New Haven Postmaster Provisional Stamps
New Haven, a historical locality within the United States, does not possess an independent postal history separate from the federal system of North America. Its philatelic record is entirely integrated into that of the United States, reflecting the nation's development from its early republic through its membership in the Universal Postal Union.
- Issued stamps
- 1845–1845
- 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 New Haven would feature English as the primary language and denominations in US currency. As a municipality, New Haven's postal administration was absorbed into the centralized US Post Office Department early in American history, precluding any distinct series of national postage.
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.
- NEW HAVEN
- CONN.
How to identify them
- Look for the inscription 'NEW HAVEN' at the top and 'CONN.' at the bottom, surrounding a portrait of George Washington.
- The stamp is a 5-cent denomination, typically printed in black on bluish paper, though variations exist.
Popular series
-
New Haven Postmaster Provisional
1845
A single stamp issued by the New Haven postmaster before the general issue of U.S. stamps, featuring a portrait of George Washington.
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+
The New Haven Postmaster Provisional is exceedingly rare and highly sought after by collectors of U.S. classic stamps. Its value depends heavily on condition, cancellations, and provenance. No 'common' stamps exist for New Haven as an independent issuer.
Catalogs. New Haven 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 New Haven Postmaster Provisional stamps
New Haven, Connecticut, issued a single 'Postmaster Provisional' stamp in 1845, before the official U.S. federal postage stamps were introduced. This stamp was authorized for local use by the New Haven postmaster to prepay postage.
Yes, the New Haven Postmaster Provisional stamp is extremely valuable. It is one of the rarest and most historically significant U.S. local stamps, with examples fetching tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand dollars at auction, depending on condition and specific characteristics.
To identify a New Haven Postmaster Provisional stamp, look for the words 'NEW HAVEN' and 'CONN.' encircling a central portrait of George Washington, with '5 CENTS' at the bottom. Due to its rarity and value, authentication by an expert is crucial. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
The New Haven Postmaster Provisional stamp is prominently listed in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue under United States Postmaster Provisionals. It is a key item for serious collectors of U.S. philately.
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