Stamp Magazine

30 Jul 2015

Iranian Postal History and Stamp Tradition

Issuance of first batch of Iranian stamps

Before the introduction of modern stamps, the Persian Empire relied on couriers to transmit information and documents. Couriers traced a traditional route when delivering correspondences, and started from Babylon, and passing through Hamadan and Tsagros. While this route was in place during ancient times, couriers tried to explore different routes to complete their tasks. Persian leaders including Cyrus valued the importance of a network that can help facilitate communications. It was during his time when stables and stations were established to help couriers complete their work.

A number of postal offices were established in the region starting in 1800s, with British offices leading the way with the opening of offices in Bushire and Muscat... Read More

Stamp, Iran, Postal History

23 Jul 2015

What to Do With Inherited Stamps - Your Options, Explored

What to do with an inherited Stamp Collection

So you have received the official word that you inherited a substantial collection of stamps from a close family member. Well, congratulations are in order since a postage stamp collection is always a commendable and sometimes pricey investment. But what will be your next step after learning about this amazing news? There are two things that you can always do - put the stamps on sale or you can always preserve the collection and add a few more postage stamps to grow a respectable stamp collection. Let’s discuss each avenue for you, and hopefully you can get more from the inherited album.

Show off the stamp album and offer these classics for sale!

This is actually the most common option for many individuals who receive the stamp... Read More

16 Jul 2015

1856 British Guiana Takes Centerstage at Washington DC Display

1856 British Guiana on display at Smithsonian Museum

Every collector and enthusiast has a ‘dream collectible item’ that can redefine a collection, or change how the art of collecting will be seen. And in the world of philately, one of the more rare and treasured item for collection is the British Guiana (1856), generally considered as one of the most important and expensive piece of stamp in the world right now. Measuring 2.5 centimetres by 3.2 centimetres, this miniature piece of paper has become an iconic member of the world of philately, even motivating experienced and established stamp collectors to snap the stamp for nearly $10 million US dollars. The offer by a stamp enthusiast isn’t an aberration- according to Sotheby’s, this rare stamp is the most expensive and rarest in the bunch and it is... Read More

British Guiana, Stamp, British Postal History

9 Jul 2015

Mail Sorting and Delivery by Train

Mail sorting and delivery by train

The use of trains didn’t just change the way people move from one location to the next- the adoption of trains also changed the way mails are delivered. Thanks to railway trains, the increasing volume of mails that needed to be sorted and delivered on time was managed, giving way to another golden age for stamp collecting and philately. The popularity of using trains as platforms for sorting and mail delivery significantly gained traction right after the Civil War. It was the time when Railway Mail Service cars were customized and designed to accommodate these tasks. Trains cars were refurbished for this purpose alone.

To ensure that the mail operations could tap into the railroad systems, the Post Office required that post offices be... Read More

Stamps, U.S. Postal History