Design

When the first postage stamps were issued in the 1840s, they followed an almost identical standard in shape, size and general subject matter. They were rectangular in shape. They bore the images of Queens, Presidents and other political figures. They also depicted the denomination of the postage-paid, and with the exception of the United Kingdom, depicted the name of the country from which issued. Nearly all early postage stamps depict images of national leaders only. Soon after the introduction of the postage stamp, other subjects and designs began to appear.

A stamp design includes several elements required for it to accomplish its purpose satisfactorily. Most important is the denomination indicating its monetary value, while international agreements require a country name on almost all types of stamps. A graphic design is very nearly universal; in addition to making counterfeits harder to produce and aiding clerks in quick recognition of appropriate postage, postal customers simply expect stamps to carry a design.

The graphic element of a stamp design falls into one of four major categories:

• Portrait bust - profile or full-face
• Emblem - coat of arms, flag, national symbol, posthorn, etc.
• Numeric - a design built around the numeral of value
• Pictorial - Everything; from plants and animals to landscapes and artworks. Images may represent real-world objects, or be allegories or abstract designs.