” datestamp, and February 10, 1870, U.S. Commissioner of
signed as Agent by Jos. F. Smith at Marysville; Internal Revenue Columbus Delano had
the stamps were presumably affixed there. mandated that stamps be cancelled either
Incidentally, Marysville was named in 1850 by writing the date and user’s initials in
after Mary Murphy, a survivor of the ill-fated ink, or by a handstamp or machine cancel
Donner Party, who had recently married one that cut the stamp; handstamp cancels that
of the co-owners of the townsite. did not cut the stamp were prohibited. In a
The 20¢ tablet error resulted from Supplement dated July 15, 1870, he added
insertion of a tablet for the 20¢ Exchange the requirement that cut cancels include the
stamp into the cliché of an Insurance stamp. date (Mahler, 1988). The company handstamp
There is no useful primary evidence as to used here on the 20¢ state stamp would thus
the rarity of the error relative to that of the have been illegal if used on the 10¢ U.S.
normal stamp. Cabot (1940) priced the error stamp, but the dated herringbone conformed
on thin white paper at $5, and the normal precisely to the federal guidelines. Since it
stamp at $2.50; and on medium white paper also satisfied the only requirement in the
at $5 for the error and $1 for the normal. state statutes regarding cancels—that they
On document, two examples of the error are specify the date—it could have been used
known, and six of the normal. This would be on the California stamp as well. This would
consistent with a small sheet size, possibly a certainly have been more convenient than
strip of four, one with the erroneous cliché. using two cancels; there must have been
The U.S. Insurance stamp taxes were some real or perceived benefit in retaining
based not on the amount of coverage, but on the company cancel for the state stamps.
the premium. Effective August 1, 1864, they All recorded policies of the period executed
were as follows: at San Francisco show this puzzling dual
cancellation (Figures Insurance-xx).
Rate Premium
10¢ To $10, after 3/3/1863 30¢ Rate (above $200 to $300)
25¢ All premiums, 10/1/1862–3/2/1863 3. Policy #6017 of Phoenix Insurance Co.,
Above $10, 3/3/1863–7/31/1864 January 25, 1872, $250 for one year on
Above $10 to $50, after 8/1/1864 property in San Bernardino, stamped with $1
50¢ Above $50, after 8/1/1864 yellow quadrisect (D23) and U.S. Postage 3¢
2. Policy #1,635,159 of Liverpool and London Banknote strip of three. The California stamp
and Globe Insurance Co. Pacific Department, has ms. cancel “30 cts” with date and initials.
January 26, 1872, to Perry Fitzhugh, $200 for The only recorded example of the 30¢ rate.
one year on belongings in a dwelling in San

25. 25
Figure Insurance-16A. Policy of Phoenix Insurance Co., September 17, 1866, $200 on barn in Linda
Township, Yuba County, stamped with 20¢ Insurance with tablet error “ABOVE $50 TO $100,” U.S. R36c.
One of two recorded examples of the 20¢ rate, and one of two recorded 20¢ tablet errors on document.

26. 26
Figure Insurance-17. Policy of Liverpool & London & Globe Insurance
Co., January 26, 1872, $200, stamped on reverse with 20¢ brown
rouletted (DIN6a) , U.S. R32c. The second of the two recorded examples
of the 20¢ rate, and the only recorded example of the 20¢ roulette on
document. Right, close view of stamps; note “JJG” Controller’s handstamp
and the different cancels used on the state and federal stamps (see text).
Figure Insurance-16B. Close view of 20¢ tablet error.

