Great Britain 1881 1d Lilac

United Kingdom · 1881 · 1d

This definitive stamp, known as the 'Penny Lilac', features a diademed profile of Queen Victoria facing left. It was the most widely used stamp in Great Britain for nearly two decades, with an estimated 21 billion printed. The design is simple, with the portrait framed by an ornate rectangle and the words 'POSTAGE' and 'REVENUE' at the top and 'ONE PENNY' at the bottom.

Issued during the late Victorian era, this stamp was the workhorse of the British postal system, reflecting the vast reach of the British Empire and the high volume of mail during a period of industrial and commercial growth.