Canada #601 $2 Multicoloured Quebec City, 1972-1979 Landscape Definitive Issue, 3 VF Used Singles Two Plate 2 Printings, Each A Different Shade and One Plate 1 Printing

3 VF used singles of the $2 multicoloured Quebec City from the 1972-1979 Landscape Definitive Issue two plate 2 printings, each a different shade and one plate 1 printing. Contrary to what Unitrade says about it being impossible to distinguish plate 1 from plate 2, it is in fact possible to distinguish singles from these plates. Two characteristics are used: (1) colours and (2) paper fluorescence. With regards to colour, the plate 2 stamps have colours that are fuller and deeper in general, compared to plate 1's which look tired by comparison. The difference is most notable on the brown black of the side of the building in the right background, as well as the darker part of the bushes, where on plate 2 it is a very deep and solid brown black, while on plate 1 it is a bit washed out, being just a very dark brown. With regard to paper fluorescence, both plates are similar on the face, but the plate 2 stamps are much, much brighter on the back. Plate 1 stamps are usually LF on the back with visible fluorescent flecks that range from very few to sparse. Plate 2 stamps are usually HF8 or MF7 on the back and show very little in the way of fluorescent flecks. This lot consists of two different printings from plate 2 and one from plate 1. The main difference between the plate 2 printings is the colour of the sky and mountains: on one it is a greyish periwinkle blue and on the other the periwinkle has a reddish undertione.

Unitrade values this at $10.5. The stamps offered here grade 75-84 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 35/60, 40/60 and 44/60

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

Cancellation: 10/10