World Stamps
Isle of Man to give away Penny Black
The Isle of Man Post Office is celebrating the 175th anniversary of the world's first postage stamp by giving away an example of that stamp, Great Britain's Penny Black issued May 6, 1840 (Scott 1).
The contest is also organized by the British stamp magazine Gibbons Stamp Monthly. Like the Penny Black, the founder of Stanley Gibbons Ltd., Edward Stanley Gibbons, was born 175 years ago, in 1840.
Related posts from Linns.com
-
New book ‘The World’s First Postage Stamp’ salutes Holyoake’s grand prix-winning Penny Black exhibit
- Britain’s 2015 stamps to honor Penny Black, Magna Carta
The Isle of Man issued a set of six stamps Feb. 17 commemorating the two anniversaries. In addition to stamp-on-stamp designs of Great Britain's early stamps and postal stationery, the stamps include portraits of Gibbons, Rowland Hill and William Mulready. Hill is credited with inventing the postage stamp, and Mulready designed the first postal stationery. Nicknamed Mulreadys, these envelopes were issued the same time as the Penny Black.
More from Linns.com:
35 rare 5c China Imperial Dragons found in attic in UK
Many stamp societies make their journals available online
Is this 1999 registered cover commercial or philatelic?
Canada’s Maple Leaf flag celebrates 50th anniversary
Brigham auction March 6-7 offers Admirals
Keep up with all of Linns.com's news and insights by signing up for our free eNewsletters, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Twitter.
MORE RELATED ARTICLES
Headlines
-
World Stamps
Oct 8, 2024, 12 PMPostcrossing meetup Oct. 9 at U.N. headquarters
-
Postal Updates
Oct 7, 2024, 5 PMUSPS plans to raise postal rates five times in next three years
-
US Stamps
Oct 7, 2024, 3 PMMcMurtrie dismissed as APS education director following Sept. 21 arrest
-
US Stamps
Oct 7, 2024, 12 PMVasiliauskas named president of Mystic Stamp Co.