Edward VII 2d Tyrian plum

Edward VII 2d Tyrian plum
Country of production United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland
Location of production London
Date of production 1910
Nature of rarity Few exist
Number in existence Unknown
Face value 2 penny £sd

The two pence (2d) Tyrian plum was a postage stamp produced by Britain in 1910 as a replacement for the existing two colour 2d stamp of King Edward VII.

One hundred thousand sheets, totalling 24,000,000 stamps, were printed and delivered to the post office stores for distribution to Postmasters. The circulation of the new stamps was delayed while existing stocks of the current stamp were used up so that the change would take effect at one time and the amount of surplus stock of the old value would be kept to a minimum, however, following the death of Edward VII on 6 May 1910, it was decided not to go ahead with the new stamp and almost all the stock was destroyed. Only a few examples survive in private hands, making this stamp one of the great rarities of British philately.

A single used example is known used on cover which was sent by the then Prince of Wales, later King George V, to himself. This example is in the Royal Philatelic Collection.

Additionally, a complete imperforate registration sheet of 240 stamps is in the British Postal Museum & Archive[1] along with a perforated sheet of 139 stamps.[2]

References

  1. ^ BPMA Ref. P150/02/01/21.
  2. ^ BPMA Ref. P150/02/01/23.

External links