REFERENCE LIST OF THE PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON.

Issue I. 1861.

One value. Engraved and type-printed by Messrs. De La Rue and Co., of London, on white, unwatermarked, slightly-surfaced paper; white gum. Design: Diademed profile of Queen Victoria to left, on ground of horizontal lines. Above and below the head are a straight and a curved label of solid colour—one with convex, and the other with concave ends. The upper labels are inscribed “BRITISH—COLUMBIA &,” and the lower ones “VANCOUVERS—ISLAND” respectively, all in small white Roman capitals. On either side are straight white labels, with rounded ends, inscribed in coloured Roman capitals—“POSTAGE” on the left, reading upwards; and “TWO PENCE—HALFPENNY” in two lines on the right, reading downwards. The remainder of the stamp is filled in with reticulations, and two outer lines of colour complete the design. Shape, upright rectangular. ([Illustration 1.])

(A) Imperforate.

2½d., rosy-brown.

(B) Perforated 14.

2½d., rose, rosy-brown (shades).

Remarks.—No postmarked copy of the imperforate variety is known to the Society. The perforated stamp, although bearing the face value of Two Pence Halfpenny, was sold at Three Pence, and did duty provisionally for this latter value from 20th June, 1864, until 1st November, 1865, when it was replaced by the Three Pence, blue, of the next issue.

Issue II. 1st November, 1865.

One value. Engraved and type-printed by Messrs. De La Rue and Co. on white slightly-surfaced paper, watermarked Crown and CC; white gum; machine perforated 14. The sheet is composed of 240 stamps, divided into four panes, each containing sixty stamps, arranged in six horizontal rows of ten. Design: Ornamental letter “v,” representing “Victoria,” with heraldic rose inside, thistle on the left, and sprig of shamrock on the right, surmounted by Gothic crown; is enclosed within a white oval band, inscribed “BRITISH COLUMBIA POSTAGE” above and “THREE PENCE” below, the two inscriptions being separated by a star-like ornament at either side. The remainder of the stamp is filled in with a diaper pattern, the corners being rounded, and the design is completed by a single outer line of colour. Shape, upright rectangular. ([Illustration 2.])

3d., blue, deep blue.

Issue III. 13th March (?), 1867.

Six values. All of the same design, and printed from the same die as the preceding issue, but with the values in the altered currency, surcharged in a straight line across the bottom of the stamp. The paper is white wove, watermarked Crown and CC, and the perforation is 14 or 12½. Like the preceding issue, each sheet contains 240 stamps, which are similarly disposed. The values are printed as follows: “TWO CENTS,” in black block type; “5 CENT 5,” in black Roman capitals; “10 CENTS 10,” in blue Roman capitals; “25 CENTS 25,” in violet Roman capitals; “50 CENTS 50,” in carmine Roman capitals; “1 DOLLAR 1,” in green Roman capitals. Shape, upright rectangular. ([Illustrations 3, 4, 5.])

(A) Perforated 14.

2 c. on 3d., bistre, black surcharge.
5 c. on 3d., vermilion, black surcharge.
10 c. on 3d., rose-pink, blue ”
25 c. on 3d., orange, violet ”
50 c. on 3d., mauve, carmine ”
1 d. on 3d., green, green ”

(B) Perforated 12½.

2 c. on 3d., bistre, black surcharge (?).
5 c. on 3d., vermilion, black surcharge (shades).
10 c. on 3d., rose-pink, blue ” ( ” ).
25 c. on 3d., orange, violet ” ( ” ).
50 c. on 3d., mauve, carmine ” ( ” ).
1 d. on 3d., green, green ”( ” ).

Remarks.—The Two Cents has not been met with perforated 12½, by the Society.

VANCOUVER ISLAND.

Issue I. July, 1865.

Two values. Engraved and type-printed by Messrs. De La Rue and Co. on white wove paper, watermarked Crown and CC; white gum. Designs: FIVE CENTS. Diademed profile of Queen Victoria to left, on ground of horizontal lines, within a circle. Above and below are curved labels of solid colour, inscribed with white block letters. Conventional ornaments in spandrels, and outer border filled in with chequers. Ten Cents. Same portrait of Her Majesty in circle; straight coloured label above, inscribed with white block letters; white label with rounded ends below, with coloured block letters. Floriate ornaments in spandrels. An outer line of colour completes the design of each value. Shape, upright rectangular. ([Illustrations 6, 7.])

T. “VANCOUVER ISLAND.” B. “FIVE CENTS.” “TEN CENTS.”

(A) Imperforate.

5 c., rose.
10 c., blue.

(B) Perforated 14.

5 c., rose (shades).
10 c., blue ( ” ).