The Surface printed stamps were introduced in 1855 and
replaced the high value (6d, 10d and 1s) embossedvalues 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 in 1855 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.
| No corner letters (SG 62-73) 1855-57 |
| Small, white corner letters (SG 75-91) 1862 |
| Large, white corner letters (SG92-137) 1865-83 |
| Large, coloured corner letters (SG138-163) 1873-83 |
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.
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