Columbia, Tennessee Postmaster Provisional Stamps
Columbia, Tennessee, is a city located in the Southern United States, specifically within the southeastern region of North America. As a municipality within the United States, its postal history is entirely governed by the United States Postal Service (USPS), with no independent stamp-issuing authority.
- Issued stamps
- 1861–1861
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- Confederate States of America
History and background
Stamps issued for use in Columbia would feature English text and denominations in US currency, reflecting the standard national postal administration that has been in place since the country's founding. The city's postal administration falls under the broader historical and administrative framework of the American postal system.
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- COLUMBIA TENN
How to identify them
- Look for a handstamped 'COLUMBIA TENN' in an oval or similar shape, often with '5 CENTS' below, on buff-colored paper.
- Authenticity is paramount; expertization is required due to the rarity and potential for forgeries.
- These stamps were used briefly in 1861 before the general issue of Confederate States of America stamps.
Popular series
-
Postmaster Provisional
1861
A single stamp issue, a 5-cent black on buff, handstamped by the local postmaster during the early days of the American Civil War before Confederate stamps were widely available.
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–$50,000+
Columbia, Tennessee, Postmaster Provisional stamps are exceedingly rare and highly sought after by collectors of Confederate philately. Their value depends heavily on condition, cancellations, and provenance. Only a very limited number are known to exist.
Catalogs. Columbia, Tennessee 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 Columbia, Tennessee Postmaster Provisional stamps
Columbia, Tennessee Postmaster Provisional stamps are extremely rare local stamps issued by the postmaster of Columbia, Tennessee, in 1861. They were created out of necessity during the early stages of the American Civil War when the Confederate States of America had seceded from the Union but had not yet issued their own general postage stamps. These provisional stamps allowed mail service to continue locally.
Yes, Columbia, Tennessee Postmaster Provisional stamps are among the most valuable and rare items in Confederate philately. Due to their very limited issuance and survival rate, genuine examples can fetch tens of thousands of dollars or more at auction. Their value is highly dependent on condition, cancellation, and expert authentication.
Identifying a Columbia, Tennessee Postmaster Provisional stamp requires careful examination. Look for a handstamped design, typically in black ink, featuring 'COLUMBIA TENN' and '5 CENTS' on buff-colored paper. Due to their rarity and high value, expert authentication by a reputable philatelic society or expertizer is absolutely essential. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Columbia, Tennessee Postmaster Provisional stamps are listed in the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers, specifically within the Confederate States of America section under 'Postmasters' Provisionals'. They are not typically found in general international catalogs like Michel or Stanley Gibbons, as these focus more on national issues.
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