The 1982-1987 Artifact And Parliament Issue

The Floral issue of 1977-1982 was notable for its considerable lack of paper varieties and somewhat limited scope that had followed on the heels of two very complicated definitive issues: the 1967-1973 Centennial Issue and the 1972-1978 Caricature issue. So, this definitive issue, which was current for nearly 6 years during the early to late 1980's provides a welcome breath of fresh air for the specialist collector, as it strikes a balance between the relative simplicity of the Floral issue, and the Wildlife issue that follows it, and the complexity of the earlier issues. I highly recommend this one, as the scope is such that with diligence you can actually stand a reasonable chance of being able to secure the full sheets of every value in the set, and even the paper varieties, should you so wish. 

The key focal point of this issue, like the previous definitive issues is paper, but there are many more dimensions to it than just the fluorescence. Unitrade only deals with the differences between manufacturers and the fluorescence, but there is also a difference in colour, thickness and texture, which will become important if you want to also study the commemoratives of the period. 

What makes the paper so interesting are the circumstances surrounding the differences in suppliers. During all of the 1970's the key supplier of paper to Ashton Potter, who printed most of the stamps was Abitibi-Price. Abitibi went bankrupt in 1983, and with this the printers were forced to obtain stamp paper from different sources. It turned out that the biggest suppliers were companies in England, with Clark being the first to supply paper in 1983 and early 1984. Harrison followed suit in 1984 and then finally Rolland began supplying paper in late 1985. 

Philatelists who are keen on the following 1988-1991 Mammals and architecture issue are well aware of the key rarities of that issue, which involve printings on abnormal papers from alternate sources, the 74c Wapiti on Rolland paper being a prime example. 

Starting in 1986 the printers added traffic lights and initials in the margins of the sheets to indicate the source of the paper. However, this is only of use if you are looking at imprint singles or blocks. It therefore becomes important to understand the key differences between these paper types, so that you can recognize them on single, non-imprint stamps and used stamps without gum. This is undoubtedly of utmost importance, because as sure as there is the rare Wapiti, there are bound to be other commemoratives and definitives from this period that are printed on "rare" paper, that are just waiting to be found. 

So, one of my first ports of call then, in talking about this issue has to be the paper. However, before I get into this, I will take a brief look at the various overall aspects of this issue which provide interest to the specialist, and will evaluate the degree to which Unitrade and Harris cover these in their respective books about the issue. The table below provides my summary of these aspects:

Aspect	Description	Covered in Unitrade?	Covered in Harris?
Shade Variations	Both the background colours and the inscriptions vary in colour, as well as the degree of contrast between the inscription colour and the background colour on the low values and the medium values	No	No
Paper Fluorescence	The appearance under UV varies for both the front and back of all stamps. For each level of fluorescence there are also different ways that that fluorescence can manifest. For example LF paper can be pure LF, with no fluorescent fibres, or it can be DF with LF flecks that are present in enough quantity to make the paper appear LF overall. Harrison paper can be found LF and MF on the back in addition to the usual DF and NF.	Yes, but only to a simplified degree. The different concentrations and brightness levels of fluorescent fibres are NOT covered. MF Harrison paper is acknowledged for the 55c kettle, but not any other value.	Same as Unitrade.
Perforation Differences	The perforations vary for the AP and CBN printings of low values, and between the sheet and booklet printings. There are also misalignments that occur between comb strikes that create interesting varieties, as well as misperfs, etc.	Only the basic differences are covered.	Same as Unitrade.
Errors	The 20c and 48c exist with background and inscription colours other than those issued. A number of imperforate pairs and partial imperfs exist. The 32c maple leaf exists with background colour missing.	These are all listed, though freaks are not covered.	Some freak errors are listed that are not in Unitrade.
Private Perfins	Most values can be found with private perfins such as PS, CNR, CN etc. These can be found in any number of different positions.	Not listed.	Some of the more common ones are listed.
Tagging errors	Most values can be found untagged and with various shifts in both the GT-2 tagging and the GT-4 tagging. In addition ghost tagging can be found on many of the booklet stamps and panes.	Only the untagged errors are listed.	The basic G2a and G4a or c as well as untagged varieties are listed. The Adminware database lists everything that has been reported and verified
Potential abnormal papers	The possibility exists of some values normally found exclusively on one paper, such as say Harrison, being found on a different type of paper, like Rolland or Clark as well. The other possibility that may exist is some values existing on Slater paper, which is found on many issues from 1988. Slater paper looks very similar to Clark paper.	No examples listed.	No examples listed.
50c vending machine booklets and other booklets	Most booklets can be found with Harrison, Abitibi and Rolland papers used for the covers and the panes. Different fluorescence levels exist for both panes and covers, and different combinations of covers and panes are possible.	Very limited coverage. Practically no varieties are listed for the vending machine booklets, even though dozens exist.	Coverage is more extensive, but not as comprehensive as the late Bill McCann's booklet catalogue.
CBN Coil Stamps	The later coils can be found on both Abitibi and Rolland Papers. All exist with the usual varieties inherent to CBN coils: unsevered blocks and pairs, jumps, narrow and wide spacings and so on.	The standard varieties are covered in detail, but the Abitibi/Rolland distinction for the parliament coils is NOT made.	The standard varieties are covered in detail, but the Abitibi/Rolland distinction for the parliament coils is NOT made.
Constant Varieties	The 1c decoy can be found with two constant varieties, but the booklet stamps can be found with a number of different constant varieties, and the $1.50 Waterton Lakes and $2 Banff can be found with a number of small flyspeck varieties, such that the stamp can be plated.	Only the most prominent 1c and $2 varieties are listed.	As with Unitrade.
Cream and White Abitibi Papers	The Abitibi paper can be found in both cream and whiter versions. These give similar reactions under UV, though not exactly the same.	Not mentioned.	Not mentioned.
Fluorescent Inks	Both the 3c and 10c can be found printed in inks that fluoresce or change colour under long wave UV light. Such inks could exist on other values.	Not mentioned.	Not mentioned.
Double prints and double embossings	The $1 Glacier is known with doubled inscriptions and the $5 Point Pelee is known with doubled embossing. It stands to reason that these errors could exist on the other high values as well.	Only these two varieties are listed.	As with Unitrade.
Gum variations	The Harrison gum can be found in two slightly different colours, one being more greenish than the other. The sheen also varies with one being more matte than the other, having very distinct matte spots.	Not mentioned	Not mentioned

