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 |
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1,011,900
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138,000
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724,100
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100,000
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263,600
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220,000
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+/- 110,000
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361,609
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669,700
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+/- 1,000,000
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601,500
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111,000
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651,400
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953,900
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+/- 800,000
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473,200
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+/- 1,000,000
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+/- 1,000,000
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+/- 1,000,000
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+/- 700,000
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408,000
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805,200
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+/- 1,000,000
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186,100
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375,000
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145,100
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19,400
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10,600
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+/- 325,000
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250,400
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? 150,000
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*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 |
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+/- 450,000
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+/- 450,000
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![]() Alphabet II Reserve Plate Check Letters |
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221,700
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+/- 350,000
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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.