Stamp Stories from around the world

Stamp of the day

CLASSIC STAMPS: Belgium

CLASSIC STAMPS: Belgium

In 1865 King Leopold I died and he was succeded by King Leopold II (1835-1909). The first stamps depicting his portrait were issued in 1869. Todays stamp is the quite rare 5 franc issue. CV is 1.900-4.400 eutos depending on the colour.

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Belgium

CLASSIC STAMPS: Belgium

In 1869 a series of four stamps were issued with the Belgian coat of arms and numbers in the middle. Like the 1866 issue the stamps were issued in two perforation types and in two different types of colour Todays stamp is the 5 centimes issue. CV os 100 euros for a...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Belgium

CLASSIC STAMPS: Belgium

In 1866 Belgium issued its first newspaper stamps depicting the Belgian coat of arms. Todays stamp is a block of four of the 5 centimes issue. The stamp was issued in two perforation types and in two different shades of brown. CV is approx. 1.000 euros for a mint block.

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Belgium

CLASSIC STAMPS: Belgium

In 1849, Belgium issued their first stamps. This series of five stamps featured the iconic "Epaulettes" design, depicting the profile of King Leopold I. Leopold I was King of Belgium from 1831 to 1865. He became the first King of Belgium on 21 July 1831 after the...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

Nordkapp is a promontory on the north side of Magerøya in northernmost Norway. Nordkapp is a 309 m high cliff of sandstone and folded shale, which falls steeply towards the Norwegian Sea. The spectacular promontory is perceived by many as Europe's northernmost point,...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

King Oscar I (1844–1859) was succeeded by Charles IV (1859–1872). No stamps with his image were ever issued. It happened, on the other hand, in 1878 with regard to his successor King Oscar II (1872–1905). Today's stamp is the 1.50 kroner issue from this series of...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

In 1872, the first series of six stamps was issued with an image of a postal horn with the stamp's value in the middle. This type of stamp was issued for more than 140 years in Norway. The last one was issued in 2014. Today's stamp is the 2 Skilling issue from the...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

In 1863 and 1867 new series of stamps were issued depicting Norways coat of arms. The stamps in the first issue had the denomination printed to the left in the lower part. In the second series the denomination was printed on both sides of “SKILL”. Todays stamp is 2...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

One year after the first stamp was issued in Norway (1855), a series of four stamps were issued depicting King Oscar I (1799-1859), who was also king of Sweden. Todays stamp is a mint copy of the 2 skilling issue. CV is 550 euro.

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

CLASSIC STAMPS: Norway

Norway's postal service dates from 1647, when Christian IV of Denmark-Norway gave a concession to a private company, which established the Postal Service. The postal service primarily gave various parts of the country the opportunity to communicate with the central...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece Greece, with its morale renewed and with the consent of its allies, was setting out on a military campaign in 1919 to protect the Greeks living on the western coastline of Asia Minor, with the ultimate goal being the future control of Smyrna and...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

Through the spring of 1912, a series of bilateral agreements between the Christian Balkan states (Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Serbia) formed the Balkan League, which in October 1912 declared war on the Ottoman Empire. In the First Balkan War, the Ottomans were...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

New Hermes stamps were issued in 1901. On these stamps Hermes is shown in full figure, in contrast to the earlier ones where you only saw his head in profile. A series of 14 stamps were issued. Todays stamp is the golden 5 Drachmas with a CV of 10 € for a mint copy.

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

In 1896 a series of 12 stamps were issued to celebrate the reintroduction of the Olympic Games. Today's stamp shows a fourspan of horses led by a goddess of victory. CV for this 25 Lepta issue is 40 €.

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

In 1886 the first so called “Small Hermes heads” were issued. Like the “Large Hermes heads” they were issued in a lot of different perforation types (also non perforated). The last series were issued in 1893. Todays stamp is the 40 Lepta issue from 1886. CV is 100 €...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

CLASSIC STAMPS: Greece

The postal history of Greece is a fascinating journey that mirrors the nation's evolution from the Ottoman Empire to an independent state. In the early 19th century, before Greece gained autonomy in 1830, postal services were primarily under Ottoman control. The first...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Fiume

CLASSIC STAMPS: Fiume

In February 1924 Fiume became a part of Italy. On February 22th. The last series of Fiume stamps ever were issued. The were overprinted: “Regno D´Italia”. Todays stamp is the 3 Lire issue. CV is 12 € for a mint copy.

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Fiume

CLASSIC STAMPS: Fiume

After Italian intervention on Christmas evening 1920 Fiume became a Free State until 1924. The Italian currency (Lire) was introduced in September 1920. The first series of stamps in the Free State was issued in February 1921 by simply overprinting the old stamps from...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Fiume

CLASSIC STAMPS: Fiume

In 1919, Fiume declared itself an independent free state under the leadership of the Italien nationalist and poet Gabriele d'Annunzio, leading to the issuance of stamps bearing the image of the national poet. Todays stamp is the 10 centesimi (C)issue with a CV of one...

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Fiume

CLASSIC STAMPS: Fiume

Still under occupation by the allied forces and postally administrated by the Hungarian Kingdom todays stamp depicting a freedom symbol (a woman with a star) was issued in January 1919. CV for a mint copy is one euro.

læs mere
CLASSIC STAMPS: Fiume

CLASSIC STAMPS: Fiume

Fiume, now known as Rijeka, has a rich postal history that reflects its complex geopolitical situation over the years. Here are five points summarizing its postal history and the issuance of its first stamps: 1. Fiume, located on the Adriatic coast, had a strategic...

læs mere
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Burma

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Burma

Burma (Socialist Republic of the union of Burma) celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union in 1949. They did so by issuing a stamp depicting a carrier pigeon with a letter. Todays stamp is a mint copy of this 15 Rupee stamp.

læs mere
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Iceland

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Iceland

Iceland celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union in 1974. They did so by issuing a postman putting a letter in a mailbox. Todays stamp is a mint copy of this 20 Krona stamp.

læs mere
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: DDR

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: DDR

Former DDR (German Democratic Republic) celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union in 1949. They did so by issuing a stamp depicting the Globe and a carrier pigeon with a letter. Todays stamp is a mint copy of this 50 pfennig stamp. CV is 14 €.

læs mere
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Sarawak

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Sarawak

Sarawak (northern part of Kalimantan – former Borneo) celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union in 1949. They did so by issuing a stamp depicting the Globe twice, a ship, and an airplane. Todays stamp is a mint copy of the 15 cent issue from 1949.

læs mere
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Jordan

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Jordan

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Jordan Jordan (The Hashemite Kingdom of the Jordan) celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union in 1949. They did so by issuing a stamp depicting the Globe with a letter, a train and a passenger ship. Todays stamp is the 20...

læs mere
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Denmark

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Denmark

Denmark celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union in 1949. They did so by issuing a stamp depicting the Globe with a banner showing the Danish name of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). Todays stamp is a mint copy of the 40 øre issue.

læs mere
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: India

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: India

India celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union in 1949. They did so by issuing a stamp depicting the Globe, a letter and The State Emblem of India. The State Emblem of India is the national emblem of the Republic of India and is used by the union...

læs mere
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Great Britain

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Great Britain

Great Britain celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union in 1924. They did so by issuing two stamps depicting a portrait of George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George: Born on 14 December 1895 and died on 6 February 1952). He was King of the United...

læs mere
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Germany

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Germany

Germany celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union in 1924. They did so by issuing two stamps depicting a portrait of Ernst Heinrich Wilhelm von Stephan (born Heinrich Stephan, January 7, 1831 – April 8, 1897). He was a general post director for the...

læs mere