Adminware Corporation (7k)

 Perf gauge

 Lowe-Martin Die Cutting


Animals definitives

Series I (59c era):
 Background
 Security
 Coils
     Checklist
     Distribution
     Die cut
 Booklets
     Checklist
     Covers

Series II (61c era):
 Background
 Security
 Coils
     Checklist
     Distribution
     Die cut
 Booklets
     Checklist
     Covers

Series III (63c era):
 Background
 Security
 Coils
     Checklist
     Distribution
     Die cut
 Booklets
     Checklist
     Covers


 Tagging search
 Checklists
 Books
 Album pages    
 Study tips

 Elizabethan Glossary


Study Notes
 Modern stamp paper
 Fluorescence
 Phosphor tagging
 Postal rates


Baby Animals: Series I (P/59c era)
Updated Jan 16/12


Coils (100 / 50):
Coil (5000):
Booklets:
Souvenir sheet:

Background

Initial release date: Jan 17/11

Designs:

  • P [Permanent(tm)] Arctic hare
  • $1.03 Red fox
  • $1.25 Canada geese
  • $1.75 Polar bear

Scott/Unitrade numbers:

  • 2426(Permanent coil), 2425 (roll of 5,000)
  • 2424 (souvenir sheet)
  • 2427-2429 (coils)
  • 2430-2432 (booklet singles)
  • BK441-BK443 (booklets)

Printer: Lowe-Martin (Ottawa, ON)
Printing method: Lithography (5 colours)
Paper: self-adhesive, TRC

Designers: Monique Dufour, Sophie Lafortune

Postage rates (Jan 17/11-Jan 15/12):

  • P = 59c - domestic lettermail (0-30g)
  • $1.03 -USA (0-30g) and domestic (30-50g)
  • $1.25 -domestic non-standard (0-60g), domestic oversize (0-100g)
  • $1.75 - International (0-30g)

Format:

  • coil rolls of 50 ($1.03, $1.25 and $1.75) or 100 (P) with a 'gutter' every 10 stamps that contains an inscription. Gutters are collected in strips of 4 with 2 stamps on either side of the gutter. Single stamps are serpentine die cut (rounded tips) on the top and bottom.

    It is known that the coils are printed with 10 rolls across the printing sleeve.

     

  • the Permanent stamp was also released in very large rolls for commercial users (rolls of 5,000)

     

  • booklet 'panels' of 6 ($1.03, $1.25 and $1.75). Single stamps are serpentine die cut (rounded tips) on the top and bottom.

Top

Security features

Hidden dates

For the first time in Canadian philately, these stamps have two hidden dates on each stamp; one that is quite apparent while a second that is a bit smaller and harder to find.

Cross-hatching

In addition, each stamp has some portion of the design that has a black 'cross-hatched' element to it.

Both of the above 'features' are most likely for security purposes.

Top

Souvenir Sheet

Top

Tagging

Each stamp (either from the souvenir sheet, coil, or booklet) contains a "hidden" element in the tagging: the respective animal's footprint.

Top

Coils

Coil Checklist

 
  Self-adhesive Water-activated gum
  Coil Booklet Souvenir sheet
  Die cut 8.15 - 8.50 Die cut 9.2 Die cut 9.2 Die cut 9.2 Perf 13.4x13.1
  C paper Quarterly pack Roll of 5000 C paper C paper
Domestic First-class rate:
P Arctic hare Jan 17/11 x Jan 17/11   Jan 17/11
USA rate:
$1.03 Red fox Jan 17/11 x   Jan 17/11 Jan 17/11
Domestic Non-standard and Oversize rate (0-100g):
$1.25 Canada geese Jan 17/11 x   Jan 17/11 Jan 17/11
International rate:
$1.75 Polar bear Jan 17/11 x   Jan 17/11 Jan 17/11

The date shown is the date of issue of that specific variety. A "blank" means the item does not exist.

Top


Coil Distribution

The coils were distributed to post offices in boxes, with 10 rolls per box. 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
  • internal barcode and number
Permanent   $1.03
   
$1.25 $1.75

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.

Denomination UPC barcode on wrapper
P
$1.03
$1.25

$1.75

Top


Coil Serpentine Die Cutting

To date, one die cutting pattern has appeared on these stamps, but has been used both upright and inverted:

  • 8.15 – 8.50 horizontally (all 4 values)
Nibs / Perforation measurements

"Upright" die cutting

4 nibs
Right, Left, Right, Left
5 nibs
All left
           
Col 1 Col 2-3 Col 4 Col 5* Col 6-9 Col 10
8.25 8.30 8.35 8.50 8.15 8.35
* the last peak from column 5 is narrower than the rest

 
Upright die cutting  
4 nibs
Right, Left, Right, Left
(column 1-4)
4 nibs
Right, Left, Right, Left
Narrower peak at right
(column 5)
5 nibs
Left, Left, Left, Left, Left
(column 6-9)
5 nibs
Left, Left, Left, Left, Left
(column 10 - the last nib may not be present due to roll slitting)

Top


Coil - Rolls of 5,000

The Permanent coil was released in rolls of 5,000 stamps on January 17, 2011. The die cutting is a consistent 9.2 across the top and bottom of the stamp.

Due to the consistent, and different die cut gauge, these stamps are different compared to those from rolls of 100. They may prove to be difficult to find on commercial mailings used in period.

The stamps are rolled in a horizontal format (compared to vertical for the same design in rolls of 100 issued to post offices). There is a gap between the stamps and extra backing paper above and below the stamps. Illustrated below is a strip of 10, as received from the philatelic sales branch. These stamps could only be ordered in strips of 4 or 10; full rolls are only available to business clients.

There are no additional markings on the roll - either front or back.

Top


Uncut Press Panel of 100

The Permanent stamp was released in an uncut press panel of 100 stamps. This clearly shows the die cutting pattern across the 10 columns (before separating into rolls) of stamps.

Top


Booklets

The $1.03, $1.25 and $1.75 designs were issued in booklet "panels" of 6 stamps.

Booklet Checklist
 

Booklet panes
  C paper

back cover:

Receiving letters
$1.03 Red fox Jan 17/11
$1.25 Canada geese Jan 17/11
$1.75 Polar bear Jan 17/11

Top


Booklet Cover

The original printings of these booklets advertised "receiving letters", each denomination in a different colour.

 



Adminware Corporation
© 1999-2013, 2014 Robin Harris
Adminware is a trademark of Adminware Corporation.