The D.K. Collection of Southern Postmasters' Provisionals of the American Civil War continued...

FINE AND RARE. A REMARKABLE PROVISIONAL STAMP MADE FROM THE SELVAGE OF UNITED STATES POSTAGE. ONLY NINE EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED -- EACH ON COVER -- OF WHICH ONLY THREE HAVE THE NUMERAL OVER "PAID".

Thanks to research by Richard L. Calhoun, the unusual Emory provisional stamp made from the selvage of United States 1c 1857 sheets can be properly attributed to Professor Edmund Longley, rather than his successor, Isaac C. Fowler (Richard L. Calhoun, "Emory, Virginia, Postmasters and Provisionals," Confederate Philatelist, October-December 2011) and The Confederate Postmaster Provisionals of Virginia).

Longley, a professor at Emory & Henry College, served as U.S. postmaster of Emory (appointed January 12, 1847) and as C.S.A. postmaster from July 27 to August 30, 1861, when Fowler was appointed to replace Longley. The Emory provisional adhesives were issued during Longley's term.

Postmaster Longley created his provisional issue by stamping the office "Paid" and "5" rate markings on the blank selvage of United States 1c 1857 Issue sheets. This method is unique among Confederate provisionals and, in all of philately, there are only a few issues created from the sheet selvage of other stamps. The Philadelphia carrier stamps made from the selvage of imperforate 1c 1851 sheets are similar in concept to the Emory provisionals.

The Calhoun census and our own records are in accord with nine covers bearing the Emory provisional (we know of no off-cover stamps), ranging in dates from June 24, 1861, to February 11, 1862. There are three known stamp formats: Paid over 5, Paid under 5, and 5 with Paid at top and side (narrow selvage). Two of the nine recorded covers have manuscript town postmarks, and four have stamps left uncancelled.

Signed Dietz. Ex Brooks, Everett and Dr. Agre. With 2003 P.F. certificate (Image)

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