Editing Postage stamp (section)

=== Shapes and materials ===
In addition to the most common rectangular shape, stamps have been issued in geometric (circular, triangular and pentagonal) and irregular shapes. The United States issued its first circular stamp in 2000 as a [[Holography|hologram]] of the [[Earth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/stampstakeflight/holography.html|title=Holography: Into the Future|publisher=National Postal Museum|access-date=22 January 2011|archive-date=27 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427093902/http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/stampstakeflight/holography.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/national/stmp141.shtml|title=First round United States postage stamp on the way, and that's not all...|newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=14 June 2000|access-date=22 January 2011}}</ref> [[Sierra Leone]] and [[Tonga]] have issued stamps in the shapes of fruit. Stamps that are printed on sheets are generally separated by perforations, though, more recently, with the advent of gummed stamps that do not have to be moistened prior to affixing them, designs can incorporate smooth edges (although a purely decorative perforated edge is often present).

Stamps are most commonly made from paper designed specifically for them, and are printed in sheets, rolls, or small booklets. Less commonly, postage stamps are made of materials other than paper, such as [[Paper embossing|embossed]] foil (sometimes of [[gold]]). [[Switzerland]] made a stamp that contained a bit of [[lace]] and one of [[wood]]. The United States produced one of [[plastic]]. [[East Germany]] issued a stamp of [[Chemical synthesis|synthetic chemicals]]. In the [[Netherlands]] a stamp was made of [[Vark|silver foil]]. [[Bhutan]] issued one with its [[Postage stamps and postal history of Bhutan|national anthem on a playable record]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandafayre.com/philatelicarticles/talkingstamps.html|title=Bhutan – Talking Stamps and Other World Firsts!|publisher=Sandafayre (Holdings) Ltd.|access-date=19 May 2013|archive-date=19 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819182611/http://www.sandafayre.com/philatelicarticles/talkingstamps.html|url-status=live}}</ref>