Backprints and underprints - Gustamps explain about both
According to Gustamps, backprints date back to Victorian times, when advertisements appeared on the back side (reverse) of a stamp. Gustamps explain the adverts helped to pay for the printing costs. Gustamps mention British stamps of 1881 with Pears Soap adverts on the back. Gustamps also quote stamps of New Zealand of 1891 with adverts from Messrs. Truebridge, Miller & Reich. Likewise Gustamps say adverts existed on the back of stamps for sunlight soap. Gustamps go on to explain that underprints printed above the gum of the stamp on the reverse side are a more modern invention. Gustamps said the Royal mail produced these from 1982 to identify stamps sold at discounted prices. Gustamps added that these underprints usually have designs in the form of a letter "D" or stars. Some modern stamps of Nicaragua also have underprints.
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