Postimerkkejä

Postimerkkejä, commonly known as postage stamps, are small pieces of paper or gummed material that are purchased from a postal authority and affixed to an item of mail to indicate that postage has been paid. They serve as proof of prepayment for the delivery service. Postage stamps are typically issued by governments or their designated postal administrations. The first adhesive postage stamps were introduced in Great Britain in 1840, with the Penny Black being the first widely used stamp.

The design of postage stamps varies greatly and often reflects national culture, history, art, or important events. They can feature portraits of national leaders, famous landmarks, flora and fauna, or commemorative imagery. This makes them collectible items for philatelists, individuals who study or collect stamps. The value of a stamp is determined by its denomination, which indicates the postal fee it covers, and by its rarity, condition, and historical significance for collectors.

The primary function of a postage stamp is to facilitate the postal service by enabling efficient sorting and delivery of mail. Once a stamp is affixed and the mail is sent, the postal system processes it. Stamps are usually cancelled by a postmark, which is a mark applied to the stamp to show that it has been used and cannot be reused. Postmarks can also indicate the date and location of mailing. While the use of postage stamps for everyday mail has declined in some regions due to the rise of digital communication, they remain an integral part of the postal system and a significant part of philatelic history and hobby.