Chronology of Postage Stamps

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References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 December 20.


1860

January 1
  • Tuscany provisional government issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
  • Russia issues first postage stamps for use in the territory of Poland, depicting the coat of arms. [278.311] [1135]
February 1
  • Postage stamps of Romagne are replaced by Sardinia. [1190.20]
May 9
  • India releases its first postage stamps. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Grenadine Confederation issues its last postage stamps. [707.417]
  • First postage stamps are issued for the British colony of Jamaica. [1367.1]
  • Liberia issues its first postage stamps. [1367.465]
  • Two Sicilies issues its last postage stamps. [1841.1170]
  • Tuscany issues its last postage stamps. [1841.1169]
July 30
  • The first and last postage stamps are issued for joint use in British Columbia and Vancouver's Island, denominated 2 1/2 pence. [707.52] [1135]
November 1
  • Queensland issues its first postage stamps, denominated 1, 2, 6 pence, depicting Queen Victoria. [700.571] [1135]
November 23
  • Jamaica issues its first postage stamps, denominated 1, 2, 4, 6 pence, and 1 shilling. [1135]
December 1
  • Malta issues its first postage stamp, denominated 1/2 pence, depicting Queen Victoria, and for local use. [681.105] [1135] [1229.59] [1367.803]
December 18
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Saint Lucia, denominated 1, 4, 6 pence, depicting Queen Victoria. [278.802] [1135]

1861

January 1
  • Prince Edward Island issues its first postage stamps, denominated 2, 3, 6 pence. [707.59] [1135]
May 8
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Saint Vincent, 1 and 6 pence, depicting Queen Victoria. [278.862] [681.44] [1135]

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May 28
  • US Postage Office Department invalidates existing US postge stamps due to existence of the Confederate States of America. [1135]
June 1
  • The United States of New Grenada issues its first and last postage stamps, denominated 1, 6 pence, depicting Queen Victoria. [707.417] [1135] [1841.465]
(month unknown)
  • The Confederate States of America issues its first postage stamps. [700.128]
  • The Neapolitan Provinces issues its only postage stamps, depicting King Victor Emmanuel II. [1841.1170]
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Nevis. [1367.1293]
August
  • The US Postal Service begins issuing new postage stamps and demonetizing previously issued US stamps due to quantities held by Confederate states. [631.19]
October 1
  • Greece issues its first postage stamps. [1032.95] [1135] [1841.412]
October 16
  • Confederate States of America starts selling postage stamps. [1]
November 1
  • Bergedorf issues its first postage stamp, denominated 4 schilling. [1135] [1841.88]
December 21
  • Alfred Potiquet published the first postage stamp catalog, ten pages long, in Paris, France. [1135]

1862

January 11
  • The Argentine Republic issues its first postage stamps, denominated 5 centavos. [1135]
March
  • The Kingdom of Italy issues its first postage stamps, depicting King Victor Emmanuel II. [1135] [1841.1169]
June 25
  • The Kingdom of Moldavia-Walachia issues its first postage stamps, depicting its coat of arms. [278.481] [1135]
(month unknown)
  • The Confederate States of America issues its last postage stamps. [700.188]
  • The United States of Colombia issues its first postage stamps. [707.417]
July 17
  • US Congress passes Postage Currency Act allowing all forms of government postage stamps to be exchanged by assistant treasurers for greenbacks for payments of less than $5, and outlaws all privately issued notes with value under $1. [413.82] [646.15] [1135]
August 12
  • John Gault receives a patent on encasing postage stamps under a mica window and in a circular brass backing, for use as currency. [413.84]
August
  • Antigua issues its first postage stamp, denominated 6 pence, depicting Queen Victoria. [700.426] [1135]
August 21
  • Due to a circulating coin shortage, the US Treasury Department begins using impressions of 5-cent and 10-cent postage stamps on Treasury paper as currency, in denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents. [646.15] [1135]
December 2
  • Nicaragua issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1367.1399]
December 8
  • Hong Kong issues its first postage stamps, denominated 2,8,12,18,24,48,96 cents. [1135] [1841.709]

1863

January 1
  • Turkish Empire issues its first postage stamps, depicting a monogram of the sultan. [1135]
February 11
  • Italy issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
May 27
  • The US Treasury Department ceases use of postage stamp impressions on Treasury paper as postage currency, due to resumption of minting of silver coins. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • New Brunswick issues its last postage stamps. [707.62]
  • Nova Scotia issues its last postage stamps. [707.58]
  • Costa Rica issues it first postage stamps. [707.544]
  • Bolivar, a state of the Granadine Confederation in South America, issues 1-peso postage stamps measuring 8mm by 9.5mm, the world's smallest postage stamps. [1032.78]
  • Saxony issues its last postage stamps. [1841.89]
  • Sardinia issues its last postage stamps. [1841.1169]
  • The Ottoman Empire issues its first postage stamps. [285.642]

