Louisiana Stamps
Louisiana, situated in the Southern United States, possesses a unique postal history reflecting its transition from French and Spanish colonial rule to its current status within the American federal system. While primarily issuing stamps under the United States Post Office Department, its cultural heritage is often subtly referenced through imagery, though the primary language on its postal material is English.
- Issued stamps
- None
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English, French, Spanish
- Issuer type
- Historical postal administration
- Part of
- United States
About Louisiana stamps
The territory’s complex administrative shifts, particularly the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, firmly integrated its postal operations into the developing U. S. national system, standardizing its issuance practices relative to the rest of the nation.
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.
- LOUISIANA
How to identify Louisiana stamps
- Look for 'LOUISIANA' or town names within the state on Confederate provisional issues.
- Examine cancellations on U.S. stamps for Louisiana postmarks.
- Note the design and denomination, especially for provisional issues which often have a crude appearance.
Popular series
-
Louisiana Provisional Issues (Confederate)
1861-1862
Stamps issued locally by postmasters in Louisiana during the early Confederate period, before general Confederate issues became 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
- $1–$20
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$5,000+
While Louisiana itself did not issue federal stamps, its provisional issues during the Confederate period are highly sought after by collectors. Stamps from the U.S. period used in Louisiana are valued as standard U.S. issues, with some cancellations or covers potentially adding premium.
Catalogs. Louisiana 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 Louisiana stamps
Louisiana, as a U.S. state, does not issue its own federal postage stamps. However, during the American Civil War, various postmasters in Louisiana issued 'provisional' stamps due to the disruption of federal postal services. These are highly collectible and distinct from regular U.S. issues.
Yes, particularly the Confederate provisional issues from Louisiana can be quite valuable, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on rarity, condition, and specific postmark. Regular U.S. stamps used in Louisiana are valued as standard U.S. issues, though specific cancellations can add value.
Identifying Louisiana provisional stamps involves looking for the state name or specific city names (e.g., New Orleans, Baton Rouge) on the stamp itself, often with a 'Paid' or 'Postage' inscription. For U.S. stamps used in Louisiana, identification relies on the postmark. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
The Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue lists Confederate provisional issues, including those from Louisiana, typically within the Confederate States of America section. Michel and Stanley Gibbons also cover these issues, often within their respective U.S. or Confederate sections.
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