1785 newspaper

The red stamp is a revenue stamp for a halfpenny, or ha'penny, as we'd say. That's pronounced haypenny. Paper and newspapers were taxed at that time. In terms of purchasing power comparison the price of 3d (threepence) for one issue of the paper (including the tax) was equivalent to about 5 to 8 dollars, it would buy a filling if not fancy meal. It got worse before it got better.

http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/articles/tax_on_knowledge.html

 

Oh, a TAX stamp!!! hahaha!!

I should have guessed it was a TAX!! HAHAHAA!!!!

WOW! That's expensive! One had to be WEALTHY to read the news well..!

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out..

 

Well, SNAP!

Thanks!! Makes total sense.