1870 Bantam

1870 Bantam, Glasgow postmark dated 22nd May 1874.

The Halfpenny Rose Red was issued on October 1^st 1870 to serve the reduction in the postal rate for newspapers and postcards, commonly known as 'printed matter'. It was soon given the nickname 'Bantam' due to its small size and remains the smallest ever British stamp to be issued at only 17.5 x 14mm. Twenty different plates were used for printing of which number 9 is now the scarcest, and the Bantam remained in use until 1880.