Chronology of Postage Stamps

Copyright © 2011-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to create web links
to this site, not to copy these pages to other web sites.
URL: http://kpolsson.com/stamphis/

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.

1890

January 1
  • Labuan issues its first postage stamps, using overprinted stamps of North Borneo. [1135]
April 5
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in the Seychelles, depicting Queen Victoria. [278.1086] [1135]
May
  • First postage stamps for British East Africa are issued, using stamps of Great Britain overprinted "BRITISH EAST AFRICA COMPANY" and value. [700.1126] [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Antigua discontinues (until 1903) using its own postage stamps, switching to stamps of Leeward Islands. [700.426]
  • British East Africa Company issues its first postage stamps of its own design. [700.1126]
  • Leeward Islands issues its first postage stamps. [1367.445]
  • Jhalawar State of India issues its last postage stamps. [1841.939]
  • Poonch State of India issues its larst postage stamps. [1841.942]
  • First postage stamps are issued for use in British South Africa. [278.474]
  • The United Kingdom issues last postage stamps for use in Saint Christopher. [278.772]
  • The United Kingdom issues last postage stamps (until 1980) for use in Nevis. [1367.1293]
  • France issues first postage stamps for use in Diego-Suarez, using overprints of French Colonies. [1843.807]

1891

February
  • North Borneo joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
April
  • First postage stamps for British Central Africa are issued, using stamps of Rhodesia overprinted "B.C.A.". [700.1126] [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Kabul (Afghanistan) issues its last postage stamps. [700.254]
  • Afghanistan issues its first postage stamps. [700.254]

    vvv advertisement vvv

    ^^^ advertisement ^^^
  • Negri Sembilan issues its first postage stamps. [1367.699]
  • Sungei Ujong issues its first postage stamps. [1367.705]
  • France issues first postage stamps for use in French Congo, using overprints of French Colonies stamps. [1843.1292]
August
  • Malay state Negri Sembilan issues its first postage stamps, using overprinted stamps of Straits Settlements, denomination 2 cents. [1135]
October 1
  • Additions to the Universal Postal Union: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. [1135]

1892

January 2
  • British South Africa Company issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
February 1
  • France issues first postage stamps for use in Obock, using overprints of French Colonies. [1135] [1367.1559]
February
  • Nandgaon State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.941]
  • Indian feudatory state Nandgaon issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
April 1
  • Funchal district of Port Madeira issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
  • Indian feidatory state of Cochin issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
April 19
  • Cook Islands issues its first postage stamps. [707.527] [1135]
June
  • In Paris, France, Hector Geroux murders Gaston Leroux in his apartment, then steals his Hawaii 2-cent 1851/52 postage stamp. (The theft is soon discovered, Geroux confesses, is found guilty and is executed.) [1793.14]
(month unknown)
  • The first postage stamps of Angra (of Azores) are issued. [700.412]
  • First postage stamps for Benin under French control are issued, using overprinted stamps of French Colonies. [700.908]
  • Johore issues its own first postage stamps. [1367.695]
  • Panang issues its own first postage stamps. [1367.700]
  • Perak issues its own first postage stamps. [1367.702]
  • Selangor issues its own first postage stamps. [1367.702]
  • Swaziland issues last postage stamps (resumed in 1933). [285.255]
  • First postage stamps are issued for Horta, depicting King Carlos of Portugal. [1841.728]
  • France issues non-overprint postage stamps for use in Indo-China. [1841.947]
  • Cochin State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.932]
  • France issues first non-overprint postage stamps for use in Saint Pierre and Miquelon. [278.818]
  • France issues first non-overprint postage stamps for use in Senegal. [278.1046]
  • Portugal issues first postage stamps for use in Ponta Delgada. [278.393]
  • France issues first non-overprint postage stamps for use in Obock. [1367.1559]
  • France issues first non-overprint postage stamps for use in Martinique. [1367.846]
  • France issues first postage stamps for use in Mayotte. [1367.882]
  • France issues first non-overprint postage stamps for use in French Congo. [1843.1292]
  • Portugal issues first postage stamps for use in Funchal. [1843.1359]
  • Italy issues first postage stamps for use in the colony of Eritrea, using overprints of Italy. [1843.1035]
  • France issues first postage stamps for use in French Guinea. [1843.1299]
  • France issues first postage stamps for use in French Oceania. [1843.1310]
  • France issues first postage stamps for use in French India. [1843.1300]
July 2
  • British New Guinea joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
July 20
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in the Oil Rivers Protectorate, overprints of United Kingdom stamps. [1135] [1367.1481]
November
  • French Oceanic Settlements issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
  • Anjouan issues its first postage stamps. [700.425] [1135]
  • French India issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
  • Ivory Coast issues its first postage stamps. [1135] [1841.1256]
  • French Guinea issues its first postage stamps. [1135]

