Lot 172 (C) Canada #171 8c Dark Blue King George V, 1930-1935 Arch Issue, A VFNH Single With Cream Semi-Gloss Gum

A VFNH single of the 8c dark blue King George V from the 1930-1935 Arch Issue with cream semi-gloss gum.

Unitrade values this at $60. The stamp offered here grades 78 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 50/70

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 8/10

On this issue, again there are few varieties listed in Unitrade, beyond the few shade varieties, dies and imperf pairs. However, if you look carefully at each value in the set, you will see that all values have collectible shade varieties, not just those that are listed. In addition, there are a limited number of plate flaws and constant varieties that can be found, mainly on the 2c value. Then, there are perfins and precancels, all of which are scarcer than the basic stamps. The gum on this issue shows the most variation in comparison with any preceding issue, and its appearance depends on whether or not the stamps are wet rotary press printings or flat plate printings. The 1c through 3c values were printed by the wet rotary method, using Stickney rotary presses, and these measure 18 mm wide, by 22 mm high, and are perf. exactly 11. The gum on these printings is usually striated, with alternating light and dark lines, which are vertical on the sheet stamps, and horizontal on the coils. The colour varies from nearly white to deep cream, the sheen is generally a semi-gloss, and between 3 and 5 gum breaker ridges can be found running opposite the direction of the striations, to help prevent the sheets from curling. The flat plate printings measure 18.5 mm x 22 mm and the gum on these varies all the way from nearly white, to a mottled brown, with yellowish and yellowish cream in between. The sheen is generally semi-gloss, but satin and glossy sheens can also be found. These printings are perf. 10.75.

As this is a consignment lot, a 15% buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price, which is necessary for us to cover the full cost of our labour in processing and selling consignments.