Three Halfpence Red
Encyclopedia
The Three Halfpence Red, first issued on 1 October 1870, was the first Three Halfpenny postage stamp
issued in the United Kingdom
.
The 1½d stamp was line engraved and featured the bust of
Queen Victoria
in profile common to the Penny Black
and Penny Red
, bordered by 'Postage Three Half Pence' and numbered in the corners. It was printed in rose-red and lake-red colours. There is also rare variation in rosy-mauve produced ten years earlier in 1860 in anticipation of a change in postal rates. The new rate was not approved and 10,000 sheets of the stamps were destroyed in 1867 but a few copies survive in unused condition.
A plate number was engraved in the design, in the left and right side lace work. The plates were numbered 1 and 3, plate 2 was defective and not completed.
The stamp was replaced in 1880 by the surface printed three halfpenny venetian red stamp.
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
issued in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
.
The 1½d stamp was line engraved and featured the bust of
Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
in profile common to the Penny Black
Penny Black
The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was issued in Britain on 1 May 1840, for official use from 6 May of that year....
and Penny Red
Penny Red
The Penny Red was a British postage stamp, issued in 1841. It succeeded the Penny Black and continued as the main type of postage stamp in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until 1879, with only minor changes to the design during that time...
, bordered by 'Postage Three Half Pence' and numbered in the corners. It was printed in rose-red and lake-red colours. There is also rare variation in rosy-mauve produced ten years earlier in 1860 in anticipation of a change in postal rates. The new rate was not approved and 10,000 sheets of the stamps were destroyed in 1867 but a few copies survive in unused condition.
A plate number was engraved in the design, in the left and right side lace work. The plates were numbered 1 and 3, plate 2 was defective and not completed.
The stamp was replaced in 1880 by the surface printed three halfpenny venetian red stamp.
See also
- List of British postage stamps
- Postage stamps and postal history of Great BritainPostage stamps and postal history of Great BritainPostage stamps and postal history of Great Britain surveys postal history from the United Kingdom and the postage stamps issued by that country and its various historical territories until the present day....