Canada #620i (SG#759a) 8c Multicoloured Queen Elizabeth II 1973 Royal Visit Issue "HB" Paper Block of 4 on FDC SUP-98

A superb unaddressed first day cover of the 8c multicoloured Queen Elizabeth stamp from the 1973 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Issue, also known as the 1973 Royal Visit Issue, printed on the scarce "HB" paper, with a block of 4 affixed. Comb perf. 12.5 x 12. Vertical wove paper with smooth chalk surfacing. Undamaged 4 mm OP-2 tagging that glows bright green under UV light. Under ultraviolet light, the paper gives a medium fluorescent bluish white glow on the surface. The Unitrade listing is confusing because there is no true HB paper on this stamp. This is the brightest paper on which this stamp comes and it is generally MF on the front and HF on the back. The front is much, much brighter than the less expensive "F" paper. The envelope stock itself is a dull fluorescent brownish colour. Unitrade does not list first day covers for any of the paper varieties. Generally the FDC's list for a premium over the price of mint stamps. A VF-75 NH block of 4 lists at $30. A reasonable value for this cover would thus be $35. The cover offered here grades SUP-98 as follows:

Intactness of the cover: 25/25

Paper freshness from the front: 25/25

Paper freshness from the back: 10/10

Condition of the paper and edges: 15/15

Appearance of the handwriting: 5/5 (unaddressed)

Clarity of the postal markings: 15/15

Condition of the stamps: 3/5 Note any vertical or horizontal line shown in the scan is the edge of the acetate strip that the stamp was resting inside on the stockcard.

Note: the above scan is a stock photo as are all my scans for material after 1952. The stamp, FDC or block you will receive has been carefully checked to adhere to the above grading standards, so while it (they) may not be exactly the same, it (they) will be of the same quality. Also, I do not provide back scans of NH stamps or blocks after 1952 unless they are required to illustrate some attribute of the paper or gum.