The Penny Black turns 170 years old

This year 170 years ago the world’s first adhesive stamp, the Penny Black, was introduced in Britain by the famous reformer, Rowland Hill, being gone first on sale in London on May 1 1840.

Penny Black’s impact on society was remarkable. Despite the Penny Black stamp is not a rare item, it has totally changed the world, making a revolution in the communication systems.

By the end of 1840, more than 160m letters had been sent, doubling the previous year’s figure. By the turn of the century, the figure had rocketed to 2.3 billion.

The Penny Black is readily available on the collectors' market; a used stamp in poor condition can cost as little as £10 ($20); in 2000, a used stamp in fine condition cost about £110, an unused example about £1,600, with prices steadily rising.