Great Britain 1840 2d Mulready Lettersheet (Forme 1, Stereo A103), SG ME3 – Rare Used Example
A fine used example of the iconic 1840 2d Mulready lettersheet, Forme 1, Stereo A103, sent from London to Walton near Burton on Trent, and cancelled by a bold strike of the London No.2 Maltese Cross (allocated to the Lombard Street office).
Backstamped in both London and Burton on Trent for May 11 & 12, 1843, the cover retains strong visual appeal despite the side flaps having been removed. The cancellation is crisp, the printed design sharp, and the address panel attractively penned.
Issued alongside the Penny Black, the Mulready lettersheets were designed by William Mulready R.A. and engraved by John Thompson, intended to revolutionise postal stationery. The design, however, proved unpopular and was soon withdrawn, making intact or well-preserved examples highly collectable today.
This example is from the important "Mayflower" Grand Prix collection and comes with a 2010 British Philatelic Association (BPA) certificate of authenticity.
A scarce and desirable piece of early postal stationery history.
Stanley Gibbons catalogue value: £9,000.
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