Great Britain 1857 1d rose red Plate 37 (provisional use of the perforations 16 gauge), SG36.
An exceptionally fine and fresh well-centred unused example with original gum, lettered "BA".
A very rare stamp in this quality.
SG Catalogue Value: £2,800.
Since 1855 perforation 14 had been standard for all postage stamps. The reversion to perforation 16 in 1857-58 for the 1d and 2d stamps is unexplained. However, it coincided with the construction of a new Napier perforating machine, which was delivered in July 1858. It seems likely that work on the new machine caused delays in routine servicing of the perforation 14 punch sets and that old perforation 16 sets were used as a stopgap for a brief period.
