Queen Victoria – Crown Colony

On 1st September 1858, the East India Company was dissolved and the Crown directly assumed power in the territories previously controlled by the Company. Lord Canning became Viceroy of the British India.

The 8 Pies stamp was issued on 16th May 1860, intended to be used by the soldiers who now had to pay for postage. The 8 Pies stamps had an octagonal outer frame instead of the previous square one. It was printed in purple and mauve colour.  The paper was thinner and carried no watermark. Each sheet contained 320 stamps, arranged similarly as before.