Newspaper stamps had varied uses. Some were designed to be used on individual newspapers, some were used on bundles of newspapers and some were used on receipts.
Austria was the first country to issue newspaper stamps. Its nondenominated (0.6 kreuzer) blue Mercury newspaper stamp, Scott P1, issued in 1851, is shown in Figure 1.
Austria's first newspaper stamps were nondenominated, and the color of the stamp indicated its postal value. A short-lived rate change in 1856 changed the color for the 6kr stamp to scarlet, making the rare 6kr scarlet newspaper stamp, P4, valued by Scott at $67,500 unused, hinged and $40,000 used. It is the gem of a newspaper stamp collection.
Austria issued many colorful newspaper stamps through the 1920s, most of which bear a portrait of the winged messenger of the gods, Mercury (or Hermes as he is known in Greek).
In 1908, Austria issued Mercury newspaper stamps with new designs. A 20-heller brown Mercury newspaper stamp, Scott P18, is shown in Figure 2.
This series and a later series begun in 1920 are outstanding examples of Art Nouveau illustration popular at the time. The designs were considered very modern when they were issued.
INFO CAME FROM LINNS!!!
http://www.linns.com/howto/refreshe...rcourse.aspx
Posted 01/17/2009 6:19 pm
