59-586: The Penny Red was a British postage stamp , issued in 1841. It succeeded the Penny Black and continued as the main type of postage stamp in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until 1879, with only minor changes to the design during that time. The colour was changed from black to red because of difficulty in seeing a cancellation mark on the Penny Black; a black cancellation mark
118-915: A rose and zodiac signs. In 1939, Brazil issued four semi-postal stamps with designs featuring the three kings and a star, an angel and child, the Southern Cross and a child, and a mother and child. In 1941 Hungary also issued a semi-postal whose additional fees were to pay for "soldiers' Christmas". The first stamps to depict the Nativity were the Hungary issue of 1943. These were all one-time issues, more like commemorative stamps than regular issues. The next Christmas stamps did not appear until 1951, when Cuba issued designs with poinsettias and bells, followed by Haiti in 1954, Luxembourg and Spain in 1955, and Australia , South Korea , and Liechtenstein in 1957. In cases such as Australia,
177-411: A "class" stamp can be used, or denominated stamps to the value of the postage. "Class" stamps remain valid for the stated class even after price increases. When letter size in addition to weight came into use to determine postage, additional "large letter" 1st and 2nd class stamps were added. Colonies of Great Britain such as Barbados, Nevis, Fiji, Trinidad, British Guiana, and India at one time all used
236-479: A barcode will remain valid. Images of UK stamps are protected by Royal Mail copyright , therefore images of current stamps are not in this article. The story begins in the 12th century with Henry I , who appointed messengers to carry letters for the government. It is estimated that between 1100 and 1135, 4,500 letters were carried by these messengers. During this time, private individuals had to make their own arrangements. Henry III provided uniforms for
295-519: A postage stamp, but they have been properly included since the mid-1960s as they prepaid postage and so, despite the inscription "Letter stamp", are normal stamps, and should therefore be counted as the first stamp issued expressly to mark Christmas. Like the slightly earlier Silver Jubilee overprints on the “sphinx” stamp, the Christmas stamps were issued in booklet form in panes of 20. In 1937, Austria issued two "Christmas greeting stamps" featuring
354-399: A postmark on Christmas Day (not all post offices get the day off), from a particular location (such as Christmas Island ; Christmas, Florida ; Noel, Missouri ; North Pole, Alaska ; North Pole, New York ; or Santa Claus, Indiana ), or bearing a specific Christmas theme or slogan. The Christmas Philatelic Club was formed in 1969 by Christmas stamp collectors and issues a quarterly journal,
413-565: A process which Royal Mail calls the "Stamp Swap Out scheme". Special Stamps with pictures and Christmas Stamps without a barcode continued to be valid. Stamps are exchanged like-for-like: a "1st class" stamp will be replaced by a 1st class one, not 95p. Beginning in 1958, regional issues were introduced in the Channel Islands , the Isle of Man , Northern Ireland , Scotland and Wales . While these issues are only sold at post offices in
472-443: A quarter to a third of the stamp's design, which limited flexibility and creativity. A change came in 1965 when the then Postmaster General Tony Benn issued new criteria for what could appear on stamps. Designer David Gentleman wrote to Benn about alternative design approaches, suggesting the monarch's head be replaced by another national symbol, such as a crown or the country name; "Great Britain" or "United Kingdom". A compromise,
531-399: A small profile silhouette of the monarch. For over a century gummed stamps were produced in sheets, perforated so that individual stamps could be detached. Later stamps are self-adhesive , without perforations. After first- and second-class postage was introduced, Non-Value Indicated (NVI) stamps were produced marked "1st" and "2nd", valid for the lowest weight of that class. Either
590-474: A small silhouette of the Queen based on the coinage head of Mary Gillick , was accepted and this has been the standard ever since for commemorative stamps. When the monarch's portrait is part of the stamp's main design (as for example in the case of issues commemorating the Queen 's birthday), then the silhouette is not needed and usually does not appear. In 1967, The Red Boy by Sir Thomas Lawrence became
649-416: A trademarked coding designed to prevent counterfeiting and to enable tracking of letters, and to enable correspondents to link digital content to their stamps. Until 2022 any 1st and 2nd class and decimal currency postage stamps could be used; old Machin and country definitive design stamps without barcodes are no longer valid from 31 July 2023, with old ones exchangeable for barcoded ones indefinitely through
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#1732765992198708-435: A unified theme for several years, then change it drastically, in some cases seemingly to follow "fashion moves" by other countries. For instance, during the 1970s many countries issued Christmas stamps featuring children's drawings, with the young artist identified by name and age. The choice of secular or religious designs is frequently a bone of contention in some countries; church leaders often see secular designs as diluting
