Lot 266 Canada #544pv 8c Slate Parliamentary Library, 1967-1973 Centennial Issue, a Strip of 3 of the GT-2 MF Paper on Domestic Overweight Letter

A domestic cover sent on November 8, 1973, franked with a strip of 3 8c Parliamentary Library coil stamps on MF paper with GT-2 tagging, paying 24c postage, which would appear to be the overweight rate for 4 ounces. The rate for 1-2 ounces was 14c, and it is likely that the postage for the next two ounces would have been less than 12c, as the second ounce was 6c, rather than 8c. However, the rate tables in Harris do not give rates for the higher weight steps. It seems safe to assume that this letter was definitely more than 2 ounces, as a pair would have overpaid a 2 ounce letter by 2c. The centre stamp also shows a dot on top of the "8". This might come from the cancel, but under magnification it appears to be in the same colour as the stamp. Very fine. Net est. $10.

The Centennial issue covers have been priced according to the overall scarcity of the rates, the destinations and the frankings, as well as the specific paper types of the stamps used. Although there are many common covers to be found during the life of this issue, many are quite scarce, and the estimates reflect this. The following specific comments can be made:

1. Many of the stamps that are common off-cover, are much scarcer on cover. These would include any hibrite paper printing, as this paper was only in use a few months, the fluorescent orange ink on the 6c, the 7c emerald, as its period of use was just 6 months, most all Winnipeg tagged stamps as they were only available in Winnipeg, and finally some of the scarcer booklet singles.

2. The most common covers will of course be local drop letters or domestic single weight covers. This would be followed by single weight covers to the US and single airmail to Western European countries. It is these covers that are generally $1-$5 if they are VF and have some nice cancel or other marking of note.

3. Registered covers, special delivery and third class or printed matter rates are all somewhat scarce, and at a minimum are generally in the $10 range. If they are to a better destination, or are paid with a combination of definitives and commemoratives, or include a better paper variety they will be $15-$20.

4. The scarcer covers are generally multiple weight steps, or combinations of services, such as special delivery and registered, or registered for higher indemnities. These covers are typically estimated in the $30-$40 range.

5. Advertising, corner cards or special addressees or other markings will add to the value also.

While these prices may seem high it must be emphasized that these are not the kinds of covers you will see in a standard dealer's dollar box or junk box of covers. They are often cherry-picked from large cover accumulations or dealer stocks.