Stamps were first issued 1897-1916 as a German colony. Seized by Japan in 1914, the islands were taken by the U.S. during WWII and in 1947 they became part of the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific and have since been postally connected to the rest of the world by the U.S. Postal Office (now Postal Service). With the agreement of the USPS, the Marshall Islands began issuing their own stamps in 1984. In 1986, the islands became a Federation as a Sovereign State in Compact of Free Association with the United States. Many collectors do consider these stamps to be part of a U.S. stamp collection. Their stamp issues include many beautiful topical subjects. Do not overlook this interesting area. All items are guaranteed to be as described and may be viewed on approval.