The Two Pence Blue, Great Britain issued the world’s first postage stamp - The Penny Black - on May 6, 1840. Two days Later, on May 8, The Two Pence / Penny Blue was first issued in the English post office. It was the world’s second Postage Stamp. The Two Pence Blue stamp paid the postage for letters weighing between one - half and one ounce. It features a design identical to that of the Penny Black, other than the inscription “ Two Pence “. In addition, it was printed in blue instead of black. The Two Pence Blue was engraved by Charles and Frederick Heath and printed by Perkins, Bacon & Petch ( Later Perkins, Bacon & Company ). The portrait of Queen Victoria was based on medal engraved by English coin designer William Wyon when Victoria was a 15 year old princess. Victoria ascended the throne in 1837 at the age of 18. Each stamp sheet contained 240 stamps ( 20 rows of 12 stamps ), and the letters in the bottom left right corners identify each stamp’s unique position on the sheet. The Stamps were issued without perforations, so they were cut from the sheet with scissors or knife at the post office. The original Two Pence Blue stamp was replaced with a modified design in March 1841. Due to the short issue period and infrequent postal use, the 1840 - 1841 Two Pence Blue is one of the scarcest Stamps in the world. This Two Pence Blue is a genuine example of the world’s second postage stamp. It was officially postmarked during postal use, more than 165 years ago.