Chronology of Postage Stamps

Chronology of Postage Stamps

1837-1899 1900-1949 1950-1989 1990-end

1837June 20
England issues its first postage stamp, one pence Queen Victoria. [1]
1840April 28
The General Post Office of Great Britain announces intent to issue postage stamps to prepay postage. [977.227]May 1
First adhesive postage stamps ("Penny Black" in England) issued. [5] [269.369] (May 6 [655.7] [1049.1555])June 10
Senator Daniel Webster of Massachusetts introduces a resolution in the US Senate to reduce postal rates and for issuance of postage stamps to prepay postage. [977.227]
1841November 30
An act is passed in Brazil authorizing the issuance of postage stamps. [729.74]
1842February 15
First adhesive postage stamps in US (private delivery company), New York City, New York. [1]
1843August 1
Brazil issues its first postage stamps. [700.1034] [729.74]
1845July 14
First postmasters' provisional stamps issued, New York City, New York, USA. [1]
1847March 3
An Act of US Congress authorizes US Post Office Department is issue adhisive postage stamps for use in prepayment of fees on mail matter. [1] [958.827]June 3
The first US postage stamps are delivered to the post Office Department in Washington DC. [978.330]July 1
First US postage stamps go on sale in New York City: 5-cent Benjamin Franklin and 10-cent George Washington. Franklin is the first person in the world other than a head of state to appear on a stamp. [1] [323.17] [700.2]
1849
Belgium issues its first postage stamps. [700.816]
1850
New South Wales issues its first postage stamps. [700.568]
Victoria issues its first postage stamps. [700.577]
Austria (monarchy) issues its first postage stamps. [700.630]
Lombardy-Venetia issues its first postage stamps. [700.708]
July 1
British Guiana issues its first postage stamps. [700.1127] [729.74]
1851April 23
Province of Canada issues its first postage stamps. [1] [614.117] [707.59](month unknown)
New Brunswick issues its first postage stamps. [707.62]
Nova Scotia issues its first postage stamps. [707.58]October 1
First Hawaiian stamps are issued. [1] [700.196]
1852January 1
Netherlands begins issuing postage stamps. [1]January 4
The Royal Mail steam packet Amazon burns and sinks in Nay of Biscay, carrying first postage stamps for use in Barbados. [887.20]April 15
Barbados issues its first postage stamps. [700.768] [887.20]
1853
Chile issues its first postage stamps. [707.214]September 1
Cape of Good Hope issues its first postage stamps. [707.116]November 1
Van Diemen's Land (Australia) issues its first postage stamps. [700.575]
1854
Western Australia issues its first postage stamps. [700.581]
1855
South Australia issues its first postage stamps. [700.573]
1856January 1
Saint Helena issues its first postage stamps. [1032.49](month unknown)
Danish West Indies issues its first postage stamps. [700.194]August 21
Corrientes (Argentina) issues its first postage stamps. [700.536]
1857
Newfoundland issues its first postage stamps. [707.52]
Ceylon issues its first postage stamps. [707.178]December
Russia issues its first postage stamps. [453.82]
1858January 1
First Russian postage stamps become valid for use. [453.82]April 29
Buenos Aires issues its first postage stamps. [700.536](month unknown)
Tasmania issues its first postage stamps. [700.576]October 28
Cordoba (Argentina) issues its first postage stamps. [700.536]
1859
Bahamas issues its first postage stamps. [700.723]
Grenadine Confederation issues its first postage stamps. [707.417]
1860
The first and last postage stamps of British Columbia and Vancouver Island are issued. [707.52]
Grenadine Confederation issues its last postage stamps. [707.417]November 1
Queensland (Australia) issues its first postage stamps. [700.571]December 1
Malta issues its first postage stamps. [681.105]
1861January 1
Prince Edward Island issues its first postage stamps. [707.59]May 8
Saint Vincent issues its first postage stamp, 1-penny red. [681.44](month unknown)
The Confederate States of America issues its first postage stamps. [700.128]
The United States of New Grenada issues its first and last postage stamps. [707.417]August
The US Postal Service begins issuing new postage stamps and demonetizing previously issued US stamps due to quantities held by Confederate states. [631.19]October 1
Greece issues its first postage stamps. [1032.95]October 16
Confederate States of America starts selling postage stamps. [1]
1862
The Confederate States of America issues its last postage stamps. [700.188]
Antigua issues its first postage stamps. [700.426]
The United States of Colombia issues its first postage stamps. [707.417]July 17
US Congress passes Postage Currency Act allowing all forms of government postage stamps to be exchanged by assistant treasurers for greenbacks for payments of less than $5, and outlaws all privately issued notes with value under $1. [413.82] [646.15]
1863
New Brunswick issues its last postage stamps. [707.62]
Nova Scotia issues its last postage stamps. [707.58]
Costa Rica issues it first postage stamps. [707.544]
Bolivar, a state of the Granadine Confederation in South America, issues 1-peso postage stamps measuring 8mm by 9.5mm, the world's smallest postage stamps. [1032.78]
1864
Austria (monarchy) issues its last postage stamps. [700.630]
1865January 1
Ecuador issues its first postage stamps. [995.147](month unknown)
Lombardy-Venetia issues its last postage stamps. [700.708]
Bermuda issues its first postage stamps. [700.929]
The first and last postage stamps of Vancouver Island are issued. [707.52]November 1
British Columbia issues its first postage stamps. [707.52]
1866
British Honduras issues its first postage stamps. [700.1131]
1867
Bolivia issues its first postage stamps. [700.963]
Austria-Hungary issues its first postage stamps. [700.630]
1868March 17
Postage stamp canceling machine patent is issued. [1](month unknown)
First postage stamps for Azores under Portuguese control are issued, on overprinted stamps of Portugal. [700.720]
1869March 1
Postage stamps showing scenes are issued for first time. [1](month unknown)
British Columbia issues its last postage stamps. [707.52]
1870
