The Birth of the Modern British Post
Long Live the Penny Red!
Introducing the Penny Red
This notice to all postmasters, issued by the General Post Office, introduced the new 1841 penny stamps and penny postal envelopes. Postmasters were to cancel the new stamps using a black ink composition. Specimens of the new Penny Red, Twopenny Blue and penny envelopes were enclosed to enable comparison against forgeries.
