Peruvian definitive stamps
Record status
Individual type · research required
Period
1858 onwards
Issuing entity
Republic of PeruThis production followed an 1857 trial utilizing lithographed Pacific Steam Navigation Company stamps in two denominations, establishing a standardized postal system following national independence.
Around 1860, the government introduced a French-manufactured Lecoq press that printed, embossed, and cut imperforate stamps directly from paper strips. Following subsequent emissions such as the 2 centavos light blue "Llamita" issue, the Peruvian postal service transitioned exclusively to perforated stamps from 1874 onwards.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Official communications in Peru originated with Inca chasqui messengers traveling the Capac Ñan road, a system preserved without quipus under Spanish colonial rule. Following independence in 1821 and the Battle of Ayacucho in 1824, the republic modernized its postal infrastructure. On December 1, 1857, the government authorized an essay using 1 real blue and 2 reales red stamps provided by the British Pacific Steam Navigation Company. Following this initial trial, Peru released its own lithographed postal issues in March 1858. Around 1860, the state acquired a specialized French Lecoq press to produce embossed stamps from continuous paper strips, which operated until perforated stamps became the exclusive standard in 1874.
Design
- Note
- National arms and portrait designs.
Identification
- Note
- Early issues require expert authentication; forgeries are common.
- Recognition pointers (from background sources)
- Check paper separation characteristics; Peruvian stamps released prior to 1874 are imperforate, whereas issues from 1874 onward are exclusively perforated. Examine early 1860s national arms issues (1 dinero and 1 peseta denominations) for distinctive embossing and strip-cut production created by the French Lecoq press. Inspect early Pacific Steam Navigation Company types for fantasy cancellations or unauthorized colors, which signify common forgeries.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Catalogue numbers and issue dates require transcription from a standard stamp catalogue.