Wallpaper Tax
In the early 1700's, during the reign of Queen Anne, patterned, painted or printed wallpaper became a cheaper alternative to hanging textiles, tapestries or timber panelling for inerior finishes. The Government as such saw it as an opportunity to raise revenue by introducing a tax on such patterened paper used as finishes.
The tax was even increased in early 1800, however buying plain paper avoided falling into the same tax bracket and as such, many people bought tax free plain paper and decorated it themselves byt hand or with stencils. The tax was eventually abolished in 1836, not long after the increase.
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