GB QEEN ELIZABETH II, 1953, ½d Orange-Red, Vert. Tête-Bêche Pair, BPMA Imprimatur, Sg.515, MNH

The Base Stamp (SG 515): This is the ½d (halfpenny) Orange-Red definitive stamp featuring the young laureate portrait of Queen Elizabeth II photographed by Dorothy Wilding. The standard issued stamp features a Tudor Crown watermark and normal perforations.

Imprimatur & BPMA Handstamp: An imprimatur (Latin for "let it be printed") is an official proof sheet taken from the printing plate just prior to mass production to secure formal approval. This particular piece originates from the British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA, now known simply as The Postal Museum) archive sales. The reverse side is handstamped "BPMA" to certify its official archival provenance, and because it is an early proof, it is imperforate (lacks the standard perforated edges).

Vertical Tête-Bêche Pair: "Tête-bêche" (French for "head-to-tail") means that one stamp in the pair is printed upside down relative to the other. In a vertical tête-bêche pair, they are aligned top-to-bottom so that they face opposite directions.

Gutter Pair: The two stamps are separated by a "gutter" the blank margin or space on the sheet that normally separates panes of stamps.

MNH (Mint Never Hinged): Also referred to as unmounted original gum (o.g.) , this indicates the item is in pristine, original condition exactly as it left the archives, with full undisturbed adhesive backing and no hinge marks.