1893

June 1
  • Belgium issues postage stamps with attached labels indicating no delivery on Sunday. If the label is removed, delivery on Sunday will be done if necessary. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • First postage stamps for German East Africa are issued, overprints of German stamps. [1841.83]
  • Bamra State of India issues its last postage stamps. [1841.927]
  • Duttia State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.934]
  • Nowanuggur State of India issues its last postage stamps. [1841.941]
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in the Niger Coast Protectorate, depicting Queen Victoria. [1367.1482]
December 31
  • Last day of validity of postage stamps of Poonch State of India. [1841.942]

1894

April 12
  • France issues first postage stamps for use in French Sudan, using overprints of French Colonies. [1135] [1843.1355]
April
  • Saint Marie de Madagascar issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
May
  • Indian feudatory state Bundi issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 1
  • Kewkiang China issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Benin issues its last postage stamps. [700.908]
  • The United Kingdom issues last postage stamps for use on Turks Islands. [285.738]
  • Nandgaon State of India issues its last postage stamps. [1841.941]
  • Bundi State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.930]
  • Jammu and Kashmir State of India issues its last postage stamps. [1841.939]
  • Charkhari State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.931]
  • Portugal issues first postage stamps for use in the Portuguese East Africa Colony of Zambezia, depicting King Carlos. [285.1165]
  • The United Kingdom issues first non-overprinted postage stamps for use in Zululand. [285.1191]
  • France issues first and only postage stamps for use in Sainte-Marie de Madagascar. [278.818]
  • France issues first and last non-overprint postage stamps for use in Nossi-Be. [1367.1556]
  • France issues last postage stamps for use in Obock. [1367.1560]
  • France issues first non-overprint postage stamps for use in French Sudan. [1843.1355]
  • France issues last postage stamps for use in Diego-Suarez. [1843.807]
July 1
  • Bureau of Engraving and Pringing begins producing all US postage stamps. [1135] [1211.592]
August 5
  • Portugal issues first postage stamps for use in Portuguese Congo. [278.445] [1135]
August 6
  • Chinkiang, China issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
October 30
  • Last day of validity of postage stamps of Jammu and Kashmir State of India. [1841.938]
November
  • Zambesia issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 1
  • Ichang, China issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
December 31
  • Last day of validity of postage stamps of Bamra State of India. [1841.927]

1895

January
  • First postage stamps are issued for use in Ethiopia, depicting King Menelik II. [1843.1053]
February 28
  • Majunga town of Madagascar issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 20
  • Uganda issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 8
  • Amoy, China issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
June 20
  • Indian feudatory state Bussahir issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • British Central Africa issues its first postage stamps. [700.1126]
  • First postage stamps are issued for use in Lourenco Marques. [1367.579]
  • Sungei Ujong issues its last postage stamps. [1367.705]
  • Bussahir State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.931]
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Zanzibar, overprints of India stamps. [285.1181]
July 1
  • Portugal issues first postage stamps for use in Inhambane, overprints on Mozambique stamps. [1135] [1841.992]
July
  • Brunei issues its first postage stamps, for local use, denominations 1/2 cent through one dollar. [1135]
August 1
  • Foochow Local Post in China issues its first postage stamps, denominations 1/2 cent through 40 cent, depicting a dragonboat. [1135]
December 31
  • Last day of validity of postage stamps of Nowanuggur State of India. [1841.941]

