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Postage stamps were first
introduced in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in May 1,
1840 as part of the postal reforms promoted by Rowland Hill. With its
introduction the postage fee was now to be paid by the sender and not
the recipient as heretofore, though sending mail prepaid was not a
requirement.
The first postage stamp,
the Penny Black, while put on sale on the 1st of May, was postally valid
blue was issued. Both stamps show an engraving of the young Queen
Victoria and were an immediate success though refinements, like
perforations were instituted with later issues. At the time of the Penny
Black, there was no reason to include the United Kingdom's name on the
stamp, and it remains the case as the UK is the only country that does
not identify itself on its stamps.
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