Angola issues its first postage stamps under Portuguese control. [700.395]
1871
Kabul (Afghanistan) issues its first postage stamps. [700.253]October 1
Portuguese India issues its first postage stamps. [1022.1015]
1872January 1
Prince Edward Island issues its last postage stamps. [707.59]
1873March 3
US Congress authorizes federal departmental postage stamps. [1]
1874October 9
Representatives of 21 countries sign the Treaty of the General Postal Union in Berne, Switzerland. [960.16] [1004.943]
1875July 1
Gold Coast issues its first postage stamps. [999.49]
General Union of Posts comes into effect, standardizing letter and postcard rates between member countries. [1] [729.38]
1876January 1
France joins the General Union of Posts. [729.38]July 1
British India joins the General Union of Posts. [729.39]
1877April 1
Ceylon joins the General Union of Posts. [729.39]June 1
Japan joins the General Union of Posts. [729.39]June 18
Hot air balloon Buffalo carries mail from Nashville to Gallatin, Tennessee, USA; a privately-issued 5-cent postage stamp is used on 23 items, the first time a stamp is used for carrying mail by air. [956.9](month unknown)
Cape Verde issues its first postage stamps. [707.117]
1878April 1
Argentina joins the General Union of Posts. [729.40]June 1
A postal convention is signed in Paris, France, creating the Universal Postal Union. [729.38](month unknown)
China issues its first postage stamps. [707.257]August
Canada joins the General Union of Posts. [729.38]
1879January
Newfoundland joins the General Union of Posts. [729.38]April 1
The Universal Postal Union comes into effect. [729.38]May 1
Bulgaria issues its first postage stamps. [700.1149](month unknown)
Bosnia and Herzegovina issues its first postage stamps. [700.992]
1882
First postage stamps for Bangkok under British control are issued, using overprinted stamps of Straits Settlements. [700.749]
1883August 4
Siam issues its first postage stamps. [1015.288]
1885
Bangkok issues its last postage stamps. [700.749]
First postage stamps for British Bechuanaland are issued, on overprinted stamps of Cape of Good Hope. [700.795]
First postage stamps for the Costa Rica province of Guanacaste, using stamps of Costa Rica overprinted "Guanacaste". [707.573]
1886January 1
Congo Free State issues its first postage stamps. [976.123](month unknown)
Congo issues its first postage stamps. [700.811]
First postage stamps are issued for Cochin China, using stamps of French Colonies. [707.412]
The United States of Colombia issues its last postage stamps. [707.418]
The Republic of Colombia issues its first postage stamps. [707.418]
1887
British Bechuanaland issues its own first postage stamps. [700.795]
1888January 21
The first and last postage stamps for Annam and Tonkin are issued, using overprinted stamps of French Colonies. [700.425](month unknown)
First postage stamps for Bechuanaland Protectorate are issued, using overprinted stamps of Cape of Good Hope. [700.795]
Last postage stamps are issued for Cochin China. [707.412]
New South Wales issues world's first commemorative stamps, commemorating 100 years of New South Wales. [1032.41]
1889
Last postage stamps for the Costa Rica province of Guanacaste. [707.573]
1890
Antigua discontinues (until 1903) using its own postage stamps, switching to stamps of Leeward Islands. [700.426]
First postage stamps for British East Africa are issued, using stamps of Great Britain overprinted "BRITISH EAST AFRICA COMPANY" and value. [700.1126]
British East Africa Company issues its first postage stamps. [700.1126]
1891
Kabul (Afghanistan) issues its last postage stamps. [700.254]
Afghanistan issues its first postage stamps. [700.254]
First postage stamps for British Central Africa are issued, using stamps of Rhodesia overprinted "B.C.A.". [700.1126]
1892May 7
The Cook Islands issues its first postage stamps. [707.527](month unknown)
The first postage stamps of Angra (of Azores) are issued. [700.412]
Anjouan issues its first postage stamps. [700.425]
First postage stamps for Benin under French control are issued, using overprinted stamps of French Colonies. [700.908]
1894
Benin issues its last postage stamps. [700.908]
1895
British Central Africa issues its first postage stamps. [700.1126]
1896January 1
First philatelic daily newspaper debuts, The Daily Stamp Item, published by Charles H. Mekeel of Saint Louis, Missouri. (It runs for 284 issues.) [971.292]
1897
British Bechuanaland issues its last postage stamps. [700.795]
The first postage stamps for Cameroun under German dominion are issued, using overprinted stamps of Germany. [707.27]
1898March 1
Sudan issues its first postage stamps, eight values from 1-millieme to 10-piastres. [681.49]April 1
First postage stamps of Azores under Portuguese control are issued. [700.722](month unknown)
British East Africa Protectorate issues its last postage stamps. [700.1127]
First postage stamps for use in Crete, issued under British administration. [707.574]
Cuba issues its first postage stamps under US control. [700.193]December 25
The British Post Office introduces Imperial Penny Postage, 1 pence postage per half ounce to most parts of the British Empire. [729.38]
1899March 15
Department of Posts for Puerto Rico comes into existence, and places on sale in San Juan US postage stamps overprinted "Porto Rico". [1020.843]

1900March 1
First postage stamps of Crete. [707.574]April 16
US Post Office issues first books of postage stamps. [1]April 17
British Post Office switches the half-pence Jubilee stamp from vermilion to green, first British stamp conforming to the UPU color convention. [729.38](month unknown)
Puerto Rico issues its last postage stamps. [700.204]
First postage stamps of Cameroun under German dominion are issued. [707.27]
First postage stamps for Caroline Islands are issued, on stamps of Germany overprinted "Karolinen". [707.129]
Cayman Islands issues its first postage stamps. [707.130]



1901January
Caroline Islands issues its first postage stamps. [707.129]January 22
After 63 years England stops sale of Queen Victoria postage stamps series and begins King Edward VII series. [1](month unknown)
