The 'first' mail sent using a stamp to be auctioned
Sotheby's is gearing up to auction a historic piece of mail in New York next month, featuring the first known use of the Penny Black stamp. Dated May 2, 1840, the envelope was sent from London to William Blenkinsop Jr., a 35-year-old manager of Victorian iron works in Bedlington. The stamp and accompanying Mulready letter sheet are expected to fetch between $1.5 million and $2.5 million, potentially making it one of the most valuable pieces of postal history ever auctioned.
Penny Black stamp revolutionized postal service
The Penny Black stamp was created by Sir Rowland Hill as a way to simplify the complicated and costly postal rates of the time, which were paid by the recipient. First available for purchase on May 1, 1840, the stamp featured a young Queen Victoria and allowed a letter weighing half an ounce (14 grams) to be sent anywhere within the UK for just one British penny. The system was a huge success and was soon adopted worldwide.
Mulready envelope: a failed prepaid postage solution
In addition to the Penny Black stamp, the Mulready envelope was introduced as another prepaid postage option. Designed by artist William Mulready, it showcased intricate illustrations representing the British Empire. However, the public mocked the design, and it never gained popularity. After receiving the letter, Blenkinsop Jr. turned the envelope inside out and refashioned it into a Mulready before sending it to Mr. Blenkinsop (possibly his father) in Dalston, Cumbria.
Significance of May 2, 1840 date
The date on the envelope, May 2, 1840, is significant because the Penny Black stamp wasn't supposed to be used until May 6, 1840. Both sides of the envelope still have the stamped dates they were sent: first on May 2 and then on May 4. Sotheby's notes that any versions of the Penny Black stamp from May 1840 are considered highly collectible.
Sotheby's 'The One' auction features diverse items
The Penny Black envelope will be part of Sotheby's "The One" auction, which features a variety of rare and valuable items. Among them are six championship sneakers worn by Michael Jordan, valued at up to $10 million, and the Hope Cup, a unique vase carved from the largest block of jasper, expected to fetch up to $2.5 million. The auction highlights exceptional works from the 13th century to the present day.
