160 pp. - colour ill. - hardbound with gold inscriptions and cover - 1st ed. 2013
English text

The development, introduction and usage of the very first stamps in the world, the Penny Black and the 2 Pence Blue, based on the remarkable exhibit from the outstanding collection of Alan Holyoake.
The exhibit starts with the pre-issue essays and other ephemera that preceded the stamps. Many of these exist in fewer than five examples, if not being unique in their own right. Besides the essays, original documents telling of the forthcoming issues are of major interest, along with the Official VR stamp. The Penny Black (Plates 1, 1a, 1b and 2) and 2d blue (Plate 1), along with the red prints from the 1d plate are all that are shown. The latter completes the picture of the progression of repair to the 1d plate. Uses, shades and varieties of both denominations available in the earliest years of philately add spice to the presentation.
It not only serves as a source of reference for the benefit of like-minded philatelists but, because it includes introductory material and a commentary at the beginning of each section, will also interest the general reader.