Stamp

Stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are printed on special custom-made paper, show a national designation and a denomination (value) on the front, and have an adhesive gum on the back or are self-adhesive. Postage stamps are purchased from a postal administration (post office) or other authorized vendors, and are used to pay for the costs involved in moving mail, as well as other business necessities such as insurance and registration. They are sometimes a source of net profit to the issuing agency, especially when sold to collectors who will not actually use them for postage.

Stamps are usually rectangular, but triangles or other shapes are occasionally used. The stamp is affixed to an envelope or other postal cover (e.g., packet, box, mailing cylinder) the customer wishes to send. The item is then processed by the postal system, where a postmark or cancellation mark—in modern usage indicating date and point of origin of mailing—is applied to the stamp and its left and right sides to prevent its reuse. The item is then delivered to its addressee.

History

The first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued by Britain in 1840 and pictured a young Queen Victoria. It was produced in sheets of 240, separated by perforations, or cuts, made in the margins of the stamps. The idea of using a stamp to pay for mail was first proposed in 1837 by Sir Rowland Hill, who was a teacher and tax reformer. He also proposed the prepayment of postage by the sender. The concept of the postage stamp was part of a comprehensive reform package that Hill designed to resolve problems with the English postal system. Hill's reforms were adopted in many countries, including the United States in 1847.

Types of Stamps

There are several types of stamps, including:

• Definitive stamps: These are the most common type of stamp, and are usually smaller than commemorative stamps. They are issued in a range of denominations to pay for different rates of postage. They often feature the head of state or national symbols.

• Commemorative stamps: These are issued to commemorate significant events or anniversaries, or the lives of famous people. They are usually larger than definitive stamps, and are often printed in limited quantities.

• Airmail stamps: These are used for mail sent by air. They often feature images of airplanes or birds.

• Revenue stamps: These are used to collect taxes or fees. They are usually affixed to official documents.

• Postage due stamps: These indicate that the recipient of a piece of mail must pay because the sender did not affix enough postage.

Collecting

Stamp collecting is a popular hobby. Collectors often keep their stamps in albums. Some collectors choose to focus on stamps from a particular country or era, or on stamps with a particular theme.

See also

• Philately
• Postage stamp design
• List of entities that have issued postage stamps (A–E)
• List of entities that have issued postage stamps (F–L)
• List of entities that have issued postage stamps (M–Z)

References

Stamp Resources
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