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ABOUT THE STAMPS
GB Queen Victoria 1858, SG 35, Plate 6.
Stamp has stars in the top corners and letters only in the bottom corners, which distinguishes it from the later, more common 1858 series (SG 45) which has letters in all four corners.
Plate Issue: This series was printed from Plate 5 or Plate 6. Unlike later Victorian issues, the plate number is not engraved into the side scrollwork of the stamp design. It can only be narrowed down by checking the exact perforation gauge and the design of the corner alphabet letters:
Plate 5 was used with both Perforation 16 and Perforation 14.
Plate 6 was used with Perforation 14.
Plate 6 uses Alphabet III. The letters are visibly larger, taller, and much thinner. Looking closely at the "E" in the bottom right corner, it has the elongated, slender characteristics of Alphabet III, which strongly indicates this stamp is from Plate 6. Also, another design clue for Plate 6 is that the horizontal white lines directly above "TWO PENCE" and below "POSTAGE" are noticeably thinner than those found on Plate 5.
Letters Position – Letters “O – E”
Row Position: Row O (The 15th row from the top of the sheet, as 'O' is the 15th letter of the alphabet used).
Column Position: Column 5 (The letter 'E' is the 5th letter of the alphabet, meaning it was the 5th stamp from the left in that row).
Noted Flaws & Errors:
The "Leaf" in the Top Right Star: What looks like an extra "leaf" or distortion inside the corner square is a common characteristic of line-engraved plates rather than a major catalogue error. These stars were individually struck into the plate using a master roller die. Minor variations, metal wear, or heavy inking often caused the delicate lines inside the star squares to look slightly distorted or plugged. There are catalogues which has such distortion inside the stars box as an error but not Stanley Gibbons.
The "Dot" next to the Letter "O": Small spots or ink dots near the letters frequently occurred on these plates. They are typically guide dots used by the artisans to align the letter punches on the printing plate before hammering them in by hand, or simply small ink squeezed out during the printing process.
Note on Re-entries: Plate 6 is well known for a highly collected re-entry variety in the "OE" position (which causes doubling marks in the corner squares and inscriptions). Despite the black cancellation ink blanketing the left and bottom regions of the stamp, the overlay checking shows the distinct double lines of this plate re-entry, therefore it is “RE-ENTRY”.
Watermark:
To be absolutely certain that this is SG 35, could be confirmed also by flipping the stamp over and check closely at the paper structure. An SG 35 with Perf 14 will feature a Large Crown watermark. (If it were on a Small Crown watermark with Perf 14, it would be the highly rare SG 23a variety, though the letter style strongly aligns it with the standard 1857 SG 35 issue).
Cancelation: Is numerical - №. 290, According to the official Great Britain Philatelic Society (GBPS) database on provincial post office numeral allocations, 290 was issued to Falmouth, Cornwall when the barred numeral system launched in 1844. Falmouth continuously held and used the numeral 290 as a Head Post Office through its entire lifespan. Having the distinct 290 cancel on an SG 35 (Plate 6) from the late 1850s is highly consistent with known postal history records from that office.IMPORTANT INFORMATIONPlease be aware check whether on the stamp is any overprint. With every overprint you must be aware that forgeries are around therefore, to be 100% sure if stamp does not have attest completed, do that for your peace of mind. Stamp sold as seen.LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Stamp as seen on images. Please be aware that post is for FREE dealt via Royal Mail however, if you want to have secure delivery can be arranged to be posted by DHL or UPS, ...
All money from the sale go to Cancer Foundation and Hospital Trials therefore, there is no returning policy available as well no refund (no return and no refund for this stamp).
PAYMENT & POSTAGE DETAILS
For the UK: Royal Mail Special Delivery (FREE of charge)
Europe and worldwide: Royal Mail International Signed and Trace (FREE of charge)
