Great Britain postage stamps QV 1883 SG 187-196 full set of 10

Great Britain Queen Victoria “Lilac & Green” issue, SG 187-196 (1883-84), plus some notes on rarity and value.

Basic Info

• These stamps are known as the “1883-84 Lilac & Greens”, part of the Queen Victoria surface-printed issues.
• Catalogue numbers: SG 187 to SG 196.
• They run from ½d up to 1s denominations.
• Watermark: Imperial Crown.
• Colours: The lower values (½d, 1½d, 2½d, 3d) are printed in lilac, and the higher values (4d, 5d, 6d, 9d, 1s) are green.

Features and Collecting Notes

• These stamps are fairly short-lived in terms of usage, so finding very fine used examples with good cancellation and intact original colours can be difficult.
• The colours, especially the greens, tend to fade or be affected by exposure/light, so condition is very important.
• There are rarities/varieties associated with this set:
  • An unissued 5d green with “line under d” of value.
  • Imperforate errors (for example, imperforate pairs or singles) are very collectible and command a premium.
  • Colour trials, die proofs and specimen/archival pieces are especially valuable.