The Tyrian plum stamp was produced as a replacement for the bi-coloured stamp which was in current use at the time.
100,000 sheets, (24,000,000 stamps), were printed and delivered to the post ofice stores for distrubution to Postmasters. The circulation of these new stamps was delayed whilst existing stocks of the current stamp were used up so that the change would take effect at one time and the amount of surplus stock of the old value would be kept to a mimium.
Following the death of King Edward VII, it was decided not to go ahead with this new issue and almost all the stock was destroyed and only a few examples survive.
A single used example is known used on cover which was sent by the then Prince of Wales, (King George V), to himself. This example is in the Royal collection.