ISSUE 161 - May 3, 2024 - Stamp News Online Magazine
Historic Events
British Penny Black, May 6, 1840
by John F. Dunn
Portions of this article are taken from an article by Philip Ward in the Mekeel's Weekly of January 1, 1940.
History
The Post Office of Great Britain as a state monopoly dates from the time of Queen Elizabeth I, who reigned from 1558 to 1603, although it was not fully established until 1609, and more than two centuries later that Britain became the first nation to issue postage stamps. This took place a few years after Queen Victoria acceded to the throne and began her reign of more than 63 years.
That year, 1837, was an important one in the events leading up to the issuance, on May 1, 1840 for use starting May 6, 1840, of the world's first postage stamp, the British Penny Black; for it was in . . .
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