1861 Knoxville, TN Confederate Postmasters' Provisional

Own a Scarce Confederate Postmasters’ Provisional
A Direct Link to the Civil War

This is your chance to own a 5¢ provisional stamp issued for use in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

As the Civil War loomed, the federal government ended postal service to the South.  The Confederacy set up its own postal system.  The rates were 2¢ for a drop letter within the same town, and 5¢ per half ounce for mail traveling less than 500 miles.  Anything over 500 miles required 10¢ per half ounce.
While the new Confederate government struggled to provide basic services, local postmasters issued provisional stamps for use in their cities.  These provisional stamps were generally in use between June 1, 1861, when the use of United States Stamps stopped in the Confederacy, and October 16, 1861, when the first Confederate government stamps were issued.  Provisionals were used again during the war when the distribution of Confederate stamps was disrupted.  Postmasters designed their own stamps, and they were often printed at the local newspaper or printing office. 
The 5¢ Knoxville provisional was commissioned by postmaster C. H. Charlton.  The stamp was printed on grayish laid paper and printed with brick red ink.
Because Confederate Postmasters’ Provisional stamps were printed in small quantities, then used locally and for such a short time, they can be hard to find.  Get a unique piece of Civil War history – order your scarce imperforate Confederate Postmaster’s Provisional right away.