Ireland's postal stamp industry has been celebrating a century with the “Miniature Masterpieces” exhibition.

Along with original artwork, design proofs, and printing plates from the An Post Museum and Archive some of which will be on public exhibit for the first time more than 760 original Irish stamps are on show.

The exhibition looks at how stamps have been used to chart the evolution of Irish cultural identity over the past century.

The exhibition's curator, Stephen Ferguson, said, “At first glance, a stamp is just an everyday object in the corner of a letter but on closer inspection, it's a work of art, a symbol of identity, and a unique prism through which we can view and reflect on the formation and development of the Irish State.”

The earliest stamps in Ireland were British stamps overprinted in Irish in December 1922, and the show features more modern designs.

“Irish stamps offer a fascinating perspective on our nation, Minister Jack Chambers declared at the exhibition's official opening.

This tiny window into our history, culture and society is an iconic representation of who we are and the events that have shaped us.”

Today also included a unique piece of limited edition art created in conjunction with graphic designer Niall McCormack and letterpress printer Mary Plunkett to commemorate the show.

Mr. McCormack claimed that the unique Irish scenery and designer Patrick Scott served as his inspirations.

Children from the fifth grade, Ana Rubia Marques Da Hora, and Andrew McNally, were present to assist with the printing of some of the limited copies.

The small Masterpieces exhibition 'invites visitors to explore the enduring relevance of the postal stamp as a small representation of Ireland around the world, and to anticipate how it will continue to grow in this digital era', according to Carla Marrinan Funder, CEO of the National Print Museum.

The National Print Museum and An Post's collaborative show will be accessible to the public for six months, ending in May of next year.