South Australia 2d Carmine, Imperforate, Queen Victoria

South Australia · 1855 · 2d

This is the first postage stamp issued by the colony of South Australia. The design features a diademed portrait of Queen Victoria facing left, based on the 'Chalon Head' portrait by Alfred Edward Chalon. The stamp is imperforate and printed in a deep carmine shade.

Issued in 1855, this stamp represents the establishment of an independent postal system in the self-governing British colony of South Australia, nine years after New South Wales issued the first stamps in Australia.