Millbury Provisional Stamps
Millbury is a region whose postal history is not recognized within standard international philatelic catalogs as an independent, sovereign stamp-issuing entity. Therefore, its geographical location and specific postal administration context cannot be determined without further clarification regarding its political status, such as whether it is a municipality, a historical entity, or a dependency of a larger nation.
- Issued stamps
- 1846–1846
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- United States
History and background
Consequently, there is no established linguistic environment or distinct period of stamp issuance attributable solely to "Millbury" in global postal history. Any stamps associated with this name would likely fall under the jurisdiction of the larger country or territory it belongs to.
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.
- MILLBURY
- MASS.
How to identify them
- Look for a handstamped '5' in a circular frame, usually in black ink, on bluish paper.
- The stamp typically features the word 'MILLBURY' in an arc above the '5' and 'MASS.' below.
- Authenticity is paramount; expertization by a recognized philatelic organization (e.g., APS, PF) is essential for any purported Millbury Provisional.
Popular series
-
Millbury Provisional
1846
The famous 5c black on bluish paper, handstamped by the postmaster, Dr. Asa Holman, before the 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
- $100,000–$500,000+
The Millbury Provisional is one of the rarest and most valuable of all U.S. Postmasters' Provisionals. Only a handful of examples are known to exist, making them highly sought after by advanced collectors. Their value is entirely dependent on condition, provenance, and whether they are on or off cover.
Catalogs. Millbury 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 Millbury Provisional stamps
Millbury stamps refer to the extremely rare 'Millbury Provisional' stamp issued in 1846 by the postmaster of Millbury, Massachusetts, Dr. Asa Holman. It was a local stamp used before the first general issue of United States postage stamps.
Yes, Millbury stamps are among the most valuable and rarest stamps in U.S. philately. With only a few known examples, they command prices well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction, making them highly prized by collectors of classic U.S. stamps.
Millbury stamps are identified by a distinctive handstamped design featuring a large '5' (for 5 cents) within a circular frame, often with 'MILLBURY' above and 'MASS.' below, printed in black ink on bluish paper. Due to their extreme rarity and value, expert authentication is crucial. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Millbury stamps are listed in major philatelic catalogs that cover United States stamps, including Scott (as part of U.S. Postmasters' Provisionals), Michel, and Stanley Gibbons. These catalogs provide detailed information and valuations for the known examples.
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