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Pillar Of The Community
1545 Posts |
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In 1693, letters were held in front of a candle to
determine the postage rate. The less the light shone through, the more costly the rate. This was known as candling.
When stamps were first issued, they had no gum on the back. If paste was not available, mailers sometimes pinned or even sewed stamps to envelopes.
-IBFS
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Rest in Peace
United States
7097 Posts |
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Neat information! Man that would have been tricky eh? I wonder how many "crash covers" they made by candling them?  |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
6661 Posts |
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Somewhere I have a Document with a Revenue stamp pinned to it, so yes that method was certainly used. |
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Valued Member
86 Posts |
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That is very interesting information...pretty neat.
I wonder if anyone on this site has a letter that old. |
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| Edited by ilovelabbies - 05/13/2013 7:28 pm |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
12128 Posts |
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Quote:
When stamps were first issued, they had no gum on the back. I seem to recall reading somewhere that when stamps were first issued (without gum) they contained advertising on the back of the stamps. Is this true? Does anyone have any examples? |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
2778 Posts |
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I know New Zealand printed advertistments on the back of stamps in 1893, but they were also issued with gum. |
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Pillar Of The Community
1545 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
1545 Posts |
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I found this online. Never actually saw one before, but I've heard of them.  -IBFS |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
12128 Posts |
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Thanks for the information and link. I guess it's a rare find to see these type of ads today.
But who knows ... with the financial difficulties of the post office, it may make a comeback. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
2778 Posts |
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Here's another image of the New Zealand advertments on backs of stamps.  |
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Valued Member
United States
44 Posts |
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Some very interesting information, Did not know much about pre-stamp postage.
Those New Zealand Advertisements are gorgeous! |
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Valued Member
Australia
283 Posts |
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Hi All, How about this one from 1660.   If you enjoy this type of thing there are about 150 old letters illustrated and transcribed on our website and you can go direct to that section on -/letters/Previctorian/lettersov.html or to view the whole site (non commercial) you can go to our home page at -/ Hope you find someting of interest Regards Ron. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
7097 Posts |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,704 |
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Posted 05/13/2013 4:46 pm