Congo issues its last postage stamps. [700.811]
1903February 3
Orange River Colony issues its first postage stamps. [730.47](month unknown)
New Zealand issues first postage stamps for Aitutaki, overprinted on stamps of New Zealand. [700.284]
Antigua resumes issuing its own postage stamps. [700.426]
1904
The first postage stamps for Canal Zone under USA control are issued, using overprinted stamps of Panama. [700.188]
Cape of Good Hope issues its last postage stamps. [707.117]
1905
The last postage stamps of Angra (of Azores) are issued. [700.412]

1906
First postage stamps for Brunei are issued, overprinted on stamps of Labuan. [700.1139]
1907
New South Wales issues its last postage stamps. [700.568]
British Central Africa issues its last postage stamps. [700.1126]
Brunei issues its first postage stamps. [700.1140]
1908February 18
First US postage stamps in coils are issued. [1](month unknown)
First postage stamps for Belgian Congo are issued, using overprinted stamps of Congo. [700.811]
1909
Queensland issues its last postage stamps. [700.572]
Belgian Congo issues its first postage stamps. [700.812]
1910
Last postage stamps of Crete. [707.574]July 12
Caroline Islands issues its last postage stamps. [707.129]
1911February 18
First official flight of mail, about 6500 stamped and cancelled mail, by Henri Péquet from United Provinces of Agra and Ovdh, India, five miles across Yamuna River to Navni Junction. [1015.242]
1912February 1
Liechtenstein issues its own postage stamps. [810.43](month unknown)
Anjouan issues its last postage stamps. [700.425]
South Australia issues its last postage stamps. [700.575]
Tasmania issues its last postage stamps. [700.577]
Western Australia issues its last postage stamps. [700.582]July 1
Victoria issues its last postage stamps. [700.579]
1913January 2
Australia issues its first postage stamps. [700.585] [1032.43]June
The first postage stamps for Albania are issued, using overprints on stamps of Turkey. [700.294]July
Albania issues its first postage stamps. [700.294]November
The last postage stamps of Albania are issued. [700.294]
1914
Last postage stamps of Cameroun under German dominion are issued. [707.27]
1915
Danish West Indies issues its last postage stamps. [700.194]August 15
First postage stamps are issued for Bushire under British occupation, using overprinted stamps of Iran. [700.1291]September
Last postage stamps for Bushire are issued. [700.1291]
1916
First postage stamps for Cape Juby are issues, using overprinted stamps of Rio de Oro. [707.115]
1918May 13
First US airmail stamps issued (24 cents). [1](month unknown)
German Austria issues its first postage stamps. [700.635]
Bosnia and Herzegovina issues its last postage stamps (until 1993). [700.993]
1919
First postage stamps for Armenia are issued, using overprinted stamps of Russia. [700.537]
Austria-Hungary issues its last postage stamps. [700.635]
Azerbaijan (republic) issues its first and last postage stamps. [700.709]
Batum issues its first postage stamps. [700.794]
First postage stamp are issued for Cilicia under French control, using stamps of Turkey overprinted "CILICIE". [707.410]
First stamps issued for Rarotonga (Cook Islands), as stamps of New Zealand overprinted "RAROTONGA". [707.527]
1920June
Spain issues first postage stamps for La Agüera, overprinted on stamps of Spain. [700.284](month unknown)
Aitutaki issues its first own postage stamps. [700.284]
The first and last postage stamps for Allenstein are issued, using overprinted stamps of Germany. [700.370]
Batum issues its last postage stamps. [700.794]
First postage stamps are issued for Upper Volta, using stamps of Upper Senegal and Niger overprinted "HAUTE-VOLTA". [700.1239]
First postage stamps are issued for Castellorizo, on stamps of French Offices in Turkey. [707.129]
Central Lithuania issues its first postage stamps. [707.176]
First stamps issued by Rarotonga (Cook Islands), inscribed "Rarotonga". [707.527]September 8
US Air Mail service begins (New York City to San Francisco). [1]November 16
Postage meter first used in US in lieu of postage stamps. [1]December 18
First US postage stamps printed without the words United States or US. [1]
1921
Armenia issues its first postage stamps. [700.538]
German Austria issues its first postage stamps. [700.635]
First postage stamps for Cameroun under French mandate are issued, on overprinted stamps of Middle Congo. [707.28]
Last postage stamps are issued for Cilicia. [707.411]December 1
US Post Office establishes philatelic agency. [1]
1922March 1
Albania joins the Universal Postal Union. [995.36]April 6
Arthur Hind buys British Guiana 1-cent postage stamp error on magenta paper for 7343 British pounds at auction. [674.86]June
The Spanish possession of La Agüera issues its first and last postage stamps. [700.284](month unknown)
Armenia issues its last postage stamps. [700.539]
First postage stamps for Ascension are issued, using overprinted stamps of Saint Helena. [700.556]
Austria (republic) issues its first postage stamps. [700.636]
Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic issues its first postage stamps. [700.709]
Central Lithuania issues its larst postage stamps. [707.177]
First postage stamps for Chad are issued using stamps of Middle Congo overprinted "TCHAD". [707.185]July 13
First postage stamps released for use in Barbuda, stamps of Leeward Islands overprinted "BARBUDA". [700.782]
1923
Castellorizo issues its first postage stamps. [707.130]
1924
The first postage stamps for Algeria are issued, using overprinted stamps of France. [700.337]
Ascension issues its first postage stamps. [700.556]
Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic issues its last postage stamps. [700.709]
1925
First postage stamps for Alaouites are issued, overprinted on stamps of France. [700.293]
First stamps of Cameroun under French mandate are issued. [707.28]
1926
Algeria issues its first postage stamps. [700.337]
1928
Canal Zone issues its own first postage stamps. [700.191]
The first postage stamps for Andorra under Spanish control are issued, using overprinted stamps of Spain. [700.371]
Upper Volta issues its first postage stamps. [700.1239]
