DP43 - Two Pence small plate trial of 1841

white line added, Corner letters blanked out

The 1840 design was changed so that a white line is added to the top and bottom of the stamp. This was done to distinguish the new 2d stamp from the old one because a new type of (fugitive) ink was used. It was decided to change the design to coincide with the change of colour of the 1d stamp from black to red-brown in Feb 1841. The 15 Jan 1841 small plate trial was on a small plate of twelve impressions and was required because the large plate was not ready and specimens were required for distribution with the announcement of the forthcoming issue. You can see thin vertical guide lines in the bottom right hand corner square.

Plate of 12 below

Image source British Postal Museum from the R M Phillips Collection. Vol VIII Pg 41

The previous 1840 stamp with no white line

	Die I, plate 1, Alph I

The issued stamp 13 March 1841 with white lines added

	Plate 3 1841 MX postmark	Plate 4 1849 "1844" postmark
	white lines added, Alph I, imperforated

Colour trials were also carried out in 1876 for the 4d plate 15