Telling the story of the first postage stamps
The Glasgow Stamp Shop has unveiled two unique books which showcase the history of stamps
Shining a spotlight on the industry
Tuesday, 30 Apr 2024 14:31 GMT
Gordon Carroll [centre] with the new Penny Black book
The Glasgow Stamp Shop, a Scotland-based stamp store with the largest display of stamps in the UK, has launched two books containing genuine original stamps that date back to the origins of the postal product.
The books contain stamps like the Penny Black, the Penny Red, and two versions of the Two Penny Blue.
In the early Victorian era, the Post Office introduced the Penny Red and the Tuppeny Blue after concerns people were re-using the Penny Blacks. The stamps are featured in the first book – The World’s First Postage Stamps 1840-1841: The Personal Collection.
The Penny Black features all 12 versions of the world’s first stamp with the plates used to produce them.
Both books detail the introduction of stamps as a form of receipt and how they went from a British invention to a globally used product. Available from The Glasgow Stamp Shop in high-quality editions the company believes the titles will appeal to non-specialists and enthusiasts.
Austin Carroll holding the new books
Gordon Carroll, owner of the Glasgow Stamp Show (a name which has existed since 1908), says the idea came from his son Austin who has been involved in the business for a number of years.
“Austin thought it would be great to have a book or some presentation of the stamps, so that while a collector can appreciate what it is, a non-collector can also understand the historical significance of the Penny Black.”
Though millions of Penny Blacks were printed, most were thrown away as they were seen as worthless, yet surviving remnants of the print runs can now be worth a fortune.
Carroll says: “The Personal Collection is essentially a stamp album, with four original genuine Victorian stamps and a lot of explanatory text. It has never been done before and a lot of experts cannot now imagine why not.
“People are very, very interested. A layperson can pick up the book and it will make sense to them. It is not too technical, or in-depth – it is not meant to be.”
At his premises in central Glasgow Carroll manages a full online marketplace as well as providing valuations for stamps, postcards, large collections, coins, and banknotes.
[L to R] Gordon and Austin Carroll at Glasgow
Stamp Shop
Carroll concludes: “Both books are based on a finite resource – Victorian stamps, of which there is not an endless supply - so, like everything else in life, there can be no guarantee of increased value but we believe they will appeal to investors who recognise two unique, legacy productions.”
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