1840 1d Black pl.1b complete plate reconstruction of the sheet of 240 stamps from AA to TL, all with four margins, including a strip of six, a block of four (creased), two horizontal pairs and one vertical pair, the rest being fine to very fine singles (incl. two with inverted watermarks), many with clear strikes of the MC and better than average margins. Many years in the making and a very rare opportunity to acquire the complete reconstruction. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.1b AI with good to very good even margins, showing INVERTED WATERMARK variety, clear partial red MC, very fine and scarce. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.1b GG/HI used block of six, good to very good margins, showing double letter "I" variety on "GI", neatly cancelled by red MCs, small black ink mark from address at foot of HH, nevertheless a very rare and attractive multiple; cert. BPA (2010, which erroneously states GI with small centra thin); ex "Mayflower" (S.G. Spec. AS5/f). (Image)

1840 1d pl.1b IE MATCHED pair, with 1d black with almost complete central red MC, and 1d red with superb clear black MC, both with good to large margins, 1d black shows the constant variety "DOT IN P OF PENNY" (Spec AS5), variety not present on the 1d red being a later printing of course, attractive pair. (Image)

1840, 1d black pl.1b MF with four margins and neat red MC, a fine example. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.1b MK-ML, mint right sheet marginal horizontal pair with partial marginal inscription "... In Wetting the ...", MK shows non-coincident re-entry, good even margins on other three sides, some creasing, slight rubbing & gum redistribution not detracting from this rare exhibition showpiece, cert. RPS (2007) (SG £35'000+). (Image)

1840 1d black pl.1a & pl.1b matched pair lettered PA, both fine used with good to large even margins, plate 1b showing non-coincident re-entry (SG AS5c), both with clear red MC, a very attractive matched pair (Image)

1841 1d pl.2 SF red printing from “black plates,” with fine to very good margins, crisp, sharp and practically complete black MC, tiny natural paper inclusion on cheek otherwise very fine to superb (S.G. £325). (Image)

1840 1d black pl.2 SG-SI, horizontal strip of three, clear to large margins, each with clear black MCs, a very fine and attractive used multiple. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.2 TL, early and late impressions, two good to very fine examples, with good to large margins and red MC, both showing attractive examples of the double "T", a scarce pair (S.G. Spec AS14c & 15c, £425 each). (Image)

1840 1d black pl.3 LF, large margins all round neatly cancelled by a crisp red Maltese Cross; fine. (Image)

1841 1d pl.5 CC red printing from “black plates” provisional repair state 4, with fine to large margins all round, crisp, sharp practically complete black MC, showing very weak check letters, a fine and scarce showpiece (SG Spec AS33b, £350). (Image)

1840 1d black pl.5 IL/JL, mint right sheet marginal vertical pair showing partial marginal inscription "... the Labels ABOVE the Adrefs and tow...", good to large margins on other three sides, some creasing, thins & gum redistribution not detracting from this extremely rare exhibition showpiece, cert. Brandon (2008) (SG £35'000+) (Image)

1840 1d black pl.6 AJ-AL, horizontal strip of three, clear to very large margins, each with clear black MC's, a very fine and attractive used multiple. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.6 MI-ML, horizontal strip of four with right sheet margin showing inscription "In Wetting the", two stamps cut into at top, otherwise margins range from just touching to very large, red MCs, light creasing not detracting from this rare positional multiple. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.7 DI-DL, horizontal strip of four, clear to very large margins, each superbly cancelled by clear, sharp, crisp red MCs, scissor cut between 3rd and 4th stamp, clear of design, otherwise very fine and an attractive used multiple. (Image)

1840 1d pl.8 EA from the red printing, left sheet marginal with fine to large margins, showing portion of inscription “ent.” and “GE” watermark, clear black MC, showpiece. (Image)

1d black pl. 8 IH, clear to good margins, with part MC in red, very fine. (Image)

1840 1d black pl.9 BA, close to large margins neatly cancelled by a crisp black London "broken points" Maltese Cross; fine. (Image)

1840 1d pl.9 IL, red printing from "black plate", variety WATERMARK INVERTED, clear to good margins all around, black MC, small tear at right, still very good appearance, extremely rare (S.G. AS59f, £6'000). (Image)

1840 1d pl.10 HJ, red printing from "black plate", good even margins, clear central practically complete black MC showing "O" flaw state 2 & square "J", also EB good to large margins used. (Image)

1841 1d pl.10 IH red printing from “black plates,” clear sharp impression, with fine to very good margins, on 1841 folded letter sheet to Worcestershire, tied by clear black MC, London bs, clean and attractive (S.G. Spec. £400). (Image)

1840, 1d black pl.11 FH with margins just touched at right and left, on cover to London from Cambridge with black MC., stamp lifted and replaced, a presentable and scarce cover; cert. Brandon (2008) (S.G. £16'000) (Image)

1841 1d pl.11 PG red printing from the "black plate", with large to huge margins, light black MC, superb appearance. (Image)

VR Official - Cancellations Trial 1840 VR Official 1d Black lettered NK, used for cancellation removal experiments and with 7-ring obliterator in black demonstrating the official attempt at removal, very rare (S.G. VR1, £22'500). Background: Illustrated in Rowse at page 71 (Image)