# H50S - 1886 2c Hawaii, SPECIMEN, Orange Vermilion
Specimen Stamps Are Neat Pieces of Philatelic History
Specimen stamps are actual postage stamps overprinted "specimen" to prevent use in the mail. This originated in several ways. The first was as a way for postmasters to identify any fradulant stamps attempting to be used. Examples were overprinted "specimen" and sent to postmasters for reference materials.
A second reason for some specimen stamps came from an 1878 ruling by the Universal Postal Union that each country must send three copies of every new stamp to every other member country for reference purposes. There was no requirement that the stamps be marked "specimen," but the US, Britain, and others did.
The majority of US stamps issued between 1851 and 1904 can be found with specimen overprints. The US also overprinted special printings of obsolete stamps to sell at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition.
Hawaii stamps are scarce and desirable, making it difficult to get your hands on them. Specimen stamps like this one make it a little easier – and more affordable. Get this one in your collection today and enjoy its beauty and interesting philatelic history.
Specimen Stamps Are Neat Pieces of Philatelic History
Specimen stamps are actual postage stamps overprinted "specimen" to prevent use in the mail. This originated in several ways. The first was as a way for postmasters to identify any fradulant stamps attempting to be used. Examples were overprinted "specimen" and sent to postmasters for reference materials.
A second reason for some specimen stamps came from an 1878 ruling by the Universal Postal Union that each country must send three copies of every new stamp to every other member country for reference purposes. There was no requirement that the stamps be marked "specimen," but the US, Britain, and others did.
The majority of US stamps issued between 1851 and 1904 can be found with specimen overprints. The US also overprinted special printings of obsolete stamps to sell at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition.
Hawaii stamps are scarce and desirable, making it difficult to get your hands on them. Specimen stamps like this one make it a little easier – and more affordable. Get this one in your collection today and enjoy its beauty and interesting philatelic history.