Stephen JonesOwner, Liverpool Stamps · Rare GB Victorian Stamps, Penny Reds & Worldwide Collections | Liverpool Stamps

HOW IT'S MADE: A Sheet of Postage Stamps During Queen Victoria's Reign

24 Jun 2024 · 1 min

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The video explains that Penny Red postage stamps were printed on sheets containing 240 individual stamps arranged in 20 horizontal rows (labeled A through T) and 12 vertical columns (labeled A through L). Each stamp carries two checkletters: the lower‑left letter denotes its row and the lower‑right letter denotes its column. This system means the first stamp on a sheet is marked AA and the final stamp TL. By interpreting these checkletters, one can reconstruct the original printing plate layout, revealing how the stamps were produced.

The Penny Reds were printed in sheets of 240 subjects. The sheets had 20 horizontal rows checklettered from A to T and 12 vertical columns checklettered from A to L. The lower left corner letter indicates the row the impression is on and the lower right corner letter indicates the column the impression is located in. The first stamp in the sheet is checklettered AA and the last stamp in the sheet is checklettered TL. How awesome is this? One can actually replicate or reconstruct a printing plate.