Stamp collecting stamp collecting began at the same time that stamps were first issued, and by 1860 thousands of collectors and stamp dealers were appearing around the world as this new study and hobby spread across Europe, European colonies, the United States and other parts of the world. The first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued by Britain in May 1840 and pictured a young Queen Victoria. It was produced without perforations (imperforate) and consequently had to be cut from the sheet with scissors in order to be used. While unused examples of the Penny Black are quite scarce, used examples
Compendium of postage stamp issuers (Ba–Be) Compendium of postage stamp issuers (Ba–Be) Each "article" in this category is a collection of entries about several stamp issuers, presented in alphabetical order. The entries themselves are formulated on the micro model and so provide summary information about all known issuers. See the page for details of the project. Became part of Germany in 1871. British occupation forces issued Turkish stamps overprinted BAGHDAD IN BRITISH OCCUPATION. Self-government was introduced on January 7, 1964. The islands became an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations on July 10, 1973. Pakistan stamps in use since 1949. A group of islands 20