Peru 1857 Pacific Steam Navigation Company ½oz Blue

Peru · 1857 · ½oz

This stamp, one of the first issued in the Americas, features a steamship at sea, representing the Pacific Steam Navigation Company. The design is framed by an ornate border with the company's initials 'P.S.N.C.' at the top and the denomination '½ OZ' at the bottom. It was printed in blue by Perkins Bacon & Co. in London.

Issued by the British-owned Pacific Steam Navigation Company for mail carried on its ships between Peruvian ports, this was a private issue used before Peru established its own national postal service in 1858. These are considered the first stamps used in Peru.