Postage stamp prepaying. From when the first postage stamps were used, postmarks were applied to prevent the stamps being used again. The first stamp, the "Penny black", became available for purchase 1 May 1840, to be valid as of 6 May 1840. Two days later, 8 May 1840, the Two penny blue was introduced. The Penny black was sufficient for a letter less than half an ounce to be sent anywhere within the UK. Both stamps included an engraving of the young Queen Victoria, without perforations, as the first stamps were separated from their sheets by cutting them with scissors. The first
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