Poland has been a member of the Universal Postal Union since May 1, 1919. The first Polish postage stamp was issued for the Kingdom of Poland on January 1, 1860 (new style). Since January 1st fell on a Sunday, the postage stamp actually went on sale only the next day. Its design was similar to Russian postage stamps of that period. In the center of the stamp was an image of the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Poland. The stamp was engraved by Polish Bank engraver Henryk Meyer.