Legal Manuscripts (Brittany - 17th/18th century)

Stamped Paper and Its Origins (1674–1789)

Stamped paper was introduced in 1674 as one of several royal tax measures aimed at replenishing the kingdom’s finances after a series of costly wars. From that year onward, all sorts of official documents—such as civil status registers, notarial deeds, and records issued by royal or seigneurial courts—were subject to this new levy. Proof of payment took the form of a stamp on blank paper; its cost varied according to the paper’s size, beginning at 1 sol for a small sheet in 1674 and increasing to 2 sols by around 1789.

In Brittany, the imposition of stamped paper contributed to a popular uprising known as the “Stamped Paper Revolt” or the “Revolt of the Red Caps.” While the stamp duty itself was unpopular, the discontent that fueled the revolt had just as much to do with other onerous taxes on tobacco and alcohol introduced in the preceding years.

The design of the tax stamps changed regularly, most likely to prevent fraud. The illustration mentioned (though not shown here) depicts the main stamp designs used between 1674 and 1689 on records from the seigneurial and royal courts of Concarneau and Quimperlé in Brittany. It is probable that the same designs were also used on official documents throughout the province. In the early years of stamped paper, these designs shifted frequently—changes that researchers today can use to date otherwise undated documents.

Source