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How well do you know your postage stamps?
In today's age of emails and SMS, receiving letters (snail mail) from loved ones has an amazing charm. Isn't it? That's probably why philately or stamp collection is considered a rare hobby as well.
Nonetheless, one can't deny that it is an interesting hobby. If you've been thinking about starting a new hobby, try giving stamp collection a thought. You never know, you could be on the edge of becoming a famous 'philatelist' or 'stamp collector'.
So, take this quiz to find out if this a hobby for you. If you are already into stamp collection, find out how well you know your postage stamps.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
In which year was the world's first adhesive postage stamp issued?
1) 1770.
2) 1910.
3) 1840.
The correct answer is 1840.
It was first issued in Great Britain in May 1840. The 1d black was intended for use on letters weighing up to half an ounce, whilst the 2d blue covered weights up to one ounce. With the exception of their colours and values, the design of both stamps was identical.
1840.
It was first issued in Great Britain in May 1840. The 1d black was intended for use on letters weighing up to half an ounce, whilst the 2d blue covered weights up to one ounce. With the exception of their colours and values, the design of both stamps was identical.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
What design feature is exclusive to all postage stamps issued in Great Britain?
1) All stamps are rectangular.
2) The omission of the country's name.
3) The inclusion of the Queen's/King's head.
The correct answer is The omission of the country's name.
Britain is the one and only country whose postage stamps do not include the name of the country within their design.
Owing to Britain having been the first country to issue stamps, the International Postal Union allowed them to continue the tradition of not printing the country name on the stamps even though it technically contradicts international treaties.
The omission of the country's name.
Britain is the one and only country whose postage stamps do not include the name of the country within their design.
Owing to Britain having been the first country to issue stamps, the International Postal Union allowed them to continue the tradition of not printing the country name on the stamps even though it technically contradicts international treaties.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
What was the highest face value of a single postage stamp issued in Great Britain in the 19th century?
1) 2 shillings and sixpence (2/6).
2) Five Pounds (٣.00).
3) One Pound (ٟ.00).
The correct answer is Five Pounds (٣.00).
An orange coloured rectangular stamp was issued in 1882 with a face value of ٣.00, when a total of 246,826 such stamps were issued.
The stamp was probably used for registered letters, as parcel post was not available until the following year in 1883.
We then had to wait until 1977, 95 years later, for the next ٣.00 postage stamp to be issued in Great Britain.
Five Pounds (٣.00).
An orange coloured rectangular stamp was issued in 1882 with a face value of ٣.00, when a total of 246,826 such stamps were issued.
The stamp was probably used for registered letters, as parcel post was not available until the following year in 1883.
We then had to wait until 1977, 95 years later, for the next ٣.00 postage stamp to be issued in Great Britain.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
What's special about Penny Black?
1) First postage stamp of the world.
2) First USA stamp.
3) Most valuable stamp in the world.
The correct answer is First postage stamp of the world.
Contrary to popular belief, the Penny Black is not a particularly rare stamp, as 68,808,000 copies were printed in total, of which significant numbers remain in private collections today.
Rajesh and I have been discussing the project.
The correct answer is First postage stamp of the world.
Contrary to popular belief, the Penny Black is not a particularly rare stamp, as 68,808,000 copies were printed in total, of which significant numbers remain in private collections today.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
Aside from US Presidents, which person is featured most on USA stamps?
1) Benjamin Franklin.
2) Martha Washington.
3) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The correct answer is Benjamin Franklin.
Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. In 1775, when Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General, the U.S. Post Office was born.
Benjamin Franklin.
Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. In 1775, when Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first Postmaster General, the U.S. Post Office was born.
Note: Image is used for representation only.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
Which is the world's most valuable stamp?
1) Sweden 1857 3 skilling Banco Yellow.
2) The famous "Inverted Jenny" of USA.
3) The Penny Black.
The correct answer is Sweden 1857 3 skilling Banco Yellow.
An 1857 Swedish 3 skilling Banco Yellow is worth approximately ٟ,300,000.
Sweden 1857 3 skilling Banco Yellow.
An 1857 Swedish 3 skilling Banco Yellow is worth approximately ٟ,300,000.
Note: Image is used for representation only.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
In which year were the first USA stamps issued?
1) In 1837.
2) In 1847.
3) In 1857.
The correct answer is In 1847.
Congress provided for the issuance of stamps by passing an act on March 3, 1847, and the Postmaster-General immediately let a contract to the New York City engraving firm of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson.
The first stamp issue of the U.S. was offered for sale on July 1, 1847, in New York City, with Boston receiving stamps the following day and other cities thereafter.
