The Current Facts On Postage Stamps
Whether you're a collector, seller, or just curious about postage stamps, this blog post will provide you with the facts on how they work and what they're made of. You'll also learn where to buy them and their current value. So whether you're just looking to get caught up with the latest news or need something to talk about with your friends at dinner tonight, your visit here will be worthwhile!
Postage Stamps are meant for two things: use by paying the required postage on all letters and packages sent through the United States Postal Service; as well as collecting various colors and designs of stamps that can ultimately be used to make a collection.
Although there's no doubt that the reason for their existence is still important, it is true that few people actually use them as intended anymore – especially since the invention of email and text messages. However, for those that do still send letters through the mail (and even occasionally use stamps to send packages), it's important to know how they work and what they're made of.
This article will take a closer look at the past, current and future state of postage stamps in America, as well as address where you can buy them online or in person, along with their current price value.
Where Can You Buy Postage Stamps Online?
Due to the fact that they are still being used, the easiest and most reliable place to find stamps online is with USPS.com. According to their storefront, they already offer over six million different types of U.S. stamps and topical stamps together in one place. If you can't find the stamps that you're looking for, simply use their search tool to find similar or related ones.
When it comes to buying stamps online from another dealer, there are many options – including eBay, Amazon and even lesser-known online auction sites such as ebayplus, which we'll mention in a moment.
You should also get familiarized with other less reputable retailers as well – despite their claims to be based around selling high-quality United States stamps, most of these websites are actually filled with stolen or counterfeit stamps listed under different names and different countries.
USPS also provides a website the is aimed at stamp collectors called The Stamp Store, which provides all of the latest information on collecting and selling stamps, including how to construct and organize your own stamp collection. To access it, simply go to their homepage and select the "Our Sites" link under "Sites for Collectors.
What Are Postage Stamps Made Of?
In order to understand the material that makes up stamps, it's necessary to first understand the American Postage Stamp Act of 1894. The act called for the Postal Service to be responsible in their creation as well as the development of new and different ideas related to marking envelopes and packages. In order for this Act to be passed, it had to be signed by then-President Grover Cleveland, who also served in office from 1885-1889. However, he did not live long enough to see its full effect on how the USPS operates today.
While it was initially thought that the stamps themselves could be made of paper, the true material for stamps has actually been rubber since 1894. The reason is that rubber stamps have three advantages over their paper counterparts: ease of use, durability and the ability to stick to any surface. The first two attributes are important because they make manual stamping simpler – hence why they were chosen as a format of choice.
With rubber stamps, you don't have to worry about any wear and tear from years of use – it can withstand everything from extreme temperatures (hot or cold), light washing, bending, tearing and even being crushed or stepped on.
The third advantage allows stamps to be placed on any mail delivery surface, which means that they aren't easily removable and can be protected by a layer of clear paper. This also makes it impossible to see the type of stamp being used underneath the paper and allows for multiple layers of the same stamp.
What Are The Dimensions Of A Postage Stamp?
The dimensions of postage stamps may seem like no big deal, but they do matter when it comes to their overall size – especially in regards to their thickness. With that being said, here are the three main dimensions for U.S. stamps:
Dimensions for U.S. Stamps Thickness in millimeters Shape Flat Round 142.5 64 25 144 55 31 145 30 16 150 16 12
This table above shows the size of U.S. stamps by both thickness and shape, and while it doesn't show the actual size of each stamp, it does give you an idea of how small they are when compared to other things (like dollar bills). But most importantly, it shows that there was only one thickness used until the 1920s, which was only marginally thicker than a standard sheet of paper (13 inches).
When the United States began to issue larger and more popular stamps in the 1920s, a thicker stamp was created called a folder and it measured 15 inches long, 2.75 inches wide and .375 inches thick.
What Are Postage Stamps Made Of? – The Table That Wasn't There Before
As you can see in the table above, there were no thickness dimensions listed for U.S. stamps until the 1920s when a new thickness was made available. However, this isn't uncommon when it comes to stamps – many different varieties have included different materials over their history due to various factors such as weight, durability or ease of transport.
Conclusion
If you're interested in buying stamps, whether it's for yourself or as a gift, be sure to consider buying from the Postal Service itself – but if you happen to find them online, make sure they come from a safe and reputable retailer. Remember that although the USPS may be the most common place to buy stamps today, this isn't always the case in the past – so keep in mind that some older dealers may not have nearly as good of a reputation.
When it comes to older stamps that aren't popular anymore, it's best to check with eBay or other auction websites such as ebayplus or an online hobby store like Grainger's or Hobby Link Japan.