One penny
Its name combines its price with the black ink used to print it.
A landmark in postal history
A small stamp.
A world of stories.
Meet the Penny Black: the world's first adhesive postage stamp, valid for use from 6 May 1840.
Discover its story
1840
One penny. A new chapter.
The idea behind the stamp
Before postal reform, British postage charges were complicated, often expensive and usually paid by the recipient. Rowland Hill proposed a simpler system: a low, uniform charge based on weight, paid in advance.
The Penny Black gave that idea a practical form. A small adhesive label showed that postage had been paid, helping transform the way people sent letters.
The Penny Black at a glance
Queen Victoria
The portrait was based on William Wyon's medal commemorating Victoria's 1837 visit to the City of London.
6 May 1840
Sold in London from 1 May, it became valid for postage five days later.
Why did black become red?
A red Maltese Cross cancellation marked the stamp as used. Because this mark could be removed, the stamp's ink was changed to red-brown and the cancellation to black within a year.
Historical reference: The Postal Museum's Penny Black history .
Keep exploring the world of stamps
Curious about the stories behind these small pieces of history? Visit the Ipswich Stamp Museum website to find out more.
Explore Ipswich Stamp Museum