Canada #713iv 12c Multicoloured Queen Elizabeth II, 1977-1985 Floral & Environment Issue, A VF Canada Post Official FDC Franked With An UL Plate Block On MF/HF Paper

A VF Canada Post official FDC of the 12c multicoloured Queen Elizabeth II from the 1977-1985 Floral & Environment Issue franked with an UL plate block on MF/HF paper. The existence of this cover proves that this variation of paper was produced concurrantly with the more common DF paper. The DF envelopes appear to be the standard ones for these issues, with the fluorescent envelopes being less common. The fluorescence of the envelopes is an important characteristic that has been ignored by all the catalogues. Why does it matter? Because the envelope is an integral component of the FDC in the same way that a cover would be to a complete booklet, or the cardboard insert would be to a pack of plate blocks. The expectation, and general observation would be that Canada Post would utilize one type of envelope for a particular issue, so that if a different one from the standard type is found, then there is a good chance that it will be scarce, and is therefore, in our opinion collectible.

Unitrade does not list this variety as an FDC, but lists mint plate blocks at $50. Our estimate of the value is $30.