SixPence Value
One plate was produced: plate 1 consisting of 20 stamps. The major varieties were as follows:
a) Sixpence one word Plate 1, Pos. 2
Plate 1, Pos. 3
b) Without red ink initials Plate ?, Pos. 1
c) "L" in frame at foot Plate 1, Pos. unknown
It is thought that a total of 102 stamps were produced made up of 6d. stamps in black, in blue and in mauve. 13 remainders were destroyed. The two odd single stamps and the printing in blue are explained below.
6d. Black, S.G.17
21 were produced, consisting of one sheet from Plate 1 and a further single from an unnumbered Plate; all were top impressions typed with black ribbon. In addition, the Royal collection contains an unique upper left corner single, pos [1], black carbon copy - an exact copy of the stamp with no initials, S.G.17b, included in this sale, lot 90. Since no black carbon copy of Plate 1 was produced, the further single, S.G.17b, and its carbon copy in the Royal collection come from an unnumbered Plate, probably from an attempt, either before or after the production of plate 1, to produce another plate.
8 unused examples, including a block of four, and 3 used examples, including one without initials, S.G.17b, and one used on cover back, have been recorded. The block of four is the only recorded multiple. 13 remainders were recorded as being destroyed by the Royal Navy authorities, an impossible number in view of the 11 examples of this stamp known to survive. It is possible that those destroyed may have included some 6d. stamps from the mauve carbons or, perhaps, some 6d. stamps in black from the unnumbered plate.
Plate 1
unused Block of Four Corner block of four [15-16/19-20], from the lower right of the sheet, unused; creases; a great rarity.
Details
unused Block of Four Corner block of four [15-16/19-20], from the lower right of the sheet, unused; creases; a great rarity.
Further details
Note: This is the only recorded multiple of S.G.17 and comprises half of the recorded unused examples of this stamp.