Lot 208 Canada #555var 7c Bright Green Snowflakes, 1971 Christmas Issue, A VFNH Misperfed Single On Scarce Horizontal Ribbed HF Paper, Perf 11.9

A VFNH misperfed single of the 7c bright green Snowflakes from the 1971 Christmas Issue on scarce horizontal ribbed HF paper, perf 11.9.

Unitrade doesn't list this variety, so we estimate it at $30. The stamp offered here grade 75.
The 1971 Christmas issue is significant in four respects. Firstly, it is the last issue of Canada to be line perforated, prior to the introduction of comb perforating with the Pierre Laporte issue. As with all the previous line perforated stamps, different machines were used gauging between 11.85 and 12 on both sides, with compounds being possible of all measurements. However, 12 and 11.85 seem to be less common than 11.9 and 11.95, which dominate. It is also the only commemorative issue to utlilize both PVA gum and dextrine gum. It is the only commemorative issue to use both unsurfced paper on the low values and chalk surfaced white paper on the high values. Although Unitrade now lists the scarce horizontal ribbed paper on the 10c and 15c, collectors should be aware that it exists on the 6c and 7c also, but that it is very, very scarce, with only a handful of examples turning up among hundreds of mint stamps. The ribbing on the 6c and 7c is only visible on the gummed side, whereas on the 10c and 15c it is best seen on the front. Finally, this issue is the only one to utilize both engraving and lithography as printing processes to produce a single issue.