API Docs - The Stamp Database

API documentation is in progress. The endpoints below are stable and available to API key holders. Full reference documentation with all parameters, filters, and response schemas is coming soon.

Overview

The Stamp Database API

The The Stamp Database API provides programmatic access to our database. All requests are made over HTTPS. Responses are returned in JSON. The API is part of The Preservation Network's unified data infrastructure.

Base URL:

https://api.thepreservationnetwork.org/v1/

The stamps namespace contains all The Stamp Database endpoints.

Authentication

API Keys

Most endpoints are publicly accessible with no authentication for basic queries. An API key is required for:

Requests exceeding 100 per hour (free tier limit)
Access to bulk export and advanced filter endpoints
Webhook and callback integrations

Include your API key as a request header:

GET Any endpoint

X-API-Key: your_api_key_here

Endpoints

Search

Search the The Stamp Database with keyword and filter parameters.

GET /v1/stamps/search

GET /v1/stamps/search?q=Penny+Black&country=Great+Britain&year=1840&catalogue=sg-1

Response:
{
"total": 1842,
"page": 1,
"per_page": 20,
"results": [ { ... } ]
}

Browse

Browse all records with pagination and sorting.

GET /v1/stamps/browse

GET /v1/stamps/browse?page=1&per_page=20&sort=year_desc

Response:
{
"total": 9.2M+,
"page": 1,
"per_page": 20,
"results": [ { ... } ]
}

Record Detail

Retrieve a single record by its unique ID.

GET /v1/stamps/{id}

GET /v1/stamps/12345

Response:
{
"id": 12345,
"database": "stamps",
"data": { ... },
"created_at": "2026-01-15T12:00:00Z"
}

Response format

Data structure

All API responses follow a consistent envelope format:

{
"status": "ok",
"database": "stamps",
"total": 1842,
"page": 1,
"per_page": 20,
"results": [
{
"id": 12345,
"data": { ... field-specific data ... }
}
]
}

Error responses return a non-200 HTTP status and a JSON body with an "error" key explaining the issue.

Rate limits

Free (no key)

100 requests/hour · Search and browse endpoints · 20 results per page max

Registered (free key)

1,000 requests/hour · All endpoints · 100 results per page · Basic export

Professional

10,000 requests/hour · Bulk export · Webhooks · Priority support · Contact us

For API support, bulk licensing, or partnership inquiries, contact api@thepreservationnetwork.org. Full documentation with all parameters, response schemas, and SDKs is coming soon.