GB Stamps Directory
Great Britain Postage Stamps Websites
Queen Victoria postage stamps
Great British Queen Victoria Stamps Issued 1840 to 1900 
Queen Victoria Stamps
Ask most people what the first Stamp ever issued in the World was and most will answer the Great British Penny Black. Go onto most general knowledge based websites, same answer.
This is actually only half true and depends on how you define the question, as the 2d Blue was issued on the same day. The 6 May 1840 was where it all started for stamp collectors. Again this is only a half truth. If you have large pockets you can actually find earlier posted stamps.
Line Engraved Stamps 1840-1879
This is when the penny black was introduced. There were other stamps but most people know of only this one!
Queen Victoria's head was used on the stamps. This practice of using the reigning monarchs' head or image is still used today for all GB stamps and as long as this is the case, the Universal Postal Union agreed that Great British stamps do not need to have our Country name on them.
We are the only country in the world not to have our name on. So, if you find a stamp with no country name, then it is British.
Surface Printed Stamps 1855-1900
As the Embossed issues were so unsatisfactory, it was decided to produce stamps using the Surface Printed method. The contract for the production of these stamps with values of 2d and above was given to Thomas De La Rue.
The Line Engraved issues below 2d continued to be printed by Perkins, Bacon and Co. until 1880.
After 1880 De La Rue printed all GB stamps until the latter part of Edward 7th reign. In this printing process, the technique is basically the reverse of Line Engraved whereby the recessed parts of the plate transfer varying amounts or no ink to the paper depending on how deep the recess is cut.
links to relevant websites
www.postagestampsdirectory.com
Stamp Paradise Philatelic directory