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To see both stamps, you will have to SCROLL to the right -->> |
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Stamp on the left is 1R82 (Type 1), showing 'higher' 10¢ entry as found on the proof sheet in Ottawa. Here it is worn and the detail on the left is gone. |
Stamp on the right is 1R83, showing the 'lower' 10¢ entry (Type 2). Here the detail can be seen all the way across the design. |
The scan of this pair is very wide, so you will have to scroll over to see it all.
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The Background and The Discovery Well, my new stamp microscope has already proven itself. I have just made a mind-blowing discovery about the 10¢ on 1¢ Numeral that I found on the proof sheet in Ottawa lo those many years ago. Over the past several years I have found a couple of copies where the detail that goes into the necklace in the centre is slightly lower than the original discovery copy, as well as the copy on the proof sheet in 1R82. This of course indicated to me that there was more than one plate position of this tremendous variety, not unlike the numerous positions of the 5¢ on 6¢ SQ. As well, this is separate from the worn copies indicating different states. Anyway, last night I was trying out my new microscope on some stamps I had on my desk, one of which was a pair I found a short while ago showing the 10¢ on 1¢ Numeral on the right stamp, when I scooted the pair over to check out the stamp on the left through its heavy cancellation. Well, my jaw just about hit my desk when I found ANOTHER 10¢ on 1¢ there!!!!! (...I pause while you take in the enormity of this...) As if that is not enough, HERE'S where it gets REALLY interesting!!! After examining both stamps at 20X and 40X I realized that the strong copy on the right is the LOWER position, i.e. NOT 1R82, while the more worn copy on the left is the original type of 1R82! So, if the left copy IS 1R82, then the stronger right copy must be 1R83, right beside it on the plate! This made me angry at myself, for I assumed that back in 1991 when I was examining the proof sheets, in my excitement over finding 1R82 and wanting to photograph it, I immediately figured I must have forgotten to continue my examination of the remaining 18 positions on that pane and may well have completely missed finding this second error next to the stamp I was so excited about. But then I got to wondering about how the right copy in my pair was still clear and strong, while the left one was worn and beginning to disappear (the details in the left portion of the design and some of those on the right are already gone). Did the two entries occur at different times? Otherwise, wouldn't they have worn at the same rate? Now, to bolster that possibility, I throw another pair into the mix. I have a pair on cover (OC 19 99) with a strong 1R82 as the LEFT of the pair, BUT there is NO sign whatsoever of another 10¢ on 1¢ on the right stamp in the pair! So is this pair on cover a state AFTER 1R82 was entered, but BEFORE 1R83 was entered on the plate? Seems so. Now, just what are the odds of a SECOND over-rocking of the transfer roll happening RIGHT BESIDE the plate position it had already occurred on when the plate was originally laid down, but at a LATER DATE??? I don't know, but that's what certainly seems to have happened! Dr. Michael Sendbuehler, formerly of Ottawa, who collaborated with Hans Reiche on their book, THE CANADA QUEEN VICTORIA 1898 NUMERAL ISSUE, published by Saskatoon Stamp Centre, has confirmed for me that when Hans became aware of this 10¢ on 1¢ Foreign Transfer, he visited the Archives again and re-examined the One Cent Proof Sheets very carefully. Michael told me of Hans' frustration at not finding any further evidence of other foreign entries on the plates. This is yet another example of how incredibly important it would have been to we re-entry collectors if the Bank Note companies had saved proof sheets following every repair to a plate! Imagine if we had the ability to plate every single Canadian re-entry? But they didn't, and we don't. WOW!!! ... Needless to say, my mind is boggling at all of this! I just wish I still had easy access to the Archives myself. BELOW you will find four scans for comparison: 1.) 1R82 'high' foreign entry; Type 1a: details go all the way across the design 2.) 1R82 'high' foreign entry; Type 1b: details on the left are worn away 3.) 1R83 'low' foreign entry; Type 2a: details go all the way across the design 4.) 1R83 'low' foreign entry; Type 2b: details on the left are worn away |
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1.) 1R82 'high' foreign entry (Type 1a); details go all the way across the design
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2.) 1R82 'high' foreign entry (Type 1b); details on the left are worn away
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3.) 1R83 'low' foreign entry (Type 2a); details go all the way across the design
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4.) 1R83 'low' foreign entry (Type 2b); details on the left are worn away
Note the level of the line through the necklace; it is below the diagonal line in the jewel. |
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