Pair of 1d Reds from Penny Black plate 5

Pair of 1d Red stamps lettered M – K and M – L, identified as coming from black plate 5 using Guide Lines to the Penny Black by P C Litchfield.

Period of use: 1841.

Colour: Red-brown.

Cancellation: Rare single strike black Maltese Cross cancellation covering the pair. This would have been against regulations (each and every stamp should be individually cancelled).

Main identification clues:

• Small dot below and touching SE corner L square.
  
• Low left positioning of letter L.