GB QV 1840 2D Blue – Plate 1 (BG) 4 Margin, Stunning Fine Used Example with Central Red Maltese Cross (Cat £975)
$805.50 excl GST
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Historical Significance: The world’s second postage stamp, issued in 1840.
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Plate: Crucial Plate 1 example with positional letters (BG).
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Condition: Highly sought-after 4-Margin stamp.
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Cancellation: Features a stunning, desirable central Red Maltese Cross postmark.
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Catalogue Value: Valued at £975 (Stanley Gibbons).
1 in stock
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Description
Following immediately after the Penny Black, the GB QV 1840 2D Blue is the world’s second adhesive postage stamp and an absolute necessity for any serious collection of classics. Its higher denomination was intended for foreign or heavier letters, making it inherently scarcer than the Penny Black.
GB QV 1840 2D Blue Key Features:
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The Blue Counterpart: The 2D Blue was printed using the same plates as the 1d Black, but its color was chosen to prevent the fraudulent cleaning and reuse of the red cancellation ink.
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Rare Plate 1: This example is from Plate 1, the first and most sought-after plate for the 2D Blue. Plate 1 stamps are fewer in number than those from later plates, making this a highly desirable specialist item. The positional letters are BG.
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4-Margin Condition: As the stamp was issued imperforate (cut from sheets by hand), the quality of the margins is paramount. This stamp boasts four distinct, clear margins, separating it cleanly from its neighbours—a premium feature that dramatically enhances its value and display quality.
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The Iconic Cancellation: It is cancelled by the highly prized Red Maltese Cross. The red cancellation was only used in the earliest period of the stamp’s issue (up to early 1841) and is clean, clear, and centrally struck, demonstrating a fine used appearance.
This stamp combines historical importance, rarity (Plate 1), and exceptional condition (4-margins, central Red Maltese Cross) to create an investment piece of the highest quality.
