Old Stamps Of The Russian Empire

Russia recorded its system of sending messages in the 10th.century and the earliest  known was carried out by Governor Ratibor of Tmutarakan in 1079.  By the 16th. century, the postal system included 1, 600 locations.  In 1634, Russia established postal route to Poland and thus becoming Russian first regular international service.  In 1714, the first general post offices were opened in Saint Petersburg and Moscow.  The earliest Russian post mark dates back from July 1765.   Russian post coaches appeared in 1820 and in 1833, the Saint Petersburg city post was introduced.

1.    ISSUED IN 1857 - 1858

2.    ISSUED IN 1866 - 1870

3.   ISSUED IN 1883

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5.  WESTERN  RUSSIAN STAMP USED IN LATVIA

6.   WESTERN RUSSIAN STAMP USED IN LATVIA

7.    RUSSIAN STAMP USED IN LATVIA

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13.  RUSSIAN STAMP USED IN LITHUANIA

Old Stamps Of Italy ( Europe )

As Italy was not unified until 1861, its early postal history is tied to the various kingdoms or smaller realms that ruled the peninsula.  The Cavallini of Sardinia was an early private postal service in 1819.   In 1850, Count Camillo Cavour proposed a reform on postal stamps and went into effect on 1st. January 1851.  Years later the government accepted stamps produced by Francesco Matraire  of Turin with embossed profile of  Victor Emmanual II.  Other states in Italy also issued stamps of their own during the 1850s.   Matraire's stamps were printed several times and those printed after 17th. of March 1861 are normally considered the first stamps of Italy.

1.   ISSUED 1874

2.    ISSUED 1906  - PORTRAIT OF VICTOR EMMANUEL III

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4.  ISSUED 1946 - 1951

5.    ISSUED 1946 - 1951

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7.   ISSUED IN 1909

8.    ISSUED IN 1891

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12.   ISSUED 1952

13.   ISSUED 1958

14.   THE CASTLES - ISSUED 1980

15.  THE CASTLES - ISSUED 1980

16.    THE CASTLES - ISSUED 1980

17.    THE CASTLES - ISSUED 1980

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Old And New Stamps Of Netherland / Holland ( Europe )

The first stamps of the Netherlands were issued in 1852 and depicted King William III.  During the  Second World War the Netherlands were occupied by the Germans.  Stamps issues continued and a number of semi-postal stamps were released.  The Netherlands were liberated on the 5th. of May 1945.  The previous stamps continued in use until a new series were introduced on 1st. of April 1946.  Regular stamps issues have continued since then including long-standing definitive stamps series, numerous commemorative stamps and regular issues of semi-postal stamps which have become a notable feature of Netherlands philately.

1.   ISSUED 1867   -  KING WILLIAM III OF HOLLAND

2.    ISSUED 1876

3.   ISSUED 1905 - QUEEN WILHELMINA OF HOLLAND

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5.    QUEEN BEATRIX OF HOLLAND

6.   ISSUED 1926

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8.  ISSUED 1873  -   KING WILLIAM III OF HOLLAND

9.   ISSUED 1941

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14.  ISSUED 1941 - PRINCESS

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