1929November 1
Lundy Island, part of the British Isles, issues its own postage stamps to pay for private mail delivery for the island. [1] [962.909] [993.843]November 25
Andorra (Spanish administration) issues its first postage stamps. [700.371]
1930
The last postega stamps for the Alaouites are issued. [700.293]
1931June 16
The first postage stamps for Andorra under French control are issued, using overprinted stamps of France. [700.379](month unknown)
Upper Volta issues last postage stamps (until 1959). [700.1239]
Chad issues its first postage stamps, and its last as a French colony. [707.185]November 12
Last postage stamps issued for Rarotonga. [707.528]
1932March 16
Resumption of Cook Islands postage stamps bearing that name, since 1919. [707.528](month unknown)
Andorra (French administration) issues its first postage stamps. [700.379]
Castellorizo issues its last postage stamps. [707.130]December 12
Bechuanaland Protectorate issues its first postage stamps. [700.796]
1933August 10
First stamps of Bahrain are issued, using stamps of India overprinted "BAHRAIN". [700.739]December 1
Basutoland issues its first postage stamps. [700.793]
1934February 10
Byrd souvenir sheet issued, New York City; first unperforated ungummed US stamp. [1]
1935February 15
The Philippines issues its last set of postage stamps as a United States territory. [797.22]December 1
Austria has world's first Day of Postage Stamp. [1]
1937April 1
First postage stamps for Burma are issued, using stamps of India overprinted "BURMA". [700.1266]
Aden becomes British crown colony, and issues its first postage stamps. [1] [700.248](month unknown)
Austria issues its last postage stamps (until 1945). [700.636]
1938April 14
First postage stamps for Alexandretta under French control are issued, using overprinted stamps of Syria. [700.337](month unknown)
Burma issues its first postage stamps. [700.1267]November 10
The last postage stamps for Alexandretta are issued. [700.337]Year
About 2550-2600 different postage stamps were produced worldwide during the year. [500.XX6]
1940August 7
Largest amount paid for a postage stamp (US$45,000 for 1-cent 1856 British Guiana). [1]December 10
First postage stamps for Northern Epirus using Greek stamps overprinted (in Greek) "Greek Administration". [984.249]
1941March 1
Last postage stamps for Northern Epirus using Greek stamps overprinted (in Greek) "Greek Administration". [984.250]
1942
The Kathiri State of Seigun of Aden issues its first postage stamps. [700.248]
The Quaiti State of Shihrand and Mukalla of Aden issues its first postage stamps. [700.249]
1945
Austria resumes issuing its own postage stamps. [700.637]
1946June 19
The Philippines issues its last postage stamps under US control. [700.202]July 31
On last day of hyperinflation in Hungary, a 5-millió adópengö postage stamp costs 10 octillion pengö (10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000). [977.249]
1948January 1
Cape Juby issues its last postage stamps. [707.115]May 16
Israel issues its first postage stamps. [1] [1116.73]July 1
First issue of postage stamps for Ryukyu Islands under US administration. [700.204]
1949
Newfoundland issues its last postage stamps. [707.57]October 8
The People's Republic of China issues its first postage stamps. [707.332]


1950
Comoro Islands issues its first postage stamps. [707.473]November 16
United Nations gets US government approval to issue postage stamps. [1]
1951
Cambodia issues its first postage stamps. [707.1]October 24
United Nations Postal Administration issues its first postage stamps. [1] [700.211] [834.8]
1952February 6
England replaces King George VI stamp series with Queen Elizabeth II. [1]November 21
First US postage stamp in two colors (rotary process) introduced. [1]



1955January 1
Bhutan issues its first postage stamps. [1]
1956
Last stamps of Cameroun under French mandate are issued. [707.29]
1957
Australia Antarctic Territory issues its first postage stamps. [700.630]November
The British post office begins experiments with automatic electronic sorting, facing, and cancelling mail. Vertical graphite lines are applied on the backs under the gum of definitive issues in 1/2- through 4 1/2-penny denominations. The stamp on an envelope can then be detected by use of an electrical charge. [1091.18]
1958
Independent state of Cameroun issues first postage stamps. [707.29]August 18
Great Britain issues first regional stamps (Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Monmouthshire). [1] [834.22]October 15
First postage stamps issued for Christmas Island, using stamps of Australia overprinted with name and value. [707.404]
1959June
The British post office abandons use of graphite lines on backs of stamps for automatic electronic sorting. [1091.18](month unknown)
Upper Volta, now a republic, resumes issuing postage stamps. [700.1239]
Republic of Chad issues its first postage stamps. [707.185]

Republic of Congo issues first postage stamps. [707.497]December 1
Central African Republic issues its first postage stamps. [707.142]
1960May 2
Belgian Congo issues its last postage stamps. [700.815]June 30
Congo issues its first postage stamps, using stamps of Belgian Congo overprinted "CONGO". [707.491](month unknown)
Congo issues its first own postage stamps. [707.492]July 1
First postage stamps designed for Bahrain are issued. [700.740]October 1
First and last postage stamps for Cameroons United Kingdom Trust Territory are issues, using stamps of Nigeria overprinted "CAMEROONS U.K.T.T.". [707.27]
1961January 7
Trucial States (later United Arab Emirates) issue their first postage stamps. [1]June
Robert A. Siegel of New York sells at auction a US 24-cent airmail Jenny invert for $9750, a record. [958.856]
1962April
Bhutan issues its first postage stamps. [700.941]July 1
First postage stamps for Burundi are issued, using stamps of Ruanda-Urundi overprinted "Royaume du Burundi". [700.1275]September 27
Burundi issues its first postage stamps. [700.1275]November 16
The US Post Office Department begins sales of intentionally-created error stamps, the two-color 4-cent Dag Hammarskjold stamp with one color inverted, due to existence of two sheets of misprints. [1024.44]
