Mauritius 'Post Office' Issue

Mauritius · 1847 · 1d / 2d

The first issue of Mauritius, known as the 'Post Office' issue, features a profile of Queen Victoria. The stamps were locally engraved by Joseph Osmond Barnard and printed in two denominations: a one penny orange-red and a two pence deep blue. The inscription reads 'POST OFFICE' on the left panel, which was changed to 'POST PAID' on subsequent printings.

Issued under British colonial rule, these were the first stamps issued in any British colony. They are among the most famous and sought-after stamps in the world due to their extreme rarity and the romantic story surrounding their creation for a governor's ball.