Stamp Collecting

Stamps -> Europe -> Spain & Colonies

When looking for old Spain stamps, online auctions like eBay are a great place to search. Often, auctions are in lots so you get several stamps to add to your collection, often from many different countries and time periods. Some stamps can also be purchased individually, with or without ready-made displays. With a little research and some time spent browsing the auctions, you can find an excellent deal on the stamps you want to buy.

Queen Isabella II, the Queen of Spain, issued a decree in 1849 for the use of postage stamps on correspondence. After watching England first embrace the use of the postage stamp, starting in 1840, and then seeing that use spread to France, the Queen of Spain decided after 9 years that it was a good idea, so she got her country on board by approving the first Spain stamps.

In the two months between the decree and the actual issuance of stamps in early 1850, many rules were handed down about their use. In this time is was decreed that they were to go on the top left corner of the letter, and they could only be used to mail pre-paid letters within Spain, and to Italy. The two original designs on Spain stamps were reproduced 100 years later, in 1950, to celebrate 100 years of stamps, and then in 1964 for International Stamp Day

The Spanish Penny Black, named after the first postage stamp in Great Britain, bears an image of the queen, just as most Spain stamps did until she abdicated the throne in 1868. During the time when here face graced these stamps, a special postmark was used that wold not deface the image of the stamp, but rather frame her face respectfully, by her own request. She didn’t want the image of her face on each stamp to be marked over by a “demeaning” cancel mark. Metallic ink was first used on Spain stamps in 1853 when reduced cost stamps bearing Madrid’s coat of arms were printed for letters delivered within the city.

Spain stamps were changed yearly because officials were afraid of forgery. This resulted in Spain’s high creation of stamps—285 different stamps in 20 years, making them less than sought after by early collectors. In 1966 on the anniversary of the first postage stamp in the world, the Penny Black, Spain issued 3 commemorative stamps for International Stamp Day, in which the covers and postmarks were reproduced, something not yet done in stamp design, so these are interesting for collectors based on that alone.

When shopping for Spain stamps, note how the auction lists the condition of the stamp, whether or not gumming remains on the back, whether or not it’s alone or in a sheet or coil, and the general condition of the stamp. Also, if it’s in a lot, clarify if the lot is all Spain stamps, or if they’re from a variety of sources. And don’t discount lots of mixed stamps, sometimes you’ll find an unexpected treasure in them.

Photo Credits: Smabs Sputzer

Originally posted 2008-10-15 05:00:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Collecting Rare Stamps Online You may already have started up your own stamp collection, but how are you going to set your stamp collection apart from other people and their stamp collections? You are going to need to know where to look and shop around in order to find the best rare stamps, and......
• Setting Up a Postage Stamp Collection Many people come by the idea of setting up a postage stamp collection in different ways. Some people come across a single stamp that inspires them while others fall in love with the hobby after someone they know exposes them to it. No matter how you came by the concept......
• Swiss Soldier Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Switzerland Some people, even those who have been collecting stamps for years, may never have heard of Swiss soldier stamps. That’s because these stamps weren’t actually postage stamps for use at large, they were created for the Swiss soldiers who were activated to full duty to......
• Collecting Postage Stamps Many people do not think of collecting postage stamps as a suitable collection, because collecting small sticky images and placing them in plastic sheets in a binder or book does not appear to be the most exciting past time in the world. The truth is, however, that collecting stamps can......
• All About Collectible Postage Stamps The art of collecting collectible postage stamps is a hobby that has become popular with several millions of Americans as well as people all throughout the world, including young and old alike. Many people that are just beginning with collectible postage stamps enjoy the thrill and the challenge that comes......

• When to Walk Away from Coin Collecting Coin collecting is an incredible hobby that gives millions of people around the world enjoyment year after year. There are people who jump into coin collecting in their adult life, and others who have been collecting for as long as they can remember. While some are going to continue to......
• Coca Cola Collectibles Collectibles -> Advertising -> Soda-> Coca-Cola By far, one of the most endearing collectibles that has become popular over the past few decades are Coca Cola collectibles. This company has done a great job of coming up with many ways to create valuable and memorable products that are highly sought......
• 4 Reasons to Sell Your Coin Collection While some people go on with their coin collection for years, others decide that they need to find a different hobby. There are many people who decide to sell their collection after years of putting it together. Some need the money, while others simply need to clear out space. In......
• Collecting Walt Disney Collectibles One of the types of Walt Disney Collectibles that is available to you is Walt Disney Classics Collection or WDCC, which was originally introduced in the year 1992 at a collectibles show known as South Bend Collectible Show. Three years of work went into the creation of this collection of......
• Collecting Autographed Sport Memorabilia Are you thinking about collecting autographed sport memorabilia? If you are interested in creating a sports collection of some kind, one of the options that is available to you is collecting autographed sport memorabilia. If you want to add autographed collectibles to your own personal collection, what you may like......

• Sickle Mowers International Harvester Hybrid Vehicles
• Bourjois Face Powder Makeup Store
• Queen Victoria Royal Memorabilia Historical Memorabilia Collectibles
• Early Flower Bulbs, Roots & Corms Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• Black Roller Skates Skate Shop