Penny Black Cover Dated 22 August 1840.... Help Needed On Value.

Hi guys, I just acquired a penny black cover. Finding the value of a loose penny black is a lot easier than a cover as there appears to be many other variables apart from just looking at the stamp alone. A cover dated on 6 May would be priceless, but this one is dated 22 August 1840. With the date being crucial for covers, prices can vary, so I am not certain what an August cover would be worth in comparison with let's say a December cover with all things being equal. Thanks in advance.

I reckon the stamp should be a plate 4.

I don't think August adds value. After late May, usage of the stamps was extensive so only May dated covers appear to carry a premium with collectors. The stamp is 4 margins which is great, and an earlier plate, but the Maltese cross and Reading strike are indistinct, the cover is heavily folded and stained and the contents uninteresting. I will venture a value of £200.

Probably about right. The SG QV specialised catalogue quotes a price on cover for a plate 4 at £750

Filing folds are not uncommon and there appears to be no splitting so that's a good thing!

I'd make an offer but my initials aren't KD

Nice item pennyblackie, well done

Thanks guys. Not sure what the quality of the cover should be to warrant a £750 cat value. I paid slightly over £200 for this cover as this was the earliest cover I could find with a 4 margin penny black at that price. I bought a couple more from ebay recently but they have yet to arrive. When they have arrived, I will share them with you guys.

The easy way to answer that question is to visit the Stanley Gibbons site, search for Penny Blacks, click the filter for Covers, look for ones priced at £750 and examine the quality. They will be clean, fresh with good strikes and fold free. Remember that a Gibbons catalog price of £750 is also a retail price for them at their website or 399 Strand.

This is the only top marginal plate 4 cover for sale at £12500 by SG...

There is nothing particularly notable about an August, 1840 date or Plate 4, per se. May dates are worth a premium, but that decreases as you get later into the month.

I'd look at some of these websites - all very reputable dealers I've dealt with many times over the years - to get an idea of "retail" value of penny black covers:

http://www.empirecollectables.com/
https://www.barrell.co.uk/
https://www.andrewglajer.co.uk/quee...raved-covers

Chipg, thanks for the recommended sites.