*The Solicitor of Stamps for Scotland – A Forgotten Edinburgh Office
Have you ever wondered what the Solicitor of Stamps for Scotland actually did?
In the 18th and 19th centuries, stamp duties were an important source of government revenue. Taxes were levied on legal documents, deeds, inventories, contracts and other paperwork, and the Edinburgh Stamp Office was responsible for administering these duties in Scotland.
The Solicitor of Stamps dealt with the legal side of the system, including disputes and claims relating to stamp duty. Historical records show that the office dealt with claims for replacing spoiled or defective stamps, with the Solicitor's office in Edinburgh open on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the examination of claims. ([Deriv][1])
One notable holder was James Bremner, who became Solicitor of Stamps and was a significant figure in Edinburgh's early 19th-century Stamp Office. His career, and a scandal surrounding the Scottish Stamp Office, have been examined by the Old Edinburgh Club. ([The Old Edinburgh Club][2])
Another was Sir James Gibson-Craig, who was appointed Solicitor of Stamps in 1806 during the short-lived Ministry of All the Talents. ([Wikipedia][3])
It may sound like a rather obscure government position today, but the office provides a fascinating glimpse into how taxation, law and everyday paperwork worked in historic Scotland.
A forgotten job with a surprisingly important role in Edinburgh's history.*
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