Calcined Magnesia was first produced in England. It had the benefits of being more pleasant to take and being easier on the stomach than the raw product, but was rather high-priced. In 1844 Thomas J. Husband of Philadelphia produced Husband's Genuine Calcined Magnesia, an effective imitation of the English product.

Shortly after promulgation of the Revenue Act of 1862, Husband applied for a private proprietary stamp. It was first issued in April of 1863, printed in violet. 26,305 stamps on old paper were delivered, after which Husband requested a color change to vermilion. Butler and Carpenter was left with a balance of 162,245 of the violet stamps, which Husband would not accept. The printer finally destroyed them.

Due to the controversy with the printer, Husband was forced to use general issue stamps until January of 1870. At that point use of the vermilion stamps began. Of these, 420,495 were printed on old paper, 991,250 on silk paper and 924,143 on watermarked paper. The copy shown is on watermarked paper.

A card proof of the Husband stamp.

A wrapper from a bottle of Husband's Magnesia

The private die stamp design was altered to produce a facsimile label for use after June 30, 1883.

A specimen of the facsimile label.