British Mark Postal Stamp’s 150th Birthday

LONDON — The British postal service commemorated the 150th anniversary of Penny Black, the first adhesive postal stamp, introduced by Sir Robert Hill to organize British mail service and later adopted by the entire world.

To mark the anniversary Saturday, Sir Robert’s great grandson, the only surviving member of the Hill family, dressed as his great grandfather and actress Jennie Agutter portrayed Queen Victoria to kick off the World Stamp Exhibition in London, said a spokesman for the Royal Mail, the British postal service.

The Penny Black was one of two stamps introduced by Sir Robert on May 6, 1840, as part of a plan to charge a penny for each half-ounce of any letter sent within Britain or Ireland. He devised the plan after discovering that most letters sent by mail were not paid for.