On May 6th 1840, the world's first adhesive postage stamp went on public sale at post offices through-out Britain. The intention was to indicate pre-payment of mail. Prior to this, most mail was paid for by the recipient. The old system was in no way accurate, inexpensive or reliable. Communications, were seriously hampered by the lack of an effective system.

PENNY BLACK FACTS

Both houses of Parliament were against the idea as they had the 'free franking'' privilege. So popular was this innovative idea, that within 40 years of introduction, the system had spread to more than 150 other Countries

Printed in sheets of 240 ( 12 across x 20 down ) Before the decimalization of the English currency, one row of 12 stamps equaled a shilling and 240 One Penny stamps made an old £ ( see below for lettering details ).Since its very first stamp, Britain has always been the only Country in the World, not to feature its name on postage stamps, just a picture of the reigning monarch.

Communications has so improved by virtue of the Penny Black, that the letters carried by the end of 1840 had more than doubled from any single year period and within 10 years of 1840 the amount of mail skyrocketed to 350 million. Many security devices were incorporated into this first stamp, to thwart potential forgers, such as the use of specially watermarked paper, an engine turned background, a super clear engraving of Queen Victoria and a lettering system that would identify each individual postage stamp on a sheet. Although the lettering is limited to a maximum of 12 across ( meaning AA, AB, AC, AD, AE, AF, AG, AH, AI, AJ, AK & AL ) and 20 down ( the above combination in BA, BB etc. all the way to the last row of TA, TB, TC, TD, TE, TF, TG, TH, TI, TJ, TK & TL ).

Offered here is the World's First Postage Stamp in several different formats

1 - The genuine original stamp, in used condition, bulk packaged.

2 - The genuine original World's #1 stamp, in used condition, but in a lovely large sized presentation portfolio with a fabric ribbon in the colours of Great Britain ( Red, white & blue ) fully printed with details ( as above ) about the World's First Stamp and a hand signed Certificate of Authenticity, all under a protective covering.

3 - The authentic first postage stamp, in used condition, but in the letter combination of your choice. We have an immense selection that is on hand and can supply almost any two - letter combination(s) as stated above. So, if you want your ( or your clients' ) NAME in LIGHTS ( or at least the 2 initials )on the World's Very First Postage Stamp, just ask us. For larger orders, we can provide a full listing of what combinations are available, and reserve those for you.

4 - COMPLETE RECONSTITUTED SHEET OF ALL 240 POSITIONS OF THE WORLD'S FIRST POSTAGE STAMP - It's amazing to think that a complete sheet of the World's First Postage Stamp has never been found. No one back in the 1840's had the fore sight to hide a way even a single sheet, which in those days was worth only a single pound. The closest one comes to the original sheet of Penny Blacks, is a made up sheet taking stamps from all 240 positions, which is 12 across and 20 down ( as mentioned above, the lettering is across AA, AB, AC, AD, AE, AF, AG, AH, AI, AJ, AK and AL. And down it would be B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S and T ) and puting them together. Even this is a nearly impossible task, but here we offer for the first time a complete sheet of genuine penny Balck stamps all attractivley mounted and displayed in the original positions.

5 - The genuine original First Stamp of the World, on an actual envelope used at the time ( in the 1840's ). The letter itself probably contains some material of a business nature, or may be a love letter or just a personal greeting of one kind or another.