Penny Black
The Penny Black: A Philatelic Revolution
The Penny Black is renowned as the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. Issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on 1 May 1840, it marked a significant innovation in the postal services, transforming how mail was handled, processed, and paid for.
Historical Background
Prior to the introduction of the Penny Black, the postal system was cumbersome and expensive, with costs typically borne by the recipient. These costs were calculated based on the number of sheets in a letter and the distance it traveled. The advent of the Penny Black standardized the cost, allowing letters weighing up to 1⁄2 ounce (14 grams) to be delivered at a uniform rate of one penny, irrespective of the distance.
Design and Features
The Penny Black featured a profile of Queen Victoria, which was customary for the period's postal imagery. It was printed in black ink, hence its name. Each full sheet of stamps was priced at 240 pence, equivalent to one pound sterling, with a row of 12 stamps costing a shilling.
The Transition to Penny Red
Despite its revolutionary nature, the Penny Black faced issues with its red cancellation mark, which was difficult to discern against the black backdrop. This flaw made it possible for canceled stamps to be reused, as the red ink was easily removable. To counteract this, the Treasury introduced the Penny Red in February 1841, which used black cancellation ink that was more effective and harder to remove.
Related Developments
In conjunction with the Penny Black, the Two Penny Blue was also introduced. This stamp, released on 8 May 1840, was printed in blue and intended for letters up to 1 ounce (28 grams), adhering to a double-letter rate.
Printing and Production
The printing of the Penny Black was executed by Perkins Bacon, a firm renowned for its engraving and printing expertise. The same plates that printed the Penny Black were employed for the Two Penny Blue and the Penny Black VR Official, a variant for official government use.
Legacy
The Penny Black holds immense significance in both philatelic history and the broader context of postal systems. It set the standard for future postage stamps and catalyzed a global shift towards prepaid mail services. Its successors, the Penny Red and Penny Lilac, continued to build upon this legacy, cementing the importance of standardized, accessible postal communication.