Postal History

Wikipedia informs us that “Postal history is the study of postal systems and how they operate and, or, the study of the use of postage stamps and covers and associated postal artefacts illustrating historical episodes in the development of postal systems”. It continues “Postal history has become a philatelic collecting speciality in its own right. Whereas traditional philately is concerned with the study of the stamps per se, including the technical aspects of stamp production and distribution, philatelic postal history refers to stamps as historical documents; similarly re postmarks, postcards, envelopes and the letters they contain. Postal history can include the study of postal rates, postal policy, postal administration, political effects on postal systems, postal surveillance and the consequences of politics, business, and culture on postal systems; basically anything to do with the function of the collection, transportation and delivery of mail. The specialized area of philatelic history defines postal history as the study of rates charged for postal services provided, routes followed and special handling of letters.”

The “supreme body” for competitive exhibiting, the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP), produces guidelines for most aspects of philately – these are well worth reading. Those for Postal History are here.

Within this web site we show almost any aspect of “The Post in Austria” that a member has thought worth writing an article about. If what you are seeking isn’t here, ask us – or even better write an article yourself!