The first stamps of Israel were inscribed in Hebrew ‘Doar Ivri’ (Hebrew Post) and featured coins issued by the Jewish authorities at the time of the first and second Jewish revolts against the Romans, or in the reign of the Hebrew king, Alexander Jannaeus.
The stamps were designed by O. Wallish and typographed by the Haaretz Printing Press in Sarona.
Vital information regarding these stamps is missing. Each of these stamps has an addition, called “tab”, which has an information about the date and the dinasty which is described by them. This action, adding a tab, continues to this date for every Israeli stamp.
In addition to the original tabs, certain stamps also had a second smaller blank tab under the original tab. For example Scott #9 – 1000m stamp has such a tab. Both parts must be there or the stamp would sell for 25-35% less.
For a very informative article on the stamps and postal history of Israel, visithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postage_stamps_and_postal_history_of_Israel