Archive 005 — Mauritius “Post Office”

Mauritius “Post Office”

A tiny inscription that became one of philately’s greatest legends.

On 21 September 1847, the British colony of Mauritius issued two remarkable stamps: the One Penny orange-red and the Two Pence deep blue, both bearing the portrait of Queen Victoria.

They were engraved and printed in Port Louis by Joseph Osmond Barnard, a local engraver and jeweller. Only 500 examples of each denomination were produced. Along the left side appeared the words “POST OFFICE” — an inscription that would become inseparable from their legend. mauritiuspost.mu

Their story became even more romantic through their connection with Lady Gomm, wife of the Governor of Mauritius. A surviving One Penny example was used on an invitation to one of her celebrated balls. Contrary to a popular legend, however, the stamps were not issued specifically for the event. postalmuseum.si.edu

From an island in the Indian Ocean, these tiny pieces of paper became some of the most coveted treasures in philately, with surviving examples now counted among the great rarities of postal history. mauritiuspost.mu

With Archive 005, the legend of the Mauritius “Post Office” takes on a new form. Reimagined as a 100-piece miniature puzzle, this philatelic treasure becomes an object to assemble, contemplate and collect.

Finished with a delicate soft-touch surface for a refined, tactile feel.

100 pieces · 10 × 14 cm · Collectible mini puzzle · STAMP → OBJECT™