Brazil issues its Bull's Eye postage stamps

Background. Brazil became the second country in the world, following the United Kingdom, to issue postage stamps valid throughout the entire nation rather than as local issues. The Bull's Eye stamps, known in Portuguese as Olho-de-boi, were the first stamps issued by Brazil. They were released on 1 August 1843 in Rio de Janeiro with face values of 30, 60, and 90 réis.

Design Features. The design of the Bull's Eye stamps did not include the country name, a feature shared with the United Kingdom's first stamps. The stamps were issued with face values of 30, 60, and 90 réis. The unusual naming convention for Brazilian stamps continued with later issues, including rectangular designs nicknamed snake's eyes, and smaller versions called goat's eyes or cat's eyes.