Stamps are authorized impressions or marks used for the prepayment of a tax or fee. It is an official mark or seal indicating an approval, ownership, or payment of tax. The history of stamps can be traced back to the sixteenth century. The first official royal mail office was opened in England in 1516. Later, mail was required to be paid for by the recipient rather than the sender; this system proved too problematic for everyone because of the resulting preponderance of undelivered mail. The concept of adhesive postage stamp was introduced by James Chalmers in Great Britain in 1834. Brazil issued stamps in 1843, and in the United States, the adhesive postage stamp was officially issued in 1847. The world's first prepaid postage stamp, known as Penny Black, was issued on May 6, 1840, with the profile of Queen Victoria printed on it. Rowland Hill invented the first adhesive postage stamp. By and by, stamps picturing various personalities, instances and festivals came to be issued. Stamps brought in a new brand of hobbyists called philatelists. Stamps have undergone many changes and today they come in various sizes, designs, and formats. Revenue stamps are an indirect way of collecting taxes. Many documents such as contracts and agreements are to be affixed with revenue stamps. Revenue stamps are older than postage stamps historically. Today, stamp collection is a popular hobby among children as well as adults around the world. Old and rare stamps are sold and bought at high prices, sometimes even millions of dollars. |
