The Strangest Stamp Rules.

In the early 1900's it was a serious crime to put an Australian KGV
stamp upside down on a postal item. And it was most probably the same in all British Commonwealth countries.

Before Australia's first stamp in 1913 State stamps were used. To mail interstate on some state boarders the letter had to also carry a stamp of the new state the mail was entering. So you had to double up on your stamps when mailing interstate. These covers must be worth a lot these days.

I accidentally acquired a whole role of the US 44¢ Flag stamps. It's not that I'm unpatriotic or anything, but I don't really like them -- I'd much rather use commemoratives on the few things I mail these days. But I've been trying hard to use them, especially for paying bills, etc.

Anyway, to the point.... I manage to get 9 out of 10 of them upside-down. For me, a right handed person, they seem to come off the roll upside down, plus if you're not looking carefully, the 44¢ fades into the stars.



KirkS

I have to agree with you Kirk. I don't like those either. Most of those self-adhesive "stamps" seem more like stickers for me. I avoid them like the plague.

King George V: How did they Australian post handle "socked on the nose" KGVs on cover? Wouldn't that have been a sign of "disrespect" as well? :)

Back in KGV's time Australia Post had respect and understanding about stamps, postmarks and the special people they sold stamps to.

At that time stamp collecting was the hobby of the Kings and Queens.

If King George V could see Australia Post now their would be mass executions and life sentences given out all over place.

Marker Monkeys hangings at midday maybe.
Where is King George V when we need him?

I guess British Commonwealth countries had to be careful as to what stamp they used, as this postcard depicts the various positions of stamps and their meanings -- and the postcard was made in England:

Thanks wt1.
Very interesting postcard.
Thanks for sharing.