Stamp perforations are the tiny holes punched between rows and columns of stamps. They make separation much more manageable. Before we had perforations, postal workers would have to cut stamps out by hand, often leading to mistakes. Depending on the severity of the mistake (for example, cutting through the design), some stamps wouldn’t even be… Read More »
Stamp printing has been around since the 19th century but is still relatively new compared to how long the postal system has been around. Various nations have used different methods, and the process of printing has changed numerous times over the last hundred years. Each method of printing was intended to thwart unauthorized reproduction or… Read More »
For over a century and a half, postage stamps have been required to send mail. Before postage stamps were an option, however, postal services operated on a COD (cash on delivery) basis. As you can imagine, this wasn’t a sustainable business strategy. A significant amount of shipments were never paid for, and to cover these… Read More »
British schoolteacher Rowland Hill sought to create a more efficient system for the postal service. He explored a variety of methods starting in 1826, and a year later he released a pamphlet called Post Office reform: Its Importance and Practicability. Within the pamphlet he recommended using a form of prepayment described as, “A bit of… Read More »
Stamps have come in all different types, shapes, sizes, colors, and features. Stamp Collectors may specialize in one kind of stamp, or collect stamps from all sorts of categories. Not all stamps are alike, and they serve various purposes. The different types of stamps include: “Regular Issues” Commemorative Airmail Precancels Perfins Official Postage Dues Semi-Postal… Read More »
The urge to collect things is part of human nature. If you’re interested in starting a stamp collection, you aren’t alone! About twenty years after the introduction of the first postage stamp (known as the “Penny Black”), the first significant group of stamp collectors emerged. By 1860, thousands of people across the globe called themselves… Read More »
Have you ever stood frozen in front of your mailbox, greeting card in hand, wondering if you should run back inside and put another stamp on your envelope to ensure your card isn’t returned? You’re not alone! With the high number of large, oddly-shaped, and often heavy greeting cards currently in circulation, the amount of… Read More »
Much of our country’s cultural history is reflected by the stamps that are created. Countless faces of celebrities, presidents, and even fictional cartoon characters have graced some of the most prime (and printed) real estate in history. However, have you ever wondered who the first actress was to appear on a U.S. postage stamp? Or… Read More »
Since January 2019, the regular first-class rate for stamps increased to 55 cents. Depending on what you’re mailing, there will be plenty of times when you’ll wonder if you need one stamp or two. It’s inevitable! However, if you often make the mistake of overestimating the postage you need to send a letter, you are… Read More »