Canada #595 15c Multicoloured Mountain Sheep, 1972-1979 Landscape Definitive Issue, 3 VFNH Singles Type 1, Vertical Ribbed Papers, OP-4 & 3 mm OP-2 Tag, Different DF Papers, Different From Lot 372, Semi-Solid Background

3 VFNH singles of the 15c multicoloured Mountain Sheep from the 1972-1979 Landscape Definitive Issue type 1, vertical ribbed papers, OP-4 & 3 mm OP-2 tag, different DF papers, different from lot 372, semi-solid background. Includes the following: (1) DF1/fluorescent yellow (extensive migration), bluish white tag; (2) DF2/fluorescent yellow (extensive migration), bluish white tag; (3) DF2/DF2 bluish white (no migration), bluish white tag; (4) DF2 bluish/DF2-fl grey with sparse LF fibres & 3 mm OP-2 tag;

Unitrade values this at $2, treating the unlisted varieties as the closest equivalent listed varieties. The stamps offered here grade 75-84 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 45/70, 50/70 and 54/70

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

The landscape definitives of 1972-1979 are a particularly complex area, with many of the compexities not being listed in Unitrade. Unitrade's description of paper fluorescence is very oversimplified. We have described all the differences we see on these stamps, and in ascribing fluorescence levels we cross -referenced the stamps back to stamps of the Caricature issue that we had sorted into the various fluorescence levels earlier. As a result of this, some of my earlier descriptons have changed slightly, as I have made the determination of fluorescence more accurate. Another aspect that isn't covered in Unitrade, but which clearly differs is the appearance of the photogravure printed background on the 10c, 15c and 50c values. I have described them as "screened background", "semi-solid background", "nearly solid background" and solid background. Screened background, means that all the individual screening dots that make up the coloured area can all be clearly seen as individual dots. Semi-sold background refers to one where some dots are visible, but they are clearly merging into ine another. Nearly sold background means very few, individual dots are visible. Finally on stamps with solid background, the individual screening dots that make up the printing are not individually visible as dots.