St. Louis Mo Stamps
St. Louis, Missouri, is a major city located in the central United States, situated on the Mississippi River in the Midwest region.
- Issued stamps
- 1849–1857
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- United States
About St. Louis Mo stamps
While not an independent country, its postal history is integral to the development of the United States Postal Service, particularly during the expansion westward following the Louisiana Purchase. Stamps issued for use in St. Louis would invariably be denominated in United States currency and feature English text, reflecting its status as a key early American postal hub. The city's significance as a gateway to the West profoundly influenced early American mail routes and infrastructure.
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.
- ST. LOUIS. POST OFFICE.
How to identify St. Louis Mo stamps
- Look for the distinctive design featuring the Missouri state seal with two bears.
- Examine the denomination (5c, 10c, 20c) and the surrounding text 'ST. LOUIS. POST OFFICE.'
- Note the paper type and printing method, which are characteristic of early provisional issues.
- Be aware of fakes and forgeries; expertization is crucial for these high-value items.
Popular series
-
St. Louis Postmaster Provisionals
1845-1847
These are the iconic 'Bear' stamps, issued by the St. Louis postmaster to prepay postage before federal stamps were available. They feature the Missouri state seal with two bears.
-
St. Louis Postmaster Provisionals (Later Issues)
1847-1857
While the 'Bear' stamps are the most famous, other provisional issues or local postal markings might be associated with St. Louis during this period, though less formally recognized as '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
- $5,000–$500,000+
St. Louis Postmaster Provisionals are among the rarest and most valuable of all U.S. philatelic items. Their value depends heavily on condition, denomination, and specific plate variety. Even heavily damaged examples can fetch significant sums.
Catalogs. St. Louis Mo 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 St. Louis Mo stamps
St. Louis Mo stamps refer primarily to the 'St. Louis Postmaster Provisionals' issued by the St. Louis postmaster between 1845 and 1847. These were local stamps created to prepay postage before the first general issue U.S. federal stamps became available. They are famous for their design featuring the Missouri state seal with two bears.
Yes, St. Louis Mo Postmaster Provisionals are extremely valuable. They are considered some of the rarest and most sought-after U.S. philatelic items. Depending on the denomination, condition, and specific variety, individual stamps can be worth anywhere from $5,000 to well over $500,000.
To identify St. Louis Mo stamps, look for the unique design depicting the Missouri state seal with two bears. They will also have 'ST. LOUIS. POST OFFICE.' printed around the central design and a denomination (5, 10, or 20 cents). Due to their rarity and value, expert authentication is highly recommended. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
St. Louis Mo Postmaster Provisionals are prominently listed in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, which is the primary reference for U.S. stamps. They are typically found in the section for U.S. Postmasters' Provisionals.
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