Lot 49 Canada #601 $2 Multicolored Quebec, 1972 Landscape Definitives, 3 VFNH Plate Pairs On LF Flecked Papers, Perf 11

3 VFNH plate pairs of the $2 multicolored Quebec from the 1972 Landscape Definitives on LF flecked papers, perf 11. The lot includes:
• LF-fl bluish white/DF-fl grayish white, very sparse LF & MF very few woodpulp fibers on front, and sparse LF with very sparse MF & very few woodpulp & HF fibers on back.
• As above on front but sparse rather than very sparse concentrations, back is similar with respect to fibers but color is gray blue.
• Almost the same as above but slightly more HF & MF fibers, visible on back and blue gray color. Slightly lighter colors.

Unitrade values these at $36. The stamps offered here grade between 80 and 84 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 50/70, 54/70

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

Unitrade asserts that there is no way to distinguish singles from plate 1 and 2, but this is false. The two are fairly easy to distinguish if you compare the colour of the dark brownsides of the buildings in the background to the right, particularly the roof area of second building to the right of the central tower. On plate 1, this colour is a very deep sepia or agate brown. On plate 2 it is almost black. Then, if you compare the two you will see that all the colours used in plate 2 are slightly darker, which gives the design more contrast, compared to plate 1 which is mostly flat in appearance. The paper can also be a guide, but is not foolproof. Most plate 1 stamps are on visibly flecked paper, whereas most plate 2's are on paper with such fine flecks that they appear to be unflecked LF or DF paper. However, there are a few printings of plate 2 on visibly flecked paper as well, so it is not a completely foolproof test, though it will be helpful.