De La Rue & Co.

De La Rue & Co. is a security printing firm responsible for many stamp issues, not only of Great Britain and its Empire, but worldwide. It was founded around 1813 by Thomas De La Rue, a printer on the island of Guernsey. His company obtained the contract to print British stamps beginning in 1853, quickly adding several other countries as clients.

The company produced stamps by engraving (recess) and typography (surface printing). Their high quality stands up to this day and is even more remarkable given the comparatively crude equipment of the 19th Century.

The company exists today, involved with security printing of items including banknotes and revenue stamps.