Philadelphia Pa Local Post Stamps
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a major city located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Eastern United States. Its postal history is integral to the development of the United States Post Office Department, serving as a crucial hub for early American mail distribution and the site of early postal experimentation.
- Issued stamps
- 1849–1856
- 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 Philadelphia primarily feature English text and denominations in US currency, reflecting its role within the federal postal system. The city's long history as a center of commerce and politics means its postal markings and issues are deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of American postal administration.
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.
- PHILADELPHIA PA
- CITY DESPATCH POST
How to identify them
- Look for 'PHILADELPHIA PA' or 'CITY DESPATCH POST' inscriptions.
- Examine the design for specific motifs like eagles or cityscapes, common in early local posts.
- Check for denominations in cents, typically 1c, 2c, or 3c.
- Note the paper type and printing method, as these can be distinctive for local issues.
Popular series
-
Philadelphia Postmaster Provisionals
1849-1851
Early local stamps issued by the Philadelphia Postmaster before the general issue of U.S. federal stamps.
-
Philadelphia City Despatch Post
1850-1856
Stamps issued by a private local post operating within Philadelphia, often for intra-city mail delivery.
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
- $50–$500
- Scarce stamps
- $1,000–$10,000+
The value of Philadelphia local post stamps varies significantly based on condition, specific issue, and rarity. Postmaster Provisionals are generally more valuable than City Despatch Post issues. Cancellations and covers can also greatly impact value.
Catalogs. Philadelphia Pa Local Post 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 Philadelphia Pa Local Post stamps
Philadelphia Pa stamps refer to local post stamps issued in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, primarily between 1849 and 1856. These include Postmaster Provisionals, issued by the local postmaster before federal stamps were widely available, and stamps from private local delivery services like the City Despatch Post.
Yes, many Philadelphia Pa local post stamps can be quite valuable, especially the Postmaster Provisionals and rare varieties of the City Despatch Post issues. Their value depends heavily on rarity, condition, and whether they are on cover. Common examples might fetch $50-$500, while rare items can exceed $10,000.
To identify Philadelphia Pa stamps, look for inscriptions like 'PHILADELPHIA PA' or 'CITY DESPATCH POST'. Pay attention to the design, denomination (usually 1c, 2c, or 3c), and printing characteristics. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
Philadelphia Pa local post stamps are primarily listed in the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers. Other general catalogs like Michel or Stanley Gibbons typically do not cover these highly specialized local issues.
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