In 1847.
Congress provided for the issuance of stamps by passing an act on March 3, 1847, and the Postmaster-General immediately let a contract to the New York City engraving firm of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson.
The first stamp issue of the U.S. was offered for sale on July 1, 1847, in New York City, with Boston receiving stamps the following day and other cities thereafter.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
Who is the first foreigner to be portrayed on a British stamp?
1) Mahatma Gandhi.
2) Hitler.
3) Jawaharlal Nehru.
The correct answer is Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi was portrayed on the British stamp in 1969.
Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi was portrayed on the British stamp in 1969.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
Which member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) is the only country not required to name itself on its postage stamps?
1) Saudi Arabia
2) Australia
3) United Kingdom
The correct answer is United Kingdom
The United Kingdom was the first country to issue postage stamps. Since no other country issued stamps at the time, there was no need for the UK to name itself. Today, all other members of the UPU are required to include a country name written in Latin letters. The UK continues to issue stamps without a country name (in agreement with the UPU).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom was the first country to issue postage stamps. Since no other country issued stamps at the time, there was no need for the UK to name itself. Today, all other members of the UPU are required to include a country name written in Latin letters. The UK continues to issue stamps without a country name (in agreement with the UPU).
Note: Image is used for representation only.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
The first stamp was issued in which country where the shape of stamp was not rectangular?
1) USA.
2) UK.
3) Poland.
The correct answer is USA.
The United States issued its first circular stamp in 2000 as a hologram of the earth
USA.
The United States issued its first circular stamp in 2000 as a hologram of the earth
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
What was the colour of Penny Black?
1) Blue.
2) Black.
3) Green.
The correct answer is Blue.
The 2d blue is the same design as the Penny Black, but has a catalogue value more than double its more famous partner for both used and mint copies. When the Penny Black was replaced in 1841 by the perforated 1d red-brown, the 2d blue was also re-issued with perfs.
Blue.
The 2d blue is the same design as the Penny Black, but has a catalogue value more than double its more famous partner for both used and mint copies. When the Penny Black was replaced in 1841 by the perforated 1d red-brown, the 2d blue was also re-issued with perfs.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
Which animal featured on the very first Canadian stamp?
1) Caribou.
2) Beaver.
3) Harp Seal.
The correct answer is Beaver.
The imperforate 3-stamp set issued by Canada in 1851 a 3c red depicting a beaver, a 6c violet picturing Prince Albert and a 12c black showing Queen Victoria. Explorer Jacques Cartier was the subject of the next Canadian stamp, a single-stamp issue from 1855. The beaver returned on one design in the 1859 set, but most Canadian stamps for the rest of the 19th Century featured Queen Victoria.
Beaver.
The imperforate 3-stamp set issued by Canada in 1851 a 3c red depicting a beaver, a 6c violet picturing Prince Albert and a 12c black showing Queen Victoria. Explorer Jacques Cartier was the subject of the next Canadian stamp, a single-stamp issue from 1855. The beaver returned on one design in the 1859 set, but most Canadian stamps for the rest of the 19th Century featured Queen Victoria.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
Who was the first person depicted on an Australian stamp?
1) Queen Victoria.
2) King George V.
3) King Edward VII.
The correct answer is King George V.
The first Australian stamps, issued in 1913, showed a kangaroo on a map of the continent. A year later, a set of stamps with the head of King George V were issued. These same two designs were re-issued numerous times with watermark and perforation variations over the next 15 years.
Captain Sturt was the first non-royal to appear on an Australian stamp, in 1930 to commemorate the centenary of his exploration of the Murray River.
King George V.
The first Australian stamps, issued in 1913, showed a kangaroo on a map of the continent. A year later, a set of stamps with the head of King George V were issued. These same two designs were re-issued numerous times with watermark and perforation variations over the next 15 years.
Captain Sturt was the first non-royal to appear on an Australian stamp, in 1930 to commemorate the centenary of his exploration of the Murray River.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
A single stamp has been sold at auction for a world record price four times, the latest by selling for 'at least $2.3 million' in 2010. Which country does this stamp come from?
1) Finland
2) Sweden
3) Norway
The correct answer is Sweden
Sweden issued its first stamps in 1855, a 5-stamp set showing the national coat of arms. The lowest value, the 3 skilling banco was usually blue-green whereas the 8 skilling was yellow-orange. Due to a printing error, though, a small number of 3 skilling stamps were printed in yellow. One of these yellow errors was first sold in 1926 for ٟ,500. After changing hands numerous times it was sold at auction in 1984 for almost 1m Swiss Francs, an auction record for a single stamp. In 1990 the hammer price was over $1m. At its most recent sale, in 2010, the exact price was undisclosed, but it was said to be in excess of $2.3m, another auction record.