27. 27
THIRD PERIOD (May 10, 1861, to December 31, 1872)6
Term Nine Months or More7
20¢ Rate (above $150 to $200)
Date Company Amt. Stamp(s) Location Comments
9/17/1866 Phoenix Ins. Co. $200 20¢ Insurance (DIN62a) Marysville #7069; on barn in Linda Twp; 20¢
U.S. R36c is “ABOVE $50 TO $100” error
1/26/1872 Liverpool & London $200 20¢ brown rouletted (D6a) S. Francisco #1,635,159; stamps on back; only
& Globe Ins. Co. U.S. R32c recorded example of 20¢ roulette
on document; scarce “JJG” h.s.
30¢ Rate (above $200 to $300)
1/25/1872 Phoenix Ins. Co. $250 $1 yellow quadrisect (D23) S. Bernardino #6017; Calif. stamp with ms. “30
U.S. 3¢ Banknote strip of three cts,” date and initials
40¢ Rate (above $300 to $400)
6/13/1867 Home Mutual Ins. Co. $400 20¢ brown (x2, D6) Chinese Camp #2468
U.S. 5¢ stamp (x2)
2/14/1872 Home Mutual Ins. Co. $400 40¢ rose carmine (D8) Oakland Renewal on policy #12,388
U.S. R32c
50¢ Rate (above $400 to $500)
4/3/1862 Home Ins. Co. $500 50¢ Insurance (DIN65A) S. Francisco Policy #2441; stamp on bluish
paper (unpriced in Cabot),
“GRW” monogram; several
renewals exist, one affixed (see
below)
4/11/1863 Home Ins. Co. $500 10¢ Insurance (DIN60) S. Francisco Renewal form of Bigelow & Bro.,
20¢ Insurance (x2, DIN62) Agents, #3137 affixed to policy
U.S. R47a #2441 (see above); stamps on back
4/4/1865 Home Ins. Co. $500 10¢ Insurance (DIN60), S. Francisco Renewal form of Bigelow & Bro.,
20¢ Insurance (x2, DIN62, 62a) Agents, #5747 on policy #2441
U.S. R48c (miswritten “2241”); one 20¢ is
“ABOVE $50 TO $100” error
7/23/1870 Occidental Ins. Co. $500 50¢ olive yellow rouletted (D12a) S. Francisco #12,432; only recorded example of
U.S. R32c 50¢ olive yellow roulette on
document
70¢ Rate (above $500 to $750)
5/17/1862 Imperial Ins. Co. $700 20¢ Insurance (DIN62) Stockton Renewal on policy #284,191
50¢ Insurance (DIN65)
5/16/1863 Imperial Ins. Co. $700 20¢ Insurance (DIN62) Stockton Renewal on policy #284,191
50¢ Insurance (DIN65)
U.S. R50a
5/15/1864 Imperial Ins. Co. $700 30¢ Insurance (DIN63) Stockton Renewal on policy #284,191
40¢ Insurance (DIN64)
U.S. R42b, 27b
11/28/1864 Phoenix Ins. Co. $600 70¢ Insurance (DIN66) Oakland Renewal #1024 on policy #6033
U.S. R48c
5/13/1865 Imperial Ins. Co. $700 20¢ Insurance (DIN62) Stockton Renewal on policy #284,191
50¢ Insurance (DIN65)
U.S. R44c
6. The Second Period rates were replaced with those of the Third Period by the Act of May 9, 1861, retroactive to May 1, 1861.
Here May 9, not May 1, has been used as the nominal termination date for the Second Period; in practice, the old rates were used
for some time thereafter, until news of the new schedule was disseminated.
7.All pieces listed below have term one year.

