Lot 128 Canada #462p 10c Olive Green Jack Pine, 1967-1973 Centennial Definitive Issue, A Fine Used CNR W2B Tagged Perfin Single On DF Grayish Paper, Inverted Perfin

A fine used CNR W2B tagged perfin single of the 10c olive green Jack Pine from the 1967-1973 Centennial Definitive Issue on DF grayish paper with an inverted perfin.

Harris values this at $10. The stamp offered here grades 68 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 35/60

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 5/10

Cancellation: 8/10

There are several important points to keep in mind when reading the lot descriptions for the Centennial issue stamps:

1. Nearly all of the stamps except for the 6c black show variations in the shades that vary from extremely subtle to quite obvious. None of these variations are listed. In additon to those differences found in the shades in normal light, some of these inks show variations under UV light, where the colour changes under UV. In particular, the colour of the 10c under UV ranges from dark olive green to black. On most of the lots we have noted the colours as they appear to us under UV.

2. The papers as listed in Unitrade are generally quite simplified in relation to what actually exists. For starters, the colour of the paper under UV can vary from bluish white, to cream or ivory to deep blue or violet. The fluorescence as listed is often a combination of an ambient, or inherent fluorescence level, which is modified by the presence of fluorescent or wodpulp fibres. Fluorescent fibres raise the perceived fluorescence of the paper, and both the brightness and concentration of these fibres will vary considerably. A stamp can have LF, MF and HF fibres all at once, in the paper. Concentrations of fibres on this issue varies from very few, which is just one or 2 fibres on the whole stamp, to low density, where the fibres extend across the whole stamp, but where some 1-2 mm spaces between fibre clusters are visible. Within this range there are sparse and very sparse concentrations, the difference being in how large the spaces are between fibre clusters. Woodpulp fibres have the effect of dampening the perceived fluorescence, and appear as brownish flecks in the paper. On the 10c stamps there is one glaring mistake in Unitrade: the medium fluorescent paper and low fluorescent papers listed exist in several sub-types, depending on the colour under UV and whether the fluorescence is inherent or derived from fluorescent fibres, but also the GT-2 and W2B stamps, which Unitrade only lists as being on LF paper are actually found on all these paper types, in addition to the untagged stamps. You will find several lots numbered as 462piv and 462piii which are described as being on MF-fl paper, even though the Unitrade listing is describing them as LF.

3. The Dex gum varies in terms of its sheen, with smooth semi-gloss, streaky semi-gloss, smooth satin and streaky satin sheens being found. Unless otherwise described, the default sheen is semi-gloss. Two types of PVA gum can be found: satin and eggshell. Satin gum has a clear smooth, white appearance and it is clear that gum is present. Eggshell on the other hand is thinner and shows the rough texture of the paper more, so that it is not so obvious that gum is present.

4. The paper can be either horizontal or vertical wove, and this is determined by seeing which way the paper flexes most easily. Horizontal wove flexes easily from top to bottom, whereas the opposite is true for vertical wove.

5. Both smooth and vertical ribbed papers can be found. This is particularly true of the high values and is especially noticeable in used stamps, as there is no gum. However, even on mint stamps the ribbing can usually be seen in the gum. Again none of the specialized catalogues that we are aware of list these varieties.

6. The perforations vary considerably. CBN used at least four machines that gauge 11.85, 11.95, 11.9, 12 and 12.1, so that stamps can have any compound of these measurements. That being said, by 1971-1972 the most common measurement is 11.85, as this machine replaced the machines giving the earlier 12 and 11.9 gauges. Generally speaking we have not checked the perforations due to time constraints. Consequently the lot could be any one of the many perforations found within this range. If you want us to check a particular meaurement, please ask and we will oblige.

7. The Winnipeg tagging varies in colour under UV from a bluish white glow to a greenish yellow. Also, the strength of the bands visible on the stamps varies from almost invisible to dark yellow. Several of the 10c lots will be described as having light tagging, moderate tagging or dark tagging, depending on how much taggant was applied to the stamps. The spacing between the bands is normally 28.5 mm, but on the outer columns of some sheets it is 1 mm narrower. So, some lots will include singles with both spacings between the tagging bars.