Since the formation of the State in 1922 the Irish Post Office, formerly known as the Department of Posts & Telegraphs and now designated An Post, has issued postage stamps as a means of paying for postal and, occasionally, other services provided on behalf of the State. Contemporary British stamps of King George V, overprinted in Irish, were the first stamps issued and these have been followed by a range of stamps which depict subjects of extraordinary diversity, almost all having a connection of some sort with the culture, history and people of Ireland. The collection offers a unique perspective on the development and representation of the country over the past century, providing along the way, additional insights into changes in printing and design techniques. The collection now forms part of a wider philatelic archive held by the An Post Museum & Archive.