Linn's World Stamp Almanac[1] defines a provisional stamp as "a postage stamp issued for temporary use to meet postal demands until new or regular stocks of stamps can be obtained."[2]
The issuance of provisional stamps might be occasioned by a change in name or government, by occupation of foreign territory, by a change in postal rates, by a change of currency, or by the need to provide stamps that are in short supply. An interesting example of issuing provisional stamps occurred during the Spanish–American War when supplies of stamps were low and the U.S. had occupation forces in Cuba. They are known as the "Puerto Principe" provisional stamps of 1898–1899. Over 40 different combinations of overprinted valuations and underlying Spanish Cuban stamps were produced under the auspices of the military forces over a three-week period from December 19, 1898, to January 11, 1899.[3] These were replaced by another provisional set produced by overprinting U.S. stamps in the United States for Cuba. This second set of provisional stamps was sold for about eight months before the U.S. could print Cuban stamps. The U.S. civilian provisionals also included overprinted postal cards and stamped envelopes.[4]
Provisional stamps are usually made by overprinting, surcharging and occasionally by bisecting pre-existing stamps.
- ^ Donna O'Keefe Houseman, editor; Linn's World Stamp Almanac, Millennium (6th) Edition. ISBN 978-0-940403-85-7
- ^ Rick Miller, "Lines of stamp classifications have blurred" 29 December 2016
- ^ Edifil; Catálogo Especializado de Sellos de Cuba, Tomo I (1855–1958), 2nd Ed.; Madrid, 2002 (in Spanish). ISBN 84-95019-08-6
- ^ Krieger, George T.; The Postal Stationery of the Possessions and Administrative Areas of the United States of America; United Postal Stationery Society, 2009, ISBN 978-0-9800112-3-4.