Postage stamp prepaying. From when the first postage stamps were used, postmarks were applied to prevent the stamps being used again. The first stamp, the "Penny black", became available for purchase 1 May 1840, to be valid as of 6 May 1840. Two days later, 8 May 1840, the Two penny blue was introduced. The Penny black was sufficient for a letter less than half an ounce to be sent anywhere within the UK. Both stamps included an engraving of the young Queen Victoria, without perforations, as the first stamps were separated from their sheets by cutting them with scissors. The first
Jamaica 6d abolition of slavery postage stamp their possession along with about 740 stamps distributed via the Universal Postal Union. Two blocks of four were preserved; one block being given to King George V while the other became part of the official collection held at the General Post Office in Kingston. This block mysteriously disappeared from the Post Office's vaults and reappeared sometime later as four singles. As the stamp was so close to issuance, specimens were sent to the Universal Postal Union as usual, a number of which survive. Jamaica 6d abolition of slavery postage stamp The Jamaica 6d abolition of slavery postage stamp was prepared