The first stamps of Natal were issued on 26 May 1857. They were uncoloured designs embossed in plain relief on coloured wove paper and were imperforate.[1][2] The first stamps of Natal after these were issued in 1859, with the Chalon head portrait of Queen Victoria. Between 1869 and 1895, postage stamps of 1859-67 and fiscal stamps were overprinted 'POSTAGE' in various styles or additionally surcharged 'Half-Penny'. Stamps of King Edward VII were issued between 1902 and 1909. Six official stamps of King Edward were also issued.