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A Thousand-Word History of the Penny Black Stamp

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Published in A 1000 Word History Of The Penny Black Stamp: On The 175th Anniversary Of Its Invention Celebrate The World S First Adhesive Stamp And Its Story

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The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp, issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on 1 May 1840. It was designed by Henry Cole and engraved by Charles Heath. The stamp was printed in black ink on white paper, and featured a profile of Queen Victoria facing left. The Penny Black was a huge success, and it revolutionized the way that mail was sent. Before the Penny Black, people had to pay the postage on their letters when they were delivered. This could be a significant expense, especially for people who lived in remote areas. The Penny Black made it possible for people to send letters for a fixed price, regardless of the distance.

The Penny Black was not without its critics. Some people complained that the stamp was too expensive. Others objected to the fact that it featured the image of a woman. However, the Penny Black quickly became a popular and iconic symbol of British identity. It was used on billions of letters, and it played a major role in the development of the modern postal system.

A 1000 Word History Of The Penny Black Stamp: On The 175th Anniversary Of Its Invention Celebrate The World’s First Adhesive Stamp And Its Story

by Joanne Hayle

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Language	:	Portuguese
File size	:	12138 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	164 pages
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The Design of the Penny Black

The Penny Black was designed by Henry Cole, a civil servant who was also a keen philatelist. Cole wanted to create a stamp that was simple, elegant, and easy to recognize. He also wanted to make sure that the stamp was difficult to counterfeit. Cole's design featured a profile of Queen Victoria facing left, surrounded by an oval frame. The stamp was printed in black ink on white paper, and it was perforated with small holes to make it easy to tear apart.

The profile of Queen Victoria on the Penny Black was based on a portrait by William Wyon. The portrait was chosen because it was considered to be a flattering likeness of the Queen, and because it was already familiar to the British public. The oval frame around the portrait was designed to protect the stamp from damage, and to make it more difficult to counterfeit.

The Printing of the Penny Black

The Penny Black was printed by Perkins, Bacon & Petch, a London-based printing firm. The stamps were printed on a special paper that was made from a mixture of linen and cotton. The paper was coated with a thin layer of gum, which allowed the stamps to be easily attached to letters. The stamps were printed in sheets of 240, and each sheet was divided into 12 rows of 20 stamps.

The Penny Black was printed using a process called lithography. Lithography is a printing technique that uses a flat stone to transfer an image to paper. The stone is coated with a thin layer of wax, and the image is drawn on the wax using a greasy crayon. The stone is then dampened with water, and the greasy crayon repels the water. Ink is then applied to the stone, and it adheres only to the greasy crayon lines. The ink is then transferred to paper, creating a printed image.

The Issue of the Penny Black

The Penny Black was issued on 1 May 1840. The stamps were sold at post offices throughout the United Kingdom, and they were an immediate success. People flocked to buy the new stamps, and they quickly became a popular and iconic symbol of British identity. The Penny Black was used on billions of letters, and it played a major role in the development of the modern postal system.

The Impact of the Penny Black

The Penny Black had a profound impact on the way that mail was sent. Before the Penny Black, people had to pay the postage on their letters when they were delivered. This could be a significant expense, especially for people who lived in remote areas. The Penny Black made it possible for people to send letters for a fixed price, regardless of the distance.

The Penny Black also played a major role in the development of the modern postal system. The of the Penny Black led to a dramatic increase in the volume of mail that was sent. This, in turn, led to the need for new and more efficient ways of sorting and delivering mail. The Penny Black was a major catalyst for the development of the modern postal system, and it is still used today in many countries around the world.

The Penny Black Today

The Penny Black is a valuable and sought-after collectible. The first Penny Black was sold for £1 in 1840. Today, a Penny Black in good condition can sell for thousands of pounds. The Penny Black is a reminder of the early days of the postal system, and it is a testament to the power of design.

The Penny Black is a beautiful and iconic stamp. It is a reminder of the early days of the postal system, and it is a testament to the power of design. The Penny Black is a valuable and sought-after collectible, and it is an important part of British history.

A Penny Black Stamp A 1000 Word History Of The Penny Black Stamp: On The 175th Anniversary Of Its Invention Celebrate The World S First Adhesive Stamp And Its Story