1896

January 1
  • First philatelic daily newspaper debuts, The Daily Stamp Item, published by Charles H. Mekeel of Saint Louis, Missouri. (It runs for 284 issues.) [971.292]
(month unknown)
  • The United Kingdom issues last postage stamps for Tobago. [285.505]
  • The United Kingdom issues last postage stamps for use in Zululand. [285.1191]
  • Colombia issues its last postage stamps for use in Panama. [278.62]
  • Last postage stamps are issued for use in Shanghai. [278.1100]
September 20
  • Nanking Local Post issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
  • Zanzibar issues its first non-overprint postage stamps. [285.1181]
October
  • Saint Helena joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]

1897

January 2
  • Chinese Government Post issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
March 1
  • First postage stamps are issued for use in Sudan, overprints of Egypt stamps. [285.219] [1135]
March 17
  • Australiasian New Hebrides Company Limited issues its first postage stamps, denominated 1 and 2 pence, for use between New Hebrides and Sydney. [1135]
April 1
  • The first postage stamps for Cameroun under German dominion are issued, using overprinted stamps of Germany. [707.27] [1135]
June 22
  • New South Wales issues the world's first semi-postal stamps, with 1-shilling denomination but 1-pence for postage, the remainder to fund a home for consumptives. [1135]
  • Sarawak joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • British Bechuanaland issues its last postage stamps. [700.795]
  • Germany issues first postage stamps for use in Togo, overprinted stamps of Germany. [285.506]
  • Dhar State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.934]
  • First postage stamps for German New Guinea are issued, overprints of German stamps. [1841.84]
  • First postage stamps for German South West Africa are issued, overprints of German stamps. [1841.84]
  • Las Bela State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.941]
  • First postage stamps are issued for Grand Comoros. [1841.303]
  • France issues first postage stamps for use in Senegal, using overprints of French Colonies. [278.1045]
  • Germany issues first postage stamps for use in the Marshall Islands, using overprints of Germany stamps. [1367.827]

1898

March 1
  • Sudan issues its first non-overprint postage stamps, eight values from 1-millieme to 10-piastres. [285.219] [681.49] [1135]
April 1
  • Portugal issues first and only postage stamps for use in Portuguese Africa. [278.445] [700.722]
June 30
  • Zululand ceases use of its stamps, replaced by those of Natal. [285.1191] [1135]
(month unknown)
  • British East Africa Protectorate issues its last postage stamps. [700.1127]
  • Great Britain issues first postage stamps for use on its administrative district of Crete. [707.574]
  • The USA begins issuing postage stamps for use in Cuba. [707.601]
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Uganda Protectorate, depicting Queen Victoria. [285.760]
  • Spain issues its last postage stamps for Puerto Rico. [278.456]
  • The United Kingdom issues last postage stamps for use in the Niger Coast Protectorate. [1367.1482]
  • The Nyassa Company issues first postage stamps for use in Nyassa, using overprints of Mozambique. [1367.1558]
  • Cuba issues its first postage stamps under US control. [700.193]
October 1
  • Gibraltar issues postage stamps denominated in pound sterling currency. [1135]
November 25
  • First postage stamps for use in Crete, issued under British administration. [707.574] [1135]
December 25
  • The British Post Office introduces Imperial Penny Postage, 1 pence postage per half ounce to most parts of the British Empire. [729.38]

1899

March 15
  • Department of Posts for Puerto Rico comes into existence, and places on sale in San Juan, Puerto Rico, American postage stamps overprinted "Porto Rico". [700.204] [1020.843] [1135]
May
  • Postage stamps for use in Crete are issued under Russian administration. [1135]
June 30
  • The USA issues overprinted US postage stamps for use in the Philippines. [700.198] [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Cuba issues its last postage stamps under US control. [700.193]
  • Hawaii issues its last postage stamps. [700.197]
  • Germany issues first stamps for the Caroline Islands, German stamps of denomination 3- to 50-pfennig stamps of Germany overprinted "Karolina". [1255.733]
  • Great Britain issues its last postage stamps for use on its administrative district of Crete. [707.574]
  • Russia issues postage stamps for use on its administrative district of Crete. [707.574]
  • Kishangarh State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.940]
  • Sirmoor State of India issues its last postage stamps. [1841.943]
  • The USA issues its first postage stamps for use in the Philippines, overprints of USA stamps. [278.238]
  • The USA issues its first postage stamps for use in Puerto Rico, overprints of USA stamps. [278.456]
  • France issues first postage stamps for use in Dahomey. [1843.763]
July 7
  • The USA issues overprinted US postage stamps for use in Guam. [700.196] [1135]
September
  • Spain issues first and last postage stamps for use in the Mariana Islands, using overprints of Philippines stamps. [1135] [1367.826]

