In 1840, Great Britain issued the world's very first postage stamp. Being first, they didn't print "Great Britain" on the stamps for identification. (All other countries do!) And the tradition of omitting the country name continues today. Instead, Great Britain stamps show the reigning monarch. Queen Victoria appeared on the world's first adhesive stamp. Later stamps have shown King Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI, Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II.