I know that back in Victorian times the Underprint was used by various companies for security reasons and advertising.
I have seen them on 1d reds where the company printed its name. I've seen them on New Zealand stamps advertising products ( Pears Soap etc)
I came across this one, a London Company on a Finnish Stamp
It Reads:-
Farington & Martin, Stamp Importers, South Hackney, London, N.E.
I assume this was one way of advertising their company to stamp collectors and being able to say "That was one of our stamps".
To those who complain about pencil marks( I am one!!) just be grateful every stamp you buy hasn't the back completely covered with one of these underprints!!
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I was unaware of the Finnish ads on back. It is stated that they were applied by companies as private advertising. I am aware of New Zealand stamps which I believe were sponsored/issued by the postal authorities with ads on the back. I think there are also Italian issues.
