  ‘I’m used by everyone for letter transactions’
In ancient times, messages were
exchanged among countries through birds. They carried small notes on a
piece of paper rolled and tied to their legs or around their neck. These
were trained species.
Success depends in very large measure upon individual initiative and
exertion, and cannot be achieved except by a dint of hard work.
 Such a man was British-born educationist Sir Rowland Hill. He was
responsible for bringing me into this world. He invented the first stamp
which bore the profile of Queen Victoria in 1840, May 6. This is the day
I was born.
A bust of Queen Victoria with the crown was put out in England marked
‘1 pence’ and named ‘Penny Black’. A uniform tariff was introduced as
sending cost per letter which was a practice among the Royals and the
rich aristocrats in England. I was in my teens when my popularity rose
to international level. Britain became the only country in the world and
first to develop a stamp where the country’s name is not indicated on
it.
As I grew older, my authorities wanted to make me an international
star. So with the help of British Governor in Sri Lanka, Henry Woodgay
they introduced the ‘1 penny’ stamp to be used in Sri Lanka (then
Ceylon) which was a British Colony.
 When Sri Lanka gained independence from British rule, my image was
changed and pictures of eminent personalities were used. As my
popularity spread islandwide, they added more beautiful scenery and
cultural events of the island to my figure. My services were mostly
obtained by legal luminaries, bankers, government administrators, and
service men to name a few. To prove authenticity of a document or any
business or legal transaction, it has to be certified by me.
Even the young and the old use me for their letters. My popularity
mostly rises during the peak season of the New Year X’mas and Vesak full
moon day as well as Valentine’s day.
There are stamp collectors in the world who do it as a hobby and they
posses old stamps worth millions of rupees. Some keep first day covers
as treasures along with the latest stamps. To make life easy for the
postal worker, the stamps which were initially not perforated, but had
to be cut with scissors. Perforations were introduced in 1854 and the
practice continues up to now.
Australia has a stamp designed by one of our reputed cartoonists late
Aubrey Collette the only stamp in the world that bears the designer’s
signature. On the whole, stamp collecting has become a thrilling hobby
and many have become millionaires around the world.
- Tissa Hewavitarane
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