Mauritius post office

The 1847 Mauritius Post Office stamps are among the rarest and most valuable items in world philately, issued by the British colony.

About this subject

The Mauritius Post Office stamps were issued in September 1847 by the British colony of Mauritius, making them the first postage stamps of the territory. The set consisted of two values: a one-penny red and a two-pence blue, both engraved by local jeweler Joseph Osmond Barnard. The inscription 'Post Office' (instead of 'Post Paid') on the left side made these stamps famous and extremely rare. Only about 26 copies are believed to exist today, placing them among the most coveted items for collectors.

The stamps' origin is tied to a ball hosted by the governor's wife, Lady Gomm, who needed stamps for invitations. Barnard, inexperienced in printing, produced them hastily, leading to the typographical error. The stamps were used for local mail for only a few days before being replaced by a corrected issue reading 'Post Paid.' Their rarity and backstory generate immense philatelic interest, with auction prices reaching millions.

In 2011, a cover bearing a pair of Mauritius Post Office stamps (red and blue) sold for over €1.5 million. The red one-penny is particularly scarce, with only two known examples in good condition. The blue two-pence is slightly more common but still extremely rare. These stamps are considered the 'Holy Grail' of philately, alongside the British Guiana 1c magenta.

Beyond monetary value, the stamps mark a milestone in Mauritian and British Empire postal history. They illustrate the early challenges of colonial mail communication and the importance of accuracy in stamp production. Authentic specimens are displayed in museums such as the British Postal Museum and the Blue Penny Museum in Mauritius.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the Mauritius Post Office stamps so valuable?

They are extremely rare (only about 26 known copies) and feature a historical error: the inscription 'Post Office' instead of 'Post Paid'. The combination of rarity, history, and collector demand drives their value into millions of dollars.

What is the difference between the one-penny and two-pence stamps?

The one-penny is red and the two-pence is blue. The red is even rarer, with only two known copies in good condition, while the blue has about 12 surviving specimens.

Where can I see authentic Mauritius Post Office stamps?

Authentic specimens are displayed at museums such as the Blue Penny Museum in Port Louis, Mauritius, and the British Postal Museum in London. They also appear occasionally at major philatelic auctions.