The Public Offices Fees Act 1866, together with the Bankruptcy Act 1869, allowed for fees charged by the Court of Bankruptcy to be paid by stamps. The first Bankruptcy stamps, issued in 1873, were Key Types overprinted “BANKRUPTCY”. Under the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873, bankruptcy matters were to be assigned to the new court, but the 1875 Amendment stated that the London Court of Bankruptcy was not to be united with the Supreme Court of Judicature, and so Bankruptcy stamps were not replaced by Judicature stamps and remained in use until Elizabethan times, finally replaced by Insolvency stamps in 1971.
1873 Issue
De La Rue Key Types, watermark Garter / Block VR / Scales, perf 14, 240 / 100 / 120 set.
1878 Issue
New overprint colours (except 3d brown, 10/- carmine, £5 green).
De La Rue Key Types, watermark Garter / Block VR / Scales, perf 14, 240 / 100 / 120 set.
1889 Issue
De La Rue Key Types, watermark Orb / Script VR / 2 Orbs, perf 14, 240 / 168 / 120 set.
1895 Issue
De La Rue Key Types, watermark Orb / Script VR / 2 Orbs, perf 14, 240 / 168 / 120 set.
Surcharged in brown.
King Edward VII
1902 De La Rue Key Types, watermark Orb / Script IR / 2 Orbs, perf 14, 240 / 168 / 120 set.
King George V
1917-21 Key Types, watermark Multi Orb IR (sideways on pounds); 4d & 6d known on Orb.
Perf 15×14 (pence & shillings), 14×15 (pounds).
Wartime printings in claret and olive.
King George VI
1947 Key Types, watermark Multi Orb IR.
Perf 15×14 (pence & shillings), 14×15 (pounds).
A new layout of the pounds printing plates had all stamps upright, 12 across by 10 down.
Shilling stamps in shades of green, olive, and yellow.
Queen Elizabeth II
1959 Key Types, watermark Multi Orb IR.
Perf 15×14 (pence & shillings), 14×15 (pounds).