28. 28
70¢ Rate (above $500 to $750), cont.
Date Company Amt. Stamp(s) Location Comments
5/12/1866 Imperial Ins. Co. $700 10¢ Insurance (DIN60) Stockton Renewal on policy #284,191
15¢ Insurance (DIN61)
50¢ Insurance (DIN65)
U.S. R50c
2/21/1868 Phoenix Ins. Co. $600 70¢ yellow orange (D16) Oakland Renewal #1109 on policy #6168
U.S. R32c
2/21/1869 Phoenix Ins. Co. $600 30¢ rose carmine (D7) Oakland Renewal #1271 on policy #6168
40¢ rose carmine (D8)
U.S. R32c
1/23/1872 Liverpool & London $600 70¢ orange (D15) S. Francisco #1,635,103; stamps on back; 70¢ orange
& Globe Ins. Co. U.S. R32c die-cut; state stamps cancelled company
d.s., U.S. stamp by dated herringbone
$1 Rate (above $750 to $1000)
2/15/1862 Home Ins. Co. $800 $1 Insurance (DIN67) S. Francisco #2361; stamp “SHB” control, bluish
paper?
6/11/1862 Home Ins. Co. $1000 $1 Insurance (DIN67) S. Francisco Renewal #2510 on policy #1020;
“GRW” monogram
1/2/1865 Phoenix Ins. Co. $1000 $1 Insurance (DIN67) Marysville #6575
U.S. R48c
3/1/1865 Home Ins. Co. $800 50¢ Insurance (x2, DIN67) S. Francisco Renewal form of Bigelow & Bro.,
U.S. R48c Agents, on horses, chaise, buggy
10/29/1866 San Francisco Ins. Co. $800 $1 violet (D20) S. Francisco #5799
U.S. R47c
1/20/1869 Phoenix Ins. Co. $800 $1 (D19/22) Salinas Stamps on back; $1 die-cut
U.S. R43c
12/16/1869 Phoenix Ins. Co. $800 $1 yellow (D23) Oakland Renewal #1491 on policy #6612
U.S. R44c
7/12/1870 Liverpool & London $1000 $1 yellow rouletted (D23a) Oroville #1,283,334; stamps on back; only
& Globe Ins. Co. U.S. R48c recorded example of $1 yellow roulette
on document
7/23/1871 Occidental Ins. Co. $800 50¢ olive yellow (x2, D13) S. Francisco #26,504; wonderful ABNCo-engraved
U.S. R32c vignette of Golden Gate and Fort Point
7/6/1872 Liverpool & London $1000 $1 yellow (D23) S. Francisco #1,637,311; stamps on back, $1 die-cut
& Globe Ins. Co. U.S. R32c
$1.50 Rate (above $1000 to $1500)
9/18/1861 Hartford Fire Ins. Co. $1150 6 Mo./50¢ (DIN35C) Folsom #2550; renewal affixed bearing DIN68
12 Mo./$1 (DIN53F) (see below)
8/20/1862 Liverpool & London $1500 50¢ Insurance (DIN65) Columbia Stamps with ms. cancel “Aug 20 1862,”
& Globe Ins. Co. $1 Insurance (DIN67) early example (required as of 4/10/1862)
9/18/1862 Hartford Fire Ins. Co. $1150 $1.50 Insurance (DIN68) Folsom Renewal affixed to policy #2550 of
9/18/1861 (see above); stamp on back
11/21/1863 City Fire Ins. Co. of $1500 $1.50 Insurance (DIN68) S. Francisco #960; h.s. cancel of John Fowler, Agent
Hartford, Conn. U.S. R42c, 27c
11/21/1863 Metropolitan Ins. Co. $1500 $1.50 Insurance (DIN68) S. Francisco Renewal #34,908 on policy #33,343;
U.S. R42b, 27c stamps on reverse
2/12/1865 Hartford Ins. Co. $1500 $1.50 Insurance (DIN68) S. Francisco Renewal #5658 on policy #6490; stamps
U.S. R48c on back, tied by Bigelow Bros. h.s.
1/29/1867 Phoenix Ins. Co. $1500 50¢ violet (D189) Long Bar (3 mi. from Marysville)
$1 violet (D20)
U.S. R47c
8/19/1867 Liverpool & London $1500 $1.50 yellow green (D27) S. Francisco #565,121
& Globe Ins. Co. U.S. R48c
10/14/1868 Fireman’s Fund Ins. $1500 $1.50 yellow green (D27) S. Francisco #17,774
Co. U.S. R43c
10/1/1869 Phoenix Ins. Co. $1500 $1.50 gray green (D28) S. Francisco Policy #18,198
U.S. R44c

29. 29
Figure Insurance-18. Policy of Home Mutual Insurance Co., June 13, 1867, $400 on property in Chinese
Camp, Tuolumne county, stamped with 20¢ brown (x2, D6) and two U.S. 5¢. One of two recorded examples
of the 40¢ rate.

30. 30
Figure Insurance-19. Policy of Home Insurance Co., April 3, 1862, $500, stamped with 50¢ Insurance on
bluish paper (DIN65B) with monogram“GRW” handstamp. Renewal receipt affixed, April 11, 1863, stamped
on reverse with Insurance 10¢ and two 20¢ (DIN60, 62) and U.S. 25¢ Life Insurance imperforate (R47a).

