Postage Stamps Mean a Lot

A person does not have to be a stamp collector to enjoy stamps.  These stamps tell us a great deal and an inquisitive person can learn from them.  Just imagine being exposed to the geography of countries, its leaders, flora and fauna, culture, medical accomplishments, and sports.  All these are depicted on stamps.  Some of these are extraordinary and are in color.  They appeal to the imagination and will make a philatelist smile. 

The Advent of the Postage Stamp

Historically speaking, in the Western world, stamps are said to have been the brain child of Rowlan Hill of England.  Believe it or not, one of the problems that appeared immediately was having adhesive stamps.  How and when this problem was solved is unclear, but we do know that this feature became as important as a stamp itself.  The price for mail had to be eventually figured out.  Many procedures evolved from these intricacies over a number of years.  Even in today’s America, it is still a challenge to pinpoint precisely the many options a consumer has in sending his mail.

To a collector, stamps in certain regions of the world are popular.  Those from Bhutan are known for their esoteric nature.  Many regions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America have much interest, especially if their history goes back hundred of years.  Other factors that determine a stamp’s value depend on the number issued or those that are still in circulation.  One of the rarest stamp is the British Guiana One Cent Black on Magenta.  It was published in 1856 and there is the only one of its kind left in the world.  In 1980, it sold for $935,000 U.S. by Robert A. Siegel at an auction.

Stamps of Value

The Three-Skilling Yellow was printed by the Swedish government in 1855.  There is only one such in existence in the world.  In 1990, it was sold for $1 million U.S., and when auctioned again in 1996 it grossed $2.3 million U.S.  This stamp is considered one of the rarest stamp in existence.  Like that of British Guiana’s, Mauritius boasts two stamps that are of extraordinary valuable.  One of these orange stamps sold for a whopping $1,072,260 U.S. and the other went for $1,148,850 U.S.

Often, it is the monetary value of these stamps that get much attention, but a person does not have to be a philatelist to be moved by the positive images or messages of stamps.  For instance, they present us with the beauty of our landscape, emphasize the importance of a green environment, focus on endearing qualities of our culture and political system.  We find gracing these stamps, leaders, entertainers, social workers, and educators.  Such images can be seen in many countries around the world.

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Many stamps get our attention when we learn about the value of a rare collection.  However, every day as we mail letters, we come face to face with the images of stamps that tell us a great deal about our society.  Like bill boards, they focus on issues that are significant for our survival as a people, nation, and civilization.  Stamps mean a great deal more to hobbyists that look for deeper meanings into them.  To some they serve as

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

a road map to our cultural history as it unveils and say a great deal about our future.

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