I was delighted recently to have almost accidentally recognised a state 2 example of this stamp amongst a group of stamps comprising an eBay lot.
The repair to this plate is a relatively new discovery, by Paul Witham in 2000 - see GBJ 41/1/7 and 41/5/108.
There is good reason to think this is only the second example of this stamp known.
State 1 prints are frequently seen with much wear.
There is a slight burr rub over the left star and POST of POSTAGE.
The upper half of the left sideline is recut, and the baseline has a strong shifted transfer.
There is a constant mark (Statham calls it a guide dot) at the NE point of checkletter F.
The repair restores all the worn engraving that is seen in later state 1 prints.
The recutting of the upper left is no longer apparent with both sides noticeably stronger than in even early state 1 prints, and the burr rub over the vicinity of the left star is somewhat less pronounced.
The checkletters and constant 'guide dot' are all markedly weaker.
There is a new TRL at centre left.
The stamp is shown above with my early and late state 1 examples.
This is the only known repair to this plate.
However with the rarity of state 2 stamps it is apparent the repair operation was carried out very close to the end of this plates life, and with worn examples fairly common the possibility of other repairs must be considered.
