Lot 353 Canada #611, 611E/P 8c Silver, Ultramarine & Gold Bishop Laval, 1973 Bishop Laval, A VFNH Rare Essay Imperf Single With Normal On HF Papers

A VFNH rare essay imperf single with normal of the 8c silver, ultramarine & gold Bishop Laval from the 1973 Bishop Laval on HF papers.

The rare essay stamp for the 8c Laval is an imperforate single on gummed stamp paper, with different lettering and design, probably produced to test font size and layout. The design depicts a logo for the Paris International Exposition in 1878 with 'John Labatt' inscribed inside (his IPA won a gold medal at that exposition). The word CANADA is replaced by PROUSE, the blue box is about 1mm taller than the issued stamp. An interesting and very fine essay.

Unitrade doesn't list this variety, but we estimate it at $125. The stamp offered here grades 84 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 54/70

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10