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
First stamp of the Russian Empire 10-kopeck stamps to the Postal Department for their further distribution to the provinces. Stamps were produced using two printing presses. One was received from Berlin, and it was used for printing the blue oval with the embossed Russian coat of arms and emblem of the Post Office. The brown frame of the stamp design was printed with the second press. The first Russian postage stamp was officially issued on , by the circular of the Postal Department "On the bringing of postal stamps for the common use" that also directed the following: Starting from 1 January of the next year