1963February 1
British Antarctic Territory issues its first postage stamps. [700.1121]June 11
Cocos Islands issues its first postage stamps. [707.412]June 15
Dubai issues its first postage stamps. [994.946]August 28
Christmas Island issues its own first postage stamps. [707.404]October 20
The Quaiti State of Shihrand and Mukalla of Aden issues its last postage stamps. [700.249]
1964March 30
Abu Dhabi issues its first postage stamps. [700.246] [994.945]June 20
Ajman issues its first postage stamps. [700.292](month unknown)
Sierra Leone issues world's first paper self-adhesive postage stamps. [674.39] [1003.700]July 1
The Kathiri State of Seigun of Aden issues its last postage stamps. [700.249]September 22
Fujeira issues its first postage stamps. [994.947]December 21
Ras al Khaimah issues its first postage stamps. [1016.32]
1965
Aden issues its last postage stamps. [700.248]
1966January 24
Basutoland issues its last postage stamps. [700.794]February 4
British Guiana issues its last postage stamps. [700.1130]February 14
Decimalization Day in Australia, as currency is switched from pounds to dollars. Dollar and cent denominated coins and stamps are issued. [1] [501.141]June 1
Bechuanaland Protectorate issues its last postage stamps. [700.797]September 30
Botswana issues its first postage stamps. [700.1023]
1967August 21
The French Territory of the Afars and Issas issues its first postage stamps. [700.249]September 4
The first postage stamps for Anguilla are issued, using overprinted stamps of Saint Kitts Nevis. [700.413]November 27
Anguilla issues its first postage stamps. [700.413]
1968January 17
First postage stamps for British Indian Ocean Territory are issued, using stamps of Seychelles overprinted "B.I.O.T.". [700.1135] [964.41](month unknown)
British Indian Ocean Territory issues its first postage stamps. [700.1135]November 19
Barbuda issues its own first postage stamps. [700.782]
1969April 10
Federal Republic of Cameroon issues its first postage stamps. [707.32]July 9
The United States Postal Service announces a stamp to commemorate the first landing on the Moon. A record 8,743,070 requests are received for first day covers. [270.499]July 20
Astronauts on the Moon hand-cancel a "moon letter" bearing a die proof of a stamp for later release, with a die cancel "Moon Landing USA JUL 20 1969". [270.499]October 1
Guernsey and Jersey begin issuing their own postage stamps. [1] [655.6]October 4
United Nations starts issuing postage stamps at Geneva, Switzerland, headquarters. [1] [700.232]
1970March 24
Unique British Guiana 1-cent black on magenta postage stamp of 1856 sells at auction for US$280,000, a record for a single stamp. Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc. Annual Rarity Sale sells the stamp to Irwin Weinberg, American stamp dealer. [267.255] [674.86]April 7
Netherlands issues the world's first postage stamps with images created by computer. [268.341]
1971July 29
First Bangladesh postage stamps are issued. [700.749]October 24
Congo issues its last postage stamps. [707.495]
1972April 20
Ryukyu Islands issues its last postage stamps under US control. [700.211]May 2
Ceylon issues its last postage stamps. [707.184]August 1
United Arab Emirates bans further postage stamp production of member states. [994.937]September 20
Harmer, Rooke sells at auction a US 24-cent airmail stamp with inverted center for US$24,000. [774.8]
1973January 1
The United Arab Emirates issues its first postage stamps. [796.28] [994.949] [1016.32]March 9
British Honduras issues its last postage stamps. [700.1134]March 30
The United Arab Emirates is admitted to the Universal Postal Union. [994.937]March 31
Postal validity of United Arab Emirates member states' stamps ends. [994.937]May 2
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells a US 1868 3-cent rose George Washington postage stamp with "B" grill embossing for US$23,000 The stamp is one of four known; this is the first time one is sold at public auction. [302.24]June 1
First stamps for use in Belize, stamps of British Honduras overprinted "BELIZE". [700.896]July 5
The Isle of Man establishes an independent postal administration and begins issuing its own postage stamps. [1] [776.62] [1099.52]November 14
Belize issues its first own postage stamps. [700.896]
1974May 30
Harmers of New York auctions a US 24-cent airmail with inverted center for US$47,000. [773.8]December 21
Angola issues its last postage stamps under Portuguese control. [700.399]
1975April 12
The Khmer Republic issues its last postage stamps. [707.6]June 27
Comoros Islands issues last postage stamps as a French protectorate. [707.475](month unknown)
Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros issues first postage stamps, using Comoros Islands stamps overprinted "ETAT COMORIEN". [707.475]October 1
Reunion Island stops printing postage stamps, France takes over production. [1]November 11
Independent Angola issues its first postage stamps. [700.399]December 8
Benin issues first postage stamps, using old country name of Republic of Dahomey. [700.908]December 15
Comoros issues its first own postage stamps. [707.475]
1976March 23
Last postage stamps of British Indian Ocean Territory are issued. (New issues resume May 3, 1990.) [964.41]April 30
Benin issues first postage stamps under its new country name. [700.908](month unknown)
Harmers of New York sells at auction a block of four US 24-cent airmail postage stamps with inverted Jenny aircraft for US$165,000. [655.5]December
Central African Republic issues its last postage stamps (until November 1979). [707.147]
1977March
Central African Empire issues its first postage stamps. [707.147]May 5
The French Territory of the Afars and Issas issues its last postage stamps. [700.252](month unknown)
A block of four US 24-cent airmail postage stamps with inverted Jenny aircraft sells at auction for US$220,000. [655.5]
1978January 6
First postage stamp copyrighted by US (Carl Sandburg stamp). [1]January
Sotheby, Parke Bernet sells at auction a US 24-cent airmail postage stamp with inverted Jenny aircraft for US$100,000. [655.5](month unknown)
