Period of British Postage Stamps 1878-1960
On 8/7/1878 Cyprus came under British administration. On the 27th of the same month a British Post Office opened in Larnaca while the Lloyd Post Office closed down six months later after continuous service of 33 years. After that Post Offices were opened in all towns with postmarks bearing the date and the corresponding characteristic numbers of 942 Larnaca, 969 Nicosia, 974 Kyrenia, 975 Limassol, 981 Paphos and 982 Famagusta. A general characteristic of the time was that all Post Offices on the island operated under the control of the General Post Office of England and that the postage stamps of a total of 10 values used on the island were the same British postage stamps issued from 1858-1880.
From 1/4/1880 - 30/6/1881 British stamps of the time were overprinted "CYPRUS". The overprinting was done at the Government Printing Press in Nicosia.
From 1/7/1881 until 1928 Cypriot stamps were issued with the Royal portraits of Victoria, Edward VII and George V. The stamps of these series were called "De La Rue Key Plate" from the name of the company that issued them. They are all monotype and depict only portraits of the respective kings bearing the words "Postage and Revenue". The £1 stamp of the series 1922-23 and the £5 stamp of 1928 may have lot a lot because of their monotonous appearance but have gained a lot for being rare.
From 1928-15/8/1960 the royal portraits are phased out and Cyprus postage stamps depict scenes which are related to Cypriot reality.
On 16/81960 Cyprus became an Independent Republic. On that particular day a commemorative series of 3 stamps was put into circulation while the Definitive series of Queen Elizabeth was overprinted in Greek and Turkish with the words "CYPRUS REPUBLIC".
The Republic, through the Department of Postal Services, began issuing on a regular basis a limited number of series each year aimed at covering postage revenue and at the same time projecting through stamps the history, cultural heritage and natural attractions of Cyprus.
From 1960 to the present 7 definitive series of stamps have been issued consisting of 97 stamps, 157 commemorative series comprising 496 stamps and 7 series of refugee stamps with 7 stamps..