THE 1st MAP STAMP PROTOTYPE

As can be seen from the print produced above, the subject stamp which, for the purpose of this article, is referred to as being “Neptune’s Spears” was virtually identical in all respects to the final stamp produced except for the elimination of the spears and the related writing as well as the location of “XMAS 1898” including various names on the land masses and oceans as well the numerous traffic lanes. The notations on the Map Legends regarding the colouring indicates that the red areas shown on this map indicate the land masses which were British Possessions, and are reasonably inclusive of those used to define the British Empire on the final edition with the exception of the various island groups, and parts of the redefined African possessions.