The Postage Stamp in the United Kingdom
The history of the postage stamp in the United Kingdom is both unique and influential, as this country is the birthplace of the world’s very first postage stamp. Here is a chronological overview of the key moments and developments in British stamp history:
#1. The First Postage Stamp (1840)
– 1840: On May 1, 1840, the United Kingdom introduces the world’s very first postage stamp, the “Penny Black.” This stamp shows the profile of Queen Victoria and has a value of one penny. The revolutionary idea of the postage stamp was developed by Sir Rowland Hill to make postal services more efficient and accessible.
– 1841: The “Penny Red” is introduced as a successor to the “Penny Black,” because the black ink was difficult to recognize when the stamp was postmarked. At the same time the “Two Penny Blue” is issued, with the same design features but a value of two pence.
#2. Victorian Period (1840-1901)
– 1855: The first serrated stamps are introduced, making it easier to separate the stamps from the sheet.
– 1864: The “Penny Red” is reissued with a new design, including a white border and a serial number in the margins to prevent counterfeiting.
– 1883-1884: The first bicolor stamps are introduced. This “Lilac and Green” series includes different values and shows the profile of Queen Victoria in different color combinations.
#3. Edwardian and Georgian Periods (1901-1952)
– 1902: After the death of Queen Victoria and the accession to the throne of King Edward VII, new stamps are issued with Edward VII’s portrait.
– 1911: King George V comes to power and new stamps with his portrait are issued. George V was a philatelist and his influence is visible in the designs and issues of stamps during his reign.
– 1936: Short issue of stamps with the portrait of King Edward VIII, who reigned for only 11 months before abdicating the throne.
– 1937: King George VI is crowned and stamps with his portrait are issued. Many commemorative stamps were also issued during his reign, including for the 300th anniversary of the postal service in 1939.
#4. Elizabethan Period (1952–present)
– 1952: Queen Elizabeth II is crowned and the first stamps with her portrait are issued. Her portrait has since appeared on all standard postage stamps, often designed by prominent artists.
– 1966: The first stamps with a different design appear, with thematic and commemorative stamps celebrating events, people and cultural themes.
– 1971: The United Kingdom introduces decimal currency, and new stamps are issued with values in new currency units (pence and pounds).
– 1993: The “Machin” series, an iconic and long-lasting series of standard postage stamps featuring the profile of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Arnold Machin, is introduced. This series is characterized by the simplicity and elegance of the design.
Important Features of British Postage Stamps
1. Portraits of Monarchs: British postage stamps have always shown the portrait of the reigning monarch, from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II.
2. Innovation in Design: The UK has a tradition of innovative and artistic design, especially since the 1960s, with themes celebrating national and international events and cultural icons.
3. Security features: To prevent counterfeiting, British stamps often have advanced security features, such as serial numbers, special inks and watermarks.
4. Long-lasting Series: The “Machin” series is one of the longest-running and most recognizable stamp series in the world, with variants in use for more than 50 years.
Resume
The history of British postage stamps provides a fascinating insight into the evolution of postal services and the role of stamps in society. From the introduction of the “Penny Black” to modern issues, British postage stamps have reflected the country’s political, social and cultural changes. For philatelists, British postage stamps represent a rich collection of historical and artistic value, and they remain an important part of the United Kingdom’s postal and cultural heritage.