Lot 457 Canada #707var 2c Pale Brown & Multicolored Western Columbine, 1977-1982 Floral Definitives, 9 VFNH Pairs Showing Large & Small Perforation Holes With Different Papers & Gums

9 VFNH pairs of the 2c pale brown & multicolored Western Columbine from the 1977-1982 Floral Definitives showing large & small perforation holes with different papers & gums. The lot includes:
With glossy PVA gum:
• DF/DF bluish white, white paper, moderate tagging, stone background
With Matte PVA (eggshell) gum:
• DF/DF ivory, white paper, light tagging, stone background
• DF/DF bluish white, white paper, light tagging, stone background
• DF/NF ivory, deep stone background, light tagging, white paper
• DF/DF grayish white, stone background, light tagging, satin PVA
• DF/DF grayish white, stone background, moderate tagging, satin PVA

Unitrade values these at $5.5. The stamps offered here grade between 75 and 80 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 45/70, 50/70

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Cancellation: 10/10

The Floral Issue low value stamps show very few varieties in Unitrade, and even then most of these have only appeared in the last decade or so. This issue does show considerable variability, though the variations are much more subtle than for previous issues, and consequently a lot more patience is needed when working with these stamps. Close examination of the gum will reveal differences in sheen, the paper shows slight variations in fluorescence, giving rise to different colours under UV light. Then there is the colour of the paper itself, which can be either a bright white on both sides, and off-white cream, or bright white on the coated side and off-white on the back. The tagging also appears differently on the stamps, with some where the tagging shows as definite yellow bands, and others where the tagging is, for all intents and purposes invisible. There are other differences as well, all of which are covered in this week's blog post, which you are encouraged to read.