Postage Stamps

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A History Of The Postage Stamp

Postage stamps were first introduced on May 1st 1840 in United Kingdom and Ireland as part of postal reforms promoted by Rowland Hill.

With the introduction of the postage stamp came the postage fee which was to be paid by the sender and not the recipient, though sending mail prepaid was not a requirement.

The first stamp, the Penny Black, put on sale on 1 May, was valid from 6 May, 1840; two days later came the Two pence blue. Both show an engraving of the young Queen Victoria and were a success though refinements like perforations were instituted later. At the time, there was no reason to include the United Kingdom's name on the stamp, and the UK remains the only country not to identify itself by name on the stamps (the monarch's head is used as identification).

History continued... 

Other countries followed with their own stamps: the Canton of Zürich in Switzerland issued the Zurich 4 and 6 rappen on 1 March, 1843. Although the Penny Black could send a letter less than half an ounce anywhere within the UK, the Swiss continued to calculate mail rates on distance.

Brazil issued the Bull's Eye stamps on 1 August, 1843. Using the same printer as for the Penny Black, Brazil opted for an abstract design instead of a portrait of Emperor Pedro II so that his image would be not be disfigured by the postmark.

In 1845 some postmasters in the U.S. issued their own stamps, but the first official stamps came in 1847, with 5 and 10 cent stamps depicting Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. A few other countries issued stamps in the late 1840s. Many more, such as India, started in the 1850s and by the 1860s most countries had stamps.

Following the introduction of the stamp in the UK the number of letters increased from 82 million in 1839 to 170 million in 1841. Today 21 billion items are delivered by post every year in the UK.

Ocean  

Today there are millions of different stamps with all kinds of designs. This lens is dedicated to some of those designs from various designers. All the stamps on this lens are legal tender in the US and are approved by the US Postal Service.

Here is a selection of stamps designed with an ocean theme in mind. To see more of these designs then please click on the images below.

Postage Stamp Sun Setting Off Coast Of Paros stamp Postage Stamps The Cruel Sea stamp Postage Stamp Sea Spray On Rocks stamp

Holiday Sticker Book 

Here is something to get the children interested in stamps.

Holiday Sticker Book (Usborne Sticker Books)

Encourages young jet-setters to fill in the exotic holiday scenes using the colorful stickers provided. This book includes such tropical scenes as a watery visit to Sea World, Snorkeling on a coral reef, and on safari and a log cabin camp. It offers 400 summary stickers.

For more information on this item just click on the link above.

Cats 

Here is a selection of stamps designed with a cat theme in mind. To see more of these designs then please click on the images below.

kitty car stamp Cat and Bowl Stamp stamp Postage Stamp Tabby Cat In A Flower Pot stamp

Great Britain Concise Stamp Catalogue 2009  

Great Britain Concise Stamp Catalogue 2009

Does exactly what it says on the cover. Easy to follow. Clear colour pictures of all stamps. Ideal for the collector who is looking for a bit more detail than that contained in the Stanley Gibbons 'Collect British Stamps' catalogue.

For more information please click on the link above.

Floral Designs 

Here is a selection of stamps designed with a floral theme in mind. To see more of these designs then please click on the images below.

Anthurium stamp A Floral Postage Stamp With Pretty Yellow Orchid stamp A Floral Postage Stamp With White Spring Blossom stamp

Canada Stamp Catalogue (Paperback)  

Canada Catalogue (Stamp Catalogue)

This Canada catalogue includes the stamps of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, as well as Canada itself, with priced listings of booklets, registration, special delivery and official stamps and postage dues. The listings are complete to mid- 2008 and a number of new varieties have been added to earlier issues.

For more information on this item please click on the link above.

Weddings 

Here is a selection of stamps designed with a wedding theme in mind. To see more of these designs then please click on the images below.

Wedding monogram stamps, silver stars, T&M stamp A Wedding Postage Stamp With A Pink Flower stamp A Wedding Postage Stamp White Wedding Collection stamp

Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth Stamp Catalogue Australia (Paperback)  

Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth Stamp Catalogue Australia

A comprehensive guide to Australian stamps.

For more information on this product click on link above.

Abstracts 

Here is a selection of stamps designed with an abstract theme in mind. To see more of these designs then please click on the images below.

Rainbow Cross, Stamp stamp Rainbow Twist Stamp stamp Glass Roof Design, Stamp stamp

Collect British Stamps 2009 (Paperback) 

Collect British Stamps 2009

This guide is clearly laid out, and shows pictures of most of the issues since 1840.

For more information on this product click on the link above.

Wildlife 

Here is a selection of stamps designed with a wildlife theme in mind. To see more of these designs then please click on the images below.

Peacock, Stamp stamp Tiger, Stamp stamp Turtle, Stamp stamp

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Stamp Collecting 

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Stamp Collecting

Everything You Need to Know About the World's Favourite Hobby and the Many Ways to Build a ... Famous Issues and Over 500 Images of Stamps [Illustrated] (Paperback)

This book provides the must-have reference for every stamp collector, with over 500 images of collectable stamps. It explains the different approaches to starting, extending and organizing a collection, with inspirational examples of what to collect and tips on entering the stamp buyer's market.

For more information on this item please click on the link above.

The World Encyclopedia of Stamps and Stamp Collecting (Hardcover)  

The World Encyclopedia of Stamps and Stamp Collecting

All you need to know about stamps and stamp collecting.

For more information on this item click on link above.

The History of the World in Stamps (Hardcover) 

The History of the World in Stamps

Laurent Lemerle became a stamp collector after he discovered, in the attic of his family's home, an album that was put together by his father during World War II. Today, he owns over 10,000 stamps published during the 20th century that come from every country in the world.

For more information on this item please click on the link above.

The Queen's Stamps: The Official History of the Royal Philatelic Collection (History of Royal Philatelic) (Hardcover)  

The Queen's Stamps: The Official History of the Royal Philatelic Collection (History of Royal Philatelic)

This elegant book is the definitive historical account of one of the world?s most important and extensive stamp collections, and the monarchs and keepers who have contributed to it.Inaugurated by Queen Victoria, and enlarged by five successive British monarchs, the main body of the Collection came into being under George V, whose passionate and shrewd acquisition of many other private collections has ensured the unique and comprehensive character of his own.

For more information on this item please click on the link above.

Blue Mauritius: The Hunt for the World's Most Valuable Stamps (Paperback)  

Blue Mauritius: The Hunt for the World's Most Valuable Stamps

Will strike a chord with anyone who has ever felt the thrill of buying a little glassine packet of stamps, tipping them out, finding the longed-for Missing One and making the proud, complete set...

For more information on this item click on the link above.

1800 Stamps of the World 

1800 Stamps of the World

A Stunning Visual Directory of Rare and Familiar Issues, Organized Country by Country with Over 1800 Images of Collectables from Up to 200 Countries

For more information on this item click on link above

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