Mauritius post office

The 1847 Mauritius Post Office stamps are among the rarest and most valuable in the world, with a fascinating history of printing errors and million-dollar auctions.

About this subject

The Mauritius Post Office stamps were issued in September 1847 by the British colony of Mauritius, becoming the first postage stamps outside Great Britain. The original issue consisted of two values: 1 penny (orange-red) and 2 pence (blue), both bearing the effigy of Queen Victoria. What makes these stamps extraordinary is the printing error in the inscription: instead of "Post Paid", it was engraved as "Post Office". This error occurred only on a few sheets, and today only 27 specimens are known, 12 of the 1d value and 15 of the 2d value.

The stamps' history is tied to the jeweler Joseph Osmond Barnard, who engraved the dies and printed the sheets in his workshop in Port Louis. The error was discovered years later, after the stamps had been in circulation. In 1864, a British collector noticed the difference, sparking a quest that elevated the stamps to philatelic legend. The most famous piece is the "Bordeaux Cover", an envelope bearing both stamps, sold for over 4 million euros in 1993.

The Mauritius Post Office stamps are often called the "Holy Grails" of philately. They represent not only a milestone in postal history but also a symbol of rarity and desire among collectors. In 2021, a block of four stamps (two of them the famous Post Office issues) sold for $8.3 million at auction. Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, keeps this heritage alive with museums and exhibitions dedicated to the stamps.

Interestingly, the "Post Office" error was later corrected to "Post Paid" in subsequent issues, but the original stamps never lost their value. They are the subject of books, documentaries, and even a philatelic detective novel. For investors, they are high-return assets; for historians, documents of an era of colonial postal expansion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the Mauritius Post Office stamps so valuable?

They are extremely rare (only 27 known specimens) and feature a historical printing error: the inscription 'Post Office' instead of 'Post Paid'. The combination of rarity, error, and historical significance makes them highly sought after by collectors and investors.

What is the difference between the Mauritius Post Office and Post Paid stamps?

The Post Office stamps were the first issued, with the incorrect legend. The Post Paid stamps are later issues (from 1848 onward) with the correct inscription. The Post Office stamps are much rarer and more valuable.

Where can I see an original Mauritius Post Office stamp?

Examples are housed in museums such as the British Postal Museum (London), the National Postal Museum (USA), and the Blue Penny Museum (Mauritius). They rarely appear in public auctions due to their value.