The Rose-Reds 1857-1864

Characteristics
The so called "Rose-reds" are Die II, watermarked Large Crown type I or II, perforated 14 on white paper.  These stamps appeared in a range of shades: bright rose-red (March -April 1857), pale red (April 1857),  deep rose-red (July 1857),  rose-red (September 1857), and pale rose-pink (1863).  This is a very interesting issue which relatively speaking is still affordable for study.  See the various shades of the Rose-reds here.

Plates:
The plates used to issue the Rose-reds are as follows. The plate numbers with links provide additional information about
those select plates:


Alphabet III
The normal Alphabet used during the Rose-red period
Examples of the Alphabet III
Plate Number
Put to Press
Withdrawn
Watermark Type
Frame Break*
 Sheets
Plate 27
12 Dec 55
22 Mar 61
I  and II
No
1,011,900
Plate 33
? Feb 1856
29 Oct 61*
I
No
138,000
Plate 34
19 April 56
01 Dec 84
I and II
No
724,100
Plate 36
20 Feb 56
01 Mar 64
I and II
No
100,000
Plate 37
19 Apr 56
29 Oct 61
I
Yes
263,600
Plate 38
24 May 56
29 Oct 61
I
Yes
220,000
Plate 39
07 Apr 56
1 Mar 64
I and II
Yes
+/- 110,000
Plate 41
07 Apr 56
07 Mar 64
I and II
Yes
361,609
Plate 42
23 Jun 56
01 Dec 64
I and II
Yes
669,700
Plate 43
05 Jul 56
02 Apr 64
I and II
Yes
+/- 1,000,000
Plate 44
19 Jul 56
29 Oct 61
I and II
Yes
601,500
Plate 45
26 Aug 56
29 Oct 61
I
Yes
111,000
Plate 46
27 Aug 56
01 Dec 64
I and II
Yes
651,400
Plate 47
15 Dec 56
30 Mar 64
I and II
Yes
953,900
Plate 48
02 Feb 57
 30 Mar 64
I and II
Yes
+/- 800,000
Plate 49
03 Apr 57
 29 Oct 61
I and II
Yes
473,200
Plate 52
07 May 57
 01 Mar 64 ?
I and II
No
+/- 1,000,000
Plate 55
21 May 57
 01 Mar 64
I and II
No
+/- 1,000,000
Plate 56
14 Jul 57
 02 Apr 64
I and II
No
+/- 1,000,000
Plate 57
14 Jul 57
 01 Mar 64
I and II
No
+/- 700,000
Plate 58
14 Jul 57
 29 Oct 61
I and II
Yes
408,000
Plate 59
14 Jul 57
 02 Apr 64
I and II
Yes
805,200
Plate 60
14 Jul 57
 01 Mar 64
I and II
Yes
+/- 1,000,000
Plate 61
08 May 58
 30 May 61
I and II
No
186,100
Plate 62
05 Dec 59
 01 Mar 61
I and II
No
375,000
Plate 63
05 Mar 60
 29 Oct 61
I and II
No
145,100
Plate 64
05 Nov 60
 29 Oct 61
I and II
No
19,400
Plate 65
14 Jan 61
 29 Oct 61
I and II
No
10,600
Plate 66
13 Feb 61
 17 May 64
I and II
Yes
+/- 325,000
Plate 67
13 Feb 62
 01 Mar 64
I and II
No
250,400
Plate 68
09 Jan 62
01 Mar 64
I and II
No
?  150,000 

*Green color designates defaced date rather than withdrawn date.   *The frame break occurs on the right side frame of the stamp about
1/3 of the way up from the bottom and varies in size.

The above listed sheet quantities and dates are based upon the blued paper and white paper printings.  For additional information
please refer to The Postage Stamps of Great Britain Part II and Stanley Gibbons Queen Victoria Specialized Catalog Vol. I.



Alphabet IV
Experimental Hand Engraved Check Letters
Examples of Alphabet IV
Plate
 Put to Press
Withdrawn
Watermark Type
Sheets
Plate 51
1861
?
I and II
+/- 450,000
Plate 52
1861
?
I and II
+/- 450,000

 

Alphabet II
Reserve Plate Check Letters
Examples of Alphabet II
Plate
 Put to press
Withdrawn
Watermark Type
Sheets
Plate 15
April 1862
?
I and II
221,700
Plate 16
April 1862
?
I and II
+/- 350,000

Alphabets:
 3 Alphabets exist on  the Rose-reds. The primary alphabet which appears on the majority of the stamps is Alphabet III, a tall
narrow alphabet.  Alphabet IV is an experimental alphabet in which the check letters were hand engraved into the check letter
squares.  The Authorities were apparantly found this impractical and decided against further use of this alphabet.  Of the three
it is perhaps the loveliest style. Alphabet II exists on Reserve Plates 15 and 16 as they were manufacturered earlier at the time
Alphabet II was the only alphabet in use.  The plates were brought into use as the printers required plates to replace those which
had been worn and taken out of service.  There were no more Alphabet III plates available and thus the Reserve Plates 15 and 16
were put to service.

The MA TA Watermark Error:
This error is a result of specific watermark bits being replaced on the dandy roller which had required replacement.  The wtaermark bits differ from the original type.  The replaced watermark bits effected stamp positions MA, ML, TA and TL.
 
 

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