Canada #226 (SG#350) 50c Dull Blackish Lilac Parliament Buildings in Victoria 1935-1937 Dated Die Issue VF-78 NH

A well centered and very fine NH example of the 50c dull blackish lilac Parliament Buildings in Victoria BC stamp from the 1935-37 Dated Die Issue. Printed on vertical wove paper with coarse horizontal mesh, and with smooth light coffee coloured deep cream gum that has a semi-gloss sheen. Although not mentioned in Unitrade, this issue has at least 8 different paper and gum type combinations, and there are at least two shades of the blackish lilac. The paper varies according to the direction of the weave (horizontal versus vertical) and the direction and visibility of the mesh. The gum varies in colour and sheen. In my opinion these varieties are every bit as collectible as perforation and shade varieties on the other issues. The additional scans show the various gum and paper types found on this issue, as well as the two main shades. These are included for illustrative purposes only, and the stamps shown in these scans are NOT included. Line perf. 12.0. Unitrade values a VF-75 NH single at $60. The stamp offered here grades VF-78 NH as follows:

Margins/centering: 50/70

Paper freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 8/10