Embossing On Stamps And Postal Stationery

Embossed postage stamps have been around almost from the beginning
of stamp production.

In 1847 GB issued the first embossed stamps and was followed mid 19th century by most of the German States.
Schleswig-Holstein 1850, Württemberg 1857,Prussia 1861,Saxony 1863, Bavaria 1867 etc.

I believe that embossing was applied to stamps as a security feature to prevent counterfeiting.
But there isn't a lot of information that I can find and that's why I started this thread hoping that forum members can add to it.

In this post from Rod (who has some info on everything) there is an illustration of a 1910 model embossing press.
https://goscf.com/t/65632&whichpage=2

I'm curious as to how modern embossing is done, what type of printing presses are used, is different paper needed and so on.

By about 1900 stamp embossing seems to have petered out although it continued on postal stationery.

Over the years some countries have issued the odd embossed stamp not for security reasons but as an added feature to make the stamp pretty for collectors.

There was a post recently, of a forgery showing an embossed bust.
Never seen that before. I wonder how that occurs?

Some reading on embossing on Revenues.
https://goscf.com/t/9762

Not Modern, Interest only, hand embosser.


Embossing at wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_embossing

Canada has issued embossed stamps in the past and continues using that process for the annual
Lunar New Year stamps.

The 2019 Year of the Pig international rate stamp is a good example but the scan just doesn't bring out the embossing.
It is quite visible on the gum side especially when I darkened the image a bit.

The $2.65 International rate up to 30g







The Transitional Souvenir Sheet has the 2019 and the 2018 stamp on it.




The stamps were printed by Colour Innovations Inc, Toronto

Rod, thanks for the link

A late example of embossing Australia 2013
I'll try and dig out the AustPost Bulletin, see if it has any information on the process for you.
Sc#4019 2013 embossed with foil.


Sadly, no information on Embossing.

Learnt a new idiom, "embellishments"

Embellishments are decorative details that allow your printed piece to stand out. By adding a further element of interest to your printed material, embellishments allow you to draw attention to specific areas of importance on marketing material or add a beautiful detail to an invitation.

So on the Luxembourg stamp I recently posted, the wheel is the embossing, the gold leaf on top is the embellishment.

Good information, thanks again Rod

I have read, in a GB context, embossing was originally used to help prevent removal of postmarks (the ink would remain n the crevices)

Regarding modern tequniques, we have been nobbled for the embossed Machin, the site that explains the process, has disappeared

You may be able to find it, it was on "Machinmania.com"
copyright Larry Rosenblum
Good luck.

Interesting discussion. Some of the embossed stamps look really nice with the added depth.

I would stress the aspect that the embossing should show from both sides!

The Swiss 1862 Sitting Helvetia has always been described as a combination of typography and embossing. There is NO embossing just typography.