Stamp From
An Introduction to Postage Stamp Collecting
Stamps are used by millions of people daily yet few of us give them any thought. We take them for granted, seeing them as mere functional objects. It is true that they are functional objects but not only. Ask any stamp collector and he or she will tell you that a stamp is a lot more than that. In the case of used stamps, a lot of them tell a story and reflect the period and mood of the country in which they were issued.
Let us backtrack for a while and talk about the history of stamps and how they came about. It is commonly accepted that stamps were first introduced in the United Kingdom in 1840 with the penny black stamp. It was a revolution of sorts since it meant that the sender had to pay the postage fee and not the recipient like before. Shortly after the two pence blue stamp was issued. On thing to note is that the United Kingdom is to this day the only country whose name does not appear on its stamps.
As you know, stamp collecting is a very popular hobby throughout the world. Some people prefer to collect brand new stamps while others prefer to collect used stamps that actually served their purpose. Some of course do not discriminate and collect both. There are a lot of different types of stamps. Some stamps are issued for collecting rather than postal use. Let us have a quick look at the type of stamps available and their characteristics.
First is the definitive stamp. This is simply your regular stamp in any denomination that you can buy at the post office. These stamps often feature symbols of the country of issuance. They usually begin at the smallest unit of currency and can go up to fifty to a hundred times the usual postage rate. Collectors are looking to collect every denomination of a definitive series.
The commemorative stamp, like its name suggests, is a stamp issued to commemorate an important event, person or location. A few of these are usually issued each year, the first day of issues normally taking place where in the location associated with the person or event.
Pictorial stamps, also referred to as simply pictorials, are stamps depicting a representative landscape of the country of issuance.
Revenue stamps are stamps that were not intended for mail (although some stamps could be used both for revenue and postage) but for collecting taxes and fees. These stamps actually predate the postage stamps. Revenue stamps are issued by the finance ministry.
About the Author
Mathieu Deprez is the webmaster of DeciDeca.com, an online store specializing in used French stamps, french postage stamps or timbres oblitérés as they are known in French.
EASEL CARD TUTORIAL WITH A STAMP FROM THE GREETING FARM.mpg
|
|
MINT Japanese stamps sheet “Edo and Ukiyoe” from Japan $19.99 |
|
|
China Stamps 1996: Artifacts from Hemudu Ruins : MNH. $0.99 |
|
|
PRC China 9 sets MNH stamps from 2007~2009 $3.49 |
|
|
Philippines – 150 + Different Stamps from 1890 to 1975 $0.29 |
|
|
Lot#9035, older large used stamps from VIETNAM $0.99 |
|
|
COMPLETE MNH STAMP SETS OF PRC CHINA FROM 1993 -94 $8.00 |
|
|
Lot#9034, Very old used stamps from the PHILIPPINES, $0.99 |
|
|
26 Japan Stamps from Old Album Page 1876-1894 $7.50 |
|
|
36 Japan Stamps from Old Album Page 1899-1937 $1.30 |
|
|
24 Japan Stamps from Old Album 1916-1926 $0.01 |
|
|
24 Japan Stamps from Old Album 1927-1938 $1.85 |
|
|
2 Japan Semi-Post & Air Post Stamps from Album 1929-37 $0.01 |
|
|
1 Japan Offices in China Stamp from Old Album 1900-1920 $0.95 |
|
|
EXOTIC COLLECTION OF STAMPS FROM TAIWAN – 100 DIFFERENT $6.99 |
|
|
China Stamp, 2008 Olympic Games From Beijing to London $13.00 |
|
|
BANGLADESH SCOTT #496 VF-NH REMOVED FROM SALE STAMP!! $63.99 |
|
|
OLD ENVELOPE FROM PYONGYANG KOREA TO BULGARIA STAMPS x $150.00 |
|
|
Garuda wings six years from 1919 to 1926 thai stamp $9.99 |
|
|
Malaya Kedah Stamps Series from 1921 – 1936 New LH $45.90 |
|
|
Korea kover from korean vor tu belgium exspensiv stamps $13.99 |
|
|
