Tips on Stamp Collecting

Morse code no longer used

Last official message

In Ireland on February 1 1999 the last official message was transmitted by means of Morse code. This code will no longer be applied, because it is replaced by other means of transmitting in which communication satellites are used.
The code was invented by Samual Morse and became in use in 1844. The Morse code consists of combinations of dots and dashes representing the letters of the alphabet and numerals. The message SOS was transmitted as: . . . - - - . . . (3 times short, 3 times long and 3 times short).
At first cable-transmission was used to sent messages. In later years, after the invention of the radio by Marconi, messages were transmitted as radio signals. The Morse code was primarily used in the shipping industry.

Samual Morse

Samual Morse (1791-1872) was an American artist. Morse was born in Charlestown in the state of Massachusetts. He studied at the Yale college and later he studied painting in London. He became a successful painter and sculptor. He helped found the National Academy of Design in New York City, and the following year he became the first president of this institution.
Morse became a professor of painting and sculpture at New York University in 1832.
After 1832 he became interested in chemical and electrical experiments. His research resulted in the invention of the telegraph.
In 1943 the U.S. congress asked Morse to install an telegraph line between Washington and Baltimore. On May 24 1844 Morse sent the first message: "What hath God wrought!".

Dutch stamps

You can find fruits of the invention of Samual Morse on Dutch stamps too:
Telegraph poles:
2 cent Century Dutch Telegraph, 1952.
2 cent I.T.E.P.
Radio masts:
6 cent Century Dutch Telegraph, 1952.
6 cent I.T.E.P.
Morse key:
75 cent Europe, 1979.

2 cent Century Dutch Telegraph, 1952

This stamp pictures telegraph poles and a train in a landscape. R. Draijer designed the stamp and W. van Dijk did the engraving.
The stamp was printed in recess for which the colour purple was used. Six plates were put to use: 1-6.
The stamps were valid for postage in the period 28/6/1952 - 31/12/1953 and 242.298.000 stamps were sold. The stamps were perforated: comb 13,25:14,25.

6 cent Century Dutch Telegraph, 1952

This vermilion stamp pictures radio poles.
The stamp was printed in recess for which the colour purple was used. Four plates were put to use: 1-4.
The stamps were valid for postage in the period 28/6/1952 - 31/12/1953 and 9.422.000 stamps were sold. The stamps were perforated: comb 13,25:14,25. (See for information on design and engraving the 2 cent Century Dutch Telegraph.

2 cent I.T.E.P., 1952

This stamp was issued to commemorate the International Exhibition Stamps. This exhibition was held in Utrecht from 28 June till 6 July 1952.
Every visitor of the exhibition was given the opportunity to buy only one. For this reason the number of stamps issued was limited.
This stamp was printed in the colour brown on the plate press. Only one plate was used. A sheet consisted of 25 stamps and 205.700 stamps were sold.
Period of validity; 28/6/1952 - 31/12/1953.
For information about design and perforation: see 2 cent Century Dutch Telegraph.

6 cent I.T.E.P., 1952

The stamp was printed in blue-green on the plate press. Only one plate was used.
For information about design and perforation, see 2 and 6 cent Century Dutch Telegraph.
For information regarding period of validity and number of stamps sold and I.T.E.P.: see 2 cent I.T.E.P.

75 cent Europe, 1979

On this stamp, designed by J. Drupsteen, a Morse key and a ship on see are pictured.
The stamp was printed by offset lithography. Two sheets were printed simultaneously consisting of 100 stamps (10 x 10). The comb perforation is 12,75:13,5.
In the borders of the sheets punch mark 10 was placed.
Date of issue: 2 May 1979.
Plate characteristics:
Spot in the "5" of "75". This distinguishing mark can be found on all stamps of the vertical row on the left side of the r-sheets.