DECIMAL (First Cents) ISSUE
Re-entries
Five Cents Beaver
Page 1 of 4
Positions 1 - 25
Go to: Page 1 pp1-25 Page 2 pp26-50 Page 3 pp51-75 Page 4 76-100
This is an issue that has been very heavily studied over the years. There have been several good references published on this single value, but the first to really aid plating of the various varieties, including of course, re-entries, but also retouches, short transfers, plate flaws and “C” dots was the 1985 handbook by Geoffrey Whitworth, THE FIVE CENTS BEAVER STAMP OF CANADA, published by The Royal Philatelic Society, London. This was the go-to reference for 22 years, until Kenneth A. Kershaw published his tremendous two-volume set in 2007, THE FIVE CENT BEAVER I. THE PLATE PROOFS OF STATES 10-11, 201 full colour pages, and THE FIVE CENT BEAVER II. PLATING THE MORE NOTABLE VARIETIES AND RE-ENTRIES, a massive 297 full colour pages. The first one shows all 100 plate positions on TWO separate proof sheets, for a set of 200 pages, while the second volume covers a full 100 plate positions of other states, re-entries, flaws, plate scratches and dots, all with close-up scans of all the pertinent details of each and every variety. This is an INCREDIBLE RESOURCE!
I was about to add another batch of 5¢ Beavers that I have added to my collection over the past while, but instead of just doing that, being inspired by Mr. Kershaw’s amazing work, I decided to split my single 5¢ Beaver page into four separate pages of 25 each in order to have spaces for all 100 plate positions. Of course, my collection is FAR from that complete, but a number of other collectors have been sending me scans of positions over the years, so this will be an on-going effort to add as many of the 100 plate positions to these pages as possible. So, if you have copies that you have plated, either by Mr. Whitworth or Mr. Kershaw, please send me your 1200-2400dpi scans and I will gradually add them to my pages, giving each contributor credit for their scans. This is going to be a very time-consuming project, so I’m hoping that those who send me scans will have some indication of the plate positions, and possibly states, as it is very time-intensive going through almost 500 pages of Kershaw’s books trying to plate individual re-entries, especially the minor ones. Strong ones are much easier to find, of course. I know I will hear from certain individuals who see this, but hopefully other collectors that are not yet known to me will take the time to contribute, as well.
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Scott #15
Five Cents
The Major Re-entry
Plate Position #28
State 10 R.1
This is one of Canada’s most spectacular re-entries, so I felt I should present it first before starting the rest of the plate positions in order. Virtually every part of the design is doubled, and the doubling gets stronger as you move to the left on the design.
The single steel plate of 100 images that was used to print this stamp was repaired or reworked at least ten distinct times, giving rise to a total of 11 different states of the plate. This fabulous re-entry occurred on the 10th, or second to last, state.
All of the values of the Decimal Issue were laid down quite close to each other on the plates. This makes finding perfectly centred copies very difficult. While perfectly centred is ideal, if it *has* to be off-centre, it is best for this particular re-entry if it is shifted to the right, as the copy you see below. This allows the very strong doubling of the framelines on the right to be clearly seen. I have seen copies shifted to the left and the impact of the doubling is not nearly as powerful as it is here.
The earliest reported date of this re-entry is November 19, 1867.
Note that I have added two copies of the Major Re-entry on cover from my own collection at the bottom of this section below. Have a look!
Above is an incredible proof block of four with The Major Re-entry in the upper left corner.
Courtesy of Beverly Fox of Weeda Stamps
Below are scans of several copies of this marvelous major.
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
Below is a copy with a real ‘killer’ of a cancel!
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
Above copy courtesy of Michael D. Smith ^
The Major on Cover
Henry J. Delesalle, of Richmond, B.C., has discovered a copy of the Major Re-entry on cover and very nicely sent it to me so I could scan it and share it with you here. It is a Registered cover and the stamp was applied upside down. While the date stamp on the front is not clear, the receiving mark on the back is clearly ‘Kingston MR 6 68 C.W.’ The stamp itself is well off-centre, with the bottom edge sticking up above the edge of the envelope, but it is clearly tied to the cover.
Not the prettiest cover I’ve seen, but hey, how often do you see the Major Re-entry on cover???
If interested in this cover, it will be a part of Bob Lee’s final auction in the fall. It will be interesting to see how much it brings.
Thanks, Henry!
NOTE: As of Feb. 2006, I am pleased to say this cover now resides in my collection. Unfortunately, since I scanned it awhile ago, the lower right corner has been torn, likely catching on the protective cover in which it was kept.
I have also added a second cover that I now own below the one to the right (scroll down) and the centering on this latest one shows the doubling on the right side of the re-entry. Oddly, SO many copies of the major that I have seen are off-centre to the right, so those details are often missing or obliterated by the perforations.
Below is a close-up of the stamp on the cover.
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
My second cover with the major - below v
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^ Note that his copy shows the doubling on the right side of the stamp clearly - most do not.
*1
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #1
*2
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #2
*3
Scott #15
Five Cents
Re-entry
Plate Position #3
Imprint at top
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
*4
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #4
*5
Scott #15
Five Cents
Re-entry
Plate Position #5
State 4
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
*6
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #6
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #7
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #8a & 8b
Imprint at top
8a
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
8b
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
Scott #15
Five Cents
Re-entry
Plate Position #9 & 10
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
^ Courtesy of Michael D. Smith ^
State 1
^ Courtesy of Michael D. Smith ^
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #10
See above horizontal pair for pp10
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #11 & 21
^ Courtesy of Michael D. Smith ^
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #12
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #13
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #14
Scott #15
Five Cents
Re-entry
Plate Position #15
State 1/2 R.24
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
^ Courtesy of Michael D. Smith ^
Scott #15
Five Cents
Re-entry
Plate Position #16
State 1, R16
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #17
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #18
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #19
See vertical plate proof pair above at pp9
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #20
Scott #15
Five Cents
Re-entry
Plate Position #21
State 9 R49 & R84
Imprint on Left
State 1-2 R47
^ Courtesy of Michael D. Smith ^
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
Scott #15
Five Cents
A Major Re-entry
Plate Position #22
State 6 R4 PF52
State 7
St. 6, R4, PF52
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
St. 7
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
Scott #15
Five Cents
Re-entry
Plate Position #23
State 5, R40 Reduced
^ From the RETrimble Collection ^
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #24
Scott #15
Five Cents
Plate Position #25
*
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Ralph E. Trimble
Specialist in BNA Re-entries
[email protected]