Postage Stamps

Naturally associated with the postcard is the postage stamp, which has proved to be another useful medium for display cats. The first stamp to feature a cat was issued in 1930 by Spain to commemorate thew first, nonstop, transatlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974).

Lindbergh's pet cat, Patsy, accompanied him on many flights, but not on this one, which is why she is portrayed gazing wistfully at the departing plane. As with the postcard, stamps that feature cat breeds are immensely popular, especially complete cat stamp sets.

The first "all-cats" set of stamps was issued in Poland in 1964, possibly because then, as now, it had one of Europe's highest cat populations per household

In 1995, the West Indian island of St. Vincent  issued a sheet of nine different $1 stamps depicting cats of the world. The sheet was designed in such a way that it formed a composite picture of a verandah, facing the ocean with mountains in the background, and a coterie of cats engaged in various activities - a real find for the dedicated ailurophile.

In fact, most countries have capitalized on the collectible cat stamp, including Britain with a set of Elizabeth Blackadder's cat paintings, Sweden with the Nordic goddess Freya, and France with a centenary stamp to celebrate the birth of their cat-loving novelist, Colette.

The cat stamp is now so popular that a specialized organization in North America is devoted purely to this subject. Interestingly, the production of cat stamps is not exclusive to the country of the cat, so that the Russia Blue may be featured on a Danish stamp, or the Scottish Fold may be found on a stamp in China.

However, the Isle of Man has capitalized  on its unique feline, the Manx. This very important emblem appears not only on the island's  stamps, but on itscoins as well.