Brattleboro Postmaster's Provisional Stamps
Brattleboro is a town located in the state of Vermont, within the New England region of the northeastern United States. As part of the US postal system, its postal history is intrinsically linked to the development of the United States Post Office Department, with local postal services operating under federal authority.
- Issued stamps
- 1846–1846
- 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 Brattleboro would feature English inscriptions and denominations in US currency, reflecting the dominant linguistic and monetary environment of the nation. While Brattleboro itself does not issue independent stamps, its postal history mirrors the broader administrative and political transitions of the American republic.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for a 5-cent denomination, printed in black on yellowish paper.
- The stamp features the inscription 'P. O. / BRATTLEBORO / VT. / 5 CENTS.' in a circular design.
- Authentic examples are handstamped and typically bear the manuscript signature of the postmaster, F. N. Palmer, or his clerk, T. C. Lord, often in red ink.
Popular series
-
Postmaster's Provisional
1846
The single issue of a 5-cent black stamp, handstamped and signed by the postmaster, was created to meet local postal needs before the first general issue of U.S. stamps.
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 stamps)
- Scarce stamps
- $10,000–$100,000+
Brattleboro Postmaster's Provisional stamps are exceedingly rare and highly sought after by collectors. Their value depends heavily on condition, cancellations, and provenance. Only a handful of examples are known to exist.
Catalogs. Brattleboro Postmaster's 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 Brattleboro Postmaster's Provisional stamps
Brattleboro stamps refer to a single issue of a 'Postmaster's Provisional' stamp, a temporary local stamp issued by the postmaster of Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1846. These were used to prepay postage before the first official U.S. federal postage stamps were issued.
Yes, Brattleboro stamps are among the most valuable and rarest of all U.S. philatelic items. Due to their extreme scarcity (only a few examples are known), they command very high prices, often ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.
Brattleboro stamps are 5-cent black provisional stamps with a distinctive circular design reading 'P. O. / BRATTLEBORO / VT. / 5 CENTS.' They are usually handstamped and often bear a manuscript signature. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Brattleboro Postmaster's Provisional stamps are listed in all major philatelic catalogs, including Scott (as Scott #10X1), Michel, and Stanley Gibbons, under the United States section for Postmaster's Provisionals.
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