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Smithsonian sunburst Smithsonian National Postal Museum
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    Visit »

    Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
    (Closed December 25)

    Admission is always free!

    2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
    Washington, DC 20002

    The museum's main entrance is located on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. Other entrances have variable hours.

    street map of Postal museum

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The Queen’s Own
Stamps That Changed the World
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  • The Queen’s Own
  • The 1840 Twopenny Blue
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The 1840 Twopenny Blue

The World's First Postage Stamps

Refer to caption
Twopenny Blue die proof, April 1840

 

Refer to caption
Plate 1 Twopenny Blue, corner block, 1840

 

Refer to caption
The largest known surviving block of the Plate 1 printing of the 1840 Twopenny Blue. In mint condition, the 38-stamp block was purchased by King George V in the 1920s.

 

Refer to caption
Plate 2 Twopenny Blue, block of 12

The Queen’s Own

  • Introduction
  • Postal Reforms that Transformed the Mail
    • Treasury Competition
      • Pre-Treasury Competition
      • Essays and Related Designs
      • Winning Entries
    • The World's First Postage Stamps
      • Early Development
      • The 1840 Penny Black
      • The 1840 Twopenny Blue
    • Introducing the Penny Red
      • Rainbow Trials
      • Obliterating Trials
      • 1841 Penny Red
      • 1841 Twopenny Blue
    • Reform Goes Global
    • Mulready Stationery
      • Designs and Essays
      • Lettersheets and Envelopes
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    • Embossed Envelopes
      • Proofs and Essays
      • Issued Examples
  • Rarities
    • Special Rarities-Page One
    • Special Rarities-Page Two
  • Stamps to Mark a Coronation
    • Coronation Items
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    • Sponsors and Credits
      • Michael Sefi
      • Charles Goodwyn
  • Exhibition Outline
‹ The 1840 Penny Black up Introducing the Penny Red ›

HomeSmithsonian National Postal Museum

Visit »

Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Closed December 25)

Admission is always free!

2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20002

The museum's main entrance is located on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. Other entrances have variable hours.

street map of Postal museum

Learn more
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