Need Help Plating Penny Red Imperf.

Need help plating this one. Alphabet II, so somewhere between 131 and 177!

I am new in this subject. How do you tell it is Alphabet 1 or 2? Thanks

Hi TangStamps, you basically need a chart to tell you since there are 1-4 different letter shapes in each of 4 alphabets. That can be found in various specialist books, including the Stanley Gibbons Specialised volume for Queen Victoria issues.

Owenthom, this looks like a plate I to me. From the SG chart, the J at the UR chart position (loop encloses almost a circle), the A at the LL position (thin body and serifs, distinctive enclosed spot). Check it out, if you would.

Hi hy-Brazil, thank you! Can I differentiate alphabet 1and 2 by paper color? The former has bluish color while the latter has white color?

Sorry hy-brasil, my cell phone automatically "corrected" your name to Brazil :)

Per SG,
Alphabet I -- plates from 1840 to the end of 1851
Alphabet II -- plates from 1852 to mid-1855

Both are in the blued paper period; no help there.

Then when was the paper changed to white paper? Are all the imperf printed on blue paper?

White paper issues started in 1856. And this refers to the Penny Reds; Penny Blacks are on white paper.

Yes, all the Penny Red imperfs are on blued paper. That blue can be very strong to rather weak.

That's good information! Thanks