Great Britain 1840 1d black Plate 1b (watermark Inverted), SG2wi.
A very fine used four margin example of this scarce watermark variety lettered 'KE', neatly cancelled by a red Maltese Cross.
GB Specialised Catalogue No: AS5(l).
Accompanied with a 2010 Royal Philatelic Society (RPS) Certificate of Authenticity.
Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £2,500.
The first printing plate of the penny black was put to press in a rush without hardening to meet the deadline for issue. As a result, it wore rapidly giving rise to the grey impressions frequently seen in plate 1a.
The extreme wear of the plate resulted in the engraved lines of the Queen's head becoming very faint. This necessitated the restoration of every one of the 240 units of the plate.
The restoration could only be satisfactorily carried out by re-entry. It is believed that the transfer roller impression which had been used for laying down plate 2 of the penny black, was employed for the purpose of re-entering the worn plate 1.
The first repair of plate 1 was carried out on 23 May 1840, with printing commencing on 26 May.
-
BUY NOW: Order online, by phone +44 (0)1534 639 998, or via email info@paulfrasercollectibles.com
