On one of my recent visits to Attingham Park I learned about wallpaper tax, I must admit it was a new one on me! It seems that those in power always had ingenious ways of taxing the people.
Wallpaper used to be a very expensive commodity, and was subject to a tax: each sheet was stamped by a tax-inspector, and then tax-stamped again if the paper was stained, or coloured, with a ‘DUTY CHARGED ON PAPER STAINED’ stamp The sheets of wallpaper at Attingham are stamped twice, with the crest of GR for George III and the date 1807. *
The room guide who was telling visitors about the wallpaper and stamps explained how some people would get around paying the full amount of tax. They would just get the top and bottom pieces of wallpaper stamped (it used to come in squares and not rolls) and so only paid part of the taxes due. When the tax inspector came round he usually only checked the corners of the top and bottom pieces. It seems some things never change 
*From the national trust guide book.
How cometh, I wonder, they‘re not demanding a blogpost-tax, yet?
Please Sean, don’t give them ideas!!!
Bring it back it will save us from the £6bn in savings coming our way!
Now that IS a thought…
I have a feeling I’ve heard about that tax before.
So many beautiful photos on your blog as always, cherie.
Thanks Liz
They wouldn’t get any wallpaper tax from us, all our walls are painted.
I love painted walls too
I am slowly getting rid of my wallpaper and going back to subtle pastels 