A pair of acts, the Court of Probate Act 1857 and the Matrimonial Causes Act 1857, both effective 1 Jan 1858, transferred jurisdiction from Ecclesiastical Courts in testamentary matters to the newly created Court of Probate and in matrimonial matters to the newly created Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes. The acts stated that court fees should be collected by means of stamps under the management of the Inland Revenue.
1858 Issue
De La Rue, watermark PM, perf 15½x15, 90 set.
Matrimonial Cause printing plates were made by De La Rue immediately following the Probate Court plates.
| Current No. | Duty | No. | Registered | Destroyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 127 | 6d | 1 | 15 Nov 1858 | 11 Mar 1880 |
| 128 | 10/- | 1 | 11 Nov 1858 | “ |
| 129 | 2/6 | 1 | “ | “ |
| 130 | 5/- | 1 | “ | “ |
| 133 | 1/- | 1 | 15 Nov 1858 | “ |
| 134 | £1 | 1 | “ | “ |
1866 Issue
De La Rue, watermark PM, perf 15½x15, 90 set.
The 1866 issue was the same as the 1858 issue but with the colour changed from lilac to ultramarine.
Watermark as seen from the front of the stamp; and cut-down die proofs on glazed card in cerise and lavender, possibly for the 1867 Paris Exhibition.
Corner block of four overprinted SPECIMEN showing plate number 1, and with the watermark signature “Charles Pressly” in the margin (chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue from 1856 to 1862).
Essay for a 10/6 value in blue on thin card. Also said to exist in lilac and green.
Matrimonial Cause stamps were replaced by Judicature Fee stamps in 1875.