Stamp SA of this plate is one that I keep running in to.
In addition to the five examples above, I also had another state 2 print that I sold.
The three state 1 examples show onset of typical plate wear.
The upper right sideline and outer line of the NE square are strong.
The checkletter A is virtually blind.
Re-entry of the unit restores worn engraving seen in later state 1 prints, though this seems to be a temporary measure with new wear apparent in the second state 2 stamp.
The upper right side and outer line of the NE corner are now weaker, the latter being ill-defined.
Checkletter A is now clearly open.
There is a quite feint TRL in the right margin (possibly only in early prints?).
The repair to stamp TA also seems to have not staved off wear for too long, with the above state 2 print showing new wear.
Checkletter A is also more open in the repaired state.
In the scan above, the second SA state 1 and second state 2 are both ex Stone - being the actual stamps photographed in that book.
The two TA stamps are ex Osborne - being the actual stamps photographed in that publication.
Statham says the repair occurred 'fairly late' in this plate's life, but state 2 examples do not seem particularly difficult to locate and I suspect the repair happened just after about half-way through its time at press.
In addition to the five examples above, I also had another state 2 print that I sold.
The three state 1 examples show onset of typical plate wear.
The upper right sideline and outer line of the NE square are strong.
The checkletter A is virtually blind.
Re-entry of the unit restores worn engraving seen in later state 1 prints, though this seems to be a temporary measure with new wear apparent in the second state 2 stamp.
The upper right side and outer line of the NE corner are now weaker, the latter being ill-defined.
Checkletter A is now clearly open.
There is a quite feint TRL in the right margin (possibly only in early prints?).
The repair to stamp TA also seems to have not staved off wear for too long, with the above state 2 print showing new wear.
Checkletter A is also more open in the repaired state.
In the scan above, the second SA state 1 and second state 2 are both ex Stone - being the actual stamps photographed in that book.
The two TA stamps are ex Osborne - being the actual stamps photographed in that publication.
Statham says the repair occurred 'fairly late' in this plate's life, but state 2 examples do not seem particularly difficult to locate and I suspect the repair happened just after about half-way through its time at press.