R.A. Siegel Galleries sells at auction a US 24-cent airmail postage stamp with inverted Jenny aircraft for US$135,000. [655.5]
Canal Zone issues its last postage stamps. [700.191]
1979August
Central African Empire issues its last postage stamps. [707.148]August 24
United Nations' Vienna office begins issuing postage stamps. [1] [700.239](month unknown)
A block of four US 24-cent airmail postage stamps with inverted Jenny aircraft sells at auction for US$500,000, a world record. [655.5]
Stanley Gibbons International buys a collection of 3500 letters and stamps for US$10 million. [655.31]November 11
Central African Republic resumes issuing postage stamps. [707.149]
1980April 5
In New York City, USA, Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells at auction a British Guiana 1856 1-cent stamp, error on magenta paper, used, for 437,000 British pounds (US$935,000), a world record for a single postage stamp. [674.86] [798.3] [1017.38]April 10
Kampuchea issues its first postage stamps. [707.6]
1981November 1
Antigua and Barbuda issues its first postage stamps. [700.433]
1983November 10
Palau issues its first postage stamps. [1005.47]
1984March
David Feldman SA in Switzerland sells a Sweden 1855 3-skilling banco stamp, error in yellow, only one known, for 977,500 Swiss francs (US$455,000) in a private transaction. [673.10] [815.3]May 1
Great Britain's postal system introduces self-service postage labels as an experimental trial, outside five post offices, for values ranging from 1/2 to 16 pence in 1/2-penny increments. [999.52]May 2
Marshall Islands issues its first postage stamps. [1005.46]May 30
Cayes of Belize issues first postage stamps. [700.907]July 12
The Fededrated States of Micronesia issues its first postage stamps. [1005.45]August 14
Upper Volta issues its last postage stamps under that name. [700.1250]November 21
Burkina Faso issues its first postage stamps. [700.1250]
1985March 16
The Heinrich Köhler stamp auction firm of Federal Republic of Germany sells a Baden 1851 9-kreuzer postage stamp, printed on blue-green paper instead of deep rose, postally used on a folder letter, one of four known, for 2.645 million marks (US$833,600). [554.19]
1986January 1
Aruba issues its first postage stamps. [700.549]May
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells a US 1868 3-cent rose George Washington postage stamp with "B" grill embossing for US$47,500 (US$52,250 with buyer's fee). The stamp is one of four known. [302.24]
1987March 14
The Heinrich Köhler stamp auction firm of Federal Republic of Germany sells a Lübeck 1862 1/2-schilling lilac Arms block on cover for 800,000 marks (US$434,780). [554.21]
1988November 12
The Heinrich Köhler stamp auction firm of Federal Republic of Germany sells a Wurttemberg 1873 70kr violet Coat of Arms postage stamp on money letter for 1.15 million marks (US$657,140). [554.19]
1989May 15
Kampuchea issues its last postage stamps. [707.11](month unknown)
Cambodia resumes issuing postage stamps. [707.11]September 6
Burma issues its last postage stamps under that country name. [700.1270]


1990May 3
British Indian Ocean Territory resumes issuing postage stamps (previous issues were in March 1976). [964.41]May 26
Myanmar issues its first postage stamps. [700.1270](month unknown)
David Feldman SA in Switzerland sells a Sweden 1855 3-skilling banco stamp, error in yellow, only one known, for 1.9 million Swiss francs (US$1.35 million). [673.10] [815.3]July 2
First postage stamps of re-unified Germany are issued, valid in both parts. [986.436]
1991March 23
In Lugano, Switzerland, Harmers Auctions SA sells at auction a Great Britain 1840 1-penny stamp on cover for US$2,415,000, a world record for a postage stamp. [798.3]
1992March 20
Belarus issues its first postage stamps. [700.797]


March 26
Azerbaijan issues its first postage stamps since independence from the USSR. [700.709]October 26
The first postage stamps for the Serbian administration of Bosnia and Herzegovin are issued, using overprinted stamps of Yugoslavia. [700.1014]
1993January 11
The Serbian administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina issues its first postage stamps. [700.1014]March 2
British Post Office issues the United Kingdom's first 10-pound postage stamp. [654.10]May 12
Croat administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina issues its first postage stamps. [700.1007]September 29
Christies Auctions sells a US 1868 3-cent rose George Washington postage stamp with "B" grill embossing for US$96,000 (including buyer's fee). The stamp is one of four known. [302.24]October 27
Bosnia and Herzegovina resumes issuing its own postage stamps. [700.994]November 3
In Geneva, Switzerland, David Feldman sells at auction:
Mauritius 1847 1-penny "Post Office" stamp and 1847 2-pence "Post Office" stamp on an 1848 cover for US$3,829,500, a world record for a philatelic item;
Mauritius 1847 2-pence "Post Office" stamp for US$1,148,850.[798.3]December 31
Transnistrian Moldovan Republic issues its first postage stamps. [974.926]
1994January 1
UPU Convention amended to allow postage stamp values to be indicated in Roman letters in addition to Arabic numerals (allows a letter to indicate a value that may change over time). [968.31]

1995November 7
In New York City, USA, Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells at auction a Hawaii 1851 2-cent stamp and 5-cent stamp, and pair of USA 1851 3-cent Washington stamps on cover for US$2,090,000. [798.3]
1996September 26
Chechenia issues its first postage stamps. [975.68]November 8
In Zurich, Switzerland, David Feldman sells at auction a Sweden 1855 3-skilling banco stamp, error of color, used, for US$2,270,000, a world record auction bid for a postage stamp. [7] [673.10] [798.3] [815.3]
1997November 20
David Feldman Company of Switzerland sells at auction a Mauritius 1847 1-penny "Post Office" stamp on cover for US$1,469,700. [792.1] [798.3]
1998
A Sweden 1855 3-skilling banco stamp, error in yellow, only one known, sells for US$1.89 million in a private transaction, making it the world's most valuable postage stamp. [815.3]October 8
