The 1890 Penny Postage Jubilee

John Davies’s enthusiasm for this collecting area was inspired by the exhibit in the Court of Honour at Stamp World London ’90. It featured parts of the collection of the late Francis Kiddle RDP, which he later acquired. At the time, having seen the reproductions of the original commemorative postal stationery (shown below) that were also contained in the exhibition catalogue, he purchased the souvenir reproductions of the 1890 postal stationery which were available separately and copies of the original card and envelope which I sent to myself as a memento of the 1990 exhibition. 

From such small beginnings, the story unfolded…
In 1889 a general opinion was expressed that the fiftieth anniversary of the introduction of Uniform Penny Postage in Great Britain “ought not to be allowed to pass without some indication of the feelings which must actuate all who looked back at the great reform introduced in 1840”.

Before 1840, postage was both complicated and expensive with the costs normally borne by the recipient. A visit from the postman was rarely welcomed. By 1890, the use of the postal service had soared. By way of example: in 1840 the number of letters sent in London each day was 112,140. By 1890, it had grown to over two million. The benefits to education, the economy and social intercourse were substantial.

The year began with a Penny Postage Jubilee Dinner on 15 January with nearly 300 gentlemen present including the Postmaster General, Henry Cecil Raikes. Other major events took place including an Exhibition at the Guildhall organised by the City Corporation of London from 16 May to 19 May, visited by over 20,000 people, and other regional exhibitions. There was an official Post Office celebration in the form of a grand Conversazione at South Kensington Museum on 2 July when nearly 4,000 people attended. A number of innovative displays and exhibits were assembled for these events.

Arrangements were made for various Jubilee celebrations to be held in 1890. Although plans for a commemorative stamp were initiated, they were later abandoned. 

They were important in GB philately for the introduction of the first commemorative postal stationery and the first decorative special event handstamps. The Jubilee envelope was imitated in the same way as the original Mulready envelope fifty years earlier. The events also led to the use of special event cancellations and cachets which could also be applied by favour, thereby establishing the practice of the “philatelic souvenir”.

John’s exhibit was shown at Europhilex and was awarded a Large Gold Medal (96 points), was Best in the Open Class and was a candidate for the Grand Prix National.
Part of the collection can be viewed on line at the Museum of Philately website:www.museumofphilately.com