Quebec Unemployment, Liquor Sales and the Great Depression.
Unemployment Relief Tax Revenue Stamps were used on both liquor labels and packaging. The stamps were issued between 1934 and 1939 in the Great Depression to raise funds to ease the burden. The tax stamps were issued in three denominations. 5¢, 10¢ and 15¢.
By looking at the labels below, each used the same "code" to identify the retailer. The code on both examples is stamped onto both the label and the stamp itself. In this case, the code is "Y7" which translates into store #31. Store 31 is in Rivière-du-Loup, located at 205, rue Lafontaine. The use of the 15¢ stamp on both examples tells us that the bottle was over 27 ounces and one is "Canadian Club" Rye Whisky and the other is "Canadian Club Walker's" Rye Whisky.
It is interesting to read the label to understand how the packaging program worked. "This bottle is wrapped in paper interwoven with red and blue threads. Manufactured exclusively for the Quebec Liquor Commission and bears the registered watermark as indicated opposite. This method of wrapping guarantees the genuineness of the contents.
For the protection of the public against fraud, consumers are requested to destroy both the wrapper and the labels on the enclosed bottle and package.
The store coding was necessary in the event that any stolen and recovered alcohol could be traced back to the appropriate retailer.
These two examples are great survivors, the labels and stamps being fully intact. The threads are brilliant and the paper bears the watermarks boldly.
A great addition to any Revenue Stamp Collector Collection!
Comments