The story of how Britain invented the postage stamp and, in doing so, changed the world.

Prior to the introduction of the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp, postage was expensive and paid by the recipient, not the sender.

Delivery was charged based on the miles travelled and the number of sheets of paper used. The recipient would typically be faced with a charge of several pounds. It was not unusual for delivery to fail because the recipient could not afford to pay.

The Penny Black changed all this and made sending letters affordable to everyone. It revolutionised communication. At the time, many Victorians were illiterate, and the Penny Black gave an entire generation new reason to learn to read and write. It also contributed to the expansion of commerce, banking and industry across Britain.

The result was an increase in postal traffic from 75 million to 410 million in under 10 years. It also marked the beginning of one of the biggest and most absorbing hobbies ever to captivate the world.

Rowland Hill was the driving force. He wrote extensively on the need for postal reform, in the belief that a cheaper system would encourage greater use and, in time, increase overall profits.

Following a national competition in 1839, none of the roughly 2,600 entries submitted was considered suitable. Instead, a design was adopted featuring a profile of Queen Victoria, drawing on Hill's own concept, first put forward in 1837, for "a bit of paper just large enough to bear the stamp, and covered at the back with a glutinous wash".

On 20th February 1840, Queen Victoria approved the finished design for the Penny Black. The stamps went on sale on 1st May 1840 but were not authorised for postal usage until 6th May 1840.

The Penny Black represents a landmark in British and worldwide history. Since their introduction, British postage stamps have evolved alongside the nation itself, reflecting advances in printing technology, changing monarchs, imperial expansion, world wars and social change.

The Evolution of British Stamps Collection showcases the history and evolution of British stamp production, telling the story of British history over the past two centuries through the lens of miniature works of art.

This remarkable story is showcased through 33 carefully curated stamps spanning the reigns of six monarchs from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II.

The collection begins with the world’s first postage stamp the Penny Black and traces the development of Britain’s postal system through iconic issues including:

• The world’s first perforated stamps
• The majestic Victorian high values
• The first commemorative stamp issue
• The legendary Seahorses issued on the eve of World War I
• The King’s Prussian Blue error - the most famous colour error
• The most visual of stamp errors occurring from mistakes in the printing process
• The enduring Queen Elizabeth II Machin series which carried Britain’s mail for more than half a century

Each item of this carefully curated collection has been chosen not simply for its rarity or value, but because it represents a milestone in the evolution of British stamp design, production, security, usage or collecting. Together they form a coherent narrative that transforms a stamp collection into a journey through British history and innovation.

The collection contains many of the most famous and desirable stamps ever issued by Great Britain, including examples that are among the finest available to collectors today. Several are major rarities in their own right, while others illustrate important technological developments. Overall, the collection provides a carefully balanced selection of classic rarities, iconic designs and historical milestones.

The collection has a value, based on the industry-standard Stanley Gibbons catalogue values, of £67,640. The collection is available to acquire in its entirety for the price of £60,000, providing an 11% discount to market values.

The Evolution of British Stamps Collection offers a unique opportunity to acquire a museum grade display of British philately in a single acquisition.