1887 was a major year in the development of GB postage stamps with the release of the first bicoloured set of definitive issues in Queen Victoria’s reign.
The lilac and green series
Before the Jubilee issue was released an unpopular range of lilac and green stamps were in use. These used the same colour for multiple denominations. Consequently, to celebrate fifty years of Queen Victoria’s reign it was decided to revamp the entire range. Additionally, advances in printing technology meant that it was possible to produce bicoloured stamps.
The 1887 jubilee issue
In 1884 the Postmaster general formed a committee to look into the future design of stamps. There were several requirements including Strong visual differences between values, fugitive inks that were resistant to washing and chemical alteration, and clearer face values.
Another design feature was the removal of the corner letters. This left more room for larger denomination values and a more ornate design. Additionally coloured paper was used for certain rates to aid identification. For example the 2 1/2d was printed on blued paper.
Printing technolgy
Bicoloured stamps need two sets of plates to print, one for the head and one for the duty or value. The plates have to be precisely aligned with the paper. occasionally errors occurred where the paper was folded over.
There could also be colour variations due to the fugitive nature of the inks used. This was deliberate to prevent forgery and washing. washing refers to the removal of the post mark. Fugitive ink changed shade when exposed to water or chemicals. it was also sensitive to light.
Composition of the 1887 Jubilee set
Originally there were ten values but other values were added making a total of fouteen.
| Denomination | Primary Colour(s) | Paper | Notes / Special Features |
| 1/2d | Vermilion (later Blue-Green in 1900) | White | Monocolour; updated to green to meet Universal Postal Union (UPU) guidelines. |
| 1 1/2d | Dull Purple & Green | White | Bicolour; used for postcards and foreign printed matter. |
| 2d | Green & Scarlet (later Grey-Green & Carmine) | White | Bicolour; distinctive frame design. |
| 2 1/2d | Purple on Blue | Blue | Printed on tinted blue paper for foreign letter rates. |
| 3d | Purple on Yellow | Yellow | Printed on distinct yellow paper. |
| 4d | Green & Purple-Brown | White | Distinctive octagonal inner border. |
| 4 1/2d | Green & Carmine | White | Introduced in Sept 1892 for parcel post tariffs. |
| 5d | Purple & Blue | White | Includes national emblems (Rose, Thistle, Shamrock). |
| 6d | Purple on Rose | Rose | Monocolour on tinted rose paper. |
| 9d | Dull Purple & Blue | White | Bicolour; designed for foreign registration/parcel post. |
| 10d | Dull Purple & Carmine | White | Introduced in Feb 1890 for heavy foreign rates. |
| 1s | Green (later Carmine & Green in 1900) | White | Top face value of the set; updated to bicolour scheme in 1900. |
Typical stamp values for collectors
The lower values were printed by the million and are quiet common. However, mint examples are worth more. Unmounted copies of the 10d and 1s are worth the most at £50 – £200 depending on the shade.
