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What are the origins of our stamps?

23 September 2025 | 13 mins

Jump back in time to find out when and where our stamps originated, how they were developed, and the different ways we produce them today.

This is our little history lesson all about the origins of Australian stamps and their journey to now. From our very first collection to our sticky innovation, find out all about it.

History lesson 1: When did our stamp collections start?

Cast your mind back to the 80s – big hair, discos and yes, stamps. 1981 was the year Australia Post offered collectors an entire full year of Australian stamps with all the issue info in one neat product – the Annual Collection of Australian Stamps. It was so well received that we haven’t stopped making them since. Explore the latest Annual Collections (CTA link to be provided).

History lesson 2: To lick or not to lick a stamp?

Fast-forward to 1990 – the year of the World Wide Web, and another important innovation: the first self-adhesive (peel and stick) stamp, saving tongues everywhere. Originally stamps were gummed and needed to be licked, which wasn’t always the best for your tastebuds or hygiene. Luckily Australia pioneered self-adhesive stamps that didn’t require licking, and they quickly overtook gummed stamps in popularity, and are almost exclusively what we all use on our mail today. Explore more of our sticky revolution history.

History lesson 3: What made stamps collectable?

Stamp collecting started way back when the world’s very first stamp was created in 1840. Since then, they’ve become collectable for all sorts of different reasons. At Australia Post, there’s two ways we’ve helped to make stamps collectable.

To start, our ‘first day of issue’ (a new stamp with a Postmark applied on its first day of release) is only ever available for four weeks from that date, which keeps it limited and therefore a must-have collectable.

We also introduced different barcodes on stamp booklets to signpost to collectors which stamps are for general postage use, and which are collectable stamps. Even the way the stamps are made is unique, like the innovative self-adhesive stamp mentioned earlier which is produced using lithography printing, because different stamps require different printing techniques and stock – both old and new.

That brings us up to today, where we continue to shape the history and story of stamps with every new Australia Post issue, and every new collector like you that joins us on the journey. Don’t forget you can read more about our postal stamps history and shop the latest Annual Collections.