Penny Black VR official Penny Black VR official The VR official was one of three postage stamps introduced by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in May 1840 for the pre-payment of postage. While the Penny Black and the Two Pence Blue were for use by the general public, as were the Mulready envelopes and letter sheets, the VR official was for use on official mail. In appearance the VR Official was the same as the issued Penny Black except that the Maltese crosses in the top corners were removed and replaced by the letters V and R, hence its common name.
Penny knife Penny knife The penny knife dates from the 18th century and was a very basic utility knife, originally with a fixed blade. It received the name "penny knife" for what it reportedly cost in England and America during the late 18th century: one penny. The famous "Fuller's Penny Knife" helped build the reputation of Sheffield, England, cutlers in the pre-industrial era of the early 18th century. The "penny knife" would later evolve into a very simple, mass-produced pocketknife with a folding blade, which pivoted freely in and out of the handle without a backspring or other device to hold it