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 Provisional Issue
Chancery Court stamps overprinted “PROBATE COURT FEE”.
De La Rue, watermark 2 Maces, perf 14, 80 set.
1858 Issue
De La Rue, watermark PM, perf 15½x15, 90 set.
Probate Court printing plates were made by De La Rue and are the first recorded with current numbers.
| Current No. | Duty | No. | Registered | Destroyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116 | £5 | 1 | 26 Aug 1858 | 11 Mar 1880 |
| 117 | £1 | 1 | “ | “ |
| 118 | 10/- | 1 | “ | “ |
| 121 | 6d | 2 | “ | “ |
| 123 | 1/- | 1 | “ | “ |
| 125 | 2/6 | 3 | “ | “ |
| 126 | 5/- | 2 | “ | “ |
| 194 | 3d | 1 | 6 May 1861 | “ |
Note that the 3d plate was not made until after the change of colour from lilac to ultramarine.
1860 Issue
De La Rue, watermark PM, perf 15½x15, 90 set.
The 1860 issue was the same as the 1858 issue but with the colour changed from lilac to ultramarine.
Cut-down die proofs on glazed card in buff, deep green, and grey-green, possibly for the 1867 Paris Exhibition.
Corner block of four overprinted SPECIMEN showing current number 116, and with the watermark signature “Charles Pressly” in the margin (chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue from 1856 to 1862).
1878 Issue
De La Rue Key Types, watermark Script VR / 2 Orbs, perf 14, 168 / 120 set.
1/- and 2/6 probably not issued.
King Edward VII
1902 De La Rue Key Types, watermark Script IR / 2 Orbs, perf 14, 168 / 120 set.
