Atlanta Provisional Stamps
Atlanta is a major city located in the southeastern United States, not a sovereign country with its own independent postal administration. As a key hub within the United States, its postal history is entirely integrated with that of the U.
- Issued stamps
- 1861–1861
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- United States
History and background
S. Postal Service, utilizing English inscriptions and U. S. currency denominations. Therefore, stamps issued for use in Atlanta would be standard United States issues, reflecting the nation's long history within the Universal Postal Union since 1875. The city's development as a transportation and commercial center is reflected in the postal markings and issues of the U. S. government over time.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- PAID 5
- PAID 10
How to identify them
- Look for the inscription 'ATLANTA, GA.' and 'PAID 5' or 'PAID 10' on a handstamped or printed provisional issue.
- The stamp is typically a simple design, often in black ink on colored paper, reflecting its emergency nature.
- Authenticity is paramount; expertization is highly recommended due to rarity and potential for forgeries.
Popular series
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Atlanta Provisional Issue
1861
During the early days of the American Civil War, before the Confederate States of America established a unified postal system, some Southern postmasters issued provisional stamps. Atlanta's provisional was a notable example, issued by Postmaster L.P. Grant.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- N/A (no common issues)
- Scarce stamps
- $5,000–$50,000+
Atlanta's provisional stamp is exceedingly rare and highly sought after by collectors of Confederate and U.S. local post issues. Its value depends heavily on condition, cancellations, and provenance. No 'common' stamps were issued directly by Atlanta as a local post.
Catalogs. Atlanta Provisional stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Atlanta Provisional stamps
Atlanta stamps refer specifically to the provisional postal issues created by the Postmaster of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1861, during the early stages of the American Civil War. These were temporary stamps used before the Confederate States of America established its own postal system. Atlanta itself is not a sovereign entity and does not issue its own national stamps; standard U.S. stamps are used there.
Yes, the 1861 Atlanta provisional stamps are extremely valuable. They are considered rare philatelic items, particularly those in good condition or on cover. Values can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the specific variety, condition, and cancellation. There are no 'common' Atlanta local post stamps.
To identify an Atlanta provisional stamp, look for the city name 'ATLANTA, GA.' and the denomination 'PAID 5' or 'PAID 10' (cents), usually handstamped or printed in black on colored paper. Due to their rarity and historical significance, expert authentication is crucial. You can also use a stamp identification app to help narrow down possibilities, but for such a valuable item, professional philatelic expertise is essential.
The primary catalog for Atlanta provisional stamps is the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, specifically within the sections dedicated to Confederate States of America Postmasters' Provisionals. Other specialized catalogs focusing on Confederate philately may also list them.
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