Penny Black

I passed this rather splendid-looking pub in Bicester today, though sadly I didn't discover the inside. It's a good name given that it's in the old post office building.

I was impressed to find out that it's nearly 200 years ago since the penny black was introduced (1840). It was the first adhesive postage stamp, as part of Sir Rowland Hill's reforms of the British postal system (which also included the idea of placing letters into a separate sheet that folded to form an enclosure - the first 'envelope').

The key thing about a stamp was that it indicated pre-payment: previously payment had been on delivery. Maybe that would be a way to stop junk mail?

Sadly the penny black only lasted a year, as it the red cancellation ink didn't show up well on a black background - so they changed to the 'penny red', cancelled with black ink.

I hope this Penny Black has a longer life. Cheers!