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Brixton Chrome

Lot 209 Canada #459bpivar 6c Red Orange Transportation, 1967-1973 Centennial Definitive Issue, A VFNH UR Blank Winnipeg Tagged Corner Block Of 4 On LF-fl Paper, Perf. 12.5 x 12, Showing Dot to Left of C and Extended C on UL Stamp (Pos. 9)

Lot 209 Canada #459bpivar 6c Red Orange Transportation, 1967-1973 Centennial Definitive Issue, A VFNH UR Blank Winnipeg Tagged Corner Block Of 4 On LF-fl Paper, Perf. 12.5 x 12, Showing Dot to Left of C and Extended C on UL Stamp (Pos. 9)

A well centered VFNH Winnipeg tagged blank UR corner block of 4 of the 6c red orange Transportation from the 1967-1973 Centennial Definitive Issue on LF-fl paper, perf. 12.5 x 12, deep red orange ink under UV and Dex gum. This block shows a dot to the left of the C ot Canada and an extended C in Canada. Interestingly enough the dot variety is not listed in Harris, but should be.

Unitrade values this at $100 for a normal block. The block offered here grades 80 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 50/70

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

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.

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.

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.

The 6c orange transportation is another value in the series that exhibits some important anomalies that are not detailed in either Harris or Unitrade. The first is that the very first printings of the stamp were the fluorescent ink printings. However, the switchover from fluorescent ink back to non-fluorescent orange red ink was not straightforward. In addition to the fluorescent orange ink there also exists a fluorescent reddish orange ink and a transitional ink that is half way between non-fluorescent and fluorescent. It is known to specialists as the "orange on cream" as the paper appears cream coloured under UV, rather than the usual greyish, greyish white or bluish grey. The second thing is that the DF paper and NF paper distinctions on the perf. 12.5 x 12 untagged printings are to be found on the tagged stamps, even though all are listed by Unitrade as being all DF. Third, all the perf. 12.5 x 12 printings are on vertically ribbed paper, whereas the perf. 10 stamps are on smooth paper. Fourth, there are many plate flaws listed in Harris, and the sheer number gives the impression that they are common, when they are all quite scarce. Many of these varieties, such as the extra light on train are very elusive, especially in positional blocks, like the ones featured in this sale. Also, Harris often only lists a flaw as occurring on one printing, when it actually occurs on at least two or three. Finally there are many constant varieties or semi-constant varieties on this value that are not listed by Harris. Fifth, the ink colour and paper colour shows quite a bit of variation under UV and we have attempted to describe those differences here. Sixth, the gum is Dex for all 6c stamps, but there are variations in how glossy the gum appears and its overall texture. On some stamps the gum is not glossy, but crackly and on others it is highly glossy, while still on others it has a brushed on appearance. Seventh, Unitrade only lists singles from BK60 when they have a straight edge along the bottom. However, we would point out that singles from the side columns of the booklet can be identified by the trimmed side perforations on either the left or right side, as these are very different from hand separated perfs that would occur on a sheet stamp. Of course, it is possible that sheet stamp could have trimmed perforations, but this is not as likely as the stamp being a single from BK60.

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