Canada #593b (SG#700a) 8c Ultramarine Queen Elizabeth II 1972-1978 Caricature Issue Plate 6 UR NF Paper Type 1 VF-75 NH
Canada #593b (SG#700a) 8c Ultramarine Queen Elizabeth II 1972-1978 Caricature Issue Plate 6 UR NF Paper Type 1 VF-75 NH
A very fine NH plate 6 upper right block of the 8c ultramarine Queen Elizabeth II stamp from the 1973-1977 Caricature Issue. Printed on vertical wove paper showing no ribbing on either the front or back, and with a burnished smooth texture on the printed surface. The paper gives a dull fluorescent greyish white reaction under ultraviolet light on the face, with a sparse concentration of low fluorescent fibres being visible in the paper. On the back, the paper gives a dull fluorescent light violet reaction with a sparse concentration of low fluorescent fibres being visible in the paper. General OP-2 Ottawa tagging, 4 mm wide, of very weak strength (almost invisible to the naked eye), and glowing a bright yellow under ultraviolet light. Comb perforated 13.0 x 13.3, with the selvage fully perforated through on both sides. Smooth, white PVA gum with a satin sheen. Unitrade lists 593b as NF paper, but I have never found a true NF paper on this stamp. I have found at least four varieties of paper that are the most common, and just happen to appear the most dull overall under UV light. I have therefore classified these papers as Unitrade's NF paper. This is one of those variations. Unitrade values a VF-75 NH plate block of the basic NF paper at $5.00. The block offered here grades 75 as follows: Margins/centering: 45/70 Paper freshness: 5/5 Colour: 5/5 Impression: 5/5 Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5 Perforations: 10/10 Note: the above scan is a stock photo as are all my scans for material after 1952. The item(s) you will receive has (have) 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.