Two Penny Blue: The World's Second Official Postage Stamp
In the early days of the postal revolution, the United Kingdom introduced a system that would change global communication forever. Following the debut of the Penny Black, the Two Penny Blue (also known colloquially as the Tuppenny Blue) emerged as the world's second official postage stamp. This iconic blue label served as a vital tool for the British postal system, offering a higher value for heavier correspondence.
Key Facts
- Country of Origin: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
- Official Issue Date: 6 May 1840.
- Subject: Queen Victoria.
- Face Value: 2d (Two Pence).
- Weight Limit: Up to one full ounce.
- Perforation: None (imperforate).
Origins and Initial Production
The Two Penny Blue was designed to complement the Penny Black. While the Penny Black allowed letters weighing up to half an ounce to be sent anywhere within Britain or Ireland, the Two Penny Blue extended this limit to a full ounce, making it ideal for double-rate letters.
Initial printing began on 1 May 1840, utilizing two plates to produce a total of 6,460,000 stamps by 29 August. The stamps were officially valid for postage starting 6 May 1840, the same day they first went on sale to the public at the London Inland Revenue office. Aside from the denomination and color, the design was identical to the Penny Black, as both were struck from the same die.
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The Evolution of the Design
The history of the Two Penny Blue is divided into two primary phases: the original 1840 issue and the revised 1841 issue. The original printing plates were destroyed in 1843, which has contributed to these early copies becoming significantly rarer and more expensive for collectors than the Penny Black.
The 'White Lines Added' Issue
As the postal service revised stamp colors, they adopted red-brown for the penny value and a new blue ink for the two pence value. Because the new ink looked nearly identical to the original 1840 issue, officials introduced a distinguishing feature: a horizontal line at the top and bottom of the label. This modification, known as the white lines added issue, allowed postal workers to easily identify the newer printings.
Production of these revised stamps began on 27 February 1841, and they were released for sale in March. These later versions are more common than the original 1840 printing. Over the course of the 1840–1880 series, a total of 15 plates were used, resulting in various differences in paper, watermarks, and type variations.
Technical Specifications Summary
| Feature | Original Issue (1840) | Revised Issue (1841) |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 6 May 1840 | March 1841 |
| Visual Marker | No horizontal lines | White lines at top and bottom |
| Rarity | Significantly rarer | More common |
| Plates Used | Plates 1 and 2 | Part of 15-plate series (1840-80) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Penny Black and the Two Penny Blue?
The primary differences are the face value (1d vs 2d), the color (black vs blue), and the weight limit they covered. The Penny Black was for letters up to half an ounce, while the Two Penny Blue covered letters up to one full ounce.
Why is the Two Penny Blue rarer than the Penny Black?
The original 1840 printing plates for the Two Penny Blue were destroyed in 1843, making surviving copies of the first issue highly sought after and more expensive than the Penny Black.
What does 'white lines added issue' mean?
It refers to the 1841 revision of the stamp where horizontal lines were added to the top and bottom of the design to distinguish the new blue ink printings from the original 1840 issue.
Who is depicted on the Two Penny Blue stamp?
The stamp depicts Queen Victoria, using the same die as the Penny Black.
Were the Two Penny Blue stamps perforated?
No, the Two Penny Blue stamps were produced without perforations, meaning they had to be cut from the sheet with scissors.