Ireland 1922 Thom 2 Shilling 6 Pence Overprint

Ireland · 1922 · 2s 6d

This stamp is a British King George V definitive issue overprinted in black with the Irish text 'Rialtas Sealadach na hÉireann 1922' (Provisional Government of Ireland 1922). The overprint was applied by the firm Alex. Thom & Co. of Dublin. It represents one of the first provisional stamps issued by the newly formed Irish Free State.

Issued during the transitional period following the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, these overprinted British stamps were a practical necessity to establish a distinct Irish postal system before new national designs could be created.