2d Blue Plate 1 - Penny Black 1840

2d Blue stamp lettered H -D, identified as coming from plate 1 using British Line-Engraved Stamps. Twopence Blue. Studies Of Plates 1 to 15 by H. Osborne.

Period of use: The plate was registered on 2 May, 1840, but wore out very quickly and was thus used only until 18 July, 1840 when Plate 2 became ready.

Colour: Pale blue.

Cancellation: Clear Maltese Cross cancellation in red (more usual on this plate).

Main identification clues:
Vertical sideline in the NW square is faint (very common on this plate).
Ray flaws in the right star which is missing two rays – nos. 2 and 10 (counting clockwise).

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