IAN KIMMERLY STAMPS
WEEKLY FEATURES

Weekly Feature #198

For the week of April 10th - 17th, 2004

MINT MULREADY

As is widely known among collectors, Great Britain introduced the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp, on May 6, 1840. For centuries prior to this date, postage was collected upon delivery and rates depended on distance. The adhesive stamp afforded Britons the ability to prepay postage at the point of origin according to standard rates. The new stamps were the result of postal reforms in 1839 and 1840, which significantly reduced postage rates, often to about one-fourth of previous rates.
In the same year as this innovation, William Mulready, a member of the Royal Academy, designed a postage-paid, illustrated cover, to be released along with the new stamps. Mulready's covers were engraved by John Thompson and produced by printers, William Clowes & Sons. The one penny black and two pence blue were available in letter-sheets and envelopes and the General Post Office (GPO) believed they would catch on with the public more readily than the stamps. Not only was the Mulready creation unsuccessful in this respect, it was actively mocked and rejected by the British people. Almost instantly, Mulready's peers printed parodies of the covers and some of these have emerged in philatelic collections. The response was so negative, in fact, the Mulready envelopes and letter sheets were discontinued by the G.P.O.
Retrospectively, the covers have become highly collectable examples of period design. Reproductions of the 'Mulready' were printed in 1940, at the centenary of the Penny Black, and again in 1990, at its sesquicentennial. In 1999, a First Day Mulready cover with a single Penny Black sold for just under $20,000. Forgeries have surfaced over the years. These are all signs that the Mulready has transcended the embarrassment of its introduction.
This Two Penny Blue Mulready is unused and in relatively good shape. Some tears and faults do not show when presenting this item. Authentic Two Penny Mulreadys are distinguished, in part, by the stereo number on the reverse. The alpha-numeral begins with a lower-case 'a' (a103 in this case). Stereo numbers for the One Penny Black Mulreadys begin with an upper-case 'A.'
This is an important addition to any collection of early British penny postage, covers, and postal design.
We also have available a One Penny Black Mulready unused. There is some discolouration in the front-left and front-right, but this doesn't interfere with the design. Authentic One Penny Mulreadys are distinguished, in part, by the stereo number on the reverse. The alpha-numeral begins with an upper-case 'A' (A27 in this case). Stereo numbers for the Two Penny Blue Mulreadys begin with a lower-case 'a.'. PLease email us if you would like a scan or more information on this item.
This is an important addition to any collection of early British penny postage, covers, and postal design.

Our Price is:
WF198
CDN $250
US$185

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