All but the most recent issues of adhesive revenue stamps, had featured the head of Queen Victoria, but the postage stamps had only featured the figure of Hope, usually seated, but in the more recent issues, standing. So, these would be the first postage stamps to bear the head of the Sovereign.

Queen Victoria died on 22 January 1901, and hardly a week later, on the 30 January 1901, De La Rue received a cable from the Cape Government asking for a ‘Good selection photos of king for revenue and postage stamps and also any designs for such issued or prepared’.