Stamp Stories from around the world

Stamp of the day

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Sweden

UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION: Sweden

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) was established in 1874, with its headquarters in Berne, Switzerland. The organization adopted its current name in 1878. It is the second-oldest international organization worldwide (after the International Telecommunication Union,...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Monaco

CLASSIC STAMPS: Monaco

CLASSIC STAMPS: Monaco In 1923 five stamps were issued depicting a portrait of the new prince Louis II of Monaco. Louis II (1870-1949) was Prince of Monaco from 27 June 1922 to 9 May 1949. He was in a relationship with Marie Juliette Louvet, who was the mother of his...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Monaco

CLASSIC STAMPS: Monaco

In 1922, the first stamps of Monaco were issued which did not show a portrait of the prince. The four stamps show historical motifs from Monaco. Today's stamp shows the “Rock of Monaco”. In the sixth century B.C. In the 4th century BC, the Massaliots, Phocaeans from...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Monaco

CLASSIC STAMPS: Monaco

In 1914, the First World War broke out. On that occasion, Monaco issued a stamp showing Prince Albert I as well as an imprinted red cross and an additional value of 5 Cent. Today's stamp has a CV of $11 in mint condition.

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Monaco

CLASSIC STAMPS: Monaco

In 1891, two years after the death of Prince Charles III, a new set of stamps were issued depicting the portrait of Prince Albert I (1848-1922). Prince Albert I was Prince of Monaco from 10 September 1889 until his death in 1922. He devoted much of his life to...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Monaco

CLASSIC STAMPS: Monaco

Monaco's postal history is a fascinating journey that reflects the principality's evolution and development over the years. The earliest known postal services in Monaco date back to the 18th century when letters were dispatched via the French postal system, as Monaco...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

In 1894 13 stamps were issued to celebrate the 500th birthday of Henrik the Sailor (1394-1460). He was the son of Johan 1st of Portugal and known for having been behind the first Portuguese voyages of discovery, on which, among other things, discovered the Açores in...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

In 1876 the first newspaper stamp was issued in Portugal. The face value was 2½ Reis and the CV is 20 euro in mint condition.

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

In 1871, twelve stamps were issued all depicting a portrait of king Luis I (1861-89). Today's stamp is a beautiful block of four of the 150 Reis issue. This block has a CV of €1.800 in mint condition.

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

In 1862, five stamps were issued with a face value of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 Reis. They all show a portrait of the new king Luis I (1861-89). Today's stamp is the 25 Reis issue, which has a CV of €140 in mint condition.

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

In 1856 two more stamps were issued which showed a portrait of King Pedro V (1853-1861). They had denominations of 5 and 25 Reis. Today's stamp is the 5 Reis issue. It appears to be similar to the stamp shown yesterday. But notice that the king's hair on today's stamp...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

In 1855, a new series of stamps was issued with denominations of 5, 25, 50 and 100 Reis. The stamps show a portrait of the new king Pedro V (1853-1861). Today's stamp is the 5 Reis issue, which has a CV of no less than €12,000 for a mint copy.

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

CLASSIC STAMPS: Portugal

Portugal's postal history is a fascinating journey that dates back to the 16th century. The country's first postal system was established in 1520, under the reign of King Manuel I. However, it wasn't until the 18th century that a more organized postal network was...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

In 1908, a series of 18 stamps was issued on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Josef. It was the first time in Austria's history that persens other than Franz Joseph were depicted on Austrian stamps. Today's stamp shows Maria Theresia,...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria In 1890 yet another series of stamps depicting emperor Franz Joseph of Austria and king of Hungary was issued. Todays stamp is the very common 5 Kreuzer value. But please enjoy the very beautiful bulls eye cancel.