6x unused stamps Indonesia from 1950s -60s BST1126 $0.25 |
|
|
old POLISH STAMPS FROM 1950 S RARE STAMPS BST1125 $0.25 |
|
|
Stamps from the Philippines $9.59 |
|
|
FAT PACKET OF MINT STAMPS FROM TANZANIA $14.00 |
|
|
Letter envelope2:from TAJIKISTAN to KAZAKHSTAN w/stamps $5.99 |
|
|
Letter envelope3:from TAJIKISTAN to KAZAKHSTAN w/stamps $5.99 |
|
|
China stamp, cover from Tatseh via Canton to Indonesia $9.50 |
|
|
MONGOLIA STAMP CUT FROM COVER $0.99 |
|
|
Mint Stamps from China $0.99 |
|
|
LOT OF OLD STAMPS FROM CHINA $1.00 |
|
|
Old Stamps from China $6.00 |
|
|
LOT– 1,150+STAMPS FROM ITALY UNSEARCHED,UN CATALOGED $20.00 |
|
|
7 Old Stamps from Japan (All About Work)/Used VF $0.99 |
|
|
6 Mongolia Stamps from Old Album Page 1932 $0.01 |
|
|
Vietnam stamps Bridge on cover from Japan to Cho Lon $3.50 |
|
|
COLLECTION OF STAMPS FROM THE PHILIPPINES – 400 DIFF! $29.99 |
|
|
CHINA STAMP T41M STUDY SCIENCE FROM CHILDHOOD S/S, 1979 $2,600.00 |
|
|
Thai Boxing, Stamp Sheet from Thailand UNC (2003) $0.99 |
|
|
100+ Stamps ON PAPER From JAPAN – Terrific Mix! $2.25 |
|
|
1970 Stamps from ASIA area $1.00 |
|
|
Lot8041, Older Large Stamps from VIETNAM, $0.99 |
|
|
China Stamps From 1905 – 1945 (24 hinged on sheet) $20.00 |
|
|
65 DIFFERENT VINTAGE STAMPS FROM THAILAND MINT & USED $7.99 |
|
|
Ceremonial Object Implement from Early Taiwan Stamp MNH $0.99 |
|
|
Old Stamps from China $1.29 |
|
|
Old Stamps from Manchukuo $0.99 |
|
|
Old Stamps from Japan $0.99 |
|
|
China Stamp T41 Study Science from Childhood,1979 MNH $11.15 |
|
|
China, 2 Stamps from set 20 +1 Y,1956,VG Used $7.50 |
|
|
Mini Lot Of 12 Stamps From Vietnam. $0.99 |
|
|
good condition used stamp for collection from thailand $0.56 |
|
|
PRC 1967 W7 Poems from Chairman Mao Replica Stamp $0.99 |
|
|
PRC 1967 W7-3 Poems from Chairman Mao Replica Stamp $0.99 |
|
|
Hong Kong 2007 Bunny Fun stamps S/S from Booklet $12.50 |
|
|
PRC C China 7 stamps from 3 issues MHR #35917 $3.50 |
|
|
Air Mail Envelope with 4 Stamps from Thailand 1959 $15.99 |
|
|
INDIAN STATES/STAMPS, LOT WITH 31 STAMPS FROM DIFFERENT $55.99 |
|
|
YEMEN/STAMPS, ARCHAEOLOGY 1961- SABAIC FINDS FROM MARIB $24.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE STAMPS OF THAILAND FROM THE 1940s TO THE 1960s $10.00 |
|
|
a bulk lot of mint hinged stamps from Cambodia 1952+54 $0.39 |
|
|
a bulk lot of mint hinged stamps from Cambodia 1954+55 $0.39 |
|
|
China Stamp Complete Catalogue from Qing Dynasty NEW $99.00 |
|
|
COLORFUL COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS FROM THAILAND $12.00 |
|
|
SET OF 6 STAMPS FROM YEMEN $0.99 |
|
|
Old Stamps from China $0.99 |
|
|
Old Stamps from Manchukuo $0.99 |
|
|
Letter envelope: from UZBEKISTAN to KAZAKHSTAN w/stamps $9.99 |
|
|
China Stamp T41M Study Science from Childhood S/S, 1979 $2,650.00 |
|
|
1899 AND UP NINETEEN STAMPS FROM (JAPAN) $0.99 |
|
|
China 1897 Dowager Stamp 50a Unique From Collection $119,999.00 |
|
|
50 Stamps from AFGANISTAN – All differents !! $5.50 |
|
|
1989 Russia Stamps Novel Scenes from James F.Cooper MNH $2.00 |
|
|
22 EARLY DATED STAMPS FROM (CHINA)1 SHANGHAI LCL. POST $2.99 |
|
|
SET OF 5 CHINA STAMPS FROM 1977 YEAR $10.00 |
|
|
CHINA/TAIWAN STAMPS #2892-2895 SET OF 4 (MNH) FROM 1993 $0.99 |
|
|
CHINA/TAIWAN STAMPS #3244-3245 SET OF 2 (MNH) FROM 1999 $0.99 |
|
|
JAPAN STAMPS #188-189 SET OF 2 (USED) FROM 1924. $0.99 |
|
|
JAPAN STAMPS #876-877,1389-90a 2 SET (MNH) FROM 1966-80 $0.99 |
|
|
JAPAN STAMPS #1041-42,1267-68 2 SET (MNH) FROM 1970-76. $0.99 |
|
|
JAPAN STAMPS #1038-39,1057-59 2 SET (MNH) FROM 1969-71. $0.99 |
|
|
JAPAN STAMPS #1116-17,1310 2 SET (MNH) FROM 1972-77. $0.99 |
|
|
JAPAN STAMPS #1158-1160 SET OF 3 (MNH) FROM 1974. $0.99 |
|
|
JAPAN STAMPS #1166-1168 SET OF 3 (MNH) FROM 1974. $0.99 |
|
|
JAPAN STAMPS #1211-12,1282 2 SET (MNH) FROM 1975-77. $0.99 |
|
|
JAPAN STAMPS #1284,1285 2 SET (MNH) FROM 1977-78. $0.99 |
|
|
JAPAN STAMPS #1342a-1343 SET OF 3 (MNH) FROM 1979. $0.99 |
|
|
MACAO STAMP #873 S/S (MNH) FROM 1997. $0.99 |
|
