Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. In the 19th century, the introduction of the postage stamp revolutionized mail delivery. Before that, the recipient paid for the mail, which often led to refusal. The first adhesive stamp, the Penny Black, was issued in Britain in 1840. Interestingly, it featured a profile of Queen Victoria and was printed in black ink, hence its name. However, it was only valid for one day, which is why surviving examples are extremely rare. Now, let's look at how stamps evolved in other countries.