British Columbia and Vancouver Island

In 1860, British Columbia and Vancouver Island issued a postage stamp inscribed with the names of both British Columbia and Vancouver Island. This unusual step was taken for reasons of economy, both colonies having sufficient customers to justify the printing of stamps, but not enough to justify separate issues for each colony.

The one stamp was denominated 2 1/2 pence, depicted Queen Victoria in profile, and was surface-printed[?] in a brownish-rose color by De La Rue[?]. 235,440 were printed.

In 1862, Vancouver Island switched to decimal currency, and sold these stamps for 5 cents. It first issued its own 5- and 10-cent stamps in September 1865.

In June 1864, British Columbia increased its postal rate to 3 pence, selling these stamps for 3d until its own stamps became available in November 1865. Pairs of stamps, used to pay a special rate to Vancouver Island, were also sold at 15 cents per pair. Although after 1865, the 2 1/2d stamp was officially invalid, in 1867 some were made available at a 6 1/4 cent rate to express mail operators.

The upshot of all this was the single type of stamp was sold for 2 1/2d, 3d, 5c, 6 1/4c, and 7 1/2c without ever receiving a surcharge[?] indicating a changed value.

The surviving stamps sell for about US$250 as of 2003, but much more if they are in good condition and well-centered.

Reference

• Robson Lowe[?], The Encyclopaedia of British Empire Postage Stamps[?], vol. 5, pt. 4