767-585: A version of "haste, post haste" added. Henry VIII created the Royal Mail in 1516, appointing Brian Tuke as "Master of the Postes", while Elizabeth I appointed Thomas Randolph as "Chief Postmaster". Under Thomas Witherings , chief postmaster under Charles I , the Royal Mail was made available to the public (1635), with a regular system of post roads , houses, and staff. From this time through to
826-594: A year, and it is not unusual to see "leftovers" appear on regular mail during the first months of the new year. In Australia and the Netherlands , Christmas stamps are sold at a discount, but can be used after Christmas with additional stamps to make up the correct rate. Christmas is a popular theme for topical collecting . Because of the quantities printed, almost all Christmas stamps are easy to come by and of negligible cost. Collecting challenges would therefore be to get covers with apropos postal markings , such as
885-636: A £5 stamp in 1882. Meanwhile, the age of the Penny Reds had come to an end along with the Perkins Bacon printing contract. The new low values were also surface-printed: first was a penny stamp coloured Venetian red in a square frame, issued in 1880. However, the passage of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act 1881 necessitated new stamps valid also as revenue stamps , and so the Penny Lilac
944-489: Is a postage stamp with a Christmas theme, intended for use on seasonal mail such as Christmas cards . Many countries of the world issue such stamps, which are regular postage stamps (in contrast to Christmas seals ) and are usually valid for postage year-round (in some countries they have a discounted value and are for use exclusively on Christmas cards). They usually go on sale some time between early October and early December, and are printed in considerable quantities. It
1003-540: Is a matter of some debate as to which was the first Christmas stamp. The Canadian map stamp of 1898 bears an inscription "XMAS 1898", but it was actually issued to mark the inauguration of the Imperial Penny Postage rate. The Christmas connection has long been reported to have been the result of quick thinking; William Mulock was proposing that it be issued on 9 November, to "honor the Prince" (meaning
1062-454: Is very simple, a profile of the Queen on a solid colour background, and very popular, still being the standard British stamp. They have been printed in scores of different colours; in addition, decimalisation required new denominations, and there have been technical improvements in the printing process, resulting in literally hundreds of varieties known to specialists. Special Stamps with pictures, and Christmas Stamps are also produced; they bear
1121-524: The Yule Log . A number of collectors treat Christmas collecting as a subcategory of religion on stamps. The United States has occasionally issued stamps for other holidays, such as Thanksgiving and New Year's Day . Since the 1990s, stamps for Kwanzaa , Hanukkah , Eid , and Chinese New Year have become a regular part of the holiday program, although in contrast to Christmas stamps the designs tend to be re-used for several years, distinguishable only by
1180-565: The Festival of Britain . When Elizabeth II succeeded her father in 1952, new stamps were needed. A collection of variations on a theme that came to be known as the Wilding issues , based on a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, was the result. This portrait was by photographer Dorothy Wilding . Wildings were used until 1967, when the Machin issues were introduced on 5 June. The Machin design
1239-618: The Free State Government . A Postmaster General was initially appointed by the Free State Government, being replaced by the office of Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in 1924. An early visible manifestation was the repainting of all post boxes green instead of red, plus the overprinting of British postage stamps prior to the introduction of Irish stamps. A set of four stamps was issued in 1936 for Edward VIII before he abdicated . George VI 's coronation
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#17327659921981298-574: The Prince of Wales ), but when Queen Victoria asked "what Prince?" in a displeased manner, Mulock realized the danger, and answered "Why, madam, the Prince of Peace ." In 1935, British Forces troops stationed in Egypt were issued with a Christmas stamp for their mail home. For many years these were not included in the Stanley Gibbons catalogues, as they classified them as a “seal” rather than
1357-517: The William Wyon portrait of Queen Victoria on their stamps. Many formerly colonised countries whose head of state is the British monarch still include the monarch's profile, although some have branched out to stamps depicting scenery, birds or beasts without the profile. UK stamps bearing the head of Charles III became available on 4 April 2023. Unlike previous stamps depicting male monarchs,
1416-559: The flight into Egypt , the journey of the Magi , and the Nativity of Jesus , respectively. ) In the United Kingdom, the Royal Mail resolves the difficulty by issuing "religious" and "secular" themed designs in alternate years. The typical usage of Christmas stamps is to quickly apply them to a stack of Christmas cards to go out. In the age of email, Christmas stamps may represent some individuals' largest remaining use of stamps in
