Scott/Unitrade numbers:
- 2128-2131 (coils)
- 2132-2134 (booklet singles)
- BK318-BK319
(booklets)
Printer: Lowe-Martin (Ottawa, ON)
Printing method: Lithography (5 colours)
Paper: self-adhesive, TRC and Fasson
Designers: Monique Dufour, Sophie Lafortune
Postage rates (Jan 16/06 - Jan 15/07):
- 51c - domestic lettermail (0-30g)
- 89c -USA (0-30g) and domestic (30-50g)
- $1.05 -domestic non-standard (0-60g), domestic oversize (0-100g) and USA (30-50g)
- $1.49 - International (0-30g)
Format:
Coil Checklist
[H] = inscriptions is positioned "high" in gutter
[C] = inscriptions is "centered" in gutter
Wavy die cut vs. cut: the type of separation at the start and end of roll (see
illustrations below)
| |
Die cut 7½ |
Die cut 7 (singles only) |
Die cut
8 – 9 |
| |
C paper |
F paper |
C paper |
F paper |
| |
cut |
wavy die cut |
cut |
wavy die cut |
|
|
| Domestic First-class rate: |
| 51c Bergamot Blossoms |
|
Dec 19/05 [H]
May 06 [C] |
|
Apr 06 [C] |
Apr 06 |
Jul 06 [C] |
|
|
USA rate: |
| 89c Yellow Lady's Slipper |
|
Jun 06 [H]
Jun 06 [C] |
Dec 19/05 [H] |
Feb 06 [C] |
Apr 06 |
|
Sep 06 [C] |
| Domestic
Non-standard and Oversize rate (0-100g): |
| $1.05 Pink Fairy Slipper |
Dec 19/05 [H] |
Feb 06 [C]
Mar 06 [H] |
|
|
Apr 06 |
Dec 06 [C] |
|
|
International rate: |
| $1.49 Himalayan Blue
Poppies |
Dec 19/05 [H] |
Jul 06[C] |
|
|
Apr 06 |
|
|
The date shown is the date of issue of that specific variety. A "blank" means the item does not exist.
Coil Distribution
The coils were distributed to post offices in boxes, with 10 rolls per box.
If a large quantity of rolls are ordered, then 10 boxes are shipped in a larger
box (thus, 100 rolls). Self-adhesive labels were applied to one end of these boxes that contained
several pieces of information:
- quantity of rolls per box
- Canada Post product number
- printing roll number, date, and time (except $1.49)
- internal barcode and number
The rolls were wrapped around a thick inner core or cardboard. A clear,
self-adhesive sticker was applied on the end of the roll to keep it rolled. This
'wrapper' had a UPC barcode which would be scanned at the post office checkout.
Each wrapper was colour-coded to match the corresponding stamp.
And here is a box containing 100 rolls: 10 boxes of 10 rolls each...
Coil Start/End Cutting
The original release of these four coil stamps had all rolls "scissor" cut at the start and end. The rolls were wrapped
around an inner cardboard tube and then the clear self-adhesive UPC barcode
wrapper applied. The rolls were not affixed to the inner tube.
Follow-up printings, starting in February 2006, had the rolls affixed to the
inner tube and a new style of cutting between rolls - a wavy die cut.
Illustrated below is the end of the roll. This one was affixed to the inner
cardboard tube, and when removed, left some paper fibers:
Coil Serpentine
Die Cutting
Three different major die cutting “perforations” have appeared on some of these four stamps (all are approximate or average measurements):
- serpentine die cut 7½ horizontally (initial printings) — 9 ‘peaks’ per
stamp
- 7 horizontally (only available as single stamps from Quarterly packs) — 8
‘peaks’ per stamp
- 8½ – 9 horizontally (51c, 89c, and $1.05 values) — 9½ to 10 ‘peaks’ per
stamp (boxes must be dated after July 1st; only seen in Eastern Canada)
We say “approximately” because the serpentine die cutting is not consistent across the full
printing press. In fact, even across a single stamp the peaks and valleys will vary both
in depth and width. It is as if a piece of metal were made into an
accordion and then
stretched by hand with no apparent effort to precision.
