The Companies Act 1862, together with The Public Offices Fees Act 1866, provided for the collection of fees by means of stamps. Basic registration fees for a company with capital to £2,000 was £2, plus £1 per £1k from £2k to £5k, plus 5/- per £1k from £5k to £100k, plus 1/- per £1k above £100k, capped at £50. There was an administrative fee of 6d per 100 words for copies of a company register and later a fee of 4d per 72 words.
1867 Issue
De La Rue, watermark Ship, perf 15, 56 set.
| Current No. | Duty | No. | Registered | Destroyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 279 | 6d | 1 | 30 Nov 1866 | 20 Dec 1902 |
| 280 | 1/- | 1 | “ | “ |
| 281 | 5/- | 1 | “ | “ |
| 282 | £1 | 1 | “ | “ |
| 370 | 4d | 1 | 27 Mar 1871 | “ |
Although the 4d plate was registered on 27 Mar 1871, it was not put to press until 27 Oct 1875.
Watermark Ship as seen from the front of the stamp; and cut-down die proofs in carmine, lavender, brown, and green, possibly for the 1867 Paris Exhibition.
1866 5/- die proofs in black and carmine on glazed card. This design was used as the basis for the 1867 5/- postage stamp at the suggestion of the Postmaster General: “His Grace thinks that a design similar to that adopted for the Companies Registration stamp would, especially by reason of its size and distinctive character, be well suited for the 5/- stamp. The colour of the new stamp to be pink of a somewhat deeper shade than the 3d. stamp”.
1881 Issue
De La Rue, watermark Anchor, perf 14, 56 set.
The lilac ink used for this issue is a lighter colour.
King Edward VII
1902 De La Rue Key Types, watermark Orb / Script IR / 2 Orbs, perf 14, 240 / 168 / 120 set.
King George V
1918-21 Key Types, watermark Multi Orb IR (sideways on pounds); 4d 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.