Penny black 1840 first

The 1840 Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp, a milestone in communication history and philately.

About this subject

The Penny Black is the most iconic adhesive postage stamp in history. Issued by the United Kingdom on May 1, 1840, and officially released on May 6, it revolutionized the postal system by simplifying postage payment, which previously was paid by the recipient. Conceived by Rowland Hill as part of the Uniform Penny Post reform, the one-penny stamp featured a profile of Queen Victoria on a black background, engraved from a design by William Wyon. Approximately 11 million copies were printed, all imperforate and bearing two letters in the bottom corners indicating their position on the sheet: the left letter denoted the row and the right letter the column.

The choice of black ink soon proved problematic: black cancellation marks were difficult to see, facilitating reuse of the stamp. Therefore, in 1841 the Penny Black was replaced by the Penny Red, a reddish tone that showed cancellations more clearly. Nonetheless, the Penny Black remains the ultimate symbol of philately, a must-have in any classic stamp collection. Its large print run means many examples survive today, but condition varies enormously, with unused and perfect specimens being extremely rare and valuable.

Culturally, the Penny Black represents the beginning of affordable postal communication. Before it, sending a letter was expensive and cumbersome. With prepaid adhesive stamps, anyone could mail a letter for a penny regardless of distance within the UK. This democratized written communication and boosted commerce and personal relationships. In philately, the Penny Black is studied for printing variations, paper types, and watermarks, offering a fascinating field for experts. The studio portrait likely highlights the stamp's sharp details, such as the position letters and fine lines of the portrait, enabling a close appreciation of this small masterpiece of history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Penny Black?

The Penny Black is the world's first adhesive postage stamp, issued by the United Kingdom in 1840. It featured a profile of Queen Victoria and cost one penny to send letters domestically.

Why is it called the Penny Black?

It is named after its face value of one penny and the black color of the print. It was later replaced by the Penny Red to make cancellations more visible.

How much is a Penny Black worth today?

Value varies greatly with condition. Used stamps in good condition can be found for a few dozen dollars, while unused examples with good margins can be worth thousands. Stamps with rare position letters or printing errors can reach even higher prices.