31. 31
Figure Insurance-20. Renewal form of Home Insurance Co., April 4, 1865,
stamped with Insurance 10¢ and two 20¢ (DIN60, 62, 62a) and U.S. R48c.
The 20¢ tablet error is juxtaposed with the normal 10¢ and 20¢, the tablets
reading:
“ABOVE $150 TO $200, 20CTS”
“ABOVE $50 TO $100, 20CTS”
“ABOVE $50 TO $100, 10CTS”
Something is obviously wrong here! The error is in the middle stamp.
Figure Insurance-21B. Close view of 50¢ roulette.

32. 32
Figure Insurance-21A. Policy of Occidental Insurance Co., July 23, 1870, stamped with 50¢ olive yellow
rouletted (D12a), the only recorded example on document, and U.S. R32c. Facing page, close view of 50¢.

33. 33
Figure Insurance-22. Renewal receipt of Imperial Insurance Co., Stockton, May 15, 1864, for $700,
stamped with 30¢ and 40¢ Insurance (DIN63–4) and U.S. Inland Exchange 5¢ and 20¢ part perforates
(R27b, 42b). The only recorded examples of the 30¢ and 40¢ Insurance on document.
Figure Insurance-23. Renewal receipt of Phoenix Insurance Co., Sacramento Agency, November 28, 1864,
for $600, stamped with 70¢ Insurance (DIN66) and U.S. 25¢ Power of Attorney (R48c). The only recorded
example of the 70¢ Insurance on document.

34. 34
40¢ Rate (above $300 to $400) (DIN65A) with striking monogram“GRW”
4. Policy #2468 of Home Mutual Insurance handstamp (Figure Insurance-19). This
Co., June 13, 1867, to S. J. Pratt, $400 stamp was unpriced in Cabot and Hubbard.
for one year on property in Chinese Camp, Renewal receipt #3137 is affixed, April
Tuolumne county, premium $10, stamped 11, 1863, again for $500 and one year, with
with two 20¢ brown (D6) and two overlapped premium $22.50, stamped on reverse with
U.S. 5¢ stamps (Figure Insurance-18). One Insurance 10¢ and two 20¢ (DIN60, 62) and
of two recorded examples of the 40¢ rate. U.S. 25¢ Life Insurance imperforate (R47a),
Chinese Camp had a population of some tied by BIGELOW BRO’S. & FLINT” fancy
thousands in the 1850s and 1860s, many handstamp cancels. Both policy and renewal
Chinese. Today it is essentially a ghost. are forms of Bigelow & Brother, Agents.
50¢ Rate (above $400 to $500) 6. Renewal form of Home Insurance Co.,
Bigelow & Bro., Agents, #5747 on policy
5. Policy #2441 of Home Insurance Co., April
#2441 (miswritten “2241”) to Mrs. Charlotte
3, 1862, to Mrs. Charlotte Brueck, $500
Brueck, April 4, 1865, $500 for one year,
for one year on property in San Francisco,
premium $22.50, stamped with Insurance
stamped with 50¢ Insurance on bluish paper
10¢ and two 20¢ (DIN60, 62, 62a) and
Figure Insurance-24. Renewal receipts on the same policy of Phoenix Insurance Co., Oakland Agency,
each for $600, one made February 21, 1868, stamped with 70¢ yellow orange (D16) and U.S. 10¢ Bill of
Lading (R32c), the other dated February 21, 1869, stamped with 30¢ and 40¢ rose carmine (D7, 8) and
U.S. 10¢ Bill of Lading (R32c). The 30¢, 40¢ and 70¢ Rectangulars are all rare on Insurance documents,
no more than three of each having been recorded.

35. 35
Figure Insurance-25. Policy of Liverpool and London
and Globe Insurance Co. Pacific Department, January
23, 1872, amount $600, stamped on reverse with
die-cut 70¢ orange (D15) and U.S. 10¢ Bill of Lading
(R32c). Left, close view of the stamps.
Figure Insurance-26B. Close view of $1 roulette.