 

As you can see, there is still very considerable scope in many aspects of this issue that have not been adequately studied as yet. So, there is a real opportunity for a new collector who has the patience and discipline to study the issue methodically. Bulk lots of this material can still be picked up for under face, though I have noticed that most values over 36c have mostly been used for postage already, and finding full sheets of the medium and high values is nowhere near as easy as it once was. Now that we have looked at the issue overall we can discuss the specifics of Abitibi, Clark, Harrison and Rolland Paper. 

The Differences Between the Papers

In studying the different papers there are attributes of each that distinguish them from the other papers. However, it is also important to note that the papers themselves change in appearance over time, and the paper can vary depending on whether or not it was coated or uncoated. Often, the sheet stamps will be on coated paper, whereas an uncoated version was used to print booklet panes and coils.

The attributes to consider are:

• The stiffness overall - whether the paper is hard and crisp, or pliable.
• The colour - cream or off-white.
• The surface texture on the printed side - smooth or textured with very fine, microscopic dimples.
• The gum colour and sheen.
• The general range of fluorescence found.

The table below summarizes the key differences between the five types of paper used for stamp production in the 1980's: Abitibi, Clark, Harrison, and Rolland and Slater. For the purposes of the table Clark and Slater papers are almost identical in their appearance to one another. The key difference is the gum: Slater paper has a thicker, more creamy gum than Clark paper, which has a slightly whiter gum. The paper stiffness though and surface texture is pretty well the same. 

Attribute	Abitibi	Clark/Slater	Harrison	Rolland
Stiffness	Crisp, but not hard. Lies flat.	Tends to bend horizontally from top to bottom. Mint stamps tend to curl.	Tends to bend horizontally. Mint stamps can curl quite severely if left out.	Stiff and crisp. Lies flat when left out.
Colour	Cream or white.	Cream.	Cream or white.	Bright white.
Surface texture	Smooth	Textured	Smooth	Smooth
Gum colour/sheen	Cream or white with a satin sheen	Cream or white with a semi-gloss sheen	Cream or very pale bluish green with a satin or eggshell sheen. The early gum has an eggshell sheen, but later it is more satin.	Bright white with a semi-gloss sheen.
Fluorescence	Varies from NF to LF, with most variations being the result of different concentrations of LF and MF fibres in the paper. Most LF reactions are only visible on the back, with the fronts appearing DF or NF.	Usually NF or dead on the front and DF or NF on the back. No fluorescent fibres are present in any version of this paper I have seen.	Generally only NF, DF or sometimes LF. One or two instances of MF have been seen, but this is generally only on the front. The early Harrison papers contained LF fibres, but later versions do not contain any at all.	The full range from dead to HB can be seen on both the front and back, making this the most interesting paper in all of modern Canadian philately. Both pure versions of fluorescence as well as those with fibres can be found.

