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There's no doubting the significance of a Penny Black
Quite simply, this is the most important stamp 'proof' in existence.
This is the master for the world's very first postage stamp, the Penny Black.
This proof was printed in March 1840, two months before the Penny Black was released to the world. It marked the start of a revolution in communication in Britain and across the Empire.
Remarkable enough already, but when I tell you that only 5 of these exist, it becomes even more remarkable.
More so, when I let you know that only 2 are available privately, an Earl of Crawford example (which is blighted by faults) and this one – a beautiful example in exceptional condition.
The only other three examples are locked away in institutional collections. The Queen has two of them and the other is in the National Postal Museum.
This is the master die proof of the world's first postage stamp, the Penny Black. A stamp that revolutionised the world. A Victorian version of the internet if you will.
By the end of 1840, its first year of issue, over 160 million letters had been sent, doubling the number from the the previous year. And they were being sent all over the world. All because of the Penny Black.
Interestingly though, the Penny Black had been intended for domestic use only. As a result, nobody thought to add "Great Britain" to the stamp's design. That started a tradition that remains to this day.
If you look at a stamp from any other country you will see its name printed on the stamp. That's not the case for British stamps though.
I hear the Penny Black referenced all the time. When I tell people that I work for Stanley Gibbons they invariably mention that they used to have a Penny Black once – it's like Americans claiming Irish ancestry!
I usually don't have the heart to tell them that Penny Blacks aren't actually that rare with over 68 million printed and that true value and longevity comes from rarity and condition.
There's no doubting the significance of a Penny Black though.
It's also Mike Hall's, our Chief Executive's, favourite stamp. Although I think the romance of it is coupled with the investment potential he sees in it…
He refers to the Penny Black as "the most obvious investment in stamps" and it's easy to see why, with the value of a fine unused example showing an average annual compound growth of 11% over the last decade or so.
So what's the investment potential of this master proof of the Penny Black?
This remarkable item has doubled in value in a little over 5 years. It was catalogued at £175,000 in 2006 and is available today for £350,000. Who knows what it will be worth when our experts value it for our next catalogue.
It can be yours today for £350,000 and as both one of the ultimate prestige collectibles and as a store of wealth.
Keith Heddle - Investment Director- Stanley Gibbons Group
