1873-83 (large coloured corner letters)
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The corner letters were changed from large white letters to large coloured letters in 1873 because it took workmen 220 hours to prepare the former, the new corner letters would be easier to produce. These stamps were superceded by the Unified Issue of 1883-4 |
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For colour changes see here
Display of the 2½d, 3d, 4d, 6d, and 1s surface-printed stamps
The Surface-printed stamps were introduced in 1855 and replaced the high value (6d, 10d and 1s) embossed values of 1847-54. The low value line engraved stamps continued until 1879. The Surface-printed stamps were printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co. The 4d value was first introduced to prepay letters to France and the die was engraved by Jean Ferdinand Joubert de la Ferté (1810-1884) a refugee from Napoleonic France. The surface-printed stamps of 1855-83 form four distinct families.
SG is the Stanley Gibbons catalogue number. These stamps have different watermarks, plate numbers, colours as well as design changes. The plate number is usually incorporated into the design. The stamps overprinted 'SPECIMEN' were usually sent to the postmaster as an example. Until 1879 the ½d, 1d, 1½ and 2d line-engraved stamps were still the main stamps used for letters and after 1870 for postcards (½d). Both line-engraved and surface-printed stamps were in use at the same time between 1855-1879. for summary of watermarks go here |