Penny Red Postage Stamps: History and Production
The Penny Red stands as a cornerstone of British postal history, succeeding the famous Penny Black. Produced in staggering quantities to meet the demands of a growing empire, these stamps represent a significant era of transition in printing technology and postal administration.
Production and Printing
The production of the Penny Red was handled by Messrs. Perkins, Bacon & Co, who printed approximately 21 billion of these stamps. In the early stages of production, some of the same printing plates used for the Penny Black were repurposed for the Penny Red.
Stamps were originally printed in sheets of 240, organized into 20 rows of 12 stamps each. This specific layout meant that a single row cost 1 shilling, while a full sheet cost one pound. This 240-stamp configuration remained the standard for all low-value British postage stamps until decimalisation in 1971, at which point the sheet size was reduced to 200 stamps (20 rows of 10).
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Identifying Plate Positions
To prevent forgery and track production, each stamp featured unique identifying letters in its lower corners. These letters (such as AA, AB, etc.) allowed officials to pinpoint the exact position of a stamp on the printing plate.
The plate was organized in a grid where the horizontal axis was marked by letters A through L and the vertical axis by letters A through T. While the lower corners held these coordinates, the upper corners of early issues were occupied by stars.
The Evolution of Perforations
Early Penny Reds, like the Penny Black and early Two Pence Blue issues, were imperforate, meaning they had no holes and had to be manually cut from the sheet using scissors.
In 1850, an experimental perforation system with a gauge of 16 was introduced. This was officially adopted in 1854. Collectors can distinguish the experimental issue from the general issue by the different alphabet type used for the identifying letters.
By January 1855, the perforation size was adjusted from gauge 16 to gauge 14. This change was necessary because the gauge 16 sheets were tearing too easily; the smaller gauge 14 holes ensured the sheets remained intact until intentional pressure was applied to separate the stamps. Along with this change, the stars in the upper corners were replaced by the identifying letters in reverse.
Key Facts
- Total Printed: Approximately 21 billion stamps.
- Manufacturer: Perkins, Bacon & Co.
- Original Sheet Size: 240 stamps (20 rows of 12).
- Cost per Sheet: One pound.
- Perforation Shift: Moved from gauge 16 to gauge 14 in January 1855.
- Decimalisation Change: Sheet size changed to 200 stamps in 1971.
| Feature | Early Issue | Post-1855 Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Perforation | None or Gauge 16 | Gauge 14 |
| Upper Corners | Stars | Identifying letters (reversed) |
| Lower Corners | Identifying letters | Identifying letters |
| Sheet Layout | 240 stamps | 240 stamps |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Penny Red stamps were printed?
Messrs. Perkins, Bacon & Co printed approximately 21 billion Penny Red stamps.
Why was the perforation size changed in 1855?
The perforation was changed from gauge 16 to gauge 14 because the gauge 16 sheets were coming apart too easily. The reduced size helped the sheets stay intact until they were intentionally separated.
How could you tell where a stamp was located on the printing plate?
Each stamp had unique letters in its lower corners (e.g., AA, AB) that corresponded to its specific position on the plate grid.
When did the sheet size for low-value British stamps change?
The sheet size changed from 240 to 200 stamps in 1971 during decimalisation.
What was the difference between the experimental and general perforated issues?
The experimental perforated issue can be distinguished from the general issue by the specific alphabet type used for the identifying letters.