1475-710: The General Post office and the Foreign section, and soon after adopted in Scotland, (Edinburgh), and Ireland, (Dublin). In subsequent years, the postal system expanded from six roads to a network covering the country, and post offices were set up in both large and small towns, each of which had its own postmark . In 1680 William Dockwra established the London Penny Post , a mail delivery system that delivered letters and parcels weighing up to one pound within
1534-529: The Jubilee year, they were not issued specifically for the occasion, and are thus not commemoratives.) When Edward VII succeeded to the throne, new stamps became necessary. The approach was very conservative, however most of the Jubilee frames were reused and the image of the King was still a single profile. Edward's reign was fairly short and there were no major changes of design as a result. Chalk-surfaced paper
1593-498: The United Kingdom and the postage stamps issued by that country and its various historical territories until the present day. The postal history of the United Kingdom is notable in at least two respects: first, for the introduction of postage stamps in 1840, and secondly for the establishment of an efficient postal system throughout the British Empire , laying the foundation of many national systems still in existence today. As
1652-581: The city of London and some of its immediate suburbs for the sum of one penny. The Great Post Office Reforms of 1839 and 1840 were championed by Rowland Hill , who is often credited with the invention of the postage stamp, as a way to reverse the steady financial losses of the Post Office. Hill convinced Parliament to adopt the Uniform Fourpenny Post whereby a flat 4d per half ounce rate (equivalent to 10s 8d per pound for heavier items)
1711-630: The country then appeared for the first time on a stamp of the UK, although the word "British" had appeared on British Empire Exhibition commemorative stamps of 1924. After the stamp was circulating, it became obvious that black was not a good choice of stamp colour, since any cancellation marks were hard to see. So, from 1841, the stamps were printed in a brick-red colour. The Penny Reds continued in use for decades with about 21 billion being produced. The Victorian age saw an explosion of experimentation. The inefficiency of using scissors to cut stamps from
1770-622: The deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales (in 1998) and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (in 2002). With regard to previous monarchs, stamps were issued in 1987 to mark the 150th anniversary of Queen Victoria 's accession, and in 1997 to mark the 450th anniversary of King Henry VIII 's death. From 2008 to 2011 stamps were issued featuring all of England's kings and queens and also the Scottish House of Stewart . In February 2022 new barcoded "definitive design" stamps were introduced. The rectangular (matrix) codes , unique to each stamp, use
1829-560: The first artwork to appear on a British postage stamp. Another trend is the growing use of stamps to commemorate events related to the present Royal Family. Up to Elizabeth II 's accession in 1952 the only commemorative stamps to have been issued related to royal events were for George V 's Silver Jubilee in 1935, George VI 's coronation in 1937, and a 1948 issue to commemorate George VI's 25th wedding anniversary. Since 1952, however, stamps have been issued to commemorate many royal occasions. In addition, memorial stamps have been issued after
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1888-584: The following year, wartime exigencies affected stamp printing, with the 1937 stamps being printed with less ink, resulting in significantly lighter shades. Post-war issues included commemoratives for the return of peace, the Silver Jubilee and the 1948 Summer Olympics in 1948, and the 75th anniversary of the UPU, in 1949. In 1950 the colours of all the low values were changed. 1951 saw a new series of high values (2s 6d, 5s, 10s, £1), and two commemoratives for
1947-405: The general issue as the latter was applied to a stamp that used a different alphabet type for the identifying letters. In January 1855, the perforation size was changed from 16 to 14 as it was found that the sheets were coming apart too easily; the reduced size allowed the sheets to remain intact until pressure was applied to force the separation. The upper corners of each stamp were now occupied by
2006-724: The issuance marked the first of what became an annual tradition. Many additional countries took up the practice during the 1960s, including the United States in 1962 and the United Kingdom in 1966. By the 1990s, approximately 160 postal administrations were issuing Christmas stamps, mostly on an annual basis. Islamic countries constitute the largest group of non-participants, although the Palestinian Authority has issued Christmas stamps since 1995. Although some tropical islands produce large-format Christmas stamps primarily intended for sale to stamp collectors , for
2065-466: The meaning of the holiday, while postal officials fear that overly religious designs could lead their secular or minority-religious customers to avoid the stamps, leaving millions unsold, and even expose the postal administration to charges that they are violating laws prohibiting the promotion of a particular religion. In the United States, annual discord over "secular" versus "religious" designs
2124-399: The messengers, and Edward I instituted posting houses where the messengers could change horses. The reign of Edward II saw the first postal marking ; handwritten notations saying "Haste. Post haste". Centuries later, during the reign of Elizabeth I to express an extreme degree of urgency of delivery, gallows were drawn on the letter, known as Gallows letters and may additionally have
