1840 1d. black, eight unplated examples, each with good to large margins, five cancelled by red Maltese Cross the other three by black cross; some faults though otherwise and attractive group. (Image)

1840 1d. black, three unplated examples tied to small pieces by black crosses; good space fillers. (Image)

1840 1d. black, unplated selection of 6 covers, comprising singles used on entires (4) each cancelled by red Maltese cross, large entire to Brighton bearing 4 singles each cancelled by red cross and an entire letter to Inveraray bearing strip of 4 NI-NL (cut into at top)each neatly cancelled by black crosses; small faults and creases though a very rare group with the multiples. (Image)

1840 1d. black, pl. 1a, BF, close to good margins, used on entire letter from Sheffield to Birmingham, dated My 7. 1840 the second day of issue, neatly cancelled by red Maltese cross with the side flap re folded to perfectly display the fine Sheffield ds; a lovely second day usage cover. Cert Eichele (2004). (Image)

1840 (May 24 used on the 3rd Sunday) entire letter from Dublin to London, bearing 1840 1d. black, pl. 1a, IF, with good to enormous margins placed at the lower left contrary to regulations , neatly cancelled by red Maltese cross; fine and attractive. A rare 3rd Sunday usage demonstrating that there was still early confusion on where to place the adhesives. Cat from £6,500. (Image)

1840 1d. black, pl.1a, JK, good to very large margins all round, neatly cancelled by a good strike of a Magenta Maltese cross; very rare so fine. Cert B.P.A. (1991) when it was on small piece. (Image)

1840 1d grey black, Pl.1a QK, four good to large margins, extremely fresh and clean appearance, cancelled by a double strike of a Scottish Maltese cross in black which is much scarcer on this plate than the SG cv suggests; immaculately clean back, a vibrant printing giving an exceptionally fine level of detail on this scarce usage (SG £1'100). Note: At time of publication a search on a well know online site and three key UK based dealers of line engraved material for a plate 1a penny blacks with a black Maltese Cross, produced not one single other example, however there were three examples of a brown Maltese Cross readily available - a brown cross on any penny black plate catalogues at £3'000. (Image)

1840 (Nov 20) wrapper sent locally in Sevenoaks with 1840 1d black pl.1a QL tied by a lovely strike of the rare Sevenoaks “deep carmine” cross, listed in Rockoff and Jackson in November 1840, cert. Mike Jackson (2022). (Image)

1840 1d grey black, Pl.1a SI-SJ pair, four good to large margins, beautiful shade with vivid detail of the engraving, lightly cancelled by a red Maltese cross, does have a very light fold between the stamps which is almost undetectable and does not detract from the very fine appearance, pairs on this plate are scarce; cert. Brandon (2011), (SG £1'800). (Image)

1840 1d black, Pl.1a SJ, four good to large margins, cancelled by a black Maltese cross which is much scarcer on this plate than the SG cv suggests especially in this shade; crisp printing, clean back, an exceptionally fine example of this scarce usage (SG Spec AS1f £1'100). Note: At time of publication a search on a well know online site and three key UK based dealers of line engraved material for a plate 1a penny blacks with a black Maltese Cross produced not one single other example, however there were three examples of a brown Maltese Cross readily available - a brown cross on any penny black plate catalogues at £3'000. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.1b BF, large balanced margins all round, neatly cancelled by a fine strike of the rd Maltese cross; fresh and attractive. (Image)

1840 (Sep 5) wrapper from Coleraine to Ballymoney (Ireland) with 1840 1d intense black pl.1b BG with close to large margins, tied by red Maltese, fine Irish usage, cert. Mike Jackson (2022). (Image)

1840 1d black pl.1b CK with watermark inverted, good to large margins, hinged onto entire letter from Rye to Mountfield dated AU. 17.1840, neatly cancelled by red Maltese cross, fine. (Image)

1840 1d. black, FA, Pl. 1b, good to very large margins, neatly cancelled by a fine strike of the red Maltese cross, Fine and attractive. (Image)

1840, 1d black pl.1b FK, four large even margins, strong colour, crisp impression, cancelled by a neat Maltese cross in red, give an extremely fine appearance to what is a very attractive example from this early plate; such fine examples command a premium and are much more difficult to find than the catalogue value suggests, (SG £350). (Image)

1840 1d intense black, Pl.1b HF, four good margins, cancelled by a superbly positioned upright full strike of a crisp red Maltese cross, giving an exceptionally fine appearance; such examples as this which are cleanly struck by a full upright Maltese cross are very rare and command a premium among the discerning collector. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.1b IH, good margins all round neatly tied to small piece by good strikes of the red and black Maltese crosses, fine and unusual; cert. Brandon (2021). (Image)

1840 1d. black, pl. 1b, LI, close to very large margins, tied to Parliamentary proceedings wrapper from Harling to the Bishop of Norwich by black Maltese cross, arriving on the 20th April 1840 the letter was refused and marked in red manuscript and presumably returned to sender. Parliamentary wrappers were charged at the concessionary rate of 1d. for 4oz. at that time; A very rare wrapper. Cert Holcombe (1996). (Image)

1840 1d. black, LL, Pl. 1b, large balanced margins all round, neatly cancelled by a superb upright strike of the Red Maltese cross, Fine and very attractive. (Image)

1840 (May 15) reduced cover, franked with 1d black pl.2 CE, four margins close at side otherwise good, cancelled by a Maltese cross in red which is visible from behind the stamp (giving confidence the stamp belongs); sent from Gloucester to London (SG £3'500). (Image)

1840 1d. black, pl.2, FL, good to large margins all round, neatly cancelled by a good strike of a purple Maltese cross; very rare so fine. Cert B.P.A. (1993). (Image)

1840 1d. black, GD, Pl. 2, large margins all round, lightly cancelled by red Maltese cross; fine. (Image)

1840 1d. black, IH, Pl. 2, large margins all round, neatly tied to small piece by a complete strike of the red Maltese cross. fine. (Image)

1840 1d. black, pl.2, KB, good to large margins all round, neatly tied to piece of cover from Ireland to Paris by a complete almost upright strike of the red Maltese cross and showing "INSUFFICIENTLY STAMPED" below in red; a very pretty piece of what must have been a stunning cover. (Image)

1840 1d. black, pl.2, KC, good to large margins all round, neatly cancelled by a good strike of the distinctive Plymouth Maltese cross in black; very scarce. Cert B.P.A. (2011). (Image)