AR / ITEM / 00100539
Maker unknown
A first-day wrapper bearing ten Penny Blacks, acquired for the Royal Philatelic Collection in 2001.
No photograph available.
This wrapper preserves ten Penny Blacks used on 6 May 1840, the first day on which the world’s first adhesive postage stamp was valid for postage. It is known as the Kirkcudbright cover. Queen Elizabeth II acquired it for the Royal Philatelic Collection in 2001. The Royal Household subsequently selected it for an exhibition at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum beginning on 6 April 2004. Its significance lies in the first-day use and the large franking preserved on one wrapper, rather than simply being an example of the Penny Black issue.
6 May 1840
Used on the Penny Black’s first dayA
The wrapper bears ten Penny Blacks used on their first valid day.
2001
Acquired for the Royal Philatelic CollectionA
Queen Elizabeth II acquired the cover.
6 April 2004
Royal collection exhibition opened in WashingtonA
The cover was selected for the National Postal Museum exhibition.
Royal Household: Royal Philatelic Collection exhibition in America
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