Revenue stamps were introduced in Ecuador in 1881, under the new Ley de Timbres (Law of Revenue Stamps). Previously, during colonial period and from Independence from Spain, taxes were paid using Papel Sellado (Revenue Stamped Paper).
During XIX century postage and revenue stamps were printed by two main US stamp printers: American Bank Note Company and Hamilton Bank Note Company. Later were replaced by Waterlow & Sons Limited, under presidency of Eloy Alfaro Delgado.
From starting of use in 1881 to 1891 issue, revenue stamps were printed by American Bank Note Company, later replaced by Hamilton Bank Note Company, under well known Seebeck Contract.
Basic design used was the Arms of Ecuador surrounded by country name, class of revenue, face value in words and numbers on each corner and two years period of validity.
