Queen Victoria Embossed Stamp Collection

Unique opportunity to own the first high values, uniquely embossed by hand Victorian stamps

Between 1847 and 1854, the first ever high value Victorian stamps were issued by Royal Mail, with denominations of 6d, 10d and 1 shilling. They were octagonal in shape and were introduced to cover higher foreign and registered postal charges.

They were printed and embossed by hand, one at a time, at the Stamping Branch of the Board of Inland Revenue in Somerset House. The dies used for this type of printing have the embossed (raised) portions of the stamp design cut away (recessed) into the metal. The master die was engraved by the Royal Mint official chief engraver, William Wyon. These were the only ever UK Embossed Stamps – extremely costly, this process was discontinued after these 3 issues.

The presses used for the embossed dies allowed for only one stamp to be printed at a time. This method of production meant that spacing on the sheets varied from wide spacing (which is uncommon) to very narrow. Most examples available today have been cut to size.

The unique embossed stamps are a must have for all collectors – with only 3 UK stamps ever produced using this technique. As a result of continued demand, over the last two decades alone the official Stanley Gibbons catalogue value for a fine used example of a Set of 1847-1854 Embossed Stamps has risen by over 140%.

Key Issue Information:

• The first high value Victorian stamps were released between 1847 and 1854 to cover higher foreign and registered postal charges.
• They were printed and embossed by hand, one at a time at Somerset House.
• The master die was engraved by The Royal Mint official chief engraver, William Wyon.
• 2015 catalogue value for fine used example of a 1s, 10d and 6d embossed stamps is £3,500 – 141% rise increase over the last 20 years.*
• Housed in a Deluxe Presentation Folder with Certificate of Authenticity

*2015 Stanley Gibbons Catalogue price for fine used example