Two Penny Blue Stamp Value Guide

The 1840 Two Penny Blue is the world's second official postage stamp, issued alongside the Penny Black to support Rowland Hill's postal reforms. It is highly collectible for its historical significance as a pioneer of the uniform postal rate system and its iconic portrait of Queen Victoria.

What affects the value of Two Penny Blue Stamp?

• The presence and quality of the four margins surrounding the printed design.
• The type and color of the cancellation mark, with Maltese Cross cancels being standard.
• The overall physical condition of the 1840 paper and the clarity of the blue ink.
• The rarity of specific check letters found in the bottom corners of the stamp.

How to Identify Two Penny Blue Stamp?

• Verify the profile of Queen Victoria, which is based on a sketch by William Wyon.
• Check for the absence of white lines above and below the inscription, which distinguishes the 1840 original from the 1841 reissue.
• Examine the paper for the small crown watermark used in the initial 1840 production.
• Look for the 'Two Pence' denomination printed at the bottom of the stamp face.

History of Two Penny Blue Stamp

The Two Penny Blue was the world's second official postage stamp, issued in the United Kingdom in 1840, shortly after the Penny Black. It was introduced to facilitate the new postal system under the reforms of Rowland Hill, allowing for a uniform postal rate. The stamp features a profile of Queen Victoria, based on a sketch by William Wyon. While not as famous as its black counterpart, the Two Penny Blue is a significant philatelic item, marking an important step in postal history.