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Tax
declaration, French, around 1800 |
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Playing card maker Mandrou, France. Collection Gejus van Diggele. |
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# 17
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Tax
declaration, French, around 1800 |
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|
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Playing card maker Mandrou, France. Collection Gejus van Diggele. |
|
For most people tax is a source of inspiration to find ways to reduce their personal contribution to the national treasury. Today however the tax envelop I received in the mail (in Holland tax envelopes have a typical blue colour) inspired me. When Joop called me for this month story about a secondary used playing card, I knew immediately what card I would select.
It is a pre-printed tax receipt. Regional tax offices where people had to report their goods, were located throughout France in the 19th century. This tax office was in the town of Riom in the Puy-de-Dôme Department. With this card, Mme. de Sebert could show that she owed no tax for her harvest of grapes.
Translation
of the text on the card:
THE RIOM TAX OFFICE
Receipt for a vat holding five
baskets of grapes, marked 220 litres, for Mme. de Sebert
Boyer
(signature)
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