Providence, RI Provisional (10X)
See below for details
10X1
5¢ Gray Black
Notable Sales
10x1. Manuscript checkmark cancel, on 1847 folded letter to Ipswich, Massachusetts, red "Providence R.I. Jan 28" datestamp with matching "Paid" and "5"
Sold January 2023 for $1,900
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10X2
10¢ Gray Black
10X2 Value
Unused
$450 - $500
The Story Behind the Stamp
The Post Office as it existed at the time of the issuance of this stamp. The building also housed the customs department and was known as the Government Building. A new post office was built in 1904.
Notice of the sale of stamps, Providence, RI
Not much is known about the origination of this stamp other than that the Providence Postmaster Welcome B. Sayles received permission to issue provisional stamps. The 5¢ rate paid for standard letters up to 300 miles. As most of the mail went to the cities in New England most of the demand was for the 5¢ stamp. To accommodate the need for the little mail that was sent to long distance destinations a 10¢ stamp was included in the sheet. Only St Louis and Providence (where most of their mail was long distance) chose to have multiple denominations issued. Other cities that issued provisionals chose to use multiple of the 5¢ stamp on their mail.
A Full Sheet
A complete sheet of 12 of 10X1 and 10X2
There is a single 10¢ image at top right. Se-tenant pairs of 5¢ and 10¢ command a price premium
Counterfeits
A counterfeit 10X1. In the illustration below the counterfeit you can see the difference in the lettering, particularly in the letters S and T
Reprints
In 1898 both the 5¢ and 10ç value were reprinted. The reverse of the reprints will have the letter B, D, E, G, I, N, O, R, T or U printed on the reverse as shown above. There are also reprints on thin silk thread paper or heavy white paper, these do not have a letter on the back. The reprints have a value of approximately $45.
The letters put together spell BOGERTDURBIN, as they were reprinted by the dealers Bogert & Durbin.of 722 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
The well known philatelic dealers Bogart & Durbin had purchased the original plate and in 1898 they reprinted the stamps. Interestingly the building is still in Philadelphia.
Color Trials
5¢ Blue black color trial. Die sunk on card
10X1-TC4
10X1-TC4
10¢ brown carmine color trial. Die sunk on card
10X1-TC4
10X1-TC4
Provisionals
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