English stamp duties, 1734-1764

Manuscript volume containing 'A general abstract of the stamp duties for thirty years, ending the 2nd August 1764, distinguishing each year'. The abstract is signed 'Made out and carefully examined by I Harris, pro Comptroller'.

Stamp duties were first introduced in England in 1694 by an Act of Parliament (5 & 6 William and Mary c.21). It was a form of taxation, originally levied on legal documents, which required them to use stamped paper. This was soon extended to other items, and became used as a method of social control, for example through the taxation of dice to prevent gambling. The creator is possibly James Harris (English philologist, 1709-1780). Trained as a lawyer. MP for the Borough of Christ Church from 1761-1780. Elected Lord of the Admiralty in 1762 and Lord of the Treasury in 1763 (to 1765). Made Secretary and Comptroller General to the Queen in 1774. Wrote Hermes, or a philosophical inquiry concerning universal grammar (1751).

Single item.

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Bought from C.W. Traylen in 1951.

Collection level description.

Manuscript obling folio.

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

This manuscript contains the bookplate of William Charles de Meuron Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 7th Earl Fitzwilliam (1872-1943).