2183-417: The new set features no crowns or any other decorations. Up to the 1950s, British commemorative stamps were few and far between; most of the stamps were what are officially called "definitives", in which the portrait of the reigning monarch was the dominant element. Even after commemorative stamps began to appear more often during the 1950s and early 1960s, the monarch's effigy was prominent, usually taking up
2242-419: The only colours available. They succeeded in their purpose – relatively few of the stamps survived usage, their colours fading away when soaked from the envelope – but they were not liked by the public. The last major issue of Victoria was the " Jubilee issue " of 1887, a set of twelve designs ranging from 1 ⁄ 2 d to 1s, most printed in two colours or on coloured paper. (Although issued during
2301-625: The originator of postage stamps, the UK is the only country that does not need to specify the country on its stamps, but only the denomination. Until 2022 any postage stamps since the 1971 decimalisation of British currency could be used; old "definitive" design stamps without barcodes will no longer be valid from 1 August 2023, with old ones exchangeable for barcoded ones indefinitely. It was initially announced that stamps without barcodes would not be valid from 1 February 2023. However, Royal Mail decided to add an additional six month grace period. Special stamps with pictures and Christmas stamps without
2360-450: The paper, small crown (on the early issues) and large crown, introduced on 15 May 1855. The first stamps printed on the large crown watermarked paper showed two small vertical lines in the central portion of the crown (Type 1). Later printings showed a revised watermark on which these central lines are not present (Type 2). Stamps from some of the individual plate numbers, such as plate 77, are very rare and in 2016, an example from this plate
2419-496: The portrait, an ornamental frame, value tablet at the base and a crown at the top – a three quarter portrait was used for the first time. However, subsequent designs reverted to the standard profile. The UK's first commemorative stamps were issued for the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. The pair of large-format stamps featured a lion in an imposing stance; they were issued twice, in 1924 and then in 1925,
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2478-520: The postal reforms of 1839–1840 it was most common for the recipient to pay the postage, although it was generally optional to prepay the charge within the British Isles. In 1661, Charles II made Henry Bishop the first Postmaster General . In answer to customer complaints about delayed letters, Bishop introduced the Bishop mark , a small circle with month and day inside, applied at London, in
2537-491: The respective countries, the Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh issues are valid throughout the United Kingdom. The Channel Islands (since 1969) and Isle of Man (since 1973) now issue their own stamps which are not valid anywhere else. The United Kingdom has introduced postal services throughout the world and has often made use of British definitives bearing local overprints. Christmas stamp A Christmas stamp
2596-499: The rest of the world, Christmas stamps are "working stamps" that will be used in large numbers to send greeting cards and postcards. Accordingly, the stamps tend to be normal-sized, and offered in one or a few denominations, for instance to cover differing domestic and international rates. The choice of designs is highly variable, ranging from an overtly religious image of the Nativity , to secular images of Christmas trees , wreaths , Santa Claus , and so forth. A country may maintain
2655-489: The same identifying letters in reverse. On 1 April 1864, the stamp was issued with the plate number engraved in the design, in the left and right side lace work. At this time, the stars in the top corners were also replaced with the same check letters as used in the lower corners, but in reverse order. Because of wear, over 400 different plates were used to print the Penny Red. Two different basic watermarks were used for
2714-571: The sheet inspired trials with rouletting (the Archer Roulette ), and then with perforation , which became standard practice in 1854. In 1847, the (octagonal) 1 shilling (£0.05) became the first of the British embossed postage stamps to be issued, followed by 10d stamps the following year, and 6d (£0.025) values in 1854. Surface-printed stamps first appeared in the form of a 4d stamp in 1855, printed by De La Rue , and subsequently became
2773-698: The sheet size was changed to 200 (20 rows of 10 stamps), making the lowest value denomination (half new penny) one pound per sheet. The sheets had no perforations and stamps had to be cut from the sheet using scissors, as with the Penny Black and the early printings of the Two pence blue . Each stamp had unique letters AA, AB etc. in its lower corners, so that its position on the plate could be identified: The upper corners were occupied by stars. Perforations, in an experimental gauge 16, first came into use in 1850 and were officially adopted in 1854, also in gauge 16. The experimental perforated issue can be distinguished from
