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Did you know on 1 May 1840 the Penny Black became the adhesive first postage stamp to be used in a public postal system?

Although first issued in Great Britain on 1 May 1840, it wasn't valid for use until 6 May 1840.

Its introduction was thanks to Sir Rowland Hill who first proposed the idea of an adhesive stamp in 1837. At this time British postal rates were high, complex and anomalous. It was normal for the recipient to pay postage on delivery, charged by the sheet and on distance travelled. By contrast, the Penny Black allowed letters of up to ¹⁄₂ ounce (14 grams) to be delivered at a flat rate of one penny, regardless of distance and the stamp would indicate pre-payment.

The new stamps featured a profile of Queen Victoria. 

What a long way post has come since this time!