Lot #74 Canada #455pT3 2c Green Pacific Coast Totem Pole, 1967-1973 Centennial Issue, a VFNH Lower Left Corner Block, Showing 14 mm Narrow Spacing Between Tag Bars, NF Paper, Perf. 11.9

A VFNH left lower left corner block of the 2c green Pacific Coast Totem Pole stamp from the 1967-1973 Centennial issue, showing narrow, 14 mm spacing between the tagging bars, rather than the normal 17 mm. Printed on NF paper that appears violet under UV light. Smooth dextrine gum and perf. 11.9.

Although Unitrade and Harris list NF paper, in reality there are several variations of this paper type, which differ according to the basic colour under UV, which can range from deep violet to deep blue grey. In addition the paper can contain very sparse, or sparse concentrations of LF fibres.

The 2c sheet stamps printed by CBN were printed in a number of different shades, depending on when the printings were made:

• Plate 1 and 2 printings made between 1967 and 1968 tend to be in shades of green, bluish green, or deep green, with the occasional light green being seen. Ink colours under UV more often than not still appear as deeper versions of themselves.
• Plate 1 and 2 printings made between 1968 and 1970 tend to be printed in shades of deep bright green. Again, under UV the ink colour retains its basic colour.
• Plate 1 and 2 printings made between 1971 and 1973 with PVA gum tend to be printed in shades of bright green. Under UV this ink most often appears black.

The collage shows the differences between some of these shades, though they are easier to see in the flesh for some reason.

The gum used on all printings to 1971 is dextrine, but within this category, there are a number of different types, which differ by the way the gum appears, when viewed in light:

• Early printings have yellowish gum that appears either completely smooth, mildly streaky, or very streaky, and has a semi-gloss sheen.
• Later printings made toward 1970 have gum that has a distinct satin sheen, and can occasionally appear grainy.

The PVA gum used on the plate 1 and 2 printings, shows very little variation, but a subtle difference can be found in the sheen and thickness of the gum, with the earlier printings having a thicker gum with a satin sheen, compared to a slightly thinner gum that has an eggshell sheen.

The Adminware tagging database values this block at $15. The block offered here grades 80.