Lot #168 Canada #455ii 2c Bright Green, Pacific Coast Totem Pole, 1967-1973 Centennial Issue, Two VFNH LR Plate 1 Blocks on Two Different LF-fl Papers, PVA Gum

One VFNH and one fine NH lower right plate 1 corner blocks of the 2c Pacific Coast Totem Pole from the 1967-1973 Centennial issue, printed in the bright green shade. Printed on two different kinds of LF-fl smooth paper. The first gives a DF grey glow under UV, which is made brighter with sparse concentrations of LF and MF fibres and a very sparse concentration of HF fibres. The second gives a DF greyish white glow under UV, which is made brighter with sparse concentrations of LF and MF fibres, and a very sparse concentration of HF fibres. Satin PVA gum.

Although Unitrade and Harris list LF-fl paper, in reality there are several variations which differ according to the basic colour under UV light and the concentrations of LF, MF and HF fibres embedded in the paper, which make it look brighter than it is.

The 2c sheet stamps printed by CBN were printed in a number of different shades, depending on when the printings were made:

• Plate 1 and 2 printings made between 1967 and 1968 tend to be in shades of green, deep green and deep bright green.
• Plate 1 and 2 printings made between 1968 and 1970 tend to be printed in shades of deep bright green.
• Plate 1 and 2 printings made between 1971 and 1973 tend to be printed in shades of bright green, though deep bright green is also found.

The collage shows the differences between some of these shades, though they are easier to see in the flesh for some reason.

The gum used on all printings to 1971 is dextrine, but within this category, there are a number of different types, which differ by the way the gum appears, when viewed in light:

• Early printings have yellowish gum that appears either completely smooth, mildly streaky, or very streaky, and has a semi-gloss sheen.
• Later printings made toward 1970 have gum that has a distinct satin sheen, and can occasionally appear grainy.

The PVA gum used on the plate 1 and 2 printings, shows very little variation, but a subtle difference can be found in the sheen and thickness of the gum, with the earlier printings having a thicker gum with a satin sheen, compared to a slightly thinner gum that has an eggshell sheen.

We have not checked the perforations on these blocks, due to time constaints. However, each side can exist with the following measurements: 11.9, 11.85, 11.95 and 12.

Unitrade values these blocks at $18.75. The blocks offered here grade 70 and 80.