Postage Stamps

Some Details Regarding The History Of Postage Stamps

If you are a keen stamp collector then you would love to know, or perhaps already know, about the history of postage stamps. The history of postage stamps is vast because different countries started its usage at different times. May 6 1840 marked the official release of the first postage stamp with Queen Victoria featuring on its face. The stamp was launched in England.

Postage stamps with portrait of Queen Victoria were issued for the subsequent sixty years. It was followed by 100 different versions of postage stamps during that time. In the history of postage stamps, Brazil was the second nation to release postage stamps. Year 1847 marked the entry of United States in the history of postage stamps.

First two postage stamps of United States bore the imprints of George Washington and Ben Franklin. In the year 1852, the sale of first pre-stamped envelopes took place. Pre-stamped postcards followed this after 19 years. In those times, pre-stamped postcards cost around one penny.

There was a remarkable change in the United States, as it became mandatory to use postage stamps. Thus, it led to prepaid mails. Perforated stamps made their arrival in United States in the year 1857. They became an instant hit among people.

Postage stamps became an active part of mailing in nearly all the countries by the year 1860. Pictorial stamps came into existence by the year 1869 in United States. They featured something unique. Commemorative stamps came into being in the year1893. These postage stamps mainly depicted Columbus voyage, the event which led to the founding of America.

Year 1900 marked the sale of first stamp booklet. Year 1940 holds special mention in the history of postage stamps. It featured the first African-American, Booker T Washington.

Prices of postage stamps have gone down considerably. However, the prices of rare stamps have gone up as well. But collectors do not mind paying extra if the stamp is worth the price charged.

Depiction and presentation of postage stamps have gone through a major change as well. In earlier times, letters were usually hand stamped. Henry Bishop was the man behind these postmarks.

Rowland Hill invented adhesive postage stamp in the year 1837. First postage rates were created by Roland Hill and based on weight. Roland Hill made the prepayment system of mail functional.

Canton of Zurich (in Switzerland) also issued its own postage stamp. With the introduction of postage stamp in United States, there was a considerable increment in the number of letters mailed! You can get more information about the history of postage stamps from varied sources. The internet is the major source amongst them.