Old Postage Stamps - a few facts:

It was in England in 1516 when the first official central royal mail office was opened. Postage costs were paid for by the receiver.

Over 300 years later in 1835 Sir Rowland Hill suggested that letters up to the weight of a half English ounce (14.5 g) should be carried for a uniform fee of 1 Penny.

The receiver now no longer had to pay the postage fee, but the sender. The sender had to use stamps:

On the 5th of June 1840 the first two stamps were issued:

Penny Black and Pence Blue.

At the same time the Mulready covers were sold. Mulready Envelopes are pre-paid envelopes, usually quite decoratively presented - often to celebrate and event of achievement. Many people collect these 'First day of Issue" envelopes.

The second country which issued stamps was Brazil 1843. It issued the so called Ox Eyes.

The Swiss Cantones Zurich and Genève issued stamps in the same year.

Some postmasters in the USA issued stamps starting 1845. The first official issue followed 1847. The first German stamp was issued 11/1/1849 in Bavaria. The World Post Society UPU was founded 1875.

So when collecting old postage stamps, be careful to identify the country of origin, the face price and note the general condition. Place your old postage stamps carefully into your stamp album and work on getting an accurate valuation.

- Mrs. Nagalakshmi Tadakaluri, Philatelist.

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