Penny Black Collection

POSTAGE STAMP, 1840. The Penny Black of Great Britain, engraved by Frederick Heath and printed by Perkins Bacon & Co. Issued on 6 May 1840, it was the worlds first adhesive postage stamp

One Penny Black, the worlds first postage stamp, c. 1840. Artist: Philately
One Penny Black, the worlds first postage stamp, c. 1840. From a private collection

One black and three red one penny postage stamps showing the head of Queen Victoria
BAL99077 One black and three red one penny postage stamps showing the head of Queen Victoria, 1840 and 1841 respectively (postage stamp); Private Collection.

Block of twenty Penny Black stamps, 1840, (1910). Valuable one-penny British stamps with the head of Queen Victoria. Illustration from The Connoisseur, (July 1910)

Postal service
LLM462058 Postal service by Sinclair, J. R. (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Postal service. Illustration for The Victorian Picture Book by W H Stacpoole (Dean)

Unused block of four "Penny Black"postage stamps of Queen Victoria, issued
Unused block of four " Penny Black" postage stamps of Queen Victoria, issued May 6, 1840

Portrait of a man, 19th century. Possibly Rowland Hill

Sir Henry Cole, KCB, British designer, civil servant and writer, 1877. Artist: Lock & Whitfield
Sir Henry Cole, KCB, British designer, civil servant and writer, 1877. Cole (1808-1882) assisted Rowland Hill in designing the worlds first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black

Henry Cole, British designer, civil servant and writer, 1871. Cole (1808-1882) assisted Rowland Hill in designing the worlds first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black

A block of four Penny Black postage stamps. The Penny Black was the worlds first adhesive postage stamp. The stamp, featuring a portrait of Queen Victoria, was issued on May 1, 1840; Illustration

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The Penny Black, the world's first postage stamp, holds a significant place in history. Created in 1840 and engraved by Frederick Heath, this iconic stamp was printed by Perkins Bacon & Co. Its release on May 6th revolutionized the postal service as it became the first adhesive postage stamp ever used. Imagine holding a block of twenty Penny Black stamps from 1840; it would be like owning a piece of philatelic treasure. These stamps, with their intricate design and historical value, are highly sought after by collectors even to this day. The portrait featured on the Penny Black is that of Queen Victoria herself. This elegant depiction captures her regal essence and adds an air of sophistication to any correspondence bearing its mark. Sir Henry Cole played a pivotal role in bringing about this ingenious invention. As a British designer, civil servant, and writer, his vision for improving the efficiency of mail delivery led to the creation of this groundbreaking stamp. A portrait from 1877 showcases his distinguished appearance and highlights his contributions to society. In 1871, another image portrays Henry Cole during his time as a British designer and civil servant. His dedication to innovation paved the way for advancements not only in postal services but also across various other fields. An unused block of four "Penny Black" stamps featuring Queen Victoria serves as a reminder of how these tiny pieces transformed communication forever. The delicate craftsmanship combined with their historical significance makes them true gems among collectors worldwide. As we reflect on these captivating images from the past century, we can't help but appreciate how far our postal system has come since those early days when sending letters required affixing individual penny black stamps onto envelopes. Today's modern methods may have replaced these relics with digital convenience; however, they remain timeless symbols representing an era where handwritten letters were cherished forms of connection between loved ones separated by distance or time.