Stamps: Keeping you posted

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The postage stamp is a relatively modern invention. In 1837, an Englishman named Rowland Hill first proposed fees based on weight and prepayment in the form of stamps. The reason: same as incoming phone calls becoming free — let the sender pay the price.
At that time, mail in the UK was paid for by the recipient, a system that was associated with an irresolvable problem: the costs of delivering mails were not always recoverable.
And thus, on this day in 1840, was born the British Penny Black stamp. It allowed pre-payment of postage of up to 1⁄2 ounce (14 grams) to be delivered at a flat rate of one penny, regardless of distance.
The Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp, features a cameo portrait of Queen Victoria. (William Shakespeare became the first non-Royal to feature on a British stamp in April 1964.)
On the 178th anniversary, we bring to you some little-known stamp facts. Whether or not you are a passionate philatelist or just consider stamps to be excellent pieces of miniature art, these will definitely spark your interest.
Welcome to the world of ‘Nutty's Infotainment. YAYS!
Great Britain is the only country to not print its name on stamps issued. First Mover Luxuries!!!
The glue on the back of the US Stamps is vegetarian, and by licking it you consume 1/10 of a calorie.
With the birth of the first stamp came the hobby of stamp collecting, known today as philately. People around the world started being interested in this miniature pieces of art, mainly because of their beautiful design and later on because of their increasing value as collectible items.
The 1c British Guiana postage stamps of 1856 are supposedly the world's rarest and most valuable stamps. These postage stamps are now estimated to value over £1 million.
The issuance of special commemorative stamps in 1893 contributed to the popularity of philately. The first was commemorating Columbus discovery of the New World. The most popular to date has been the 1993 stamp honouring the young Elvis Presley, selling more than 124 million copies.
Postal offices around the world are making efforts to bring stamps and generally the hobby of stamp collecting closer to the younger generations of email senders. With cool and creative ideas of new designs and materials, it seems that this strategy works well. Australia issued postage stamps that look like just gems, diamonds, pearls etc. Some bling for those letters!!!
In 1973, Tonga released a design commemorating Captain Cook's first arrival on the islands, that when peeled revealed a ship's outline. USA came out with the first circular stamp — a picture of the globe. Sierra Leone and Tonga have also issued stamps in the shapes of fruit. Malaysia once released glow in the dark designs featuring nocturnal animals.
And how about stamps for your senses: In 1973, Bhutan came out with stamps which were actually phonograph records. These could play its national anthem on record player. India came out with sandalwood stamps which retained aromas for long. Belgian chocolate stamps from 2013 smelled, looked, and tasted like dark, milk and white chocolate.
With the proliferation of WiFi and cell phones, you don't send postcards anymore to your family and friends? Want to do something unique on your next vacation? Try sending a card from an underwater post office. Yes, they do exist. Stay tuned!
Your time starts NOW!


What is common to Chubby Hubby, Half-Baked and Vermonty Python?
Three of Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavours.


Who is attributed with this famous quote, 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can't hit what his eyes can't see.?
Muhammad Ali said this before his duel with George Foreman in 1974.


The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. But in which country will you find the Mahabharata Range?
Nepal.


Shrewdness is a group of what?
Apes. A group of apes can also be referred to as a Troop.


Fredric Baur, the man who invented the tubular shaped Pringles packaging system died aged 89 in 2008 after suffering from Alzheimer's. He had a certain wish regarding his ashes. This was fulfilled by his children after his death. What was it?
To seal and bury some of his ashes in a Pringles can.


Which are the only places on the human body where hair does not grow?
Palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and lips.


What is common to Hideaway Island (Vanuatu), Risor (Norway) and Sea Floor (Bahamas)?
Underwater post offices. The one in Bahamas closed in 1941.


Name the only politician to have won the Noble Prize for Literature.
Winston Churchill.


What is ZIP, as in ZIP code, an acronym for?
Zone Improvement Plan


Identify this middle-distance athlete (No. 41) who, on this day in 1954, became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes. He once said, 'I just ran anywhere and everywhere — never because it was an end in itself, but because it was easier for me to run than to walk



What's the Good Word?

1. Clepsydra: (a) low value (b) trend (c) unsettling (d) water clock
2. Disposition: (a) mood (b) awkward (c) hatred (d) zoolatry
3. Yegg: (a) soft-boiled egg (b) nice soul (c) burglar (d) funny beliefs
4. Agon: (a) above (b) conflict (c) homely (d) monstrous
5. Placid: (a) calm (b) wrangled (c) weakened (d) agitated
6. Vanward: (a) sluggish (b) about (c) inferior (d) advanced
7. Lugubrious: (a) mournful (b) unprecedented (c) cheerful (d) boondoggle
8. Akrasia: (a) enkrateia (b) weakness of will (c) summary (d) honest effort
9. Grudging: (a) predictive (b) approve (c) reluctant (d) task
10. Reverie: (a) day dream (b) nauseating (c) sirimiri (d) nightmare


Answers: 1 (d); 2 (a); 3 (c); 4 (b); 5 (a); 6 (d); 7 (a); 8 (b); 9 (c); 10 (a).

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