1841 Penny Red Black Plate 10 – The complete sheet of 240 stamps is now available for sale at Private Treaty.
The Magnificent complete sheet complete sheet of 240 1841 Penny Reds printed from “Black Plate 10” with full margins and plate numbers in each corner, the only surviving sheet in existence, in or outside of a Museum, there are no complete sheets of Penny Blacks or 1840/41 2d Blues.
The red printings, were initially done between 30th December 1840 and 21st January 1841 and the plate was repaired on 22 stamps within these 3 weeks. This sheet shows these stamps in the original un-repaired state, making it a very early printing.
On the 22nd they reverted to printing in Black making this sheet a Pre-provisional Printing.
An absolutely STUNNING SHEEET exhibiting beautifully fresh colour, unused without gum, (we believe this sheet was never meant to be gummed as it was designed to be included with the 1841 Postal notices) small tear at top right mentioned only for accuracy. None of the toning or creasing normally associated with large multiples, meaning it is in an otherwise superb state of preservation for such a large piece and is without question one of the crown Jewels of Great Britian and World Philately and a major exhibition showpiece.
Catalogued at £750,000++ As basic blocks of four.
Price on request
Provenance:
Ex Adams Grand Prix Collection (1950) (In the Adams Sales in 1956 this was the second most valuable item sold in the auction at £550 the highest being £600, was for the block of 18 Penny Blacks later to also be sold Ex Daisy).
Ex Daisy (Henri le Grand) Grand Prix Collection (1990).
