Layout
When the very first postage stamps issued from the 1840s they followed a virtually identical standard fit, size, and overall subject matter.
Additionally, they depicted the denomination of this postage-paid, and the exception of the UK portrayed the title of the nation issued. Nearly all ancient postage stamps depict pictures of national leaders.
Shortly after the coming of the postage stamp, other themes and designs started to appear. Some layouts were welcome, many others broadly criticized. The shift greeted with general disapproval, and at times harsh criticism against the American people.
Shapes and substances
Along with the most famous square shape, stamps issued in geometric patterns (curved, triangular and pentagonal) and irregular contours. The United States released its initial circular postage in 2000 as a hologram of the planet. Sierra Leone and Tonga have issued stamps from the shapes of fruit. Stamps which published on sheets are usually divided by perforations, however, more recently, with the dawn of gummed stamps which don't need to moisten before them, layouts can comprise smooth edges (even though a strictly decorative perforated border can be present). Stamps most frequently made from newspaper designed especially for these and printed in rolls, sheets, or little booklets. Less often, postage stamps are made from materials aside from paper, such as embossed foil (occasionally of stone ). Switzerland made a stamp that comprised a little lace and one of wood. The USA made among plastic. From the Netherlands, postage made from silver foil.
Graphics features
The topics found on the surface of postage stamps usually are what defines a specific stamp issue into the public and therefore are frequently a reason why collectors or background fans store them. Graphical topics discovered on stamp stamps have ranged from the ancient portrayals of kings, queens and presidents to afterwards depictions of boats, satellites and birds, famous people, historical events, comic strips, dinosaurs, hobbies (knitting, stamp collecting), sports, holiday motifs, along with also a wealth of other topics too numerous to record. Artists, designers, engravers and administrative officials are concerned with the selection of subject matter and even the system of printing stamps. Early postage images nearly always generated from engravings -- a design etched into a steel die, which was subsequently hardened and whose perception moved into a printing plate. Employing an engraved picture was deemed a more secure means of printing stamps because it had been almost impossible to pretend a delicately detailed view with high lines unless you're a master engraver. From the mid-20th century, stamp issues generated by other kinds of printing started to emerge, including lithography, photogravure, intaglio, and web offset printing. These printing techniques were less costly and typically made images of lesser quality.