Adhesive Postage Stamps Explained

Adhesive postage stamps are a convenient and widely used way to send mail. They're small, self-adhesive stickers that can be easily applied to envelopes.

The first adhesive postage stamp was the British Penny Black, introduced in 1840. It featured a portrait of Queen Victoria.

Adhesive postage stamps are designed to stick to envelopes, making it easy to send mail without the need for licking or moistening the stamp. This feature has made them a popular choice among mail senders.

The adhesive used in postage stamps is typically a type of pressure-sensitive adhesive, which allows the stamp to stick to a variety of surfaces.

Adhesive postage stamps have been a convenient way to send mail for over a century.

The first adhesive postage stamp was the Penny Black, introduced in the UK in 1840.

It was a simple design featuring Queen Victoria, but it revolutionized the postal system by making it easier to send mail.

The adhesive stamp replaced the need for a separate postage fee, making it a more efficient system.

This innovation allowed for faster and more reliable mail delivery, transforming the way people communicated with each other.

Self-adhesive stamps come in various forms, each with its own unique characteristics. There are four main types of self-adhesive stamps.

Regular Postage Stamps are the standard self-adhesive stamps used for everyday mailing purposes and are available in various denominations.

Commemorative Stamps feature artwork celebrating historical events or cultural icons, serving as both postage and collectibles.

Bulk Mailing Stamps are ideal for businesses that send out large volumes of mail, often coming at discounted rates and facilitating efficient mailing.

International Postage Stamps are specifically designed for overseas mail and come in varying denominations based on destination rates.

In addition to these types, self-adhesive stamps can be categorized based on their application method and appearance.

Self-adhesive stamps have undergone significant changes in their manufacturing process over the years.

Self adhesive postage stamps are incredibly user-friendly, requiring no additional tools or resources to use. Simply peel off the backing and attach them to your mail.

With countless designs available, users can select stamps that not only serve a functional purpose but also represent personal flair or corporate branding.

The adhesive used in self adhesive stamps is designed for longevity, ensuring that they remain intact throughout the mailing process, regardless of environmental factors.

Using self adhesive stamps can save significant time when preparing mailings, especially beneficial for bulk operations.

Self adhesive postage stamps are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. They're perfect for everyday mailing needs, making them ideal for sending birthday cards, invitations, and holiday greetings.

Businesses also frequently utilize self adhesive stamps for promotional material, bills, and correspondence, providing a professional look to their mailings. This can be a great way to enhance their brand image and make a good impression on their customers.

If you're looking for a unique gift for a stamp enthusiast, commemorative self adhesive stamps are often sought after by collectors. They can also be used as a fundraising tool by schools and organizations, taking advantage of their trendy design and usability for local mail.

Here are some examples of how self adhesive postage stamps can be used:

The history of adhesive postage stamps is a fascinating one. Governments in tropical climates like Sierra Leone and Tonga first issued them in 1964 and 1969, respectively, to avoid the problem of traditional stamps sticking together in humid conditions.

The first adhesive postage stamp was the Penny Black, invented by Rowland Hill in 1837. It was a solution to the problem of people having to pay for letters based on how many papers were in the envelope and how far the letter had traveled.

In the early days, many stamps were not gummed, and some have been unable to be gummed due to shortages. This was the case with the typewritten Uganda Cowry stamps of 1895.

The first stamps of Great Britain used a type of gum called cement, made from a mixture of potato starch, wheat starch, and acacia gum. This was a common practice at the time.

Some stamps, like those issued by Curaçao and Suriname, were also affected by extreme tropical climates, making it difficult to use traditional stamps.

The first use of self-adhesive stamps was by Sierra Leone in 1964.

The United States tried self-adhesive stamps on a 1974 Christmas stamp, but it was judged a failure and not reintroduced until 1989.

Self-adhesive stamps have a smooth waxed or polymer-coated release carrier backing that prevents the pressure-adhesive adhesive from adhering strongly.

This makes it easy to release the stamps from the backing and place them onto a postal envelope.

By 1995, only 20 percent of the thirty-five billion stamps produced by the U.S. Post Office every year were self-adhesive.

However, by 2013, almost all U.S. stamps issued had become self-adhesive.

Stamps with text, numbers, or symbols imprinted on the adhesive can be of special interest to collectors, especially if the imprint is related to the occasion of the stamp issue.

The 1909 Hudson-Fulton Celebration stamps of the United States are a notable example of this. Some postal authorities, like those in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s, had the gum broken by rollers to avoid stamps rolling due to the gum.

The orientation of this serration is used to distinguish between different production runs.

Some stamps have special features that make them interesting to collectors. Stamps with text, numbers, or symbols imprinted on the adhesive are of special interest, especially if they're related to the occasion of the stamp issue.

These special stamps can be sought after by collectors with an interest in uncommon varieties. For example, the 1909 Hudson-Fulton Celebration stamps of the United States are highly sought after by thematic collectors.

Stamps printed on the gummed side by mistake are also valuable to collectors. This type of error is known as a "variety" and can be a prized addition to a collector's collection.

In some cases, postal authorities have intentionally altered the gum on stamps to prevent them from sticking together. For example, in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s, the gum was serrated by rollers to prevent this from happening.

The orientation of the serration is used to distinguish between different production runs. This can be an important factor for collectors who are trying to identify the specific production run of a particular stamp.

Here are some common types of gum varieties:

Care must be taken during production that stamp gum doesn't contain an excess of acid, which can destroy the stamp paper over time. Notable cases are the Ostropa commemorative sheet issued in Germany in 1935, and the German Zeppelin airmail stamps of 1936.

The thick gum on some older stamps, like those from Austria-Hungary, tends to break due to changes in air humidity and temperature, causing the stamps to disintegrate.

Removing the gum is recommended in such cases to avoid further damage to the stamps.