What is the secret language of stamps?
Asked by: Christop Douglas | Last update: July 19, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (75 votes)
THE LANGUAGE OF POSTAGE STAMPS Left corner or upside down meant: “You are mine.” Same corner crosswise told the recipient: “My heart belongs to another.” Same corner straight up and down meant: “Goodbye, sweetheart.” Right corner upside down said: “Write no more.”
What is the hidden language of stamps?
The secret coded language of postage stamps refers to the hidden messages that were conveyed through the placement and orientation of postage stamps on envelopes, particularly during the Victorian era. This coded language was often used as a form of secret communication between lovers, friends, and family members.
What is the mystery message stamp?
This visual riddle spells out a difficult-to-discern message. Each colorful square contains a letter in an interesting pattern. The patterns, though seemingly random, were carefully placed so that when put together, the message reads, 'More Than Meets the Eye!
What does putting a stamp upside down mean?
Stamp Positions & Meaning
Upside down, top left corner = I love you. Crosswise on top left corner = My heart is another's. Centre of envelope, at top = Yes. Center of envelope, at bottom = No. Straight up and down, any position = Goodbye sweetheart.
What is the code on stamps for?
Each barcode is unique, allowing each stamp to be traceable through the postal system. It also allows customers to send videos that the recipient of the letter can scan and watch.
Curator's Talk | The Secret Language of Stamps
What does the number mean on stamps?
Identification: Collectors use plate numbers to identify different printings of the same stamp design, which can vary in shade, perforation, or other features. Scarcity and Value: Stamps with certain plate numbers can be rarer than others, increasing their value among collectors.
What are the new stamps for 2024?
- Lunar New Year ∙ Year of the Dragon. ...
- Love. ...
- U.S. Flags. ...
- Constance Baker Motley. ...
- $1 Floral Geometry. ...
- Pillars of Creation (Priority Mail) ...
- Cosmic Cliffs (Priority Mail Express) ...
- Save Manatees.
Why do inmates put stamps upside down?
if you get a mail from an inmate and the stamp is upside down. that means i love you. if the stamp is kind of caddy cornered or c eye placement not straight. that means i miss you.
What is the symbolism of a stamp?
Symbolically, stamps express meaning for a variety of actors. The agencies who create stamps can use the visual canvas they provide to promote national values through domestic achievements and significant events and people.
What are inverted stamps?
In philately, an invert error occurs when part of a stamp is printed upside-down. Inverts are perhaps the most spectacular of postage stamp errors, not only because of their striking visual appearance, but because some are quite rare, and highly valued by stamp collectors.
What is the holy grail of stamps?
The British Guiana 1c Magenta is the holy grail of stamp collecting. Issued in 1856 in British Guiana (now Guyana), this stamp holds the title of the world's rarest stamp. With only one known copy in existence, it has gained legendary status among collectors for its extreme scarcity and astronomical value.
What is the riddle about the postage stamp?
The answer to the riddle "I can go all around the world but never leave my corner. What am I?" is a postage stamp. A postage stamp can go all around the world but never leave its corner because it is affixed to an envelope or other postal item that travels around the world.
What does hidden postage mean?
The Hidden Postage feature allows you to print shipping labels without showing the value of the postage paid. With Hidden Postage, you can charge a fair shipping & handling fee without customer questions or complaints.
What is the famous secret code language?
1. The Caesar shift. Named after Julius Caesar, who used it to encode his military messages, the Caesar shift is as simple as a cipher gets. All you have to do is substitute each letter in the alphabet by shifting it right or left by a specific number of letters.
What is the mystery message on the USPS stamp?
Each colorful square contains a letter in an interesting pattern. Designed by art director Antonio Alcalá, the seemingly random patterns were carefully placed so that when put all together, the message reads — spoiler alert — “More Than Meets the Eye!” The reverse side of the pane also provides the solution.
What is the only country whose name is not printed on the stamp?
The first stamps did not need to show the issuing country, so no country name was included on them. The UK remains the only country in the world to omit its name on postage stamps; the monarch's image signifies the UK as the country of origin.
What are the two meanings of stamp?
: a distinctive character, indication, or mark. b. : a lasting imprint. 4. : the act of stamping.
What do stamps teach us?
Goodman-Wilson agrees: Stamp collecting helps even very young kids build categorizing and counting skills, and geographic awareness. It can serve as "a natural learning opportunity," she says. "As a teaching tool, every stamp has a story to tell," Rizzo says.
What does it mean when you put a stamp on upside down?
"I heard it was a way to say, 'I love you,' and to gesture that your world is upside down without that person," said Michael Palagonia, who put his stamps upside down on the weekly letters he sent to his girlfriend while he was serving in Guinea in the Peace Corps.
What does a sideways stamp mean?
Postage Stamp Position Meanings
Sideways, head to the left=I promise not to leave you :-) Diagonal, towards the right=Won't you marry me? Diagonal, towards the left=Yes, I will.
Do guards read prisoners mail?
Yes, all general correspondence is monitored. Legal mail, however, is only inspected for contraband in the inmate's presence and is otherwise confidential.
Why is a stamp on the top right corner?
During that time, letters were hand-sorted by postal clerks, so placement wasn't as important. But once machines were introduced in the 1890s, a standard had to be chosen. Sorry, left-handers: It's believed the location was chosen based on the dominant right hand of most mail handlers.
What is a forever stamp?
As the name suggests, Forever Stamps can be used to mail a one-ounce letter regardless of when the stamps are purchased or used and no matter how prices may change in the future. Forever Stamps are always sold at the same price as a regular First-Class Mail stamp.
Can I still use Christmas stamps in 2024?
Also, although Christmas Stamps are being barcoded, previous years of non-barcoded Christmas Stamps will remain valid as postage after 31 January 2023 — so there is no requirement to swap them out. Where can I get a Swap Out form from?
Are forever stamps being discontinued?
Can I still use Forever stamps? Yes, you can still use any Forever stamp. Any Forever stamp covers the cost of first-ounce postage even if the price of a stamp changes, Coleman said.