Page 66 - Sierra Leone to 1961 - The Collection
P. 66
The Second Victorian Keyplate 1896 to 1901
1893 Essays
In December 1892 De La Rue informed the Colony that the first keyplate was reaching the end of its life.
During 1893 an essay was produced for a Sierra Leone specific design.
Unaccepted essay (Ex De La Rue archives)
De La Rue had available the universal POSTAGE & REVENUE keyplate, and produced a series of essays with
the country name SIERRA LEONE hand painted. These were all produced with a 6d face value; some with a
lined value tablet and others with a clear background. These items were either imperforate or perf. 13½.
Essays with country name painted by hand (Ex De La Rue archives)
As the stock in Freetown would last several years, no action was taken until 1896.
