THREE early steamers of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company featured on recent postage stamps issued by Peru and Japan. In commemoration of her postal service, Peru has brought out an extensive series two of which—the 10 and 15 centavos— reproduce facsimiles of the first stamps used. These constituted a provisional issue and were only in use from December 1, 1857 to February 28, 1858.
This issue was prepared by the Pacific Steam Navigation Company and the company's initials are carried in the four corners of the stamps which were handed to the Peruvian Government for provisional use before the preparation of regular issues. An unusual feature is that these stamps show the charge for carrying letters—the 1 real stamp for a '/2 ounce letter and 2 reals for an ounce letter.
The centre of the 1/2 ounce stamp illustrates the paddle-steamer Peru while her sister, the Chile, appears on the higher value. These were the ships which made maritime history in 1840 by establishing a mail, passenger and cargo service on the West Coast of South America. Both vessels were built on the Thames by Curling and Young at Limehouse. The Peru, launched on April 18, 1840 and the Chile three days later, were wooden vessels of 700 tons, each fitted with two side-lever engines of 190 h.p., constructed by Miller and Ravenhill. The Peru was 190 ft. long and the Chile 8 ft. longer. In 1852 the former was lost when she stranded and the Chile was sold in May of the same year. The Peruvian Post Office took over the stamps in 1851 for use six years later.
SG803,804. Sea Breezes 9/58