Issue I. 1861.
_One value._ Engraved and type-printed by Messrs. De La Rue and Co.,
of London, on white, unwatermarked, slightly-surfaced paper; white
gum. Design: Diademed profile of Queen Victoria to left, on ground of
horizontal lines. Above and below the head are a straight and a curved
label of solid colour—one with convex, and the other with concave ends.
The upper labels are inscribed “BRITISH—COLUMBIA &,” and the lower ones
“VANCOUVERS—ISLAND” respectively, all in small white Roman capitals.
On either side are straight white labels, with rounded ends, inscribed
in coloured Roman capitals—“POSTAGE” on the left, reading upwards; and
“TWO PENCE—HALFPENNY” in two lines on the right, reading downwards.
The remainder of the stamp is filled in with reticulations, and two
outer lines of colour complete the design. Shape, upright rectangular.
(_Illustration 1._)
(A) _Imperforate._
2½d., rosy-brown.
(B) _Perforated 14._
2½d., rose, rosy-brown (shades).
_Remarks._—No postmarked copy of the imperforate variety is known to the
Society. The perforated stamp, although bearing the face value of Two
Pence Halfpenny, was sold at Three Pence, and did duty provisionally for
this latter value from 20th June, 1864, until 1st November, 1865, when it
was replaced by the Three Pence, blue, of the next issue.
Issue II. 1st November, 1865.
_One value._ Engraved and type-printed by Messrs. De La Rue and Co. on
white slightly-surfaced paper, watermarked Crown and CC; white gum;
machine perforated 14. The sheet is composed of 240 stamps, divided into
four panes, each containing sixty stamps, arranged in six horizontal
rows of ten. Design: Ornamental letter “v,” representing “Victoria,”
with heraldic rose inside, thistle on the left, and sprig of shamrock on
the right, surmounted by Gothic crown; is enclosed within a white oval
band, inscribed “BRITISH COLUMBIA POSTAGE” above and “THREE PENCE” below,
the two inscriptions being separated by a star-like ornament at either
side. The remainder of the stamp is filled in with a diaper pattern, the
corners being rounded, and the design is completed by a single outer line
of colour. Shape, upright rectangular. (_Illustration 2._)
3d., blue, deep blue.
Issue III. 13th March (?), 1867.
_Six values._ All of the same design, and printed from the same die
as the preceding issue, but with the values in the altered currency,
surcharged in a straight line across the bottom of the stamp. The paper
is white wove, watermarked Crown and CC, and the perforation is 14 or
12½. Like the preceding issue, each sheet contains 240 stamps, which are
similarly disposed. The values are printed as follows: “TWO CENTS,” in
black block type; “5 CENT 5,” in black Roman capitals; “10 CENTS 10,” in
blue Roman capitals; “25 CENTS 25,” in violet Roman capitals; “50 CENTS
50,” in carmine Roman capitals; “1 DOLLAR 1,” in green Roman capitals.
Shape, upright rectangular. (_Illustrations 3, 4, 5._)
(A) _Perforated 14._
2 c. on 3d., bistre, black surcharge.
5 c. on 3d., vermilion, black surcharge.
10 c. on 3d., rose-pink, blue ”
25 c. on 3d., orange, violet ”
50 c. on 3d., mauve, carmine ”
1 d. on 3d., green, green ”
(B) _Perforated_ 12½.
2 c. on 3d., bistre, black surcharge (?).
5 c. on 3d., vermilion, black surcharge (shades).
10 c. on 3d., rose-pink, blue ” ( ” ).
25 c. on 3d., orange, violet ” ( ” ).
50 c. on 3d., mauve, carmine ” ( ” ).
1 d. on 3d., green, green ” ( ” ).
_Remarks._—The Two Cents has not been met with perforated 12½, by the
Society.