What are precanceled stamps?
Modern precanceled stamps are small denominations that have had cancels applied before entering the mail or being affixed to an envelope. Mailers are able to affix them to envelopes and…
What Are Illegal Stamps?
Illegal stamps are printed without government approval. They may include stamps from non-countries, with a made-up name, or the name of a specific region within a country. Mystic’s policy is…
Ukraine Postage Stamp Sends Clear Message to Russia
On April 12, 2022, Ukraine made big waves in the news with a new postage stamp picturing a Snake Island soldier flipping a Russian warship the bird. It was Ukraine’s…
Operation Cornflakes: How Postage Stamps Helped Destroy Hitler
In the early months of 1945, the world had been at war for over three years. Germany appeared to be nearing defeat, but American casualties were mounting as its resources dwindled.
Great Britain Philately eBooks
Here are some editions of The London Philatelist that were published in England in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Fun Facts
In the Central American countries of Bolivia and Paraguay, stamps actually provoked a war! The conflict began when Bolivia issued a stamp claiming an undefined and long-disputed area of wilderness.
A History of Great Britain in 36 Postage Stamps
Now you can watch as the author of “A History of Britain in Thirty-six Postage Stamps” explores his country’s history through its most fascinating, beautiful, and eccentric postage stamps. From Queen…
Stamps and the Norwegian Spy
Collectors sometimes “lift” stamps on covers to see what kind of paper the stamp was printed on. “Lifting stamps once helped save the free world from Adolf Hitler’s evil empire.
French Spy Stamps
Most collectors know stamps have played their part in shaping history. They’ve started wars and celebrated peace; they’ve turned hostilities into bloodbaths, ridiculed political leaders and been used as propaganda.