- VR official
Infobox_RareStamps
common_name = VR official
country_of_production = United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland
location_of_production =London
date_of_production =1840
nature_of_rarity = Few exist
number_in_existence = Unknown
face_value = 1penny £sd
estimated_value = US $20,000
The VR official was one of three
postage stamp s introduced by theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in May1840 for the pre-payment of postage. While thePenny Black and the Two Pence Blue were for use by the general public, as were the Mulready envelopes and letter sheets, the VR official was for use on official mail. In appearance the VR Official was the same as the issued Penny Black except that the stars in the top corners were removed and replaced by the letters V and R, hence its common name.The plate layout for this issue was the same in almost all respects as that used for the penny black and the two pence blue produced at the same time. The only difference in the marginal inscription was the plate identification which was shown as a letter, (see picture), rather than a number as used on the general issue of postage stamps.
The idea of this stamp was that it would be used on official correspondence from government departments. However, the public dislike and mockery of the Mulready envelope and letter sheets led to vast numbers of the Mulreadies being issued to the various departments, with the tax office being the heaviest user.
Since existing stocks could be used, the idea of the official stamp was abandoned. Nearly all of the supplies which had been printed were destroyed on
January 25 ,1843 . Twenty-one sheets survived, a few of the stamps passed (invalidly) through the posts, and Rowland Hill used some to experiment with cancellation techniques. Unused examples today go for above US$5,000.References
*
* [http://www.postalheritage.org.uk/collections/archive/stamps/phillips/VolII/Vol_II_pg_045 The One Penny VR] The British Postal Museum & Archiveee also
*
List of British postage stamps
*List of notable postage stamps
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