Lot 479 Canada #365i, 368i 5c Ultramarine Canoeing & Skiing, 1957 Recreational Sports Issue, 2 VF Used Identical Pairs, Scarce, As Each Pane Contained At Most 1-2 Pairs, First Day Cancels

2 VF used identical pairs of the 5c ultramarine Canoeing & Skiing from the 1957 Recreational Sports Issue. scarce, as each pane contained at most 1-2 pairs, first day cancels. These were prepared in Winnipeg by local dealer, Kasimir Bileski on the date of issue, and they have first day Winnipeg cancels. The identical pairs are scarce because most panes in the print layout had only 1 pair, while others had only 2. These pairs would be split if the panes were broken up into blocks of 4. To avoid destroying them, you had to seek them out and take them out intact, or be very mindful when splitting up the pane.

Unitrade values this at $6. The stamps offered here grade 80, 84 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 40/60, 44/60

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

Cancellation: 10/10