<P> The new stamps were embossed individually onto paper or a wax wafer . The shape was circular, with "SCINDE DISTRICT DAWK" around the rim and the British East India Company's Merchant's Mark as the central emblem . The paper was either white or greyish white . The blue stamp was printed onto the paper by the die during the embossing, while the wax version was embossed on a red sealing wax wafer on paper; but all had the same value of 1 / 2 anna . They were used until October 1854, and then officially suppressed . These are quite scarce today, with valuations from US $700 to $10,000 for postally used examples . The unused red stamp was previously valued at £ 65,000.00 by Stanley Gibbons (basis 2006); however, it now appears that no unused examples have survived . </P> <P> The first stamps valid for postage throughout India were placed on sale in October 1854 with four values: 1 / 2 anna, 1 anna, 2 annas, and 4 annas . Featuring a youthful profile of Queen Victoria aet. 15 years, all four values were designed and printed in Calcutta, and issued without perforations or gum . All were lithographed except for the 2 annas green, which was produced by typography from copper clichés or from electrotyped plates . The 4 annas value (illustrated) was one of the world's first bicolored stamps, preceded only by the Basel Dove, a beautiful local issue . </P> <P> These stamps were issued following a Commission of Inquiry which had carefully studied the postal systems of Europe and America . In the opinion of Geoffrey Clarke, the reformed system was to be maintained "for the benefit of the people of India and not for the purpose of swelling the revenue ." The Commissioners voted to abolish the earlier practice of conveying official letters free of postage ("franking"). The new system was recommended by the Governor - General, Lord Dalhousie, and adopted by the East India Company's Court of Directors . It introduced "low and uniform" rates for sending mail efficiently throughout the country within the jurisdiction of the East India Company . The basic rate was 1 / 2 anna on letters not more than 1 / 4 tola in weight . The stamps were needed to show the postage was prepaid, a basic principle of the new system, like the fundamental changes of the British system advocated by Rowland Hill and the Scinde reforms of Bartle Frere . These reforms transformed mail services within India . </P> <P> The East India Company already had attempted a 1 / 2 anna vermilion stamp in April 1854, known as the "91⁄2 arches essay". This could not be produced in quantity because it required an expensive vermilion pigment not readily available from England, and the substituted Indian pigment destroyed the printing stones . </P>

British governor general who introduced first postal system in india was