36. 36
U.S. 25¢ Power of Attorney (R48c) (Figure 70¢ Rate (above $500 to $750)
Insurance-20). One 20¢ is the “ABOVE 8. Renewal receipt for policy #284,191 of
$50 TO $100” tablet error, the second of Imperial Insurance Co., May 15, 1864, to F.
the two recorded examples of this stamp on J. Huggins of Stockton for $700, premium
document, wonderfully highlighted here by its $13.12, stamped with 30¢ and 40¢ Insurance
juxtaposition with the normal 10¢ and 20¢, on thin white paper (DIN63A, 64A) and U.S.
the tablets reading: Inland Exchange 20¢ and 5¢ part perforates
“ABOVE $150 TO $200, 20CTS” (R27b, 42b) (Figure Insurance-22). The
“ABOVE $50 TO $100, 20CTS” only recorded examples of the 30¢ and 40¢
“ABOVE $50 TO $100, 10CTS” Insurance on document.
For stamps on document it can be difficult
Something is obviously wrong here—these
to distinguish between thin and medium
cannot all be correct!
white papers However the “SHB” control, as
7. Policy #12,432 of Occidental Insurance on the 30¢ here, is a sure sign of thin paper;
Co., July 23, 1870, to J. McMann, $500 on Samuel H. Brooks remained in office only
furniture and clothing in a dwelling in San until November 20, 1861; by then relatively
Francisco, premium $5, stamped with 50¢ few of the new small Insurance stamps had
olive yellow rouletted (D12a) and U.S. 10¢ been delivered, issued or sold. His handstamp
Bill of Lading (R32c) (Figure Insurance-21). is known only on stamps on thin white or thin
The only recorded example on document of bluish papers, proving that these preceded
the 50¢ olive yellow roulette. The policy has the issues on medium and laid papers. This
a lithographed vignette of the Golden Gate. 30¢, a little-used value, evidently languished
Example 14 describes another policy on in the company’s stock for two and a half
the same property, made a year later with years before finding its way onto this receipt.
increased coverage.
Figure Insurance-26. Policy of Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Co. New York Department,
July 12, 1870, $1000 for one year on a dwelling and belongings in Oroville, stamped on reverse with $1
yellow rouletted (D23a) and U.S. 25¢ Power of Attorney (R48c), executed and stamped in San Francisco.
The only recorded example of the $1 yellow roulette on document. Facing page, close view of the $1 stamp.

37. 37
Figure Insurance-27. Policy of Occidental Insurance Co., July 23, 1871, amount $800, stamped with two
50¢ olive yellow (D12) and U.S. 10¢ Bill of Lading (R32c).

38. 38
Figure Insurance-28. Policy of Liverpool and London and Globe
Insurance Co. Pacific Department, July 6, 1872, amount $1000,
stamped on reverse with die-cut $1 yellow (D23) and U.S.10¢ Bill
of Lading (R32c). Left, close view of the stamps.
The 40¢ here is also on thin paper, based not on its control,
but on the fact that the ornamental border of the receipt can
be seen quite clearly through the paper.
9. Renewal receipt #1024 for policy #6033 of Phoenix Insurance
Co., Sacramento Agency, November 28, 1864, to D. Hardy for
$600, premium $30, stamped with 70¢ Insurance (DIN66) and
U.S. 25¢ Power of Attorney (R48c) (Figure Insurance-23). The
only recorded example of the 70¢ Insurance on document.
10. Renewal receipt #1109 for policy #6168 of Phoenix
Insurance Co., Oakland Agency, February 21, 1868, to Robert
McCutcheon for $600, premium $4.50, stamped with 70¢
yellow orange (D16) and U.S. 10¢ Bill of Lading (R32c) (Figure
Insurance-24).
Renewal receipt #1271 for the same policy for the following
year has also survived, dated February 21, 1869, again for
$600, premium now $5.10, stamped with 30¢ and 40¢ rose
carmine (D7, 8) and U.S. 10¢ Bill of Lading (R32c). The
30¢, 40¢ and 70¢ Rectangulars are all rare on Insurance

39. 39
Figure Insurance-29. Policy of City Fire Insurance Co. of Hartford, November 21, 1863, amount $1500,
stamped with $1.50 Insurance (DIN34) and U.S. Inland Exchange 5¢ and 20¢ part perforate (R27c, 42b).

