legendarypre-1900

New York Postmaster's Provisional

Name: New York Postmaster's Provisional
Brand: United States

United States · 1845 · 5 CENTS

This stamp features a portrait of George Washington in an oval frame, with 'NEW YORK' and 'POST OFFICE' encircling the portrait, and '5 CENTS' at the bottom. It is printed in black ink.

Issued in 1845 by the New York City Postmaster, this provisional stamp allowed for the prepayment of postage locally before the first general issue of U.S. federal stamps in 1847, marking a significant step in American postal history.

Printing Method

Lithography

Themes

provisional postal-history heads-of-state historical-figures

Catalog Numbers

scott9X1

Image: Post Office · License: Public domain

View on Wikimedia Commons

Estimated Values by Condition

Superb(S)

Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults

$$100,000+

Extremely Fine(XF)

Well centered, fresh colors

$$50,000 - $100,000

Very Fine(VF)

Nicely centered, minor flaws

$$25,000 - $50,000

Fine(F)

Average centering, acceptable

$$10,000 - $25,000

Good(G)

Off-center or visible wear

$$5,000 - $10,000

Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.