Penny Black - Is This A Plate 8?

I recently obtained this (somewhat damaged) imperf Penny Black in a cheap auction lot. It's my first, so I'd like to know a bit more about it if possible.

I've used the images at https://www.maltesex.com/plating/ and my best guess as a total amateur is that it matches Plate 8.

Can anyone with a better and more experienced eye confirm this for me please?

The rays of the stars do not match.

It looks like a plate 1a to my eyes.

and

Although I am not completely ruling out 1b, that was my impression as well.

Thanks NSK, the images on the web are a little small and blurred for me to see that much detail. Do you have any thoughts on which plate it could be?

I was going on the tilt of the letters and 8 seemed the best match.

I think he and the others have answered your question.

Two people posted they think it is plate 1a. I think it is either 1a or 1b. These are the same plate but 1b underwent some repairs. Looking at the lower part of the "S," I would say 1b. However, the worn appearance and some other indications, strongly, point at plate 1a.

So, I think, as do the others, it is 1a, but I am not completely ruling out 1b. The missing lower left corner would have given a more positive identification.

According to Guide Lines to the Penny Black, Plate 1a will have Ray Flaw 5 (top left square, small ray at 5 o'clock weak to missing) and Plate 1b will have Ray Flaw 7 (top left square, small ray at 7 o'clock weak to missing).

The other notes are Plate 1a, Bottom line double; and Plate 1b, "S" square recut. SW corner of "S" square broken.

In the front of the book, there is a note that SL is one of only five positions on Plates 1a and 1b that do not show the 10 o'clock flaw.

Edit: To be clear, all of the above is specific to the SL position. That's probably obvious, but those aren't general rules that apply to all positions.

The bottom line double was the thing I noticed, other than the position of the letters of course.

Very many thanks all! So consensus is that I have a 1a here. A shame about the tear bottom left, but it's the first in my collection. I tend to buy old 'schoolboy' collections at auction, so something like this is a bit of a bonus for me.