150th Anniversary of the Penny Black

On May 6, 1990, India Post released this ₹6 stamp to celebrate the 150th birthday of the "Penny Black," the world’s very first adhesive postage stamp. Before the Penny Black debuted in Great Britain in 1840, sending mail was a mess—it was expensive, and the person receiving the letter usually had to pay for it. By introducing the simple idea of a prepaid one-penny sticker featuring Queen Victoria’s profile, it democratized communication for everyone. This Indian commemorative stamp features that famous black-and-white design at its center, honoring a global revolution that eventually paved the way for India’s own postal system and the "Scinde Dawk." It’s a tribute from one great postal tradition to the spark that started the entire world of philately.

Technical data Notes Condition

Date of issue May 6, 1990

Denomination Rs. 6

Quantity printed 1500000

Printer Security Printing Press, Nashik

Perforation comb 13 x 13½

Watermark No Watermark

Colours Multicolor

Catalogue codes Michel IN 1253 Stamp Number IN 1312 Yvert et Tellier IN 1055 Stanley Gibbons IN 1404

Themes Anniversaries and Jubilees, Stamps

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About this stamp

The first adhesive postage stamp, known as the “Penny Black,” was issued in Britain 150 years ago, marking a significant milestone in postal history. Here are some key points about the Penny Black and its background:

Introduction and Design:

The Penny Black was issued on May 1, 1840, and officially came into use for postage on May 6, 1840.
It featured a small, square piece of paper with a black color, displaying the head of Queen Victoria and a postage value of one penny.
The design of the Queen’s head used on the stamp was based on an engraving by William Wyon, originally created for a commemorative City Medal in 1837.

Origins and Purpose:

Sir Rowland Hill advocated for postal reforms and proposed the use of adhesive stamps to prepay postage costs uniformly across distances.
The idea behind the Penny Black was to simplify postage payment and encourage prepayment using stamps affixed to mail items.

Design Competition and Production:

Despite a design competition organized by the Treasury, none of the entries were deemed suitable for use.
Ultimately, the decision was made to use the Queen’s portrait from Wyon’s engraving for the stamp.
The stamp was printed in black ink for the one penny denomination. A two pence stamp in blue was also planned and issued shortly after.

Impact and Legacy:

The Penny Black quickly became a model for postage stamps worldwide, inspiring other countries to issue their own stamps.
In India, the first postage stamps, known as the Scinde Dawks, were issued in 1852 for use in Sind and on the Bombay-Karachi route, following the British example.

Replacement and Successors:

The Penny Black was in use for less than a year and was replaced by the Penny Red in 1841 due to concerns over tampering and visibility of postmarks on the black design.
Despite its short lifespan, the Penny Black set the stage for the global adoption of postage stamps as a standard method of prepaying postage fees.

Overall, the Penny Black remains a symbol of innovation in postal services and a pivotal moment in the history of communication and commerce. Its introduction paved the way for the widespread use of postage stamps as we know them today.