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

Postmarks and Cancellations on GB Victorian Postage Stamps

29 Jun 2024 · 1 min

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In this segment, the presenter introduces the Maltese Cross cancellation, one of the earliest postmarks first used in 1840 on the Penny Black. The cross’s distinctive shape, extending to the stamp edges, served both as a cancellation and a security feature to deter reuse. The design varied regionally, and the ink colors ranged from red and black to blue and yellow. The Maltese Cross continued to be applied to Penny Red stamps until about 1844, and its presence helps philatelists identify early printings from plates 1 through 36.

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I finally got down to studying postmarks used on Penny Red stamps. Let's take a look at the basics. First, there was the Maltese Cross. This cancellation was one of the earliest types introduced in 1840 with the Penny Black. It had a distinctive cross shape with the arms extending to the edges of the stamp, serving both as a cancellation and as a security measure against reuse. The design of the cross varied from place to place, and the color of the ink used could also vary dramatically from red to black, blue, and even yellow. As they were used on Penny Reds until 1844, these can help identify printings from earlier plates 1 through 36.