The history of stamps starts in the 1660s, but these were not the regular postage stamps we are used to now. These postage stamps were used by Henry Bishop and they were hand stamps or ink marks. These stamps were first called Bishop marks – they were used at the General London Post Office and were indicative of the date and month when the letter was mailed by sender.
The postage stamps in their modern form appeared in England in May, 1840. The first stamp was called the British Penny Black Stamp and had a picture of Queen Victoria’s head. For the next 60 years the head of Queen Victoria was pictured on all postage stamps. Around the same time the first stamp was invented, English schoolmaster Rowland Hill arranged the rates for post mail, which was based not on the size, but on the weight of the mail, and Hill Stamps were used as a prepayment for mailing.
When the use of stamps started in England, Americans also started using stamps at their post offices. In 1847 the first stamps appeared in the United States with a picture of G. Washington and Ben Franklin. In 1857 the Americans first invented the perforated sheets for stamps. Before this time people had to cut stamps with scissors, which was much more difficult. After this American invention came in practice, it became used all over the world.
Another important step in the history of US stamps was the launch of commemorative stamps in 1893. The first commemorative stamps in America were dedicated to the voyage of Columbus to America. Seven years later Americans first issued stamps in a special booklet, and in 1908 they started issuing stamps in single-stamp roll, which was very convenient to use. In the early 1960s the first Christmas stamps were printed. And in 1974 the first self-adhesive stamp was created. Its production started in 1992 on full scale.
Up until now, 4000 stamps have been issued in the United States and over 800 people have been pictured on American stamps. There have been many different stamps in the United States, but some are especially unique and have become favorites for the collectors. Interestingly, even the oldest US postal stamps are still valid for postage.
To assist in creating new stamps, the American postal system is accepting creative ideas for postal stamps from people and companies. Some day your postal stamps might be used by thousands of people. Not many custom design suggestions make it to the mass production, but there is always a chance for you to create a unique design and become a part of the history of postage stamps of the United States.
Taking Stamp creation to a whole new level, the Postal service has partnered with Stamps.com to allow Americans to print their own custom postage stamps. You are able to create stamps yourself, making for a new variety of custom postage.
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