Examination of One Block

A 1047x1175 enlargement is available for study.

	Start with the top left impression, "OC" and look at the basal line. There are signs of extension under the letters giving the appearence of a extra thick line. Note the break-through under the 2nd "N" of "PENNY".
	These impressions all carry the 1842-43 Ray Flaw. It is a dual flaw, affecting both corner stars. The flaw consists of the shortening and doubling of the 10 o'clock ray in the N.W. and a truncation of the 1 o'clock ray in the N.E.
	Move to the top right stamp, "OD". Again there are signs of basal extension under the letters, as well as the break-through under "N". There are lesser signs of Basal Shift under the bottom right stamp, "PD".
	In the upper right square, there are the remains of a Vertical Guide Line. It is faintly visible, just inside the right side-line. Note the truncated 1 o'clock ray.
	Moving now to the lower left copy, we see that the lower serif of the "E" in "PENNY" is distorted, and connected to the middle stroke of the letter.
	Because the block may have been part of a much larger piece when originally used, we can see that the adjoining impression "PB" is placed too low. ("PB" has a defective or Re-Cut letter "P". Too bad it's no longer attached!)
	Finally, at the lower right impression, there are two additional items. Until the publication of "The Essential Guide ..." by Dr. Statham, I had not noticed this flaw. There are two dots on the Queen's Face in this unit, unfortunately one is covered by the cancel.
	Next is the doubling of the Check Letter "D". While hard to see because of the obliteration, look at where the lower curve of the "D" meets the gap in the cancel. There is an extension or doubling to this area.

While outside the scope of this presentation, the cancel is a bit unusual. Until the middle of March 1843, the Maltese Crosses were 'plain'. At this time a series of 12 chops were introduced in the London Head Office, and were used there until the Barred Numerals were introduced in 1844. There should be a 'cross' on the top of the obliteration, but this is either a worn chop, or the angle of the strikes were such that the cross did not appear. The closest is the strike on "PD" (see the whole block).