It is even possible to get a different “perf” for the top of a stamp
compared to the bottom of the same stamp. There are literally dozens of
different combinations of measurements available on each of the two major die cutting values! In theory
it is quite possible that all 100 positions (10 stamps between each gutter times
10 rolls across the printing press) for each die cut “perf” can be plated (giving
us 200 different stamps).
Top: original perf 8 (9 peaks)
Bottom: reprint perf 9 (10 peaks)
Right: single from Quarterly Pack, perf 7 (8 peaks)
Compound Perf
The 51c, 89c, and $1.05 stamps that uses the die cutting mat of "8½ – 9 horizontally — 9½ to 10 peaks
per stamp" include an interesting die cutting configuration.
On the 51c and $1.05 stamps, the die cutting between the 4th and 5th row of
stamps above the gutter is a full 1½ perf different from the
adjacent rows. On the 89c stamp, this falls between the 6th and 7th row of
stamps above the gutter (the die cutting mat was inverted for this stamp!).
These measurements are averages, based on counting all of the peaks across the entire printing
width of 10 rolls. An individual stamp could, and likely will, have a slightly
different measurement.
- Click for "Permanent"
coil compound perf.
- Click for more information and images of this "compound
perf" and a discussion of why the 89c die cutting is inverted
in relation to the 51c and $1.05 rolls.
Coil Plating
As has been hinted at above, the serpentine die cutting is variable across the
stamp. That is, it is not consistent from one stamp to another, between the top
or bottom of the same stamp, and even inconsistent across a single stamp!
Recall that there are 10 rolls printed across the printing sleeve and a gutter
every 10 stamps along a roll. Thus, the printing "plate" for these coils is 10
stamps across by 10 stamps down.
It is actually possible to place 10 rolls beside each other and watch how the
die cutting flows from one roll to another. With this layout, one can plate all
100 positions because of the uniqueness of the die cutting. Said another way,
each stamp has a unique set of die cutting that can be plated.
Click for more on "plating".
Since there were (at least) two die cutting mats used, there are 200 different
(unique) stamps for each of the three denominations of these coils. The
following image needed to be shrunk to "fit your screen", but it is in fact a
group of 10 rolls placed beside each other - a plating "sheet":
Coil Gutter Inscriptions
Several months after the these coils had been around (about mid 2006), the
vertical position of the inscription was moved within the gutter. The initial
printings had this inscription positioned "high" in the gutter; the newer
printings had the inscription "centered" in the gutter.
Actually, more accurately, the inscription is centered between the design
of the stamp above and below the gutter. If the die cutting shifts in relation
to the inscription, the appearance might be "high" or "centered" - always
compare the inscription to the stamp designs, not the die cutting.
A picture is worth a thousand words...
[Sorry, I don't have a picture of the 51c and $1.49 values at this time.]
Coil Paper
On the first day of issue, three values (51c, $1.05, and $1.49) were printed on
C paper (Tullis Russell Coating) while the 89c appeared on F paper (Fasson).
Subsequent reprints of the 51c and 89c stamps appeared on the 'other' paper.
The inscription found in the gutters indicate the paper (C or F in front of
the colour dots).
Error of Colour
The 51c coil has been reported with a very striking error of colour. A close
examination of the original stamps clearly shows that this is more than a
"colour shade.
The error of colour is described as "brown red in colour, with the magenta dot
being printed in a violet colour".
The 89c, $1.05 and $1.49 designs were issued in booklet "panels" of 6 stamps. The $1.49
appeared with the "colour dots" placed in two different positions within the
bottom inscription.
Booklet Checklist
| Booklet panes |
| |
C over S |
C over O |
| 89c
Yellow Lady's Slipper |
Dec 19/05 |
|
|
$1.05 Pink Fairy Slipper |
Dec 19/05 |
|
|
$1.49 Himalayan Blue
Poppies |
Dec 19/05 |
Feb 06 |
$1.49 Booklet Inscription
The $1.49 booklet comes with the paper designation/colour dots in two
slightly different locations. The "C over O" variety appeared in February
2006.
These stamp designs, which became "obsolete" (i.e. their intended postage rates
were no longer in affect) on Jan 15, 2007, appeared on size 8 (small) envelopes
which appeared in late January 2007.
The envelopes are non-denominated, with the new "Permanent" logo.
Perf gauge
