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Curiosa

Great Britain King George V 1d Scarlet (Scott #159 / SG #357) Control N 19 Pair

A pair of red King George V one penny stamps with a bottom margin showing 'N 19' control mark.

Estimated value

$45 - $85

Rarity

Uncommon(5/10)

Category

Stamps

Brand

Harrison & Sons

Era

1919

Origin

United Kingdom

Artist / Creator

Bertram Mackennal

Authenticity

Very High(88%)
13

GREAT BRITAIN KING GEORGE V 1D SCARLET (SCOTT #159 / SG #357) CONTROL N 19 PAIR: IDENTIFICATION

A horizontal pair of Great Britain 1d Scarlet stamps from the King George V 'Downey Head' or 'Mackennal' profile series, featuring the Mackennal profile. This specific item is a margin pair showing the 'N 19' control mark in the bottom selvedge, signifying the 1919 printing year. The stamps exhibit the distinctive typography printing method typical of the Harrison & Sons contract, characterized by sharp plate definition and localized ink pooling at the frame edges.

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Where This Object Echoes

United Kingdom1910-1920

The 'Downey Head' and 'Mackennal' designs reflect the transition from Edwardian ornate styles to the more austere Georgian realism.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

  • •Postal control collecting, a specific niche of philately where enthusiasts collect the marginal markings rather than just the stamps themselves.

Meaning Through Time

WWI

The 1d stamp represented the 'Penny Post' social connectivity, which became a vital link for soldiers and families.

POSTAL HERITAGE

The 1d Scarlet was the workhorse of the British postal system during WWI and the immediate post-war period. The 'N 19' control mark indicates production in 1919, a period of transition as the Royal Mint and Harrison & Sons adjusted production post-war. The user-noted shade variation is consistent ...
The 1d Scarlet was the workhorse of the British postal system during WWI and the immediate post-war period. The 'N 19' control mark indicates production in 1919, a period of transition as the Royal Mint and Harrison & Sons adjusted production post-war. The user-noted shade variation is consistent with the 'Brick-Red' or 'Carmine-Red' aniline-ink experiments conducted during these years to combat forgery and ensure print consistency under varying paper qualities.

PHILATELIC NOTES

1

This 1d value was so ubiquitous that in 1918, the postage rate was increased to 1.5d, leading to the massive overprinting of these existing stocks.

SCARCITY

Uncommon70-80%
CommonLegendary

Genuine antiques with fewer examples on the market. Named makers, documented provenance, or early production examples.

Typical Characteristics

  • Limited production
  • Named makers
  • Growing collector demand

Confidence Factors

  • Clear and crisp 'N 19' control font consistent with 1919 Harrison printings
  • Paper texture and perforation gauge (15 x 14) align with Royal Mint/Harrison standards
How does authenticity detection work?

PHILATELIST'S VERDICT

Philatelist

Stamp Specialist

High confidence due to the presence of a clear, verifiable control mark (N 19) and high-resolution images showing printing technique and perforation quality.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Control mark 'N 19' confirms a 1919 printing date.

CONDITION & GRADE

Very Fine (VF) 80-85

Grading breakdown

Superior centering for a George V control pair, combined with fresh color and intact selvedge margins. No visible foxing or toning on the paper.

Condition

Appears to be in Mint Never Hinged (MNH) condition with full original gum. The centering is exceptionally strong for this issue, with even margins surrounding the design. The perfs are intact and show no signs of 'nibbling' or short teeth.

PHILATELIC VALUATION

$45 - $85

Updated: Sep 7, 2026

  • Market comparables from auctions & retail
  • Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
  • Current collector demand & trends
  • Low = quick sale, high = patient seller

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

YOUR INPUT VS. SCAN

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

  • User's 'Harrison' attribution aligns with the printing characteristics and the 'N 19' control sequence associated with Harrison & Sons.
  • User's 1912-1924 era matches the Mackennal profile production window (1912-1934) and the specific 1919 date mark.
  • The 'different shade' note aligns with documented 1919 scarlet and brick-red ink varieties listed in Stanley Gibbons Specialized catalogues.

FROM THE CABINET OF

GA

gavin316

Wonderseeker•0 items

COMMENTS

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