1864

February 16
  • Use of postage stamps is made compulsory in Hong Kong. [1135]
March 1
  • Holstein issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
April 1
  • Netherlands issues first postage stamps for use in the Netherlands Indies, depicting King William III. [1135] [1367.1286]
May 30
  • The Ionian Islands cease issuing their own postage stamps. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Austria (monarchy) issues its last postage stamps. [700.630]
  • Hamburg issues its last postage stamps. [1841.89]
  • Schleswig issues its first postage stamps. [1841.91]
  • Holstein issues its first postage stamps. [1841.91]
  • Mecklenburg-Strelitz issues its only postage stamps. [1841.90]
  • Junagarh State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.943]
October 1
  • Mecklenburg-Strelitz issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
November
  • The Indian feudatory state of Soruth issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1865

January 1
  • The Kingdom of Romania issues its first national postage stamps, depicting Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza. [278.481] [1135]
  • Ecuador issues its first postage stamps. [995.147] [1843.905]
April 1
  • Russia re-introduces its postage stamps in Poland. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Lombardy-Venetia issues its last postage stamps. [700.708]
  • Schleswig issues its Last postage stamps. [1841.91]
  • Schleswig-Holstein issues its last joint postage stamps. [1841.91]
  • Bremen issues its last postage stamps. [1841.88]
  • Lubeck issues its last postage stamps. [1841.90]
  • First postage stamps are issued for use in Shanghai. [278.1098]
September
  • Vetluga district of Kostroma province of Russia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
September 19
  • The first and last postage stamps of Vancouver Island are issued. [707.52] [1135]
September 25
  • Bermuda issues its first regular postage stamps. [700.929] [1135]
October 19
  • The Dominican Republic issues its first postage stamps, depicting its coat of arms. [1135] [1843.858]
November 1
  • British Columbia issues its first postage stamp, denominated 3 pence. [707.52] [1135]
December
  • Honduras issues its first postage stamps, a 2-real stamp depicting the coat of arms. [1841.683]

1866

January 1
  • Turkey issues first postage stamps for use in the Suzerainty of Egypt. [1135] [1253.896] [1843.958]
January
  • British Honduras issues its first postage stamp, denominated 1 shilling, depicting Queen Victoria. [700.1131] [1135]
March
  • The Indian feudatory state of Jammu and Kashmir issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1841.938]
(month unknown)
  • The Northern District of Thurn and Taxis issues its last postage stamps. [1841.91]
  • Holstein issues its last postage stamps. [1841.91]
  • Kashmir State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.939]
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in the Virgin Islands. [285.1037]
  • The Kingdom of Serbia issues its first postage stamps, depicting its coat of arms. [278.1076]

1867

April 4
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use on Turks Islands, depicting Queen Victoria. [285.737] [1135]
April 15
  • Heligoland issues its first postage stamp, denominated 1/2 schilling, depicting Queen Victoria. [1135] [1841.683]
May 1
  • The Hungarian post becomes independent of the Austrian post. [1841.729]
June 1
  • Austria-Hungary issues its first postage stamp joint issues. [700.630] [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Bolivia issues its first postage stamps. [700.963]
  • Jammu State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.938]
  • The Southern District of Thurn and Taxis issues its last postage stamps. [1841.92]
  • Bergedorf issues its last postage stamps. [1841.88]
  • Prussia issues its last postage stamps. [1841.91]
  • Hamburg issues its last postage stamps. [1841.89]
  • Oldenburg issues its last postage stamps. [1841.90]
  • Mecklenburg-Schwerin issues its last postage stamps. [1841.90]
  • Bremen issues its last postage stamps. [1841.88]
  • El Salvador issues its first postage stamps, depicting San Miguel volcano. [278.926]
September 1
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Straits Settlements, overprints on India stamps. [285.216] [1135] [1136.96]

1868

January 1
  • Portuguese Madeira issues its first postage stamps, overprinted on stamps of Portugal. [1135] [1367.647]
  • Orange Free State issues its first postage stamp, denominated 1 penny. [1135] [1367.1572]
  • North German Confederation issues its first postage stamps, replacing the individual stamps of 12 entities. [1135] [1841.94]
March 17
  • Postage stamp canceling machine patent is issued. [1]
April 1
  • The Dominion of Canada issues its first postage stamps, seven denominations depicting Queen Victoria, and replacing the stamps of Nova Scotia. [1135] [1164.112]
(month unknown)
  • Baden issues its last postage stamps. [1841.85]
  • Roman States issues its last postage stamps. [1841.1168]
  • First postage stamps for Azores under Portuguese control are issued, on overprinted stamps of Portugal. [700.720]
September
  • Spain issues first postage stamps for use in Fernando Po, depicting Isabella II. [1135] [1843.1100]

