<P> In 1837 , British postal rates were high , complex and anomalous . To simplify matters , Sir Rowland Hill proposed an adhesive stamp to indicate pre-payment of postage . At the time it was normal for the recipient to pay postage on delivery , charged by the sheet and on distance travelled . By contrast , the Penny Black allowed letters of up to ⁄ ounce ( 14 grams ) to be delivered at a flat rate of one penny , regardless of distance . </P>
who created the very first adhesive postage stamp and what year
Sir Rowland Hill 1837