Mr. F. Maynard Sundman, innovator of the stamp approval business died October 31st 2007, in Littleton, New Hampshire at the age of 92. Mr. Sundman, a well-respected and admired figure in the philatelic world has even been called «a giant in the hobby» by Mike Laurence, former editor-publisher of Linn’s Stamp News. Mr. Maynard patriarch of the Littleton-Mystic companies was in the business for over 70 years, and we all owe a lot to his passion for stamp collecting.
What are revenue Stamps?
Revenue stamps, unlike postage stamps, are used to collect taxes or fees on various items and to show that these taxes have been paid. Revenue stamps have been used for years by federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as various other organizations. They have been used in virtually every country of the world and are still being used in some.
How Are Postage Stamps Designed?
Obviously, one of the most appealing aspects of postage stamps is their design. Thousands of different designs have been created since the issuing of the first stamp in 1840 by Great Britain, which depicted a bust of Queen Victoria. What is involved in choosing a design? Well, different things come into consideration.
What are the most famous rare and valuable stamps?
The first question which I am always asked when I say that I am a philatelist is: How much are the rarest stamps worth? This is an intriguing question for many, since rumours abound which state that some of these tiny pieces of paper are worth a tidy fortune. In point of fact, it’s true! Some sales transactions have been known to be in the millions of dollars. Why do these stamps hold so much value? Well, each has its own little history making it unique and famous.
The Fabulous Story of the Postage Stamp
On May the sixth 1840, the «One-Penny-Black», the first postage stamp, was introduced to the world by Great Britain.The appearance of this stamp would revolutionize the world of communications.Following a postal reform by Minister Rowland Hill, postal fees would now be paid in advance, instead of being paid upon receipt of delivery.
What’s new on our website?
For more than a year now we have been working hard to improve, and add new features to the Arpin Philately website. In the last few months we have launched many new web tools and philatelic sections of interest.