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

In February 1867, Hungary was separated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. On this occasion, stamps depicting Emperor Franz Joseph were again issued. These stamps were valid in the Kingdom of Hungary until 1871. A funny little detail on that occasion is that the...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

In 1863 Austria issued the first stamps not depicting emperor Franz Joseph (except newspaper stamps). The new stamps showed the Austrian coat of arms: the double eagle: “However, the Austrian-Hungarian eagle that we are so familiar with in Vienna is unique in that...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

On November 1, 1858, Austria issued five stamps featuring Emperor Franz Joseph. These postage stamps, often referred to as the "Franz Joseph stamps," holds a special place in the world of stamp collecting in Austria. Todays stamp itself depicts a young Emperor Franz...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

In 1851 the first newspaper stamps were issued. They depicted the roman god Mercury, who was god of shopkeepers and merchants, travelers and transporters of goods, and thieves and tricksters. He is commonly identified with the Greek Hermes, the fleet-footed messenger...

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CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

CLASSIC STAMPS: Austria

Austria's postal history is a fascinating journey through time, reflecting the evolution of communication and transportation. It all began in the late 15th century, when the Habsburg Monarchy established a network of postal routes to facilitate the movement of...

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NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Teodor Palady

NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Teodor Palady

Teodor Palady (1875-1956) was a Romanian painter celebrated for his mastery of the nude genre. His nude paintings are a testament to his exceptional talent and unique artistic vision. Palady's depictions of the human form are characterized by a harmonious blend of...

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NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Nicolae Tonitza

NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Nicolae Tonitza

Nicolae Tonitza (1886-1940) was a distinguished Romanian painter known for his captivating nude paintings that beautifully combined elements of classical and modern art. His approach to depicting the human form was marked by a remarkable fusion of sensuality,...

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NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Jovan Bijelić

NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Jovan Bijelić

Jovan Bijelić (1926-2015) was a Serbian painter renowned for his evocative nude paintings that transcend traditional representations of the human form. With a deep reverence for the human body, Bijelić's nudes are a testament to his artistic prowess and ability to...

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NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Johann Hans von Aachen

NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Johann Hans von Aachen

"The Three Graces" is a masterpiece by the renowned German Mannerist painter Johann Hans von Aachen (1552-1616), who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This exquisite painting beautifully captures the essence of Greek mythology, showcasing the three...

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NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Henri Matisse

NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse (1869-1954), born Henri-Émile-Benoît Matisse, was a French painter and printmaker. He was known for both his use of color as well as his shifty and original drawings. He was a draftsman, graphic artist and sculptor, but is known today primarily as a...

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NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Édouard Manet

NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Édouard Manet

NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Édouard Manet Édouard Manet (1832-1883) was a French painter who played a pivotal role in the transition from Realism to Impressionism. His nude paintings, such as "Olympia" and "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe," are iconic and controversial masterpieces...

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NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Aristide Maillol

NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Aristide Maillol

NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Aristide Maillol Aristide Maillol (1861-1944) was a French sculptor, painter, and printmaker whose monumental statues of female nudes display a concern for mass and rigorous formal analysis. Today's stamp from France is issued to celebrate Aristide...

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NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Goya

NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Goya

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828) was a Spanish painter. Goya was a portrait painter and court painter to the Spanish court, a historian and, in his unofficial work, a revolutionary and a man of vision. He has been considered both the last of the old...

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NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Nikola Martinoski

NUDE ART ON STAMPS: Nikola Martinoski

Nikola Martinoski (1903-1973), sometimes spelled Martinovski, was a Macedonian Yugoslav painter of Aromanian ethnicity. He is considered a founder of modern Macedonian art. Todays stamp from former Yougoslavia shows Martinoskis beautiful painting: “Young Gipsy with a...

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SEPARATION OF STAMPS: Zigzag rouletting

SEPARATION OF STAMPS: Zigzag rouletting

Just after the second world war a series of seven stamps depicting the famous “Berlin Bear” was issued in the allied zone: Berlin and Brandenburg. They were issued with both normal perforation (14) and zigzag rouletting (13½). In this type of separation the cuts/holes...

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