Edward VII 2d Tyrian plum stamp

In 1910 Tyrian Plum was chosen as the color and 100,000 sheets of 240 stamps each were produced by the printers De La Rue. These stamps were delivered to the post office stores for distribution to Postmasters. A decision was taken to hold back the new stamps until stocks of the old 2d had been exhausted. King Edward VII then fell seriously ill. Although at one point it was thought he was recovering, he died suddenly on 6 May 1910.

Following the death of Edward VII, it was decided not to go ahead with this new issue, almost all the stock was destroyed and only a few examples survive.

That day, the Prince of Wales who became King George V, received a letter bearing a 2d Tyrian Plum. This represents the only known used example of the stamp on a cover. This example is in the Royal Philatelic Collection.

Mrs. Nagalakshmi Tadakaluri, Philatelist.

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