Description
Great Britain 1840 1d grey “penny black”, plate 1a, SG3.
A superb mint horizontal pair lettered FB-FC and a strip of three lettered FD-FF reforming an original strip of five.
Superb mint condition with original gum and all with four large margins, almost never seen.
Despite a light diagonal crease crossing the FB-FC it is nevertheless a stunning multiple with fresh gum and a magnificent grey-black worn impression. The strip of five is believed to be one of the largest surviving worn plate multiples from this printing plate.
Provenance: Ex. Percy de Worms & Grand Prix Gold Medal Winning Collection "Mayflower".
Accompanied with two certificates of authenticity from the British Philatelic Society (BPA) from 2006 & 2010.
The Stanley Gibbons Great Britain Queen Victoria Specialised Catalogue lists the value of a block of four at a value of £160,000 and a pair at £48,000.
The first printing plate of the penny black was registered on 15 April 1840. As the plate had not been hardened it soon showed signs of wear. The plate was withdrawn due to the wear and extensive repairs were undertaken. The first printings prior to repairs are referred to as Plate 1a and the repaired state as Plate 1b.
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