Large Key Plate issues

Following the death of George V, the large key Plate designs were continued for three of the issuing authorities for postage in Bermuda, Leeward Islands and Nyasaland. This decision was rather surprising, since the distinct design for the high values had become very popular. However, at that time pictorial issues were becoming increasingly common throughout the commonwealth, and many sets of stamps were issued by colonies’ postal authorities with more ‘interesting’ features, such as the flora and fauna of the issuing country.

Often, these pictorial issues covered the higher values, such as 10 shillings and £1, so there was no need for a ‘formal’ high value range. Even so, the design was still used for