World Stamps

The history of postage stamps around the world is a fascinating journey that dates back to the mid-19th century. Prior to the introduction of postage stamps, the process of sending and receiving mail was quite different from what we are familiar with today. In those times, letters were typically paid for by the recipient upon delivery, rather than the sender at the time of mailing. This method, known as “postage due,” often led to confusion, delays, and disputes over who should bear the cost of sending a letter.

This inefficient and cumbersome system was in dire need of reform. In 1837, a visionary named Sir Rowland Hill proposed a groundbreaking idea that would revolutionize the postal system in the United Kingdom. He suggested the introduction of prepaid stamps, a simple yet ingenious solution to the prevailing chaos. The concept was relatively straightforward: individuals could purchase a stamp, affix it to their letter, and prepay for the postage. This eliminated the need for recipients to pay upon delivery and streamlined the entire process. Sir Rowland Hill’s proposal was met with enthusiasm, and it marked the beginning of a significant transformation in the world of mail.