Great Britain 1840 1d Black Plate 5, SG2
An exceptional and historic 1d Black Plate 5 on cover, lettered 'CI', showing four clear margins and cancelled by the distinctive red Maltese Cross of Wotton-under-Edge, a highly sought-after and very rare provincial cancellation.
This attractive wrapper from Wotton-under-Edge to Bristol, dated February 10, 1841, is backstamped with matching Wotton-under-Edge and Bristol circular date stamps. Notably, this is believed to be the last recorded use of the red Wotton-under-Edge Maltese Cross, making it an important and well-documented philatelic item.
The cover is illustrated in the Rockoff & Jackson 'Encyclopedia of the Maltese Cross'.
Accompanied by a 1953 Royal Philatelic Society (RPS) Certificate of Authenticity.
GB Specialised Catalogue No: AS25ul.
Stanley Gibbons Catalogue Value: £20,000.
The postmaster is believed to have deliberately defaced the canceller by cutting lines across it. Because it is so distinctive, it is one of the most desirable amongst penny black enthusiasts.
Maltese Crosses were only struck in red until February 1841, after which, black became standard. Red strikes from Wotton therefore sit in a short early window and are scarcer than its black strikes.
Being the last recorded usage of the red Wotton-under-Edge Maltese Cross, this is a major philatelic exhibition piece.
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