Canada #620ii (SG#759) 8c Multicoloured Queen Elizabeth II 1973 Royal Visit Issue Unlisted "MF" Paper Type 1 F-70 NH

A fine mint NH single of the 8c multicoloured Queen Elizabeth stamp from the 1973 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Issue, also known as the 1973 Royal Visit Issue, printed on the scarce unlisted "Medium fluorescent " paper, showing the deeper pink queen's complexion. Comb perf. 12.5 x 12. Vertical wove paper with smooth chalk surfacing. Smooth creamy PVA gum with a satin sheen. Full, undamaged 4 mm OP-2 tagging that is clearly screened and which glows bright green under UV light. Under ultraviolet light, the paper gives the following readings:

Unitrade lists this stamp as being on fluorescent or hibrite paper, but does not list it on MF paper, even though it does list the 15c on MF paper. This paper is the same as one of the types of the MF paper found on the 15c. However, compared to other true hibrite papers, it is really only a very strong medium fluorescent as the above description shows. It is much, much brighter than the less expensive and more common fluorescent paper (620ii). Unitrade lists a F-65 NH single at $0.50, but this paper is much scarcer and should be worth $1. Another issue that BABN had encountered with the printing of this issue is that they were unable to obtain a uniformity in the intensity of the pink colouring of the Queen's flesh. There are generally three different intensities that can be found often in the same sheet of 25 stamps: deep, moderate and pale. The comparison scan shows the three different types with the deep intensity on the left, the moderate intensity in the middle and the pale intensity on the right. Most stamps are of the moderate intensity, in which the colour is uneven, with many pale areas on the face, arm and neck. The deep intensity, offered here is less common, and generally shows a deep and even shade of pink accross most of the Queen's face and body. The block offered here grades F-70 NH as follows: Margins/centering: 40/70 Paper freshness: 5/5 Colour: 5/5 Impression: 5/5 Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5 Perforations: 10/10 Note any vertical or horizontal line shown in the scan is the edge of the acetate strip that the stamp was resting inside on the stockcard. 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.