40. 40
Figure Insurance-30. Policy of Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Co. New York Department,
August 19, 1867, amount $1500, stamped with $1.50 yellow green (D27) and U.S. R48c.

41. 41
Figure Insurance-31. Policy of Phoenix Insurance Co. Pacific Department, April 27, 1872, $1200 on
printing equipment in Printing House Square, San Diego, stamped with 50¢ & $1 orange yellow (D13, 24)
and two U.S. 10¢ Bill of Lading (R32c). The only recorded usage of the 50¢ orange yellow on document.

42. 42
(Figure Insurance-32). Renewal receipt of Hartford Fire Insurance Co., Eureka Agency, September 2,
1872, amount $1500, stamped with 50¢ olive yellow and $1 yellow (D12, 23) and U.S. Second Issue 25¢
(R112). Relatively few U.S. Second Issue stamps were used in the West.
documents, no more than three of each $1 Rate (above $750 to $1000)
having been recorded. 13. Policy #1,283,334 of Liverpool and London
12. Policy #1,635,103 of Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Co. New York Dept.,
and Globe Insurance Co. Pacific Department, July 12, 1870, to Timothy Fogg, $1000 for one
January 23, 1872, to Perry Fitzhugh, $600 year on a dwelling and belongings in Oroville,
for one year on furniture in a dwelling in San Butte County, “on Oak street between Miner’s
Francisco, premium $2, stamped on reverse Alley and Montgomery Street,” premium
with 70¢ orange (D15) and U.S. 10¢ Bill of $15, stamped on reverse with $1 yellow
Lading (R32c) (Figure Insurance-25). rouletted (D23a) and U.S. 25¢ Power of
The state stamp is die-cut—separated by Attorney (R48c), executed and stamped in San
a punch, or die, rather than more laboriously Francisco (Figure Insurance-26). The only
with scissors—but using a die designed for recorded example of the $1 yellow roulette
the old circular stamps! Even with perfect on document.
placement, this was guaranteed to cut into 14. Policy #26,504 of Occidental Insurance
the design of the stamp, but the overall effect Co., July 23, 1871, to J. McMann, $800 on
is striking. Forbin (1915) listed these die-cut furniture, clothing and a piano in a house in
Rectangulars, with prices generally about San Francisco, premium $8, stamped with
three times those for normal stamps. Four two 50¢ olive yellow (D12) and U.S. 10¢ Bill
more have been recorded on policies of this of Lading (R32c) (Figure Insurance-27).
company, all dated January 1872 and later; The company had previously used policies
on others as late as October 1871 the stamps printed locally featuring a striking vignette of
are cut square. The Liverpool and London was the Golden Gate lithographed by Britton and
not the only company to employ this device; Rey of San Francisco (Figure Insurance-21).
an 1869 policy of the Phoenix Insurance Co. This one, inscribed “Edition of 1870,” was
bearing a die-cut $1 violet, and two policies printed by the American Bank Note Co., now
and a renewal of the Pacific Insurance Co. engraved, with an even more impressive
bearing die-cut $3 blue, $4 carmine and $5 vignette of the Golden Gate showing an
carmine have also been recorded (Examples imposing Fort Point.
25, 28). As on the policies of the Liverpool and
As on the policy described in Example London and Globe Insurance Co. described
2, here too the U.S. stamp is cancelled by a above, here too the U.S. stamp is cancelled
dated herringbone, and the state stamp by a by a dated herringbone, and the state stamp
company datestamp. by a company datestamp.

