St. Louis Provisional Stamps
St. Louis, while a major city in the United States, is not recognized as an independent stamp-issuing entity in standard philatelic geography; therefore, its postal history is entirely subsumed under that of the United States of America, located in North America.
- Issued stamps
- 1845–1847
- Region
- Americas, North America
- Currency
- USD
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Local postal administration
- Part of
- United States of America
History and background
Stamps issued for use in St. Louis would bear U. S. federal issues, primarily in English, reflecting its role as a significant early American gateway to the West. Any distinct postal markings or local provisional issues would fall under the broader context of 19th-century American municipal postal history before full integration into the U. S. postal system.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for the distinctive St. Louis city coat of arms design, featuring a bear and an eagle.
- Check the denomination: 5 cents, 10 cents, and 20 cents are known.
- Examine the paper and printing method; they are crudely printed on various papers, often yellowish or bluish.
- Authenticity is paramount; due to their value, forgeries and facsimiles exist. Expertization is highly recommended.
Popular series
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St. Louis Postmaster's Provisionals
1845-1847
These are the iconic provisional stamps issued by the St. Louis postmaster, Henry von Phul, before the general issue of U.S. federal stamps. They feature the St. Louis coat of arms.
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
- Not applicable; all St. Louis Provisionals are rare.
- Scarce stamps
- $5,000–$500,000+
St. Louis Postmaster's Provisionals are among the most famous and valuable of all U.S. philatelic items. Their value varies significantly based on denomination, condition, and specific plate varieties (e.g., the 'bear' or 'eagle' varieties). Even damaged examples command substantial prices.
Catalogs. St. Louis 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 St. Louis Provisional stamps
St. Louis stamps refer to the 'St. Louis Postmaster's Provisionals,' which were local stamps issued by the postmaster of St. Louis, Missouri, between 1845 and 1847. These were created to prepay postage before the first general issue of United States federal stamps became available.
Yes, St. Louis Postmaster's Provisionals are extremely valuable. They are considered some of the rarest and most historically significant stamps in U.S. philately, with individual examples fetching thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction, depending on their condition and specific variety.
St. Louis stamps are identified by their unique design featuring the St. Louis city coat of arms (a bear and an eagle) and their denominations (5c, 10c, 20c). They were printed in black on various colored papers. Due to their rarity and value, expert authentication is crucial. For a first lead, photograph the stamp in the Stamp Identifier app, then confirm the catalog number; valuable stamps deserve an expert opinion.
St. Louis Postmaster's Provisionals are prominently listed in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, specifically within the United States section under 'Postmasters' Provisionals'.
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