Movie Archive

The Penny Black was the first British postage stamp issued in 1840 and featured the profile of Queen Victoria. Today the Penny Black is a very rare stamp and stamp collectors are willing to pay up to £200 for a used one depending on the condition of the stamp. An unused one would fetch considerably more. The first stamps had to be cut from a sheet as they had no perforations. Later stamps always had a picture of the reigning King or Queen but nowadays stamps can picture almost anything. At Christmas special stamps can be bought maybe showing Angels, the Three Kings, Shepherds, Reindeers, Snowmen or Father Christmas. At other times of the year stamps might feature wildlife or countryside. Commemorative stamps are often printed to remember special events and anniversaries, but these will only be on sale for a short while. Selling stamps (Briefmarken Verkauf) to people wanting to send letters or parcels is the postal system used worldwide and stamp collecting is a favourite hobby by young and old alike. Many stamp collectors first start a stamp collection while at school and enjoy swopping duplicate stamps with their friends. It is very easy to start collecting stamps because all that is needed is a stamp album or a stock book with clear plastic pockets. Later in life they might join a Stamp Club and go to stamp markets called “Bourses” or meet up with other collectors at stamp shows or exhibitions.

Famous people have also contributed to selling stamps through advertising or by having their photograph taken to use on a stamp. Well known Movie stars such as James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis as well as pictures from the Star Trek movie have featured on stamps (Briefmarken) and very often people will buy these special stamps to add to their stamp collection. Whenever a new stamp featuring a Movie star or character from a film is issued, Post Offices and shops selling stamps will find a big demand for the new stamps and see the sale of stamps increase.