1900

January 1
  • Korea joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
March 1
  • Germany issues first postage stamps for use in Samoa. [278.967] [1135]
  • Crete issues its own first postage stamps. [707.574] [1135]
March
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Northern Nigeria, depicting Queen Victoria. [1135] [1367.1526]
April 16
  • US Post Office issues first books of postage stamps. [1]
April 17
  • British Post Office switches the half-pence Jubilee stamp from vermilion to green, first British stamp conforming to the UPU color convention. [729.38]
May
  • Germany issues its first postage stamps for use in the Mariana Islands, using overprints of Germany stamps. [1135] [1367.826]
June 14
  • Postage stamps of the USA replace Hawaiian stamps. [1135]
June 18
  • Transvaal issues postage stamps under British occupation. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Puerto Rico issues its last postage stamps. [700.204]
  • First postage stamps of Cameroun under German dominion are issued. [707.27]
  • First postage stamps for Caroline Islands are issued, on stamps of Germany overprinted "Karolinen". [707.129]
  • First postage stamps for Kiauchau are issues, on stamps of Germany, Offices in China. [1367.170]
  • First stamps of the Federated Malay States are issued. [1367.692]
  • Germany issues first non-overprinted postage stamps for use in Togo. [285.506]
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Turks and Caicos. [285.718]
  • Bussahir State of India issues its last postage stamps. [1841.931]
  • First named postage stamps are issued for German East Africa. [1841.83]
  • First named postage stamps are issued for German South West Africa. [1841.84]
  • Wurttemberg issues its last regular use postage stamps. [1841.92]
  • Last postage stamps for use in Faridkot State of India are issued. [1841.921]
  • The USA issues its last postage stamps for use in Puerto Rico (replaced by USA stamps). [278.456]
July 16
  • Postage stamps of Straits Settlements are authorized for use in Federated Malay States during a shortage. [1135]
August 10
  • United Kingdom issues first Orange River Colony postage stamps, using overprints of Cape of Good Hope. [1135] [1367.1573]
October 30
  • Last day of validity of postage stamps of Jhalawar State of India. [1841.939]
November
  • Cayman Islands issues its first postage stamps. [707.130] [1135]

1901

January
  • Caroline Islands issues its first postage stamps. [707.129]
  • First postage stamps made specifically for Kiauchau are issued. [1367.170]
  • Germany issues first non-overprint postage stamps for use in the Mariana Islands. [1367.826]
January 22
  • After 63 years England stops sale of Queen Victoria postage stamps series and begins King Edward VII series. [1]
March
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Southern Nigeria, depicting Queen Victoria. [285.75] [1135]
March 30
  • Last day of validity of postage stamps of Bussahir State of India. [1841.931]
  • Last day of validity of postage stamps of Sirmoor State of India. [1841.943]
(month unknown)
  • Congo issues its last postage stamps. [700.811]
  • Germany issues the first Caroline Islands-specific postage stamps, 3-80pf values. [1255.734]
  • First named postage stamps are issued for German New Guinea. [1841.84]
  • Alwar State of India issues its last postage stamps. [1841.927]
  • Bhor State of India issues its last postage stamps. [1841.929]
  • The Nyassa Company issues first non-overprint postage stamps for use in Nyassa. [1367.1558]
  • Germany issues first non-overprint postage stamps for use in the Marshall Islands. [1367.827]
July 1
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in British New Guinea, eight denominations depicting a Lakatoi boat. [278.94] [1135]

