The first stamps were released on 15th February 2005 and comprised four values - sets of stamps are rather a rare feature of Discworld stamps. These were followed a bit later by a high value stamp. The original four were each sponsored by different branch of the guild. There was a small diamond shaped farthing stamp, and three more conventional (and very handsome) stamps. The Guild know the value of everything and consequently it was claimed that the stamps were printed on the thinnest paper that T&S had in stock, and used whatever inks were in stock. However, that was stated then, when few stamps had been printed. Yes the paper used is thinner than that used for the definitives printed by Enschede, but it seems to be the same product used by Teemer & Spools later with the the Seamstress Tuppeny Upright, and regional issue such as Zlobenia and Two Shirts.

The $5 stamp was said to be sufficient postage to send a rather large package all the way to Genua, so in reality its function was less to do as a postage stamp as a promissory note against Guild funds, just like that tenner in your wallet or purse. Remember that until Mr. Lipwig was appointed Master of the Royal Mint Ankh-Morpork lacked paper money, and larger sums of money in the form of coins are bulky and heavy. The use of stamps in this way was mentioned in both Going Postal and Making Money. It has been said that some stamps change hands over six times before getting a glimpse of an envelope.
This stamp was previewed as a prize for winners who came up with a good taste for flavoured stamp gum, in the form of a special proof sheet.

One Farthing
Sponsored by the Candlewick Makers and Oilmen

              
 Penny Farthing                                                                    Three Pence
Grocers and Purveyors of Dry Goods                                                 Fish Mongers             
 

Fifty Pence
Butchers and Tripe Merchants

The sheets comprised 70 stamps for the Farthing stamp, 20 for the $5 stamp, 49 of the other three values. The previous stamp issue, the Assassins Guild Post Paid started the practice of adding text and a BP-CE-AB logo to the sheet selvedge. The Merchants stamps took this a bit further, especially for the $5 stamp sheets with the addition of the first fancy Teemer & Spools logo, reflecting he arms of the guild memebers featured on the stamps,

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