A postage stamp is a small adhesive label issued by a government to be affixed on a letter or package as evidence that postal fees have been paid. It is usually sold in various denominations and is the most popular way of paying for a retail mail. The postage stamp proves that the person sending the letter may have fully or partially paid for the delivery of the letter. Normally, postage stamps are made in the printing press usually out of paper. However, some countries stamps are made from different materials such as wood and lace in Switzerland, United States of American’s plastic stamps and a stamp that plays the national anthem on a payable recorder in Bhutan.
HISTORY
Before adhesive paper stamps were introduce, letters were postmarked with ink. These postmarks were called ‘Bishop Mark’ in honor of Henry Bishop who invented postmark. It was first used in 1661 at the London General Post Office, marking the day and month the letter was mailed.
On May 1, 1840 postage stamps were introduced in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland as part of their postal reforms promoted by Rowland Hill, in spite the claim of James Chalmers and Loverenc Kosir to the concept of it. The first stamp, the Penny Black, was released on May 6, 1840 showing the engraved profile of Queen Victoria’s head, was created by Rowland Hill in 1837.
PHILATELY
It is the collection and study of postage stamps and of materials relating to their history and use. Stamp collecting began soon after the issuance of the postage stamp in 1840. Stamp collecting is a very popular hobby in many parts of America because it is fun and relaxing and very inexpensive, too. Stamp collecting enhances the general knowledge of the collector. Its designs are varied, beautiful and interesting.