1902

January 4
  • New Zealand issues first postage stamps for use in Niue, using overprints of New Zealand stamps. [1135] [1367.1494]
March 31
  • Wurttemberg gives up its postal autonomy. [1841.92]
April 2
  • Württemberg gives up postal independence. [1138.901]
May 5
  • First postage stamps are issued for Penrhyn Island, overprints of New Zealand stamps. [278.175] [1135]
June 16
  • US Senators receive from French engineer Phillippe Bunau-Varilla a 1902 2-cent postage stamp of Nicaragua depicting the March 24 volcano eruption, with an argument that Nicaragua was unstable geological terrain, unsuitable for a canal. (the subsequent vote is 42-34 in favor of the Panama route.) [1119.111]
(month unknown)
  • Spain issues first postage stamps for use in Spanish Guinea, depicting King Alfonso XIII. [285.173]
July
  • French Somali Coast issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
September 30
  • Cuba issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
October 4
  • Cuba joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]

1903

January 1
  • Portugal issues first non-overprint postage stamps for use in Inhambane. [1841.992]
February 3
  • United Kingdom issues first non-overprint Orange River Colony postage stamps, depicting King Edward VII. [730.47] [1367.1573]
June 1
  • British Somaliland joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for British Somaliland, overprints on India stamps. [285.32] [1135]
June 12
  • New Zealand issues first postage stamps for Aitutaki, overprinted on stamps of New Zealand. [700.284] [1135]
(month unknown)
  • Antigua resumes issuing its own postage stamps. [700.426]
  • Korea issues its last stamps as Japan takes over its postal administration (and annexes the country in 1910). [1367.179]
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in Saint Kitts-Nevis. [278.797]
  • France issues first and only postage stamps for use in Senegambia and Niger. [278.1075]
  • France issues last postage stamps for use in French Congo. [1843.1292]
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for use in East Africa and Uganda Protectorates, depicting King Edward VII. [1843.903]
  • Spain issues first postage stamps for use in Elobey, Annobon, and Corisco, depicting King Alfonso XIII. [1843.1025]
July
  • Senegambia and Niger issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
October 12
  • Italy issues first postage stamps for use in Benadir, depicting a lion or an elephant. Benadir is a colony of Italy on the east coast of Africa. [285.15]
October
  • Italian Somaliland issues its first postage stamps. [1135]
November 16
  • The independent Republic of Panama issues first postage stamps, overprints of previous Panama stamps. [278.62] [1135]

1904

June 11
  • Panama joins the Universal Postal Union. [1135]
(month unknown)
  • The first postage stamps for Canal Zone under USA control are issued, using overprinted stamps of Panama. [700.188]
  • Cape of Good Hope issues its last postage stamps. [707.117]
  • The United Kingdom issues first postage stamps for Somaliland Protectorate. [285.32]
  • First named postage stamps are issued for Gabon. [1841.1]
  • Jaipur State of India issues its first postage stamps. [1841.937]
  • Las Bela State of India issues its last postage stamps. [1841.941]
End of 1890-1904. Next: 1905.

vvv advertisement vvv

^^^ advertisement ^^^

1653-1859 1860-1874 1875-1889 1890-1904 1905-1924 1925-1944 1945-1959 1960-1969 1970-1984 1985-2009
2010-end


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.

vvv advertisement vvv

^^^ advertisement ^^^
History Timelines Postage Stamps Today in History
PCs Video Games Timeline Today
Amiga World Silly This Day
Apple Space Coins Sports
Commodore 64 Impacts Corvettes Disney
Processors Sports Cruise Ships USA
Corvettes Gambling Disney Music
World War II Weather Errors PC and Game
Sweden Earthquakes Novelties TV and Movies
A&W USA Births Finder Anniversaries
A&W Canada Deaths
Postage Stamps Dow Jones Coins Chevrolet Corvettes
Walt Disney Co. Television Timeline: Canada Timeline
Disneyland Cruise Ships Timeline: USA Racing Success
Walt Disney World Oak Island Timeline: World On Stamps
Disney Cruise Line Killing JFK Novelties Pop Culture
Canada coins On Stamps
USA coins Other
World coins Mug Shots(A&W)
Stuff For Sale

Privacy Policy

kpolsson.com does not collect or share personal information. I have better things to do. There are links to advertiser sites that are beyond my control, from which I may receive a placement fee or a sale commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.