|
MACAO STAMP #877 (MNH) FROM 1997. DRUNKEN DRAGON FEST $0.99 |
|
|
China Stamp J26 Learn from Comrade Lei Feng,1978 MNH $11.85 |
|
|
Hong Kong 2006 Definitive stamps set Bird From Booklet $3.00 |
|
|
Hong Kong 2006 Definitive stamps set Bird From Booklet $2.99 |
|
|
China Red Revenue Stamp 79 Kiukiang From Collection $15,999.00 |
|
|
Historic stamp book from Taiwan – Republic of China $10.99 |
|
|
PR CHINA STAMP ALBUM PAGES COMPLETE FROM 1949 TO 2008 $9.99 |
|
|
Old Stamps from China $0.99 |
|
|
Old Stamps from Korea $0.99 |
|
|
New Zealand Stamp collection from 2000 UU_523 $0.99 |
|
|
100 Stamps from AFGANISTAN – All differents !! $11.90 |
|
|
BHUTAN GOLD FOIL SET OF 3 never issued STAMPS FROM 1966 $33.95 |
|
|
OLDTIMER AUTOMOBILES, 3-D STAMPS FROM BHUTAN, FULL SET! $12.45 |
|
|
Crafty Secrets Large Art Stamp, Greetings from Wonderland, Clear $15.67 These stamps cling to any acrylic stamping block (not included). The special features of these adorable heavily detailed stamps make them a must-have for any card maker, scrapbooker, as well as stamper. Features: High quality non-yellowing and long life photopolymer material, artistic detailed designs, versatile sets let you mix and match designs and sets and they are light weight for easy storage… |
|
|
Inkadinkado Clear Mini Stamps, To & From $1.63 These stamps were designed to be used with the mini acrylic stamping block (sold separately). Stamp your way through greeting cards, scrapbook pages, and any paper craft projects. High quality non-yellowing stamps in mini collections: quotes, sentiments, and icons. Size and number of stamps vary per set by theme…. |
|
|
Royal Brush Aqua-flo Set 3 $2.99 Perfect for crafts and fine art. Convenient and helpful tool that puts a fluid reservoir at your finger tips. Brush tip is crafted of good quality taklon. Brush is made of durable plastic and designed to perform for years. Package of 3 tip sizes…. |
|
|
Dear Frankie [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] $10.60 The tale of a mother who poses as her son’s estranged father in letters, yet eventually has to enlist a stranger to play the role, director Shona Auerbach’s intimate indie became a film festival perennial. Given the movie’s tearjerker tendencies, its musical score becomes an even more crucial component of its deft, if relatively non-manipulative dramaturgy. Young composer Alex Heffes more than ris… |
|
|
Celebrations $13.99 … |
|
|
The Composer’s Voice: Norman Dello Joio $10.67 … |
|
|
Far From the Madding Crowd [VHS] $12.68 John Schlesinger’s solid adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s novel sees three rival suitors vying for the affections of the beautiful Bathsheba Everdene (Julie Christie decked out in a variety of bonnets and frilly dresses), who has just inherited a farm. The men in her life are stout, whiskered yeoman Gabriel Oak (Alan Bates), an impoverished local farmer; neurotic, repressed squire William Boldwood (Pe… |
|
|
Far from the Madding Crowd (Widescreen Edition) [VHS] $14.94 John Schlesinger’s solid adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s novel sees three rival suitors vying for the affections of the beautiful Bathsheba Everdene (Julie Christie decked out in a variety of bonnets and frilly dresses), who has just inherited a farm. The men in her life are stout, whiskered yeoman Gabriel Oak (Alan Bates), an impoverished local farmer; neurotic, repressed squire William Boldwood (Pe… |
|
|
Far from the Madding Crowd [VHS] $14.98 John Schlesinger’s solid adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s novel sees three rival suitors vying for the affections of the beautiful Bathsheba Everdene (Julie Christie decked out in a variety of bonnets and frilly dresses), who has just inherited a farm. The men in her life are stout, whiskered yeoman Gabriel Oak (Alan Bates), an impoverished local farmer; neurotic, repressed squire William Boldwood (Pe… |
|
|
SNOWMEN TO/FROM STAMP $4.80 SuppliesNet item (SSD-1002)… |