The first telegraph systems were privately owned. The stamps issued by these private telegraph systems are the equivalent of private and local postage stamps. In many countries, the telegraph system came to be administered by the government, often in conjunction with the postal system. Initially postage or revenue stamps were used to indicate payment of the government telegraphy fee. Over time, many governments began to issue separate telegraph stamps. Sending a prepaid telegram was quite similar to posting a letter. The telegraph stamp was applied to a telegraph form containing the message to be sent and dropped into a telegraph collection box. Couriers emptied the boxes and took the forms to the servicing telegraph office from which the message was sent. At the receiving end, messengers delivered the telegram to the recipient.
The first telegraph stamps issued might be those of the English and Irish Magnetic Telegraph Co., released in 1853. The first government-issued telegraph stamps were produced by Spain and went into use on July 1, 1864. From 1870 to 1899, Spain issued stamps inscribed "Comunicaciones" or "Correos y Telegs." These stamps could be used for payment of either postage or telegraph fees. They are similar in this respect to British Empire stamps inscribed "Postage and Revenue," which were valid for payment of either postage or tax. Telegraphically used Spanish stamps can be identified by their punched cancels.
