Great Britain 1d Red Plate 177, used in Alexandria, Egypt

Great Britain · 1877 · 1d

This is a Great Britain one penny red stamp from plate 177, featuring the profile of Queen Victoria. The stamp is identifiable by the letters in the corners, 'O' and 'I' in the lower corners and 'I' and 'O' in the upper corners. It bears a 'B01' duplex cancellation, which signifies it was used at the British post office in Alexandria, Egypt.

During the 19th century, Great Britain and other European powers maintained post offices in foreign territories, including the Ottoman Empire. This stamp, used in Alexandria, is an example of British 'Offices Abroad' mail, reflecting the UK's extensive commercial and political influence at the time.