The first stamps valid for postage throughout India were placed on sale on *1 October 1854* with two values: 1/2 anna, 1 anna.
On *4 October 1854* 2 annas, and on *15 October 1854* 4 annas. Featuring a youthful profile of *Queen Victoria.* 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 with others) was one of the world's first bicolored stamps, preceded only by the Basel Dove, a beautiful local issue.
