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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Is Penny Black - World's First Postage Stamp?

- © Dr.Satyendra Kumar Agrawal
Though the Penny Black of Great Britain, which went on sale on 1 May 1840 and became valid for postage on 6 May 1840 earned the reputation of being the “World’s First Adhesive Postage Stamp”, on 8 April 1653, in Paris, the Petite Poste organized by Renouard de Villayer, counselor of state, put out for sale small slips of paper affixed with a solution of isinglass. They are known as “billets de port paye” and were inscribed “Port payee…….le….jour de l’an 1653" meaning in English “Postage paid…….day of ….of the year 1653”.
Read full story in Issue No.53 of "ITS Stamp News"

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