 

The above table prove useful in helping you identify single mint and used stamps, if you consider all the aspects. For example, let's say you have a stamp that is showing fluorescent flecks under UV and it is used. Based on the above table it is most likely to be either Abitibi or Rolland paper, though it could be an early Harrison also. The first step is to look at the stiffness. If it is hard and stiff then it is not likely to be Harrison. That leaves just Abitibi and Rolland. Next look at the colour. If it is cream, then it is definitely Abitibi. If it is bright white then you have to consider the overall fluorescence level. If it is higher than LF, then in all likelihood it is Rolland. If it is either NF or DF with sparse MF or LF fibres that it is most likely Abitibi. If it is DF-fl then it may be either, but if it is very bright white than it is most likely Rolland paper. Otherwise it is most likely to be Abitibi. 

Understanding the Paper Fluorescence Designations

In describing paper fluorescence, I use the following abbreviations:

• HB - hibrite
• HF - high fluorescent
• MF - medium fluorescent
• LF - low fluorescent
• DF - dull fluorescent
• NF - non-fluorescent
• fl - flecked paper containing fluorescent fibres
• LD - low density concentration, covering the full stamp surface with gaps no more than 1/2 mm with no fibres.
• MD - medium density concentration - as above, but with gaps no more than 1/4 mm with no fibres. 
• HD high density concentration - fibres are so concentrated that the fluorescent almost appears as a solid mass. 
• S - Sparse concentration - light sprinkling over the surface of the stamp. Gaps with no fibres vary from 1/2 mm to 1 mm. 
• VS - very sparse concentration - uneven sprinkling across the surface of the stamp with some gaps up to 3-4 mm with no fibres. 
• VF - very few - 2-10 fibres over the surface of the stamp. 

When I describe a stamp my description takes the following form:

Front fluorescence reading/back fluorescence reading

So, for example:

DF/DF-fl, LF, S, MF, VS

Translates to: dull fluorescent on the front, and dull fluorescent flecked on the back, with a sparse concentration of low fluorescent fibres and a very sparse concentration of medium fluorescent fibres. 

Generally a sparse concentration of fluorescent fibres will raise the perceived fluorescence level by one level from the ambient fluorescence. So, for this example, the paper will likely appear as LF-fl overall on the back. If the ambient fluorescence, was instead NF and there was the same concentration of fibres, these would stand out more, but the perceived, overall fluorescence would still be DF. In fact, this is often the case for many of the Abitibi papers described by Unitrade as being DF. Many are actually NF or DF, containing sparse and very sparse concentrations of LF and MF fibres, such that they still appear DF overall. 

If, in another example the ambient fluorescence is LF and the sparse fibres are MF, or HF, then the paper may appear as MF overall. 

Postal History

This is another interesting aspect to collecting this issue as the values were not all replaced by the next issue at the same time, nor were they all introduced at the same time. Thus, in-period mixed frankings occur for most common postage rates that were in effect. Some services like special delivery were phased out by Canada post toward the end of the life of this issue and still there were annual rate increases for most services offered. 

In collecting the covers, I would suggest looking for an example of each major rate, both for the sole issue frankings and floral issue/wildlife issue mixed frankings. So, some rates to collect, for each rate period would be:

• Domestic first class letter rate - collect first and second weight steps and look for the rate paid with single usages, as well as combinations of lower value stamps, coils and booklet stamps.
• USA letter rate - collect first and second weight steps. Again look for single usages of the medium value stamps and combination frankings of a first class definitive and low value make-up stamps and frankings consisting entirely of low value make up stamps. 
• International letter rate - as above for USA rate. 
• Domestic registered letter - as above.
• USA registered letter - as above.
• International registered letter - as above.
• Domestic Special Delivery - as above.
• USA Special Delivery - as above.
• International Special Delivery - as above.

In terms of frankings you could split them for each rate period as follows:

• Frankings of only stamps from this issue.
• Mixed frankings with 1977-1981 Floral Issue stamps.
• Mixed frankings with 1988-1991 Wildlife and Architecture stamps.
• Mixed frankings with 1982-1987 commemoratives. 

Of course there are many ways to approach the collecting of postal history, and this is just one. Another aspect that I haven't considered above are the destinations. For domestic you could decide that you want each province represented, or each major city. Alternatively you could decide that you want from each province, once smaller town and one major city. For international mail you could decide you want each major continent represented, and then for Europe, eastern and western. You could also decide to include oceanic countries as one category. When you parse all that out you can see very quickly that it becomes quite a project. 

This concludes my overview of this issue. I hope you found it entertaining and useful.