Lot 461 Canada #708, 708ii, 708xx, 783, 783ii 3c Dull Green & Multicolored Canada Lily, 1977-1983 Floral Definitives, 15 VFNH Sheet Stamps Including Precancels, With Different Paper Fluorescence, Paper Tones, Tagging Intensities, PVA Gums & Shades

15 VFNH sheet stamps of the 3c dull green & multicolored Canada Lily from the 1977-1983 Floral Definitives including precancels, with different paper fluorescence, paper tones, taggign intensities, PVA gums & shades. The lot includes:
• Precancel, moderate tagging, off-white paper, DF/DF bluish white, lighter background, satin PVA
• Precancel, moderate tagging, off-white paper, DF/DF bluish white, lighter background, light rose tinted surface, satin PVA
• Precancel, moderate tagging, off-white paper, DF/DF bluish white, deeper background, light rose tinted surface, satin PVA
• DF/DF grayish white, satin PVA, moderate tagging, white paper, normal & lighter background
• DF/DF ivory, deeper background, off white paper, light tagging, satin PVA
• DF/DF ivory, medium background, white paper, light tagging, satin PVA
• DF/DF ivory, medium background, white paper, light tagging, semi-glossy PVA
• DF/DF bluish white, satin PVA, light tagging, white paper
• DF/LF-fl, medium background, light tagging, Satin PVA, off white paper
• DF/DF ivory, medium background, white paper, light tagging, semi-glossy PVA, lighter orange-yellow petals
• 783ii - DF/LF-fl smooth white paper, invisible tagging, satin PVA, mottled background
• 783 – DF/DF grayish white, smooth white/ off-white paper, light tagging, semi glossy PVA, mottled background
• 783 – DF/DF bluish white, smooth white/ off-white paper, light tagging, lighter background, semi glossy PVA, mottled background
• DF/DF ivory, gray green background, mottled background, smooth white paper, invisible tagging, satin PVA

Unitrade values these at $8.5. 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.