2832-742: The stamps of each year being inscribed with the year of issue. A second set of commemoratives in 1929 marked the 9th Congress of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), held in London that year. Following the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, responsibility for posts and telegraphs transferred to the new Provisional Government . Upon the formal independence of the Irish Free State in December 1922, and then transferred to
2891-554: The standard type. 1 ⁄ 2 d ( halfpenny ) and 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 d (penny halfpenny – pronounced pennyhaypny or threehaypence) engraved stamps issued in 1870 were the last engraved types of Queen Victoria; the next would not appear until 1913. Surface-printed stamps of the 1860s and 1870s all used the same profile of Victoria, but a variety of frames, watermarks, and corner lettering. A 5-shilling (abbreviated as 5/- or 5s) (£0.25) stamp first appeared in 1867, followed by 10 shilling (£0.50) and £1 values in 1878, culminating in
2950-452: The work by the process of steel engraving, and the head of the Queen as engraved by William Wyon for a special medal struck to celebrate Her Majesty's official visit to the City of London in the year of her Coronation." The stamp was originally for use only within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and as such was, in effect, a local stamp. For this reason the name of the country
3009-642: Was auctioned for £495,000. The era of the Penny Red came to its close at the end of 1879, along with Perkins Bacon's contract. It was superseded by the Penny Venetian Red printed by De La Rue , which was in use for a little over a year before being succeeded in turn by the long-lived Penny Lilac . Since then, the stamp has become in demand amongst stamp collectors . Postage stamps and postal history of Great Britain Postage stamps and postal history of Great Britain surveys postal history from
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#17327659921983068-477: Was charged regardless of distance. From December 1839, letters could arrive at any address in the United Kingdom. The flat postage rate went into effect on 5 December 1839 but only lasted for 36 days. This was immediately successful, and on 10 January 1840 the Uniform Penny Post started, charging only 1d for prepaid letters and 2d if the fee was collected from the recipient. Fixed rates meant that it
3127-648: Was eventually resolved by the Postal Service issuing some of each per year; typically a group of 4–6 related secular designs, plus a religious design (usually depicting the Madonna and Child ). To avoid difficulties attendant upon contracting for original designs with a religious theme, the latter have typically been adapted from Old Master paintings hanging in U.S. galleries, thus qualifying as depictions of art. (In 2012, 2014, and 2016, however, religious-themed stamps were issued featuring original designs depicting
3186-412: Was introduced during this time (this type of paper can be detected by rubbing the surface with silver, which leaves a black mark). By contrast, the stamps of George V were innovative from the very first. The first issue made was of the 1 ⁄ 2 d and 1d values, which were in the same colours as used in the previous reign. Although the main design feature remained the same – a central ellipse for
3245-485: Was issued in that year, inscribed "POSTAGE AND INLAND REVENUE". This stamp remained the standard letter stamp for the remainder of Victoria's reign, and vast quantities were printed. Later issues were inscribed POSTAGE & REVENUE which became the more familiar POSTAGE REVENUE. 1883 and 1884 saw experimentation with stamps using fugitive inks with the 'Lilac and Green Issue' . These were rather plain designs, low values in lilac and high values in green, because those were
3304-532: Was marked with a commemorative: part of an omnibus issue which included every colony in the Empire. New definitives featured a profile of the King on a solid colour background, based on a plaster cast by Edmund Dulac . This was a precursor of the Machins three decades later: see below. The century of the postage stamp was celebrated in 1940 with a set of six stamps depicting Victoria and George VI side by side. By
3363-464: Was not included within the design, a situation which continued by agreement with foreign post offices, provided the sovereign's effigy appeared on the stamp. Envelopes sold with postage paid did not include this, so were marked with the country's name. In 1951, the special commemorative issue for the Festival of Britain included the name "Britain" incidentally. It could therefore be said that the name of
3422-429: Was practical to avoid handling money to send a letter by using an "adhesive label", and accordingly, on 6 May, the Penny Black became the world's first postage stamp in use. After more than 2,000 suggestions were submitted, Rowland Hill chose the method and printer, and worked by trial and error to achieve the required result. He decided to go with Perkins, Bacon & Petch , "a firm of bank-note printers, to carry out
3481-483: Was readily visible on a Penny Red. Initially, some of the same plates used to print the Penny Black were used to print the Penny Red. About 21 billion Penny Reds were printed by Messrs. Perkins, Bacon & Co . The stamps were printed in sheets of 240 (20 rows of 12 stamps), so one row cost 1 shilling and a complete sheet one pound . This configuration of 240 stamps per sheet continued with all low-value British postage stamps issued until decimalisation in 1971, when
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