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The 2c. Liberia stamp depicts very clearly the Thomas Coutts, of the Honourable East India Company and the motorship Aureol of Elder Dempster Lines, the last large passenger liner to sail out of the port of Liverpool.
The Thomas Coutts was one of the most celebrated of the company's ships. She was built in the Blackwall yard of the company in 1817 and was a ship of 1,334 tons. She crossed three skysail yards and would have been a fast ship in any company of her day. Under the command of Alexander Chrystie in March 1826, carrying goods and mail, she left England and arrived in Bombay harbour three months later, on June 2, only 82 days from the Channel. From Bombay she went on to China, leaving the Indian port in August and calling at Singapore and Macao. She left China on November 23, reaching St. Helena late in January 1827, finally arriving in the Downs on March 2, 1827. This was the fastest voyage on record, out and home in 10 days less that a year. These vessels reached perfection during the early 19th century. When the company's charters expired in the 1850s and the ships were sold. The Thomas Coutts was bought by Joseph Somes, whose houseflag differed from the White Ensign in having an anchor in the canton instead of the Union Jack. SG1187

Built by Frances Barnard, Son & Roberts, for account of Stewart Marjoribanks.
17 Sept. 1817 launched under the name THOMAS COUTTS.
Tonnage 1424 9/94 tons, dim. 138.10 x 43.4 x 17.1ft.
Ship rigged.

Chartered by the British East India Company, on 31 Dec. 1817.
Her first two voyages were under command of Capt. William Marjoribanks.
From 31 Dec. 1821, relieved by Capt. Alexander Christie.
Made 8 voyages between 1817 and 1833 to Bombay and China for the East India Co..

From 1834 to 1845 on a regular run to India and China, but not on charter of the East India Co.
1841 Sold to Joseph Somes at London.
1845 Sold for breaking up.

The THOMAS COUTTS on the stamp is designed after an aquatint by J.W. Huggins.

Source: Ships of the East India Company by Rowan Hackman.