Mauritius "Post Paid" 1d Orange-Red & 2d Deep Blue

Mauritius · 1847 · 1d & 2d

This issue features the first two postage stamps issued by the British colony of Mauritius. The design shows a left-facing profile of Queen Victoria, with the inscription "POST OFFICE" on the left panel, "POSTAGE" at the top, and the denomination ("ONE PENNY" or "TWO PENCE") at the bottom. The 1d was printed in orange-red and the 2d in deep blue.

These are among the most famous and valuable stamps in the world, issued for a local postal service. The inscription "POST OFFICE" was changed to "POST PAID" on subsequent printings, making the original issue exceptionally rare.