Names of Countries On Stamps

[Aschenbach]

Why is Britain the only country not to have its name printed on the actual stamps?

[Grunty]

Britain was the first country to issue stamps in 1840.  Nobody knew it would spread to other countries, so they saw no need to say where they came from.  The tradition has stuck. 

[kempie]

The first prepaid postage stamp was used in Britain in 1840. When other countries 'borrowed' the idea they would put their name on the stamp to identify it as their own.

[jno]

however, British stamps are still identified by the monarch's head on them.

[Aschenbach]

Correct answers well done.

Also the International Postal Organisation allows Britain to omit its name from its own invention.

[kempie]

That's good of them!

[kaktus]

Ascehnbach, did you know the answer yourself and just wanted to test the good people who answered ;0)

[Peter Pedant]

I thought the agreement was actually made by the UPU -in fact there are a few countries that first issued stamps without a country identifier - brazil springs to mind with bullseyes, and afghanistan

[Aschenbach]

katcus - Yes but I've learned more by asking (date, monarch, UPU) and maybe someone else has. :o)