There are three versions of the Penny Red. The first was imperforate, just like the Penny Black. They even used some of the same printing plates from the Penny Black to print the Reds. There were 177 different plates. Then they made them perforated. They then introduced the third set with letters in all four corners. These are the only ones with the Plate numbers printed in the design. The first two sets don't have that feature. The only way to recognise the respective plates numbers on those sets are from corner letter positions, constant flaws and sometimes the type of cancellation helps.
If you ever find yourself in London then you have to check out the Tapling Collection open for public display as the British Library, it holds many of the world's rarities on display for you to see including a Plate 77 in the flesh, the closest I'll ever come - I think the number of complete plate runs would sit around 7-9
I know about these plate numbers for decades, but to be honest I´m not patient enough. To find a 77, I think collectors are dreaming many years for this. I liked your penny black a lot, a very nice example. This is one of the better ones. Have fun searching your penny reds, may be there are some more seldom ones you find.
Great video Mr Silk , it's good to see how technology can be used to make things easier and faster in stamp collecting . What a great device. I have spent many hours struggling over the magnifying glass looking for plate numbers . I'm looking for the elusive plate 77 and 225 to complete my penny reds. Thanks for showing us this great piece of equipment Terry from Devon uk 😊
Nice penny black ! Sadly, at this time, I have very few penny reds...... I have an old microscope (4-25x) from my science teaching days that I sometimes use to look closer at my stamps.... Thanks for another cool philatelic video ! And I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas !
As usual I enjoyed the video. The Penny Reds are some of my favs...i have the complete run of plates (including 225) except for the one I will NEVER own...(77). I appreciate the discount on the scope and will ask my wife for permission to buy...lol. Have a great Christmas, Silk! Greg from Alabama
As common as you say penny reds are, out of the tons of stamps I inherited...not one:/ You are the 3rd TH-cam stamp channel I have seen to review a microscope. Those do seem like they make life easier for small details. Someday I hope to get something like this. Very cool.
I caught that line too late to correct... it's still a very old, and collectible stamp, so not exactly common... but they were in print for so long that there's a lot of them floating around still. Thanks for the opportunity to correct with a bit of nuance!
This is the second digital microscope I come across that (when new) seems to be available only through Amazon or maybe Ali Express. Aren't these sold directly from the manufacturer? I refuse to deal with Amazon and Ali Express is always a bit risky.
The microscope is listed at $89.99 US on the American Amazon site. On the Canadian one, it's a very high $212.15 Can. currency. While the Canadian dollar has been going into the toilet recently, $89.99 US = $121.73 Can. at the moment . BTW, I really like those old British covers ... and the stamps are very nice too.
That microscope might help me read the perf. 14 vs perf. 14 1/2, etc. Unfortunately aging affects your eyesight and this might keep me in the hobby a little bit longer. I had already given up reading the plate numbers on the penny reds, and I've only been staring at mint copies. A new lease on stamp life perhaps.
There are three versions of the Penny Red. The first was imperforate, just like the Penny Black. They even used some of the same printing plates from the Penny Black to print the Reds. There were 177 different plates. Then they made them perforated. They then introduced the third set with letters in all four corners. These are the only ones with the Plate numbers printed in the design. The first two sets don't have that feature. The only way to recognise the respective plates numbers on those sets are from corner letter positions, constant flaws and sometimes the type of cancellation helps.
If you ever find yourself in London then you have to check out the Tapling Collection open for public display as the British Library, it holds many of the world's rarities on display for you to see including a Plate 77 in the flesh, the closest I'll ever come - I think the number of complete plate runs would sit around 7-9
It's on my bucket list!!
I have a ton of Penny Red's. I too have yet to identify any of these, maybe I'll be lucky once I do 😊
Great and intresting video, and Merry Christmas to You and Youre family 🎅
Same to you!
I know about these plate numbers for decades, but to be honest I´m not patient enough. To find a 77, I think collectors are dreaming many years for this. I liked your penny black a lot, a very nice example. This is one of the better ones. Have fun searching your penny reds, may be there are some more seldom ones you find.
Great video Mr Silk , it's good to see how technology can be used to make things easier and faster in stamp collecting . What a great device. I have spent many hours struggling over the magnifying glass looking for plate numbers . I'm looking for the elusive plate 77 and 225 to complete my penny reds. Thanks for showing us this great piece of equipment Terry from Devon uk 😊
Hey Silk! You can use that digital microscope to help grade your sports cards. I want one.
Nice penny black ! Sadly, at this time, I have very few penny reds...... I have an old microscope (4-25x) from my science teaching days that I sometimes use to look closer at my stamps.... Thanks for another cool philatelic video ! And I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas !
As usual I enjoyed the video. The Penny Reds are some of my favs...i have the complete run of plates (including 225) except for the one I will NEVER own...(77). I appreciate the discount on the scope and will ask my wife for permission to buy...lol. Have a great Christmas, Silk!
Greg from Alabama
I'm looking to get one of those HD microscopes as well, more to identify grills on classic U.S. stamps...😊
Great idea! I thought about secret marks on the bank notes too
Lovely pair of tuppence blues
As common as you say penny reds are, out of the tons of stamps I inherited...not one:/ You are the 3rd TH-cam stamp channel I have seen to review a microscope. Those do seem like they make life easier for small details. Someday I hope to get something like this. Very cool.
I caught that line too late to correct... it's still a very old, and collectible stamp, so not exactly common... but they were in print for so long that there's a lot of them floating around still. Thanks for the opportunity to correct with a bit of nuance!
This is the second digital microscope I come across that (when new) seems to be available only through Amazon or maybe Ali Express. Aren't these sold directly from the manufacturer? I refuse to deal with Amazon and Ali Express is always a bit risky.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy and Healthy New Year 2025.
Merry Christmas to you too!!
The microscope is listed at $89.99 US on the American Amazon site. On the Canadian one, it's a very high $212.15 Can. currency. While the Canadian dollar has been going into the toilet recently, $89.99 US = $121.73 Can. at the moment . BTW, I really like those old British covers ... and the stamps are very nice too.
That microscope might help me read the perf. 14 vs perf. 14 1/2, etc. Unfortunately aging affects your eyesight and this might keep me in the hobby a little bit longer. I had already given up reading the plate numbers on the penny reds, and I've only been staring at mint copies. A new lease on stamp life perhaps.
Sorry - can't watch a video by a bloke with cap on backwards!!