Antique Victorian One Penny Red (JE) – Mounted, Original Plastic Wrapping

A genuine piece of postal history – this listing is for an original Victorian “One Penny Red” stamp, issued in the mid-19th century as the successor to the world’s first postage stamp, the Penny Black.
🔹 The Stamp:
• Denomination: One Penny
• Colour: Red-brown
• Letters in corners: “J – E”
• Cancelled with original postmark
• Imperforate example (cut to size, as issued prior to perforations)
• Housed within a mounted display
🔹 The Presentation:
The stamp is mounted on an informative display sheet titled “The World’s First Postage Stamp Design” which outlines the fascinating history of the Penny Red, its connection to the Penny Black, and details about printing plates and collectability.
Importantly, the item has never been removed from its original protective plastic wrapping, ensuring it remains exactly as originally presented and well preserved.
🔹 Historical Significance:
• First issued in 1841 to replace the Penny Black.
• Produced from 1841 until 1879, making it one of the longest-running definitive stamps in British history.
• Each stamp bore corner letters identifying its position in the sheet of 240 stamps.
• Scarcer plate numbers (e.g. Plate 77) have achieved extraordinary auction values.
🔹 Condition:
This is a used example with visible postmarking and signs of its postal journey, exactly as would be expected of an authentic stamp over 150 years old.