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.
Probate Court printing plates were made by De La Rue and are the first recorded with current numbers. Note that the 3d plate was not made until after the change of colour from lilac to ultramarine.
| 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 | “ |
1860 Issue
De La Rue, watermark PM, perf 15½x15, 90 set.
Cut-down die proofs on glazed card, possibly for the 1867 Paris Exhibition.
Buff
Deep Green
Grey-green
1878 Issue
De La Rue Key Types, watermark Script VR / 2 Orbs, perf 14, 168 / 120 set.