43. 43
15. Policy #1,637,311 of Liverpool and London Stockton, $2000 for one year, June 21, 1862,
and Globe Insurance Co. Pacific Department, stamped with $2 small Insurance (DIN69),
July 6, 1872, to L. W. Boyer, $1000 for one affixed to the original policy which is dated
year on belongings in a dwelling in San June 18, 1861 (Figure Insurance-11). The
Francisco, premium $8, stamped on reverse stamp has “GRW” monogram handstamp and
with die-cut $1 yellow (D23) and U.S. 10¢ a manuscript cancel as newly mandated by
Bill of Lading (R32c) (Figure Insurance-28). the Act of April 10, 1862. Until then there
$1.50 Rate (above $1000 to $1500) had been no requirement to cancel the state
stamps; now it was required “to write upon
16. Policy #960 of City Fire Insurance Co. the face of every stamp used the date at which
of Hartford, Conn., November 21, 1863, to the same is placed upon [the instrument];
John Kentfield, $1500 on dwelling in San and such stamp shall not be used again.” Re-
Francisco, premium $20, stamped with using a stamp was declared a misdemeanor,
$1.50 Insurance (DIN68) and U.S. 5¢ Inland punishable by a fine of not less than $200
Exchange and 20¢ Inland Exchange part nor more than $1000. This is the earliest
perforate (R27c, 42b), all tied by h.s. cancel recorded cancel on an Insurance document,
of John Fowler, Agent (Figure Insurance-29). but cancels as early as May 21, 1862, have
17. Policy #565,121 of Liverpool and been seen on bills of exchange.
London and Globe Insurance Co. New 21. Policy #6763 of San Francisco Insurance
York Department, August 19, 1867, to Co., March 24, 1867, to Henry Duffy, $2000
B. McDougall, $1500 for one year on a for one year on a dwelling in San Francisco,
dwelling in San Francisco, premium $22.50, premium $15, stamped with $2 purple (D207)
stamped with $1.50 yellow green (D27) and and U.S. 25¢ Power of Attorney (R48c), with
U.S. 25¢ Power of Attorney (R48c) (Figure spectacular vignette of firefighting scenes
Insurance-30). (Figure Insurance-33).
18. Policy #6141 of Phoenix Insurance Co. $3 Rate (above $2000 to $3000)
Pacific Department, April 27, 1872, to San
22. Policy #455,882 of Liverpool and London
Diego Publishing Co., $1200 for one year on
Fire and Life Insurance Co., October 18,
printing equipment in a building on Printing
1861, to Wm. Pierce, $3000 for one year
House Square, San Diego, premium $45,
on a dwelling in Sacramento “20 feet from
stamped with 50¢ and $1 orange yellow (D13,
wood,” stamped with $1 and $2 Insurance
24) and two U.S. 10¢ Bill of Lading (R32c)
in thin white paper (DIN67A, 69A) (Figure
(Figure Insurance-31). The only recorded
Insurance-34). The earliest recorded use of
document bearing the orange yellow 50¢, and
small red Insurance stamps.
one of three with the $1. The policy was signed
The stamps are die-cut, making them also
by company’s agent in San Diego and the
perforce the earliest recorded red Insurance
stamps are cancelled with matching initials
die-cuts. (Blue Insurance die-cuts exist, but
and date. Only a handful of documents have
none on document.) The die used here had
been recorded from San Diego bearing U.S.
stamps of the Civil War era, and this is the diameter 25mm, slightly less than that of
the stamps, which is about 25.5mm; this
only recorded usage of California stamps
guanteed that even with perfect placement
there. The U.S. 25¢ tax was underpaid by 5¢;
the design would be a bit cut into.
ghost images of the four stamps show there
are no stamps missing. 23. Policy #443 of California Mutual Life
Insurance Co., September 27, 1869, $2500 on
19. Renewal receipt #472 on policy #4716 of
the life of Charles Bigelow Cutting of Chinese
Hartford Fire Insurance Co., Eureka Agency,
Camp, executed at Stockton, stamped with
September 2, 1872, to John Striker, $1500 for
$3 blue (D34) and U.S. 50¢ Life Insurance
one year, premium $11.25, stamped with 50¢
(R58c) (Figure Insurance-35). Both stamps
olive yellow and $1 yellow (D12, 23) and U.S.
cut to shape. One of five recorded life policies
Second Issue 25¢ (R112), the state stamps on
bearing California stamps. The U.S. tax was
the back (Figure Insurance-32). Counter-
based on the amount of coverage, as follows:
signed at San Francisco and presumably
stamped there, not at Eureka. Relatively few Rate Amount
U.S. Second Issue stamps, and even fewer 25¢ To $1000
Third Issues, were used in the West. 50¢ Above $1000 to $5000
$1 Above $5000
$2 Rate (above $1500 to $2000)
24. Policy #1,631,734 of Liverpool and London
20. Renewal receipt of Imperial Fire Insurance
and Globe Insurance Co. Pacific Department,
Co. San Francisco Agency for policy #294,617
February 14, 1872, to Thomas Gardner,
of their Californian Agency, to F. J. Huggins of

