The Great Britain Penny Red of 1841 is the world’s third stamp and is likely the world’s most studied stamp.
Penny Reds made their debut early in 1841 to replace the Penny Black because a postmark could more easily seen on the red-brown colour. They were the most commonly used stamp in the world for 39 years until 1880.
When compared with other classic issues they have two major advantages for general or specialized collectors: they are plentiful, and for the most part relatively inexpensive.
During the period of their use changes included re-engravings, different alphabets for the corner letters, the introduction of perforations, changes of watermarked paper, quite different shades in the colour, and in 1864 a modification in the design by introducing letters in all four corners. Because the corner letters were individually entered by hand it is often possible to use the specialized literature to identify which of the many plates was used to print an individual stamp.
Plating became a passion of the collector who assembled the Moseley Collection. When you add varieties such as re-entries, guidelines, and the fascinating field of postmarks it is possible to spend a lifetime with this issue.
Included in the collection is the ten-frame Exhibit which we offer intact as lot 703. The identification of plates and other varieties throughout has followed those determined by the collector.