Friday 31 July 2015

Penny Black and Two Penny Blue (United Kingdom)

The Penny Black is a stamp from the United Kingdom. It was issued on 1st May 1840 and is thus the World's first stamp. It showed an profile of Queen Victoria on black background and had a face value of one penny. The introduction of stamps was part of the reform of the postal system by Sir Rowland Hill. The Penny Black was only in use for one year. Then it was replaced by the Penny Red due to problems with the cancellation.

On the same day also another stamp was issued, the Two Penny Blue. It showed an profile of Queen Victoria on blue background and had a face value of two pence. Although both stamps were issued on the same day, the Penny Black is the World's first stamp, as, like usual, the stamp with lower face value is the first to be listed in a stamp catalogue.

175 years Penny Black (issued 06-05-2015)

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