Mauritius post office

The story of the first postage stamp issued outside Great Britain in the British Empire, the famous 'Post Office' Mauritius.

About this subject

In 1847, the British colony of Mauritius issued one of the rarest and most coveted postage stamps in the world: the 'Post Office' series. Printed locally by Joseph Barnard, a nearly blind watchmaker, the stamps bore the effigy of Queen Victoria and the inscription 'Post Office', a mistake, as it should have read 'Post Paid'. This error, combined with the small print run, made the stamps legendary. Only 27 copies are known of the two denominations: one penny orange-red and two pence deep blue. The first Mauritius stamp was issued on September 21, 1847, just seven years after the British Penny Black. The discovery of one of these stamps in a mailbag in the 19th century caused a frenzy among philatelists. In 2011, a copy of the two-penny stamp sold at auction for over £1 million. The rarity stems from the fact that most stamps were used on letters and discarded, and the few survivors were preserved by collectors. Today, these stamps are considered the 'crown jewels' of world philately, and any image associated with them evokes the fascinating early days of the modern postal system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the Mauritius 'Post Office' stamps so valuable?

They are extremely rare: only 27 copies exist. The printing error ('Post Office' instead of 'Post Paid') and historical significance as the first British stamp issued outside Great Britain drive their value. Auction prices exceed £1 million.

Where can I see a Mauritius Post Office stamp?

Examples are held in museums such as the British Postal Museum in London and the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, as well as private collections. They are rarely displayed publicly due to their high value.

What is the difference between the 1847 and 1848 Mauritius stamps?

The 1847 stamps bear the inscription 'Post Office' (error). In 1848, the inscription was corrected to 'Post Paid'. The 1848 stamps are more common, though still rare, with about 500 known copies.