Postage Stamps

A postage stamp is proof that the sender of the shipment has paid for its delivery. It is most commonly rectangular in shape, but history also knows triangular or round shapes. It is usually a small piece of paper affixed to a postal shipment, package, or envelope. A postage stamp is considered a security, i.e., a purpose-specific payment instrument that serves as an equivalent (substitute) for money for the purpose of purchasing certain goods. When used, stamps are invalidated by stamping.

History of Postage Stamps

Despite several historical attempts, Rowland Hill - a teacher and general postmaster from Great Britain - is considered a pioneer, who began to fully develop this idea in 1837. Until then, the recipient, not the sender, paid for the shipment, which led to a large number of unclaimed parcels. Moreover, the distance of delivery was always priced individually, which further simplified the introduction of postage stamps. Rowland Hill's argumentation was so strong that by 1839 they were approved by the British Parliament and a year later by the Postal Office. That same year, the oldest valid postage stamp in black color with the likeness of British Queen Victoria, known today as Penny Black, was issued. Over time, the aesthetic, symbolic, and philatelic value of stamps, inspired by famous photographs or historical events, came to the forefront. Among the most famous and valuable today are the Blue and Red Mauritius worth 2 and 1 penny, which were issued in 1847 by the Mauritian governor Sir William Maynard Gomm. Postage stamps in Czechoslovakia were issued in the years 1918 - 1939 and 1945 - 1992. They are still protected by copyright law today.

In our assortment, you will find Slovak and Czech thematic packages or philatelic commemorative sheets with postage stamps.