On this day in 1858, Buenos Aires, a province of Argentina, issued its first stamps. The design, which depicts an early steamship, was created by Pablo Cataldi. The stamps were typographed by the Banco y Casa de Moneda in Buenos Aires. Many forgeries of these stamps exist.
Some stamps from the series
On May first of the same year, Argentina issued its first national postage stamps under the name of the Argentine Confederation. The design shows a rising sun over two clasped hands symbolizing the confederation. The stamps were lithographed by Carlos Riviere. Buenos Aires still continued to issue its own stamps until 1862. These stamps are also often forged (see this example).
Examples of the first Argentine Confederation stamps
In another noteworthy event on this day, the Sultanate of Oman (originally called Muscat and Oman) issued its first postage stamp series in 1966.
Examples of stamps from the series
Oman assumed its own postal administration on April 30, 1966. Its stamps were initially inscribed “Muscat and Oman.” On August 9, 1970, the Sultan proclaimed the name of the country to be “Sultanate of Oman.” Stamps issued after January 16, 1971, bear that inscription.
Labels inscribed “State of Oman” and “Oman Imamate State,” which appeared in the 1970s, supposedly from a rebel group in the south, do not appear to have had any postal validity. Learn more about the postal history and stamps of Oman in this article.
In 1939 on this day, Guatemala issued its first air mail Official stamps. They were printed by Joh. Enschede & Sons in the Netherlands and designed by F. Davila.
To learn more about the first stamp of Guatemala, click here.
In 1947 on this day, the United States issued its first aerogramme, bearing a ten cent indicium. The following day Norway issued its first aerogramme.
An example of the aerogrammes, U.S. image courtesy of Mystic Stamp Company
Also of note, on this day in 1937, the Hong Kong Clipper made the first air mail flight from Hong Kong to Manila. For more information about clipper flights over the Pacific, read this article.