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Ireland (Eire)
17th February 1922
 |
Europe | 45 |  |
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 |
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| Sc1 | Sc68 |
| Description | Year | Scott# | SG# | Mi# | Y&T# | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overprints 15x17½mm in black or grey | ||||||
| ½d green | 1922 | 1 | 1 | |||
| other values 1d to 10d | 2-8 | 2-9 | ||||
| Dedicated issue | ||||||
| 2d deep green | 1922 | 68 | 74 | |||
| other values ½d to 1/- | 1923 | 65-67, 69-76 | 71-73, 75-82 | |||
The Scott Stamp Atlas [1] describes Ireland as an "[i]ndependent state since 1921 (previously part of Great Britain with the exception of six counties in Northern Ireland) …which remain British. In 1937 a Republican Constitution was proclaimed within the British Commonwealth of Nations but in 1949 the independent republic left the COmmonwealth. " The Irish Free State was renamed Eire in 1937.
The first stamps were GB issues overprinted "Provisional Government of Ireland " in Gaelic. The initial set of overprints was made by Dollard Ltd in black or grey and measuring 15x17½mm. There were other overprints later in 1912 in other colours and overprints by Harrison & Sons measuring 15¼x17mm and Alex Thom & Co. measuring 14½x16.
The first dedicated set was issued in 1922-23, the 2d value first and the other values in 1923. The map on the 2d stamp caused some controversy as it showed the whole island without distinguishing Northern Ireland.