Plate 8 of twopence blue - RK

Stamp RK of this plate is not listed by Osborne among the units to have had its plate number/s recut, that had become very broadened due to wear.
The many dated pieces Osborne lists as showing the recut are all dated from 13 November 1860.
This clearly dates the recutting operation to October or November 1860.

I have had this cover for about three years, dated July 1860.
The left plate number 8 displays as extremely broadened due to wear.
In my view this item proves that RK must also have been subject to hand retouch to thin the left plate number.
It would seem unusual for them have operated on other units around this area of the plate and leave RK, and I'm sure that they didn't.

I just need to find a later print to confirm this beyond doubt.

Plate 81 - TI

I have had a great deal of trouble finding examples of this stamp, despite it being quite a common plate.
I have had the crappy state 1 print for a couple of years, and have just located a state 2 example.

The repair to this stamp has been known for some time.
The repair is non-coincident resulting in duplication across its top, including the top line of the right star.
The major NE pointing ray in the NE square is clearly duplicated, and POSTAGE is compressed.
Duplication in the left star is also reported, but the cancel impedes in this example.
The checkletters display some weakening in comparison to state 1 prints.
There is a new TRL of medium strength running for virtually the full length of the left margin.

Originally I had thought this cover was dated 1848, but now to hand realise it's July 1849.
This is a couple of months after Statham's estimate of plate 81s withdrawal from press, and so this cover offers no clue as to when the re-entry may have been carried out.

This is the only example I have seen.

Plate 155 - GD and HF

These two stamps arrived yesterday.
Stamp GD was described by the seller as plate 162.
HF was described as (of all things) plate 60.
In fact both are from plate 155, and GD is in the second state (weaker checkletters and stronger right sideline).

The misplating of GD can be forgiven as the letter position of plates 155 and 162 is similarish.
HF should not - the stamp clearly has alphabet 2 checkletters, so how it was plated as an alphabet 1 plate is anyones guess.

This isn't a complaint - these would have sold for significantly higher than I paid if they were correctly plated.
HF is a large stamp, and a great bargain at £1.70!

Moral of the story: if you're looking for specific plates, always check everything.