Lot #17 Canada #454, 454ii, 453iii 1c Brown & Reddish Brown, Northern Lights and Dogsled Team, 1967-1973 Centennial Issue, A Group of 4 VF Used Private Perfins

An interesting group of 4 private perfins on examples of the 1c Northern Lights and Dogsled team from the 1967-1973 Centennial issue. Included are CPR reading down on DF grey paper, perf. 11.85 x 11.95, CNR inverted on reddish brown HB paper, perf. 11.9, PS reading down on LF reddish brown, one beig perf. 11.9 and the other perf. 11.85 x 11.9.

Although Unitrade and Harris list both DF and NF-fl papers, in reality there are several variations of DF, NF, NF-fl and DF-fl paper that can be found. Irwin and Freeman list these exhaustively in their book on this issue, and the DF grey is only one of many variations that exist. Similarly, at least three variations of HB paper exist, and just as many different LF papers exist as well. These differ according to the general colour under UV, as well as how much low, medium and high fluorescent fibres are present.

The 1c 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 violet brown or brown.
• Plate 1 and 2 printings made between 1968 and 1970 tend to be printed in shades of chocolate and reddish chocolate.
• Plate 3 and 4 printings made between 1970 and 1971 tend to be printed in shades of deep brown, chocolate or reddish chocolate.
• Plate 5 printings made between 1971 and 1973 tend to be printed in shades of reddish brown, though chocolate shades are 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.
• Plate 3 and 4 printings made between 1970 and 1971 often have a gum that appears mottled and "sponged on". This is a very distinct look that is not seen on the earlier plate 1 and 2 printings. However, the normal smooth and streaky versions of the dextrine gum is also found on these printings as well.

The PVA gum used on the plate 5 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. The issue of gum is less relevant to these of course, because they are used.

Harris values these stamps at $13. The stamps are all VF, grading between 75 and 80,