Postage stamps are art in miniature. A stamp commemorates a person, place, or event and then shares that image with the world via the postal system. Collecting stamps has generated such constant enthusiasm due to the exotic locales, historic events, and unique personages portrayed on these tiny canvases. The Mariners’ Museum holds over 10,000 maritime-themed stamps but rarely have they been displayed. A Stamp on History is our opportunity to share some of the Museum’s collection with the internet public.

Stamps can be a lot of fun to play with – but you don’t have to wait for your next outing to start collecting. We’ve given you 24 stamps to play with – but you’ll have to match them all before you can see the whole set. Good luck – and be sure to stop back often as we’ll be adding more stamp collecting games!

Play the Game

According to the American Philatelic Society, the first stamp collectors spun out of the first issue of stamps – in 1840. In fact, a London woman placed a newspaper ad asking for help collecting stamps – although she intended to wallpaper her house with them. Read more about stamps and the people who collect them by clicking the link below.

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