Sweden
Sweden issued its first stamps in 1855, a 5-stamp set showing the national coat of arms. The lowest value, the 3 skilling banco was usually blue-green whereas the 8 skilling was yellow-orange. Due to a printing error, though, a small number of 3 skilling stamps were printed in yellow. One of these yellow errors was first sold in 1926 for ٟ,500. After changing hands numerous times it was sold at auction in 1984 for almost 1m Swiss Francs, an auction record for a single stamp. In 1990 the hammer price was over $1m. At its most recent sale, in 2010, the exact price was undisclosed, but it was said to be in excess of $2.3m, another auction record.
Note: Image is used for representation only.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
What is the usual inscription of stamps issued by the Netherlands?
1) Holland.
2) Netherlands.
3) Nederland.
The correct answer is Nederland.
Holland is part of the Netherlands and the name is used by many people to denote the whole country. Netherlands in the Dutch language is Nederland.
Nederland.
Holland is part of the Netherlands and the name is used by many people to denote the whole country. Netherlands in the Dutch language is Nederland.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
Apart from the Japanese script, what name is often found on stamps from Japan?
1) Empire of Japan.
2) Nippon.
3) Edo.
The correct answer is Nippon.
Nippon or Nihon is the English transliteration of the country name in Japanese. Most early Japanese stamps lacked any Latin alphabet inscriptions and can thus be hard to identify.
Nippon.
Nippon or Nihon is the English transliteration of the country name in Japanese. Most early Japanese stamps lacked any Latin alphabet inscriptions and can thus be hard to identify.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
A stamp was issued to commemorate the birth centenary of Swami Swaroopanandji on 20th December, 2003. He was a scholar cum freedom fighter. What was his real name?
1) Nathuram Godse.
2) Balwant Godse.
3) Vishnu Godbole.
The correct answer is Vishnu Godbole.
Vishnu Godbole was born on 15th December, 1903 and breathed his last on 15th August, 1974. The stamp (Rs. 5) was printed using Photo offset method on imported unwatermarked stamp paper by Eagle Press Private Ltd. 0.4 Million stamps were released into the market.
Vishnu Godbole.
Vishnu Godbole was born on 15th December, 1903 and breathed his last on 15th August, 1974. The stamp (Rs. 5) was printed using Photo offset method on imported unwatermarked stamp paper by Eagle Press Private Ltd. 0.4 Million stamps were released into the market.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
Of what denomination was the lone 'Children's Day' special stamp released in 2003?
1) Rs. 10
2) Rs.5
3) Rs. 15
The correct answer is Rs.5
India releases a stamp on its Children's day i.e. 14th November to celebrate the birthday of India's first Prime Minister Nehru. Calcutta Security Printers printed these stamps on Matt Chromo paper using the Photo Offset process. 3 million stamps were issued.
Rs.5
India releases a stamp on its Children's day i.e. 14th November to celebrate the birthday of India's first Prime Minister Nehru. Calcutta Security Printers printed these stamps on Matt Chromo paper using the Photo Offset process. 3 million stamps were issued.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
When was Asia's first adhesive stamp issued?
1) 1852.
2) 1813.
3) 1903.
The correct answer is 1852.
Asia's first adhesive stamp, the Scinde Dawk, was introduced in 1852 by Sir Bartle Frere, the British East India Company's administrator of the province of Sind.
1852.
Asia's first adhesive stamp, the Scinde Dawk, was introduced in 1852 by Sir Bartle Frere, the British East India Company's administrator of the province of Sind.
Note: Image is used for representation only.
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How well do you know your postage stamps?
In addition to the Joint Issue with South Korea, India also issued another joint set of stamps in 2003. Which was the second nation?
1) Pakistan.
2) France.
3) Germany.
The correct answer is France.
It was primarily issued to celebrate the increasingly improving bilateral relations between the two nations. Calcutta Security Printers were responsible for this issue. It was quite exquisitely designed and the cancellation was also quite impressive. The theme was avarian in nature - rooster for the French, peacock for the Indians.
France.
It was primarily issued to celebrate the increasingly improving bilateral relations between the two nations. Calcutta Security Printers were responsible for this issue. It was quite exquisitely designed and the cancellation was also quite impressive. The theme was avarian in nature - rooster for the French, peacock for the Indians.