Canada #591xxvar 6c Dark Red Lester Pearson, 1973-1978 Caricature Issue, Fine and VFNH Examples of the Precancel Showing a G2aR or G2aL 1 Bar Tagging Error on Different Variations of MF Paper

Fine and VFNH examples of the 6c dark red Lester Pearson precancelled stamp from the 1972-1978 Caricature Issue, showing a G2aR or G2aL 1-bar tagging error on three different variations of MF paper. The cause of the error is different for the stamps, as is the exact fluorescence of the paper as follows:

• The top stamp has the G2aL error and this is also a misperf, where the vertical perfs are shifted 2.25 mm to the left, causing the 6 to be partly cut away. This shift is the cause of the error, rather than a shift of the tagging. The paper is MF/LF.
• The bottom left stamp with the G2aR error is poorly centered, but not a misperf, per se, though the 1.75 mm rightward shift of the vertical perforations is likely the cause of this error. The paper is MF/LF.
• The bottom right stamp with G2aR error, does show a very minute amount of taggant on some of the right perf tips. Centering is mormal, so this error is the result of an actual shift of the tagging. The paper is MF/LF but appears a deeper blue under UV than the other two stamps.

Adminware values these errors at $62.50. The stamps offered here grade 65 and 75 as follows:

Centering/margins: 35/70 and 45/70
Paper freshness: 5/5
Colour: 5/5
Impression: 5/5
Absence of visible paper flaws: 5/5
Perforations: 10/10

A Note About Paper Types, Perforations and Tagging on the Caricature Designs

The 1c through 10c stamps were printed primarily by the Canadian Bank Note Company on uncoated paper with PVA gum. However, the early printings of the 7c, 8c and all the 10c were printed by BABN, again on an uncoated paper that is smoother than that used by CBN.

The paper used by CBN was most often low fluorescent, but variations from dead all the way up to HB are found. In addition, even though the paper is uncoated, the fluorescence readings on the front and the back of mint stamps are quite often different, which suggests that the gum exhibited chemical differences during the life of the issue that manifest as different fluorescence readings on the back of stamps. In addition to fluorescence, there are also noticeable differences in texture. Unitrade lists the horizontal ribbed papers and the vertical ribbed paper on the 2c, but there is also a rough paper, as well as a smooth paper that is NOT ribbed. The rough paper is most often seen on the printings of the 6c Pearson from plate 3 on the NF paper.

BABN's paper as stated earlier is, as a general rule, smoother than CBN's, but it too exhibits differences in front and back fluorescence, as well as smooth and ribbed versions.

In terms of perforations, all the stamps are comb perforated. BABN had more experience than CBN in comb perforating, with the result that most BABN printings show perfect spacing between comb strikes, such that it is generally not possible to see, by looking at a sheet, how many comb strikes were required to perforate a sheet. In contrast, this issue was CBN's first attempt to use comb perforators, and jumps and skips between comb strikes on a sheet can often be found.

The tagging also differs in appearance between BABN and CBN printings. With the exception of the 8c, which often has what appears to be azure tagging, from contamination by the blue ink, tagging on BABN stamps is colourless and slightly glossy. CBN printings on the other hand have tagging bars that vary from very light, which are nearly invisible, to deep brownish yellow. Unitrade makes no distinction between these, but in my listings, where necessary I distinguish between light, moderate and dark tags.

Shades also vary slightly for each value, with differences in tone and intensity for all values.