Lot 462 Canada #708,708ii 3c Dull Green & Multicolored Canada Lily, 1977-1983 Floral Definitives, 6 VFNH Singles Includes 6 Different Minor Shifts Of The Dark Brown Engraving With Different Papers, Tagging Intensities, PVA Gums & Background Shades

6 VFNH singles of the 3c dull green & multicolored Canada Lily from the 1977-1983 Floral Definitives includes 6 different minor shifts of the dark brown engraving with different papers, tagging intensities, PVA gums & background shades. The lot includes:
• DF/LF moderate tag, off white paper, satin PVA, deep background, rightward shift of dark brown
• DF/DF grayish, light tag, white paper, satin PVA, deep background, leftward shift of brown
• DF/DF ivory, light tag, white paper, satin PVA, deep background, leftward shift of brown
• DF/DF grayish white, off-white paper, moderate tag, deeper background, rightward shift of brown
• DF/DF bluish white, moderate tag, Satin PVA, medium background, leftward shift of brown
• DF/DF bluish white, light tag, eggshell PVA, lighter brown, leftward shift of brown

Unitrade values these at $6. 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.