*The Alexandria “Blue Boy” on it’s posted envelope*

In the world of philately, some stamps are prized for their beauty, others for their rarity, and a precious few for the stories they carry. The Alexandria “Blue Boy” Postmaster’s Provisional is all three: a small, simple piece of blue paper that survived against the odds, carrying with it a tale of love, defiance, and history.

The Birth of a Provisional

In 1846–47, before the United States issued stamps for nationwide use, many local postmasters created their own provisional stamps to prepay postage. In Alexandria, Virginia, a bustling port city the postmaster ordered a small batch of these provisionals, featuring a basic yet dignified design: a rectangular frame enclosing the words “Alexandria Post Office” and a large numeral “5” indicating the five-cent postage rate.

Most of these Alexandria provisionals were printed on buff-colored paper. But for reasons lost to history, perhaps a paper shortage or a last-minute substitution: one single sheet was printed on blue paper. From that sheet came the only known example of what would become known as the “Blue Boy.”

The Love Letter That Changed Everything

The “Blue Boy” isn’t famous solely because it’s unique. It’s famous because of the envelope it still clings to, and the words inside.

The stamp is affixed to a folded love letter sent by a young man to his fiancée. The letter carried an unusual instruction, she was to burn it after reading, presumably to protect their privacy. But instead, she tucked it away, keeping both the words and the stamp safe for over a century.

This simple act of defiance is why we know the “Blue Boy” today: not as ashes in the wind, but as a living artifact of American history.

A Modest Design with Immense Value

By modern standards, the “Blue Boy” is visually simple - no portraits, no elaborate engravings, just functional typography. Yet this modesty hides its profound significance:

Unique Survivor: The only known example printed on blue paper.
Historical Context: One of the earliest American provisional stamps, predating U.S. national issues.
Romantic Provenance: Its survival is tied to a deeply personal human story.

From Love Token to Million-Dollar Artifact

Rarity and romance have a way of setting hearts - and auction paddles aflame. Over the years, the “Blue Boy” has appeared at only a handful of sales, each time shattering expectations.

In 2019, it sold for $1.18 million, cementing its place among the most valuable stamps in the world. To collectors, it’s priceless, not just because it’s unique, but because it bridges the worlds of postal history, American heritage and human emotion.

Why the “Blue Boy” Still Matters

The Alexandria “Blue Boy” isn’t just a stamp, it’s a reminder that history often survives in the most unlikely ways. It tells us:

Everyday Objects Can Become Icons – A small square of paper, meant for routine correspondence, can become a global treasure.
Stories Outlive Instructions – The request to destroy the letter failed; love and history triumphed instead.
Philately Preserves Human Moments – Collecting stamps isn’t just about ink and paper: it’s about saving pieces of our shared past.

A Lettre Reflection

At Lettre, we believe that communication, whether a handwritten note or a carefully chosen stamp is a bridge through time. The “Blue Boy” is exactly the kind of story we strive to preserve and share: a rare object that holds a heartbeat within its fibers.

It’s proof that letters are more than messages. They are memories you can hold and sometimes, they become legends.

Final Thoughts

In the annals of philately, the Alexandria “Blue Boy” stands alone. One stamp. One letter. One act of quiet defiance. And now, nearly two centuries later, it continues to speak, not just to collectors, but to anyone who believes in the enduring power of words on paper.

Because sometimes, the things we’re told to burn are the very things worth keeping forever.

The Alexandria “Blue Boy”: A Love Letter That Time Refused to Burn