Search for sets of U.S. 1942-46 motor vehicle use revenue stamps

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

In February 1942, to help fund the enormous cost of World War II and with gasoline in short supply to help regulate and control the use of private vehicles, the United States began issuing and requiring the use of motor vehicle use revenue stamps (Scott RV1-RV53).

The stamps were denominated according to how long they were valid for use, which depended on the month in which they were purchased.

Five sets of motor vehicle use tax stamps were issued from 1942 to 1946. The use of these revenue stamps was discontinued in June 1946.

Ironically, the stamp with the highest face value in each year set is also the one with the lowest catalog value.

The stamps issued during 1942-44 feature the Liberty Bell.

The stamps for 1945 and 1946 show Daniel Manning, a banker, journalist and Democrat politician who served as secretary of the Department of the Treasury under President Grover Cleveland from 1885 to 1887.

All five sets of motor vehicle use revenue stamps are in demand and worth searching for. Try to buy them in complete mint year sets.

In use, they were affixed to the inside of the vehicle’s windshield. Only the first stamp issued (Scott RV1) is gummed on the back. The rest are gummed on the face of the stamp.

The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values the year sets in mint, never-hinged condition as follows: 1942, $422.50; 1943, $741.25; 1944, $862.40; 1945, $615.75; and 1946, 237.50.

The entire group of five year sets is valued at $2,879 in mint, never-hinged condition. A complete group of five used sets is valued at $655.20.

Sets in mint, never-hinged condition are a good buy at around 80 percent or more of Scott catalog value. Sets in unused, hinged condition sell for 60 percent to 65 percent of Scott catalog value.

Hinged stamps usually have the hinge on the back, which, although it doesn’t disturb the gum on the face, still detracts from the stamp’s value.

Stamps with vehicle details completed on the back are in used condition, regardless of whether they retain gum on the face of the stamp.

Fine-very fine centering is generally acceptable. When buying sets, you might have to replace a defective single.

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