Mauritius 'Post Office' 1d Orange and 2d Blue

Mauritius · 1847 · 1d Orange & 2d Blue

This issue features the profile of Queen Victoria, facing left, within a circular frame. The inscription reads 'POST OFFICE' along the left panel, 'MAURITIUS' on the right, '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 by the British colony of Mauritius. They were the first stamps issued within the British Empire outside of Great Britain itself, engraved locally by Joseph Barnard. The use of 'Post Office' instead of the later 'Post Paid' is the key feature of this legendary first issue.