Lot 73 Newfoundland #34 3c Very Dark Blue Queen Victoria, 1868 - 1894 Second Cents Issue, A Fine Used Single On Vertical Wove Paper

A fine used single of the 3c very dark blue Queen Victoria from the 1868 - 1894 Second Cents Issue on vertical wove paper.

Unitrade values this at $50. The stamp offered here grades 68 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 35/60

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 5/10

Cancellation: 8/10

The second Cents issue is relatively straightforward, but Unitrade neglects to mention that there are several types of paper found on these stamps. Generally on the early printings of #32 and #35, the paper has no distinct mesh, much like the earlier yellowish paper on the First Cents issue. The earlier printings of the 3c and the 1c brown lilac will have the stout wove paper that the second printings of the First Cents issue have. Then, later printings of the 1c and 3c will be found on a softer vertical or horizontal wove paper, showing distinct mesh. #36 is again a postal re-issue from 1894, and is only found with soft horizontal or vertical wove paper. Although the perforation is quoted as 12, it seldom is exactly 12. Many stamps meaure between 11.9 and 12.2 on each side. Like the previous issue, no gum is the norm on both 1c and 3c values, with a premium of 100% applying to any stamp that possesses original gum.