Caterson & Brotz Company

The Caterson & Brotz Company was founded in 1880 by James H. Caterson and Robert Brotz. Their office was located at 522 Cherry Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1880 to 1891. They designed a Private Die Revenue Stamp to be used on their decks. It was approved by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue on November 27th, 1882, and engraved by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. On December 4th, 1882, Caterson & Brotz ordered 25,500 Private Die Stamps. However, the US Revenue Stamp Act was rescinded on March 3rd, 1883, so the stamps were never delivered to Caterson & Brotz and they refused to pay for them. In 1884, the entire lot was sent to be incinerated. Three copies are known to have been saved by the engraver, the woman who verified the count, and a man who supervised the burning.