I was inspired to create the Penny Black stencil as I liked the idea of reviving an obsolete and forgotten everyday object from the past and reminding people of the importance of the postal service in the past.
"The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was issued in Britain on 1 May 1840, for official use from 6 May of that year.
All London post offices received official issues of the new stamps but other offices throughout the United Kingdom did not, continuing to accept postage payments in cash only for a period. Post offices such as those in Bath began offering the stamp unofficially after 2 May.
The idea of an adhesive stamp to indicate pre-payment of postage was part of Sir Rowland Hill's 1837 proposals to reform the British postal system; it was normal then for the recipient to pay postage on delivery. A companion idea, which Hill disclosed on 13 February 1837 at a government enquiry, was that of a separate sheet that folded to form an enclosure or envelope for carrying letters. At that time postage was charged by the sheet and on the distance travelled"-Wikipedia
I am a big fan of writing letters to friends as it is so much more satisfying to sit down and reflect upon what is happening around you, not often considered when you write a message on Facebook. It is considered slightly nostalgic to sit and write letters nowadays but I think it is still important and relevant today. Social media has almost taken the personal touch out of communicating with friends.
