In my quest to discover unique elements to incorporate in my creative process, the most random element popped up in my head. Stamps. See, me, Im born in the 2000s, a generation raised in the digital age. So, Stamps? Never part of my childhood. My parents, not the sentimental type, rarely sent letters, let alone collected stamps. So when the notion of stamps popped into my head, it felt like stumbling upon a hidden treasure waiting to be explored.
But hold on, let's start at square one: What exactly is a stamp? Sure, I've seen them in pictures, those little squares that go on envelopes, but beyond that, my knowledge is close to none. And no, I'm not embarrassed. Are they mere decorations for letters, or do they hold a deeper significance? What is its use? When did they first appear? And most importantly in this context what is the history of stamps in Ethiopia?
To get answers to my questions, I made my way to the National Postal Museum here in Washington, DC located on 2 Massachusetts Ave NE.
As you enter the Museum, you're greeted by the elegant columns and spacious hallways. The atmosphere is bright, inviting, with tourists from all over the world ecstatic to see their countries represented.As you make your way through the museum, you're struck by the vast collection of stamps hanging from the ceiling . Antique postage stamps from Zanzibar to China, the unique beauty of these stamps quickly grabs you attention. Their ability to encapsulate stories, cultures, and historical events within the confined space creates a unique feeling in you.
The Museum is rather small but presents information in an easy-to-understand way. And on the brightside, you're not groggy or hungry by the end of your visit.
Now to the whole point of this visit, What is a stamp?
Stamps serve as proof of prepayment for mail delivery, ensuring that letters and packages reach their intended recipients efficiently and securely. I discovered that the concept of stamps dates back to the early 19th century. The idea was introduced by an English schoolteacher named Rowland Hill who recommended postal fees to be prepaid rather than recipients paying the postage fee upon receiving their mail.
Right after, the world's first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued in the United Kingdom in 1840. Countries worldwide recognized not only how efficient this new invention was but also how convenient it was and soon after other countries issued their own stamps.
As I made my way out of the museum, my thoughts turned to my homeland, Ethiopia. I found myself pondering the role of stamps in Ethiopia's postal system and the date of their introduction. Uncovering this aspect of my country's heritage would mean gaining valuable insights into the country's journey of communication and its renown postal system.