In New York City, USA, Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells at auction a USA 1868 1-cent Franklin stamp, Z-grill, used, for US$935,000, a record for a USA postage stamp. [798.3] [957]October 9
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells a US 1868 3-cent rose George Washington postage stamp with "B" grill embossing for US$155,000 (US$170,500 with buyer's fee). The stamp is one of four known. [302.24]
2000March 14
The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo issues its first postage stamp. [700.244]November 30
Barbuda issues its last postage stamps. [700.792]
2001April 20
Gibraltar's postal service prints a 2-pound souvenir sheet for Queen Elizabeth II's 75th birthday 10 hours and 24 minutes after final design approval, and gaining honor of recognition by Guiness World Records for the fastest printing of a postage stamp. [787.22]April 23
Royal Mail issues its first postage stamps for England (since 1840, the issues have been for all of the United Kingdom). [834.18]October 13
Norway 4-skilling blue Coat of Arms stamp, block of 39 cancelled, sells for U$512,460. [778.45]
2003November 17
Spink and Pascal Behr Philatelie sells at auction a block of four France 1849 1-franc Ceres stamps, unused, for $1,068,450, a record for a French philatelic item. [798.3]
2004November 8
Burundi issues its last postage stamps. [700.1286]
2005October 19
In New York City, USA, Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells at auction a plate block of four US 1918 24-cent Jenny invert stamps for US$2,970,000, a record for a US philatelic item at auction. [798.3]
2006May 13
In New York City, USA, Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells at auction a strip of six USA 1847 10-cent Washington stamps on 1848 cover for US$1,380,000. [798.3]
2007February 28
The Republic of China issues first stamps with country name "Taiwan". [707.314]June 11
Shreves sells at auction a block of 18 Great Britain 1840 1-penny stamps and a strip of six, unused, for US$1,150,000. [798.3]October 4
David Feldman sells at auction Brazil 1843 30-reis, 60-reis, and 90-reis stamp on cover for US$1,162,000, a record for a Brazilian philatelic item. [798.3]October 31
Swiss Post issues the first postage stamp (1 franc) with direct link to the Internet. Code on stamp can be read by camera cell phones with BeeTagg reader software, which then brings up a web site. [964.10]November 14
In New York City, USA, Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells at auction a US 1918 24-cent Jenny invert airmail stamp, unused, for US$977,500, a record for a single US stamp at auction. [280.8] [798.3] [957.4]November
Siegel auctions a US 24-cent airmail with inverted center for US$977,500 (includes buyer's fee). [773.8]December
Heritage Auction Galleries sells a US 24-cent airmail with inverted center, graded 75 NH PSE, for US$825,000 in a private sale. [773.1]
2008February 9
In Oceanside, New York, Philip Weiss Auctions conducts the auction of the Newport Collection of US inverted center error stamps. Some highlights:
US 1918 24-cent Jenny airmail stamp, inverted center: US$271,200;
US 1869 15-cent Landing of Columbus stamp, inverted center, unused without gum, one of three known unused: US$757,100;
US 1869 24-cent Declaration of Independence stamp, inverted center, unused without gum, one of four known unused: US$1.27 million, a new record for a single US stamp;
US 1869 30-cent Shield, Eagle, and Flags stamp, one of seven known unused: US$248,600.[280.8] [774.8] [775.1] [798.3]March 19
Kosovo issues its first postage stamps. [777.24]April 4
In Geneva, Switzerland, David Feldman conducts an auction of postage stamps. Some highlights:
British Guiana 1851 2-cent Cotton Reel stamp, error of pale blue paper, on cover: 597,500 euros (US$937,000), a record for a British Guiana postage stamp;
Schleswig-Holstein Ploen 1850 1-schilling Coat of Arms stamp: 478,000 (US$750,000);
Baden 1851 9-kreuzer Numeral stamp, error of blue-green paper, unused, only one known: 1,314,500 euros (US$2 million), a record for a Baden postage stamp;
Norway 1855 4-skilling Coat of Arms stamp, block of 39 cancelled: 1,434,000 euros (US$2.2 million), a record for a Norwegian philatelic item.[280.8] [778.1] [798.3]May 8
In New York City, Cherrystone sells at auction a USSR 1935 10-kopek S.A. Levanevsky airmail stamp, inverted overprint error, for US$525,000. [779.2]June 5
In New York City, Siegel Auction Galleries conducts an auction of South American postage stamps. Some highlights:
Brazil two 1843 30-reis stamps and one 60-reis stamp, unique strip of three, cancelled: US$2,185,000, a record for a Brazilian philatelic item;
Buenos Aires 1859 1-peso Barquitos stamps, tete-beche pair, probably unique: US$661,250;
Chile 1854 5-centavo Christopher stamps, horizontal block of 14 on cover: US$632,500.[780.1] [798.3]June 30
Austria Post sells the first sheet of stamps honoring the final game of the 2008 Union of European Football Associations' soccer championships, 85 minutes after the design was approved, and gaining honor of recognition by Guiness World Records for the fastest printing of a postage stamp. [787.22](month unknown)
A Baden 1851 9-kreuzer postage stamp, printed on blue-green paper instead of deep rose, unused, one of four known, sells for 1,314,500 euros. [554.19]October 3
In Dallas, Texas, Spink Shreves Galleries auctions the William H. Gross collection of stamps. A Mauritius 2-penny deep blue Queen Victoria stamp (Scott #4) sells for US$97,750. [282.39]October 5
In Geneva, Switzerland, David Feldman's Rarities of the World auction. Some highlights:
Russia 1857 10-kopek stamp and 1858 30-kopek stamp on cover: 1,314,500 euros (US$1,794,818), a record for a Russian philatelic item;
China 1883 5-candareen stamp, nine on cover: 1,165,125 euros (US$1,590,861), a record for a Chinese philatelic item;
USA 1847 5-cent and 10-cent, proof panes of 100 stamps each, with specimen overprints: 850,000 euros (US$1,160,590).[788.1] [798.3]October 29
