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The history of this seemingly simple postage stamp is quite interesting. Although the first official stamp appeared in 1840, and we will return to this fact later, it had its predecessors. Before the stamp world expansion, each state recorded its postage as it wanted, whoever was capable of doing what. Someone put stamps, someone drew emblems, someone handed out receipts, in general, there was no order. These troubled times were officially called the "domestic stamp period" by the philatelic community.
As a result, people in different countries began to think about some kind of unified postage stamp. And although there are different versions, Rowland Hill is still considered the discoverer of the stamp. In general, he was a teacher, the founder of the "Hazelwood" school, which was progressive for its time. But because of the complaints of his mother, who worked at the post office and scolded the inefficient system, Mr. Hill became seriously interested in ideas on how to transform it. In the end, this led to the fact that the postal reform he proposed, after much struggle and resistance, was implemented, and Hill became Postmaster General. And one of the consequences of this reform was the appearance of the stamp.
Stamps for a gift
Since then, the newly appeared postage stamps have come to rule the world. People have appeared who study and collect them, the issuance of stamps has become a profitable business, and for such exotic states as Trinidad and Tobago or San Marino, they have even become a significant part of the country's budget. As a rule, the value of a collectible stamp is influenced by only a few factors. First of all, this is, of course, the limited circulation and the number of units that have survived to this day from this circulation of postage stamps. The fewer, the better for those lucky ones who have a rare stamp left in their hands.
If they were issued by a no longer existing country or former colony, this also increases the value. For example, the most expensive stamp in history, which was bought for almost 9.5 million dollars, is a postage stamp from British Guiana. The stamp was issued back in 1856. In addition to the exotic country that issued it, another factor in such a crazy price is that the stamp of this circulation remained in a single copy. So it is not surprising that she is called the princess of philately.
Another interesting reason for expensive exclusive stamps is the mistakes made during their production, such as incorrectly printed color. For example, the second most expensive stamp, which was sold for more than 2 million dollars, is the first printed Swedish postage stamp of 1855. But it was not bought for that money. The fact is that part of the circulation was mistakenly released not in the planned blue-green color, but in yellow. In addition, only one such Swedish unique item remained from the entire batch. All these factors ultimately formed such a high cost of the stamp.
Another common error that makes a stamp incredibly expensive is an inverted image. For example, there is an American stamp from 1918 with the image of the mail plane "Jenny". But part of the circulation was issued with the image located upside down. Today, there are about a hundred such stamps. These stamps are now called «Inverted Jenny», and the most expensive one of them almost reached $1 million when sold at auction.
Thanks to Ukrposhta, there is another opportunity to purchase a unique and unrepeatable stamp. It may not be sold for millions of dollars at auction, but it will definitely be the most expensive for you or your recipient. All because at Ukrposhta you can order a real stamp with the face of any person or with any image you want. A little about how to do it and the prices.
You can order an individual stamp online and in the department located in the building of the Main Post Office. But you can buy a postcard and envelope made according to your wishes only at the Main Post Office. A letter with 9 or 6 stamps will cost you 240 UAH, with 28 postage stamps and 1 image - 408 UAH, and if you want from 2 to 28 images on 28 stamps, then 510 UAH. Your own postcard will cost you 20 UAH, and an unmarked envelope - 14 UAH. And if you want to make a huge number of stamps with your image to use them for letters to all your relatives up to the seventh generation, then Ukrposhta will support you with discounts on bulk purchases.
If you decide to order a stamp using your own patterns, here are some real examples for inspiration. The Austrian Post has released a series on which meteorite dust was applied. It also collaborated with the famous Swarovski brand, which resulted in stamps with a swan made of crystals. The UK was distinguished by the release of postage stamps with the taste of chocolate and even in the form of a tile, and in Brazil - with the smell of coffee. But Bhutan came out the coolest of all. The circulation of stamps of this Asian country was small records with local creativity and the history of this modest but proud state recorded on them.
