Le premier timbre poste
The first postage stamp was issued on May 6, 1840 in England. This is the famous "black penny" with the effigy of Queen Victoria. The success was considerable; whereas in 1839 the English sent 82 million letters, two years later 170 million letters were exchanged. It was initiated by Sir Rowland Hill that its use was formalized as part of the reform of the British postal system which now charged the sender rather than the addressee.
