Self-adhesive stamp
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A '''self-adhesive stamp''' is a [[postage stamp]] with a [[pressure sensitive adhesive]] that does not require moistening in order to adhere to paper. They are usually issued on a removable backing paper.
They were first issued by such [[tropics|tropical]] climates as [[Sierra Leone]] in February 1964<ref name ="aps-preservation">{{cite web | title = Self-Adhesive Stamps | work = Preservation and Care of Philatelic Materials | publisher = [[American Philatelic Society]] | date = | url = http://www.stamps.org/CARE/subp2.htm | accessdate = 2008-07-06 }}</ref> and [[Tonga]] in April 1969 in an attempt to avoid the tendency of traditional [[water-activated stamp]]s to stick together in humid conditions.<ref name="linns">{{cite web | last = Supinger | first = Rachel | title = Self-adhesive stamp revolution sweeps world | work = Refresher Course | publisher = [[Linn's Stamp News]] | url = http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/selfadhesives_20020218/refreshercourse.asp | accessdate = 2008-07-06 }}</ref> They also made [[diecutting]] into fanciful and unique shapes easier.
The [[United States Postal Service]]'s first foray into self-adhesive stamps was in 1974 with the 10-cent dove weathervane<ref name ="aps-preservation"/> that soon became discoluored due to the instability of the adhesive. It was another 18 years before another such stamp was issued by the USPS.<ref name="linns"/> [[Stamp collector]]s criticized the format, as the [[rubber base]] [[adhesive]] used tended to progressively yellow the stamps. They also found them difficult to remove from [[Cover (philately)|covers]],<ref name="linns"/> and to save in mint condition, though self-adhesives of recent years have improved in these respects. The [[British Post Office]] first issued self-adhesive stamps on [[October 19]], [[1993]] with the introduction of books of 20 First Class stamps, later a 2nd class stamp was introduced, in later years other issues were produced in the self-adhesive format. Outside of the [[philatelic]] community, the stamps have been welcomed as more convenient; by 2002, virtually all new USPS stamps were issued as self-adhesives.<ref name="linns"/>
[[Artistamp]]s have also been issued in a self-adhesive format.
==Bas-relief method==
Drawings have been made on the backing paper of a self-adhesive stamp for the purpose of creating a bas-relief on the surface.[http://www.envelopecollective.com/gallery.php?id=1008]
==See also==
* [[Pressure sensitive adhesive]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Technical aspects of philately]]
[[Category:Adhesives]]
[[Category:Gums]]
{{Refimprove|date=January 2008}}
[[fr:Timbre autocollant]]
[[nl:Zelfklevende postzegel]]