United States, 1846 Rhode Island Postmaster Provisional #10X1 with cert

Premium quality left sheet margin single. Finely etched impression. Rarely found with full original gum. With 1981 PFC for horizontal pair, from which it was taken – left stamp from pair.

On July 1, 1845, the U.S. Congress established uniform postal rates.  But the first postage stamps didn’t appear until March 3, 1847, so the Postmaster General authorized Postmaster Provisional stamps to be issued temporarily at twelve different post offices around the country.  Postmaster Provisional stamps are among the major rarities of the philatelic world and are sought after by collectors around the globe.
This stamp (Scott #10X1) was first issued on August 24, 1846 in Providence, Rhode Island.  At the five-cent rate, it secured delivery of a letter weighing a half-ounce or less for any distance under 300 miles.  For a distance over 300 miles, the rate was 10¢.  The rate also went up five cents for each additional half ounce.