This is a survey of the postage stamp

Postage stamp

A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...

s and postal history

Postal history

Postal history is the study of postal systems and how they operate and, or, the study of postage stamps and covers and associated material illustrating historical episodes of postal systems...

 of Tasmania

Tasmania

Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...

(originally known as Van Diemen's Land), a former British colony that is now part of Australia.

First stamps

The first stamps of Van Diemen's Land were issued on 1 November 1853. The first stamps inscribed Tasmania were issued in January 1858. Until 1896, all postage stamps portrayed Queen Victoria. In 1899, a pictorial set was issued and was reprinted several times until 1912. Tasmania's last issue was in 1913.

Postal fiscals

Between 1882 and 1900, revenue stamps of 1863 to 1900 were valid for postage. However they remained in use unofficially until 1903.

Further reading

• Tinsley, Walton Eugene. Stamps & postal history of Tasmania. London: Royal Philatelic Society London, 1986.

External links

• Tasmanian Philatelic Society