Lot 482 Canada #711, 711xx, 711a, 786 10c Ochre & Multicolored Lady's Slipper, 1977-1983 Floral Definitives, 15 VFNH Singles Including Precancels, Different Paper Fluorescences, Paper Tones, Tagging Types, Shades & Gum

15 VFNH singles of the 10c ochre & multicolored Lady's Slipper from the 1977-1983 Floral Definitives including precancels, different paper fluorescences, paper tones, tagging types, shades & gum. The lot includes:
• DF/DF grayish, light tagging, perf 12x12.5, white paper, satin PVA
• DF/DF grayish white, perf 12x12.5, satin PVA, white paper
• DF/LF-fl, perf 13x13.3, light tagging, white paper, satin PVA
• DF/DF grayish, precancel, perf 12x12.5, light tagging, eggshell PVA, off-white paper
• DF/DF grayish, precancel, perf 12x12.5, light tagging, satin PVA, off-white paper
• DF/DF-fl bluish white, perf 13x13.3, light tagging, white paper, satin PVA
• DF/DF bluish white, perf 12x12.5, light tagging, satin PVA, white paper
• DF/DF yellowish gray, perf 12x12.5, off-white paper, light tag, satin PVA
• DF/DF grayish, light tagging, perf 12x12.5, white paper, satin PVA, darker background
• DF/DF grayish, light tagging, perf 12x12.5, white paper, eggshell PVA
• DF/DF-fl bluish white, off-white paper, moderate tagging, satin PVA
• DF/LF bluish white, off-white paper, precancel, moderate tagging, semi-glossy PVA
• DF/DF grayish blue, lilac background, moderate tagging, off-white paper, satin PVA, precancel
• 786 – DF/LF-fl smooth white paper, invisible tagging, mottled background
• 786 – LF/F smooth white paper, invisible tagging, mottled background

Unitrade values these at $3.75. The stamps offered here grade between 75 and 84 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 45/70, 50/70, 54/70

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.