Boston Mass Postmaster Provisional Stamps
Boston, Massachusetts, is a major city in the northeastern United States, situated on the Atlantic coast of North America. As a foundational center of the American colonies, its postal history is intrinsically linked to the development of the United States Post Office Department, predating national unification.
- Issued stamps
- 1849–1850
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- United States
History and background
Stamps issued for use in Boston would primarily feature English text and denominations in US currency, reflecting its status within the federal postal system following the American Revolution. While Boston itself did not issue stamps distinct from the federal issues, its early postal infrastructure was crucial to the establishment of the national postal network.
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
- BOSTON
How to identify them
- Look for a circular design, typically featuring the words 'PAID' and 'BOSTON' with a denomination (e.g., '5 CENTS').
- These are handstamped designs, not engraved, and often appear on covers (envelopes) rather than as individual stamps.
- Authenticity is paramount; expertization is essential due to their rarity and high value.
Popular series
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Boston Postmaster Provisional
1849-1850
These were locally produced stamps issued by the Boston postmaster before the general issue of federal stamps in 1847 (though Boston's specific provisionals appeared later than some others). They were intended to prepay postage locally.
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
- Not applicable; all known examples are rare.
- Scarce stamps
- $10,000–$100,000+
Boston Postmaster Provisionals are exceedingly rare and highly sought after by collectors of classic US philately. Their value depends heavily on condition, cancellations, and specific varieties. Only a handful of examples are known to exist.
Catalogs. Boston Mass Postmaster 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 Boston Mass Postmaster Provisional stamps
Boston Mass stamps refer to the exceedingly rare 'Postmaster Provisionals' issued by the postmaster of Boston, Massachusetts, around 1849-1850. These were local stamps used to prepay postage before the widespread availability of federal postage stamps.
Yes, Boston Mass Postmaster Provisional stamps are among the most valuable and rare items in U.S. philately. Due to their extreme scarcity (only a few examples are known), they command prices ranging from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand dollars, depending on condition and provenance.
Identifying Boston Mass Postmaster Provisionals requires expert knowledge due to their rarity and the potential for forgeries. Look for a circular handstamped design typically showing 'PAID', 'BOSTON', and a denomination like '5 CENTS'. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Boston Mass Postmaster Provisional stamps are listed in major philatelic catalogs such as Scott (under United States Postmaster Provisionals), Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. Due to their rarity, they are typically given specialized catalog numbers and significant valuations.
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