This plate was the first to be produced to give cosistant reproductions of the one penny postage stamps, and as such was some-what experimental. (The plate was a further extention of the plate proof, without corner letters or marginal inscription, which is housed in the National postal Museum, London).

     The printings are found in two states, (possibly three), due to the plate being used unhardened, hardened as well as after a major repair. Historicially the plate has been refered to in two states, (1a and 1b), the first being prior to the repairs and the later after the repairs, which were made by re-entry.

     This and plate 2 were the only plates avalible on the first day of official use.

     When this plate was withdrawn for repairs, (which were made by re-entering every impression), the roller which had been used for the production of plate 2 was used. The reason for the use of this roller, (in our opionion), was that the roller originally used for plate 1 had been modified by the removal of the top corner stars for the creation of the VR official issue.

     In Guide Lines to the Penny Black by P. C. Litchfield, (Page 19), it is stated that this plate was used for the provisional printings in black. This is unlikly and the accepted plates used for this special printing are 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Although it is not generally accepted that this plate was used for the provisional printings, it was used for the production of stamps in red, but probably only for a short period as these stamps are very scarce

     See also the notes under Plate 10.
     A listing is also avalible showing all the put to press, registration and withdrawal dates.