Another surprise came with the research I conducted on this particular historical item. I had no idea that postage stamps originated in Europe. The Penny Black stamp was originally issued while Queen Victoria was in reign. Since she was such a prominent figure, the Penny Black stamp used her portrait as its symbol.

A great way to tell if a Penny Black stamp is real is to check which direction the queen is facing on the face of the item. She should be facing to the left. Also, every one of these well sought after historical items should have letters in the lower corners.

I’m a little fuzzy about the details but the letters have something to do with the order that the stamps were printed. These letters on the Penny Black stamp are useful in identifying an original but the various numbers are equally valuable. There are no current demands for stamps bearing certain numbers.

While reading up on the Penny Black stamp I came across another tidbit of information that was really interesting to me. Traditionally, the person receiving the mail would pay the postage. It wasn’t until the Penny Black stamp was invented that the person sending the mail prepaid for the voyage.

The notion of the receiver paying for the mail is really interesting to me because it shows how much the postal system has changed over the years. We have seen many developments when it comes to sending messages. Notes are reaching destinations in record time and there is little wait for any item that is shipped through the mail.

I think that the appeal of the Penny Black stamp is its connection to another time and place when letters were carefully thought out and treasured by the recipient who was more than willing to pay the postage. The whole thing makes me want to sit down and write some letters instead of sending emails.

Imagination and play go hand-in-hand. Your child’s imagination will run wild through this huge toy dollhouse. The Barbie Dream House offers just about every detail that you could possibly want in a tool for building imaginative play for your child. This is a favorite toy for many girls.

The Barbie Dream Home affords much of the luxury of details through its relatively large size. The item offers three stories of fun for your child to enjoy. My daughter is in a virtual dream land when she plays with this massive dollhouse. She spends hours and hours playing with this, her most favorite toy on the planet.

I decided to invest in this toy when I saw my daughter desperately trying to make a home for her dolls. She would use makeshift items that just didn’t do the trick. While I was impressed by her efforts, I just wasn’t thrilled by how seemingly disappointed she was in her projects. Empty boxes, shoes and towels go only so far. She really needed something more.

And boy, did she get something more. Actually, she got more with the Barbie Dream House than I could possibly imagine. I was initially taken back by the massive size of the unit. This impressive doll house offers plenty of room for Barbie and all of her friends. It also offers plenty of room for enjoyment.

Many dollhouses have a few rooms that are cramped and difficult to navigate. I remember playing with my dollhouse as a child and feeling pretty claustrophobic in the process. The open design of the Barbie Doll House is ideal for getting little hands in and out of the structure. Space is definitely not an issue when it comes to this roomy toy.

There are plenty of rooms in the Barbie Doll house that have knock-out details that your little one will love. I am taken back by the many sights and sounds that this thoughtful toy offers. Details include everything from songs on the intercom to a sizzling stovetop and a doorbell. Amazing how much enjoyment comes with an item that stands three feet in height.