PHOTO PORTRAIT STAMP
by Genelli
1885
St. Louis, Missouri
KUHN'S PHOTO PORTRAIT
stamp maker
patented 1887
“…in 1887, two patents were issued for “stamp portrait apparatus,” first to Henry Kuhn, later to Genelli, both of St. Louis, Mo. They both copied a previously taken image into multiple stamp-sized reproductions on perforated, gummed photo paper. These are the earliest true photo stamps. Their popularity persisted until the early 20th century. Little is known about the makers of photo stamps in the U.S., even less for those overseas. Unless the maker is identified on the stamp, it is hard to determine even in what country the stamp was made.”
– Arthur H. Groten, M.D
PHOTO PORTRAIT STAMP ADVERTISEMENT
Johann Laifle
circa 1899
Regensburg, Germany
Johann Laifle, a German photographer, created a series of photo portrait stamps, which he called Briefmarkenphotographie. These stamps could well be construed to be an early type of fantasy stamp. In the 19th century many stamp fabricators created series of non-official postage stamps, mostly carrier labels, which today are considered ancestors of artistamps.
PHOTO PORTRAIT STAMP
Dr. Forster, Dentist
Dr. Forster, Dentist
1899
Britain
H.W. SMITH
photo portrait stamp
by C.H.Gallup
circa 1899
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
EASTMAN COLLEGE
photo portrait
stamp album
1880
PHOTO PORTRAIT STAMP
by Genelli
1885
St. Louis, Missouri
PHOTO PORTRAIT STAMPS
block of four
unknown maker
COLLEGE PHOTO PORTRAIT STAMPS
by Genelli
St. Louis
Missouri
Colleges and Universities were avid patrons of photo portrait stamps.....Sometimes the entire art department was depicted on photo portrait stamp album pages. Each genre of college graduate was similarly honored.
AMHERST MASSACHUSETTS
stamp cover
embellished
with photo art stamp
COLLEGE PHOTO PORTRAIT STAMPS
unknown maker
or date
PHOTO PORTRAIT STAMP
unknown maker
or date
PHOTO PORTRAIT STAMP ADVERTISEMENT
Johann Laifle
circa 1899
Regensburg, Germany
PHOTO ART STAMP
on cover
1897
Venezia, Italy
CENTAPICTURES
photo stamps
circa 1940
USA
Well into the 20th century photo portrait stamps continued in popularity....Often soldiers and sailors would send home such stamps to their families....
Ever since the invention of photo copying machines, fantasy stamp makers have utlized these printers in conjunction with digital media to create fantasy stamps, often called 'artistamps' in great numbers. But it was German ingenuity that developed the first photo stamps in 1887.
It was Bidner, a Canadian stamp maker, who coined the term artistamp in 1982.
AMERICAN COLONIAL NEWSPAPER TAX STAMP PARODY
stamps like these were added to
colonial periodicals to mock British tax stamps in the late 1700's.
The Stamp Tax was a major consideration of the
American Revolutionaries
THE NEW ENGLAND WHALERS
Home Post Express
was a very early fantasy stamp
woodblock edition
1851
THE WINANS CITY POST
was a very popular fantasy stamp created in
1862 by Hussey
It was reproduced in many colors by many
stamp fabricators including Scott and S.A. Taylor
Ever since the invention of photo copying machines, fantasy stamp makers have utlized these printers in conjunction with digital media to create fantasy stamps, often called 'artistamps' in great numbers. But it was German ingenuity that developed the first photo stamps in 1887.
It was Bidner, a Canadian stamp maker, who coined the term artistamp in 1982.
FANTASY WOODBLOCK EDITIONS
stamps like these were added to
colonial periodicals to mock British tax stamps in the late 1700's.
The Stamp Tax was a major consideration of the
American Revolutionaries
The Stamp Tax Congress
Home Post Express
was a very early fantasy stamp
woodblock edition
1851
was a very popular fantasy stamp created in
1862 by Hussey
It was reproduced in many colors by many
stamp fabricators including Scott and S.A. Taylor
KIHM WINSHIP photo portrait stamps:
RICHARD FRAJOLA'S ARTICLE ON MOCK LOCAL POSTS:
KIM WINSHIP article:
A Short History of Artistamps:
