Page 2 - My Victoria

My Victoria

Imperforate Line Engraved Stamps of Great Britain from the Plate Position 'CG'

“Wouldn’t it be great to have a Penny Black with my initials on it!” is something many

collectors probably have said at some point, once they found that the corner position
letters on this first postage stamp ranged from AA to TL. This collection takes that
statement and moves it about as far as it can be taken – “Wouldn’t it be great to have a
traditional exhibit/collection the imperforate stamps – the Penny Blacks, Reds, and Blues
– all with my initials!”

The Penny Black, the Two Pence Blue, and the Penny Red which
followed, were designed by Charles Heath and printed by the
firm of Perkins, Bacon & Petch Ltd. Each position on the plate of
240 was indicated with letters in the lower corners which

identified the row and column. The twenty rows were labeled at
the bottom left of each stamp from “A” at the top to “T” at the
bottom. The twelve columns were likewise labeled “A” through
“L” at the lower right. Slight variations in the positions of the
letters and the presence of other plate marks allows each stamp
to be matched to its original plate. One stamp from each plate, Plate 2
only 0.42% of the issued stamps, bears my initials, making this
specific stamp, My Victoria.

The collection is organized as a traditional exhibit of this issue might be organized –

singles and multiples showing each plate, printing varieties, cancellations, and uses. Each
item in the collection has a stamp with corner letters “CG.” The collection does not
include any pre-issue essay or proof material, as they fall outside of the key constraint –
none have the ‘CG’ check letters. Likewise, no imprimatur with these letters has ever
been released. However, the full plate 11 was used for an 1841 eight-sheet trial printings
on Dickenson silk thread paper. This does fall within the scope of the collection and is
included.

Plan of the Display

Section 1 Section 2 Section 4 Section 5

1840 1841 - 1848 Cancellations Postal History
- Black plates: - Red plates: - Maltese Cross, - Rates and Uses
plates 1-10 plates 11-87
- Numeral, - Auxiliary
- Blue plates: - Blue plates: Markings
plates 1-2 plates 3-4 - Duplex
Cancellations - Foreign &
- Printing Varieties Late Uses

Pages 2-22 Pages 23-55 Pages 56-86 Pages 87-108

The registration date, the quantity printed, and key plating characteristics are noted for each plate. A
printing date (p) or earliest known use (EKU) is denoted following the date for later printings from a plate.

Unusual or noteworthy items have been mounted with red borders.
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