Introducing the Penny Red
Used Penny Blacks with cancels removed, 1840
6 Penny Blacks, 5 used with cancels removed, 1840
Black cancels on black test impressions, May 1840
Black cancels on deep blue test impressions, May 1840
Black cancels on orange-red test impressions, May 1840
Black cancels on reddish-brown test impressions, May 1840
Black cancels on black test impressions, June 1840
Black cancels on blue test impressions, June 1840
Obliterating trials, June 1840, attempts to remove cancels
Obliterating trials, June 1840, attempts to remove cancels
Trial cover using punched-hole method, 1840
Obliterating trials, June 1840, attempts to remove cancels
Obliterating trials, June 1840, attempts to remove cancels
Obliterating trials, June 1840, attempts to remove cancels
A trial printing from the “obliterating trials.” None of the listed chemicals, including prussic acid and creosote, removed a cancellation without leaving obvious damage.
Varnish experiment, September 1840
Test of Thomas Watson's ink (overly acidic), October 21, 1840
