173 BK

Folkard states:

State 1: Lower ¼ of west side re-cut, with upper ¼ later becoming very worn; West network becoming worn. Postage and value not compressed.

State 2: Worn west side restored; West network restored; Postage and value compressed; B faint; E of NE sq doubled.

Description of the early state 1 matches the imp, and though I have not seen a later state 1 there is no reason to doubt. State 2 matches, especially the faint B. With such wear, it is difficult to tell if the E of NE sq is doubled, though it could be. BK is a very worn copy, which shows significant wear in the background network. This is perhaps surprising if this plate was indeed hardened after it's repair. Perhaps it was not hardened.

I personally always struggle to spot compression of the words "Postage" and "one penny", so I won't comment on this feature. 'BK a' only show the bottom of the B row, but does confirm the faint B on what looks to be a fresher print than 'BK'.

Update.

There has been a long discussion on the Mulready forum, and the Mulready plating forum concerning this plate position. Messages start on 15 October 2014. Although it seems that views differed, I am of the opinion that there are three states. States two and three are similar,

State 1 is easy to differentiate with that re-cut lower right. This re-cut almost disappears in state two. See Winston Hollin's key block for examples in state two. State 3 has stronger left sides and facial details than the block, but at the same time they also have a weaker background. Winston's state 3 looks to have a sharper TRL.

The images have been arranged in what I think is date order, although I could well have got it wrong. It has been suggested that Eduard Brummer's stamp is an early state 2. It could well be right but I am not 100% on that, and have left it there for now.

Imprimatur