In New York City, Siegel Auction Galleries sells at auction a US 1868 3-cent George Washington stamp with B grill, one of four known, used, for US$1.035 million. [302.24] [793.1] [798.3]October 30
In New York City, Cherrystone Auctions sells at auction a USSR 1932 All Soviet Philatelic Exhibition souvenir sheet of four stamps, with three-line overprint, only one of three known to survive, for US$776,250, a record for a Soviet philatelic item. [793.26]
2009November 19
Spink Shreves Galleries in New York City sells at auction a Canada 1851 12-pence Queen Victoria stamp for US$299,000, a record for a Canadian postage stamp. [57] [812.1]December 5
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells at auction a Hawaii 1860/61 $4 Pony Express stamp, on cover, one of two known, for US$632,500. [813.1]
2010January 30
(to January 31) In Hong Kong, InterAsia Auctions conducts an auction of Asian postage stamps. Some highlights:
China 8-fen Great Victory of Cultural Revolution stamp, unique mint bottom block of four, unissued: HK$6,670,000 (US$858,429), a record for a People's Republic of China philatelic item;
China 8-fen Large Whole Country is Red stamp, Taiwan in white, mint, unissued: HK$3,450,000 (US$444,015);
China 1897 $1 on 3-cent red revenue surcharge stamp, small figures, unused with original gum, one of 32 known: HK$5,520,000 (US$710,424).[814.18]May 22
Sweden 1855 3-skilling banco postage stamp, error of color, unique, sells at private auction in Geneva, Switzerland. [829.1]October 10
Curacao issues its first postage stamps as a country of the kingdom of the Netherlands. [1112.8]
Sint Maarten issues its first postage stamps as a country of the kingdom of the Netherlands. [1112.8]
Caribbean Netherlands issues its first postage stamps as a special municipality of the kingdom of the Netherlands. [1112.8]November
In Germany, Christoph Gaertner sells at auction an 1872 Syke provisional bisection cover of North German Confederation 1-groschen Numeral stamp, finest of 3 known, for 260,000 euros (US$340,000). [613.32]November 29
(to December 3) In Zurich, Switzerland, Corinphila Auktionen sells a cover with pair of 1847 Zurich 4-rappen Numeral cantonal stamps for 260,000 francs (US$270,000). [613.32]December 16
Cherrystone Auctions conducts an auction of postage stamps in New York City. Some highlights:
USA 24-cent Jenny airmail stamp, inverted center: $345,000;
China 1925 3-cent on 4-cent Chinese junk stamp, inverted surcharge: $240,000.[610.29] [613.30]
2011January 1
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain all end their postal monopolies as European Union members. [631.13]January 23
In Hong Kong, Spink auctions the Meiso Mizuhara collection of postage stamps. Some highlights:
1878 cover from Mongolia to Beijing of 3 pen-cancelled Russian stamps: HK$2.3 million (US$295,297);
1911 official cover from Mongolia to Tibet: HK$3.565 million (US$457,700).[631.26]January 27
In New York City, Spink Shreves Galleries auctions a Canada Victoria 12-pence stamp, mint no-hinge, Superb 98, finest existant, for $488,850. [622.20]February 26
(to February 28) Interasia Auction conducts a postage stamp auction in Hong Kong. Some highlights:
People's Republic of China 1968 8-fen, unissued, corner block of four, "Mao's Insctiption to Japanese Worker Friends": HK$8.97 million (US$1.15 million);
People's Republic of China 1968 8-fen, unissued, "Victory of the Cultural Revolution": HK$2.2 million (US$325,000);
China 1897 $5 on 3-cent red revenue stamp, inverted surchagre, strip of three: HK$4.8 million (US$708,000);
China 1897 $5 on 3-cent red revenue stamp, left margin pair: HK$3 million (US$443,000).[647.32] [673.9] [674]June 7
(to June 10) In Basel, Switzerland, Galerie Dreyfus auctions an 1859 Kingdom of the Two Sicilies 1/2-grana blue (error or proof) King Ferdinand II postage stamp on partial cover for 1.8 million euros (US$2.6 million). [715.1]June 18
In New York City, Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells a 1851 Hawaii 2-cent used postage stamp for US$195,500. [715.40]June 20
In New York City, Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sells a 1918 USA 24-cent Jenny invert (error) airmail postage stamp for US$402,500. [715.42]August 29
(to September 2) At the Christoph Gartner stamp auction, an India 1854 4-anna stamp with inverted head sells for 185,000 euros (plus 19 percent buyer's premium), a world record for an Indian stamp. [729.30]September
Interasia Auctions conducts a 4-day postage stamp sale in Hong Kong. Some highlights:
China 1897 $5 on 3-cent, red revenue, large figures, used margin pair: 236,000 pounds;
China 1915 $1 Sinkiang overprint with transposed characters, strip of three: 245,000 pounds.[730.9]
2012May 21
In Beijing, China, China Guardian auctions a People's Republic of China 1968 8-fen "Long Live Complete Victory of the Great Cultural Revolution" postage stamp, with Taiwan in white, unused, for 7.3 million yuan (US$1.15 million). [1023.28]August 16
Liechtenstein Post AG, at the LIBA 2012 Stamp Exhibition, produces a postage stamp in record time of 57 minutes and 50 seconds, verified by Guiness World Records. [1001.10]November 28
China Guardian in Beijing auctions a block of four People's Republic of China 1968 "The Entire Nation is Red" 8-fen stamps, with Taiwan in white, for 4.6 million yuan (US$740 million). [1025.34]December
In Hong Kong, InterAsia Auctions conducts an auction of Asian postage stamps. A block of four People's Republic of China 1968 8-fen "Whole Country is Red" stamp, Taiwan in white, mint, never hinged, sells for HK$6,325,000 (US$820,000). [1016.7] [1025.34]
2013May 9
Phoenix Auctions of Melbourne, Australia, auctions a unique mint Australia 1-pound official use postage stamp of 1915-1928, with sideways watermark, for A$233,000 (US$237,438), world record for a single Australian stamp. [1099.16] [1117.28](month unknown)
Siegel sells Dawson Cover of Hawai'i 1851 2-cent and 5-cent stamps, with two USA 1851 3-cent stamps, for 1,275,000 pounds (US$2 million). [1115.14]June 29
(to July 1) Interasia Auctions in Hong Kong sells China 1897 $1 on 3-cent revenue stamp, small figures, one of 32 known, for 583,000 pounds (US$884,000). [1115.14,29]