Postage stamps and postal history of Brazil Postage stamps and postal history of Brazil Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. It was a colony of Portugal from 1500 until 1815. Brazil was the second country in the world, after Great Britain, to issue postage stamps valid within the entire country (as opposed to a local issue). Like Great Britain's first stamps, the design does not include the country name. The first stamps of Brazil were issued on 1 August 1843 and are known as "Bull's Eyes" due to their distinctive appearance. On 1 July 1844 a new series was issued which is known as
Postage stamps and postal history of Crete Postage stamps and postal history of Crete This is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of Crete. Ottoman stamps were used in Crete until 1899. In 1898 Crete obtained autonomy under Ottoman suzerainty, but was nevertheless garrisoned by an international military force from Britain, France, Italy and Russia. The first stamps of Crete were issued on 1 March 1900. The first series of nine stamps featured images of Hermes, Hera, King Minos, Talos and a portrait of Prince George, who was the high commissioner of the island. In February 1905, the second series was released. The series