The Stamp Without A Name

The Stamp Without A Name
Great Britain is the only country in the world that does not feature its name on its postage stamp. Unlike all other stamps, this stamp is identified by an image of its reigning monarch. Great Britain was the first country to issue an adhesive postage stamp. When the first stamps were issued on May 1st, 1840, Britain’s stamp featured a young Queen Victoria. The first stamp was referred to as the “Penny Black”. Prior to this postage stamp, it was the recipient who had to pay for the delivery of mail rather than the sender. The UK’s postal service had no way to collect the money if the recipient couldn’t pay. Mail service in the UK increased dramatically after the postage stamp was introduced. In 1841, Britain issued a new stamp called the “Penny Red”. A new and improved black cancellation mark was easier to see on the red stamp, and made it harder for dishonest people to reuse stamps. Before long many other countries began using pre-paid postage stamps for mail delivery. Today, commemorative and pictorial stamps are common in many countries, including Britain. On British stamps, the monarch’s head is always present, though often only in silhouette in the corner of the stamp.

1. The recipient paid for mail service in the UK before the invention of the postage stamp. Sometimes the recipient couldn’t pay, though.
2. The name of the country is NOT featured on British stamps.
3. The UK postal service changed from the “Penny Black” to the “Penny Red” to make it tougher for people to reuse stamps.