Ever wondered how the very first stamps were made? In the Singapore Philatelic Museum, you can find an example of an Intaglio printing plate, the kinds that printed the world’s earliest stamps.

The intaglio technique is done by engraving metal plates with the designs of the stamps. The engraving required meticulous detail, as any mistakes made on the plate would mean mistakes on all the stamps thereafter! The world’s first stamp, the Penny Black, was printed using this technique. These days, the Penny Black is rare – it raised at an auction in.

Learn more about stamps, and their fascinating history at the Singapore Philatelic Museum.

Tags: Singapore Philatelic Museum, Intaglio Printing Plates, Penny Black