44. 44
Figure Insurance-33. Policy of San Francisco Insurance Co., March 24, 1867, amount $2000, stamped
with $2 purple (D30) and U.S. R48c, with spectacular engraved vignette of firefighting scenes.

45. 45
Figure Insurance-34. Policy of Liverpool & London Fire & Life Insurance Co., October 18, 1861, amount
$3000, stamped with $1 & $2 Insurance on thin white paper (DIN67A, 69A), both die-cut. The earliest
recorded use of small red Insurance stamps.

46. 46
Figure Insurance-36. Policy
of Liverpool and London and
Globe Insurance Co. Pacific
Dept., February 14, 1872,
amount $2800, stamped on
reverse with die-cut $3 green
(D35) and U.S. R44c. The only
recorded example of the $3
green on document.
During 1868-72 several
companies separated the
Rectangular stamps with dies
first employed for the Circulars.
Figure Insurance-34B. Close
view of the stamps, the earliest
recorded Insurance die-cuts.

47. 47
Figure Insurance-35. Policy of California Mutual Life Insurance Co., September 27, 1869, $2500 on the life
a resident of Chinese Camp, Tuolomne County, executed at Stockton, stamped with $3 blue (D34) and U.S.
50¢ Life Insurance (R58c), both cut to shape. One of five recorded life policies bearing California stamps.

48. 48
Figure Insurance-37. Policy of Liverpool & London & Globe Insurance Co., July 7, 1871, for $3500 on
the San Lorenzo Paper Mill near Santa Cruz, stamped on reverse with $4 carmine (D36) and U.S. R60c.
Made to John Sime, whose San Francisco banking house would fail mere months later.
executor of J. Haman, $2800 for one year on a 25¢ stamp. Another of the three companies
dwelling and stable in Sacramento, premium for which die-cut Rectangulars have been
$22.05, stamped on reverse with die-cut $3 recorded on document.
green (D35) and U.S. 25¢ Certificate (R44c), 26. Policy #1,320,103 of Liverpool and
executed and stamped in San Francisco London and Globe Insurance Co., July 7,
(Figure Insurance-36). The only recorded 1871, to John Sime, $3500 for one year on the
example of the $3 green on document. San Lorenzo Paper Mill , on the San Lorenzo
The $3 was issued first in red, then blue, River two miles from Santa Cruz, premium
then green! The change to blue was made $22.50, stamped on reverse with $4 carmine
in 1868, perhaps to eliminate resemblance (D36) and U.S. 50¢ Original Process (R60c)
to the $4 and $5, which were both initially (Figure Insurance-37). One of two recorded
printed in carmine. The $4 was changed to examples of the $4 carmine on document.
green in 1869, perhaps for the same reason; John Sime & Co. was a San Francisco
but if so, why was the $3 changed to green banking house opened in 1858. It would fail
at the same time? in November 1871, mere months after this
$4 Rate (above $3000 to $4000) policy was executed. Its failure was coupled
25. Policy #20,378 of Pacific Insurance Co., with that of the banking house B. F. Hastings
April 10, 1868, to Edward Barnes, $3200 & Co. of Sacramento; Hastings had been a
for one year on three dwellings in Petaluma, partner in Sime & Co. According to Cross
Sonoma County, premium $27, stamped with (1927), Sime & Co. failed “as a consequence
die-cut $4 carmine (D36) overlapping U.S. of the operations of the manager of its agency