A Brief History of Stamps

When coming up with a brief history of stamps, most investigators will find that they were used for postal services. Stamps are defined as a small piece of adhesive paper that was use to pay for postal services such as the mailing of a letter. These stamps are often used on envelopes and lets the postal staff know that their mail being sent has been paid for. There are alternatives available for postage stamps such as prepaid-postage envelopes and postage meters. Stamp collecting is one reason why someone would want a brief history of stamps.

Stamps were first invented by Rowland Hill. He was an Englishman who took a small interest in postal reforms. He also provided multiple documents. He also participated in detailed studies that were later called, "Post Office Reform its Importance and Practicability". Around 1987, he decided to send a copy to the Spring Rice. After having a meeting about the publication that Hill produced to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, they decided to use the stamp and they later put it on the market to the rest of the public. One of the first documents produced to tell about the production of postage stamps was James Chalmers. The documentary examined the Scotsman claim to the creation of the postage stamps. The documentary outlines how James was aware of Hill's proposals to use the postage stamps and to put them on the market. Chalmers was also responsible for coming up with petitions in order to lower the rate of postage stamps. At the exact same time, other people were doing the same thing (organizing petitions).

Chalmers son wrote a book called, 'The Penny Postage Scheme of 1837" which spoke of the inventor of stamps. The son claimed that the first stamp was introduced by his father. There has been no evidence to back up the claims of the book. The son of James, Patrick Chalmers, later died in 1891. He was unable to successfully have his father recognized as the original inventor of the stamps.

Despite who truly invented the postage stamp, they were first introduced to The United Kingdom of Great Britain. Ireland was also introduced to them in 1840. The postage stamps were promoted and advertised by a man called Sir Rowland Hill. The first stamp was called the 'Penny Black.' About two days after the invention of this stamp, the 'two pence blue' was introduced and had an image of Queen Victoria. Today, over 21 billion items are mailed each year using postage stamps.

Photo Credits: kevinzim

Originally posted 2010-07-30 03:36:19.

This post involves:

chancellor of the exchequer, history of stamps, James Chalmers, mail, Patrick Chalmers, post office, postage meters, postage stamp, postage stamps, postal services, Rowland Hill, stamp collecting

... and focuses on:

Philately, Stamp Collecting

Posted by Collectible Stamp on January 10, 2012 in Philately, Stamp Collecting.