Montgomery Postmaster Provisional Stamps
Montgomery is not recognized as a sovereign country with its own postal administration or stamp-issuing authority in standard philatelic or geopolitical databases. Therefore, there is no specific geographical region, colonial history, or linguistic environment associated with a country named Montgomery for the purpose of stamp description.
- 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
Any postal items bearing the name "Montgomery" would likely originate from a locality, city, or historical entity within a larger recognized nation, such as the capital of Alabama, USA, rather than representing an independent nation-state.
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
How to identify them
- Look for the handstamped 'PAID' and '5' (or '10') cents, often in red or blue ink, on envelopes or cut squares.
- The stamps are not printed, but rather handstamped directly onto the mail piece or on small pieces of paper affixed to the mail.
- Authenticity is paramount; expertization is required due to numerous forgeries and facsimiles.
Popular series
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Montgomery Postmaster Provisional
1861
Issued by the postmaster of Montgomery, Alabama, during the early days of the American Civil War before official Confederate stamps were 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 issues)
- Scarce stamps
- $5,000–$50,000+
Montgomery Postmaster Provisionals are extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors of Confederate philately. Values depend heavily on condition, cancellations, and specific varieties.
Catalogs. Montgomery 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 Montgomery Postmaster Provisional stamps
Montgomery 'stamps' refer to Postmaster Provisional issues from Montgomery, Alabama, used briefly in 1861 during the American Civil War. These were not officially printed stamps but rather handstamped markings applied by the local postmaster to indicate postage payment before the Confederate States of America issued its own stamps.
Yes, Montgomery Postmaster Provisionals are among the most valuable and rare items in Confederate philately. Due to their scarcity and historical significance, genuine examples can fetch thousands to tens of thousands of dollars at auction. Their value is highly dependent on condition, cancellation, and provenance.
Identifying genuine Montgomery Postmaster Provisionals requires expert knowledge. Look for handstamped 'PAID' and '5' (or '10') cent markings, typically in red or blue ink, on envelopes or cut squares. These are not engraved or lithographed stamps. Due to the prevalence of forgeries, professional authentication is essential. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Montgomery Postmaster Provisionals are primarily listed in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, specifically within the Confederate States of America section under 'Postmasters' Provisionals'. They are generally not listed in Michel or Stanley Gibbons as these catalogs focus more on national issues.
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