The Surface-printed stamps were introduced in 1855 and replaced the high value (6d, 10d and 1s) embossed values of 1847-54. The low value (½-2d) line engraved stamps continued until 1879. The Surface-printed stamps were printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co. The 4d value was first introduced to prepay letters to France and the die was engraved by Jean Ferdinand Joubert de la Ferté (1810-1884) a refugee from Napoleonic France. In 1862 the 3d value was issued to prepay postage on letters to Belgium and Switzerland, and the 9d was issued to prepay postage on letters to India, Australia and South America. The 10d was issued in 1867 to prepay letters to Australia via Marseilles and the increased rate (was 9d) to India.

The surface-printed stamps of 1855-83 form four distinct families.

SG is the Stanley Gibbons catalogue number. These stamps have different watermarks, plate numbers, colours as well as design changes. The plate number is usually incorporated into the design. The stamps overprinted 'SPECIMEN' were usually sent to the postmaster as an example. The surface printed stamps between 1855-80 also have a significant proportion of stamps with wing-margins.

Until 1879 the ½d, 1d, 1½ and 2d line-engraved stamps were still the main stamps used for letters and after 1870 for postcards (½d). Both the low value line-engraved and the higher value surface-printed stamps were in use at the same time between 1855-1879.

The table below summarises when most of the values were first issued.

for summary of watermarks go here