updates | April 21, 2026

When was the Penny Post introduced to Britain?

1765
In 1765, Parliament authorized the creation of Penny Posts in any town or city of the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland. The single postage rate of one penny was charged within the area, calculated by weight.

When did the universal penny post start?

However, before that could be introduced other aspects of his reforms had to be implemented. The most important of these was a uniform charge based upon weight. Although the goal was uniform penny postage, the first change was on 5 December 1839 to a uniform fourpenny post.

When did Penny post end?

9 January 1840
The Fourpenny Post lasted only from 5 December 1839 to 9 January 1840 and markings were applied mostly by handwriting. The Uniform Penny Post came into force on 10 January 1840, and Rowland Hill was proved right.

During which British monarch’s reign was the penny post instituted?

In 1680 William Dockwra established the London Penny Post, a mail delivery system that delivered letters and parcels weighing up to one pound within the city of London and some of its immediate suburbs for the sum of one penny.

Who discovered the idea of penny post?

William Dockwra
Penny Post, private postal service created by the London merchant William Dockwra in 1680. All letters and packets up to one pound in weight were delivered for one penny (1 d).

How much is a Penny Black?

However, in 2019, a Penny Black can cost as little as £15 to £30 if it’s in poor to reasonable condition. You might have to pay between £40 to £150 for a specimen of better quality, whereas a fine used example could fetch around £250 to £400.

Who introduced the penny post?

merchant William Dockwra

Who invented the Penny Black stamp?

Proposing an adhesive stamp to indicate pre-payment of postage – with the first being the Penny Black – in 1840, the first year of Penny Post, the number of letters sent in the UK more than doubled. Within 10 years, it had doubled again….Rowland Hill.

Sir Rowland Hill, KCB
AwardsAlbert Medal (1864)
Signature

Who introduced penny post?

What is the meaning of penny postage?

1a : a postal system carrying a letter for a penny: (1) : a system established in London about 1680. (2) : the former system of Great Britain established in 1840. (3) : a local mail service in colonial America carrying letters from post office to addressee.

How much is an original Penny Black stamp worth?

You might have to pay between £40 to £150 for a specimen of better quality, whereas a fine used example could fetch around £250 to £400. Obviously, an unused Penny Black which is in ‘mint’ or ‘very fine’ condition is worth considerably more – ranging from around £1250 to five or six-figure sums.