Penny black 1840 first

The 1840 Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp, bearing the profile of Queen Victoria and issued in the United Kingdom.

About this subject

The Penny Black is a landmark in postal history. Issued on May 1, 1840, and valid from May 6, it revolutionized mail by enabling prepayment of postage. Previously, the recipient paid the fee, leading to refusals and fraud. The postal reform spearheaded by Rowland Hill unified rates and introduced the stamp as proof of payment. The Penny Black design features the profile of Queen Victoria, based on William Wyon's City Medal. Henry Corbould adapted the design, and the brothers Charles and Frederick Heath engraved it. Printing was done by Perkins Bacon using intaglio, a technique that hindered counterfeiting. Each sheet contained 240 stamps, sold for one pound. The background has fine line engraving, and the corner letters indicate the stamp's position on the sheet. Black color was chosen for contrast, but was soon replaced by red (Penny Red) due to difficulty in canceling the black with the red Maltese cross handstamp. About 68 million Penny Blacks were issued, but most were used and discarded. Today, unused specimens are extremely rare and valuable. Used ones are more common but still highly sought after by collectors. Condition, watermark, and cancellation type affect value.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a Penny Black worth today?

Value varies widely. A used Penny Black in good condition can range from $5 to $50. Unused specimens with wide margins and fresh color can fetch thousands at auction. Rarities like errors or unusual cancellations command even higher prices.

How can I identify an authentic Penny Black?

Check the fine line engraving on the background, the corner letters, and the crown watermark. The printing is intaglio with raised ink. Forgeries often have flat printing and blurry details. Consult a catalog or expert for verification.

Why is the stamp black and not blue?

Black was chosen for contrast and cost. However, the red cancellation mark was hard to see on black, leading to the Penny Red in 1841. Blue was a later experimental color.