India Queen Victoria Service Stamp, Overprinted 'Service'

India · 1866 · 2 Annas

This stamp features the diademed profile of Queen Victoria, originally issued for regular postage. It has been overprinted with the word 'Service' in black ink for use on official government mail. The design is based on the East India Company's issues, reflecting the transition to direct British rule.

Issued shortly after the British Crown assumed direct control of India from the East India Company in 1858, these overprinted 'Service' stamps were the first of their kind for British India, created to manage and account for official government correspondence.