1869

January
  • The Gambia issues its first postage stamps, depicting Queen Victoria. [1135] [1841.31]
March 1
  • Sarawak issues its first postage stamps, depicting Sir James Brooke. [278.1016] [1135]
April 2
  • The US issues first stamp intaglio printed in more than one color, a 15-cent stamp. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • British Columbia issues its last postage stamps. [707.52]
  • Portugal issues first postage stamps for use in Saint Thomas and Prince Islands, depicting the Portuguese crown. [278.835]
September 8
  • The Indian feudatory state of Hyderabad issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1841.935]
October 1
  • Austria issues the world's first postal cards. [1] [5] [1135]

1870

April 1
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Saint Christopher, denominated 6 pence, depicting Queen Victoria. [278.772] [1135]
May 1
  • The South African Republic issues its first postage stamps, depicting its coat of arms. [1135] (1869 [285.579])
(month unknown)
  • The North German Confederation issues its last postage stamps. [1841.94]
  • Kashmir State of India issues its last postage stamps. [1841.939]
  • Persia issues first postage stamps, depicting the coat of arms. [1841.995]
July 1
  • Angola issues its first postage stamps under Portuguese control. [700.395] [1135]
August 1
  • Paraguay issues its first postage stamps, depicting a lion holding a cap of liberty. [278.112] [1135]
October 1
  • United Kingdom introduces prepaid postcards. [1154.938]
November 1
  • The Fiji Times newspaper issues the first postage stamps for mail service for Fiji. [1135]

1871

March 1
  • Guatemala issues its first postage stamps, denominated 1, 5, 10, 20-c, depicting a shield. [1135] [1841.548]
April 20
  • Japan issues its first postage stamps. [1135] (August 20 [1151.1080])
May
  • Hungary issues its first postage stamps, depicting Franz Josef I. [1841.729] [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Kabul (Afghanistan) issues its first postage stamps. [700.253]
October 1
  • Portugal issues first postage stamps for use in Portuguese India. [278.450] [1022.1015] [1135]
December 3
  • The government of Fiji issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 25
  • Norway issues postage stamps with post horn design, longest design still in use. [1135]

1872

January 1
  • The German Empire issues its first postage stamps, depicting the German eagle, and replacing stamps of Baden. [1135] [1185.449] [1841.95]
  • Prince Edward Island issues postage stamps in decimal currency, its last postage stamps. [707.59] (January 4 [1135])
(month unknown)
  • Japan begins issuing postage stamps. [1367.17]

1873

January 1
  • Post office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, offers first postage stamps of the French Protectorate of Cambodia. Stamps used are those for the French Colonies. [1255.784]
  • Iceland issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1841.827]
March 3
  • US Congress authorizes federal departmental postage stamps. [1]
May 23
  • Netherlands issues first postage stamps for use in Curaçao, depicting King William III. [1135] [1367.1262]
(month unknown)
  • Netherlands issues first postage stamps for use in Surinam, depicting King William III. [285.229]
  • Spain issues first postage stamps for use in Puerto Rico, using overprints of Cuba stamps. [278.456]
July 1
  • Spanish provinces of Biscay, Navarre, Guipuzcoa, and Alavo issue postage stamps during the Second Carlist War. [1135]

1874

January 1
  • Spain issues the first war tax stamps. [1135]
April 15
  • Spanish province of Catalonia first issues postage stamps. [1135]
May 4
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Dominica, featuring Queen Victoria. [1135] [1843.822]
May
  • Montenegro first issues postage stamps, depicting Prince Nicholas I. [1135] [1367.1055]
June 10
  • Lagos issues its first postage stamps, depicting Queen Victoria. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Lagos issues its first postage stamps. [1367.382]
  • Jind State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.940]
September
  • The Spanish province of Valencia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
  • First postage stamps are issued for the British Crown Colony of Griqualand West in south Africa. First stamp is a handwritten surcharge of 1 penny on a 4-pence stamp of the Cape of Good Hope. [1135] [1841.544]
October 9
  • Representatives of 21 countries sign the Treaty of the General Postal Union in Berne, Switzerland. [960.16] [1004.943] [1188.241]
October 10
  • First postage stamps are issued for use in Fiji as a British Crown Colony. [1843.1103]

End of 1860-1874. Next: 1875.

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A list of references to all source material is available.


Last updated: 2023 December 20.
Copyright © 2011-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/stamphis/
Link to Ken P's home page.

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