Match Tax

In 1871, the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed a halfpenny tax per box on the sale of matches.
When the proposal became known to the public there was strong opposition especially from the match workers and sellers of London's East End.
The stamp on the left was printed in anticipation of the tax being introduced, this never happened as the Bill was defeated by 201 votes to 44.
The "stamp" on the centre isn't a revenue stamp, it's a cut-out from an original Bryant & May match box - this was printed on their range of
"Chancellor matches" by way of celebration after the proposed tax was defeated 25th April 1872

They also opened a drinking fountain in Bow Road, London paid for by public subscription.

The inscription "Ex Luce Lucellum" translates as "out of light, a little profit"