Canada Stamp #556E - Snowflake (1971) 10¢

Essay or progressive plate proof

Very scarce essay or progressive proof of the 1971 dark carmine 10¢ from the Christmas Snowflakes issue. Here is a transcript from a margin block of four certified by a renown AIEP stamp expert, Richard Gratton: "Essay or progressive perforated plate proof of ten cents, Christmas (1971 issue) - Snowflake, deep carmine, without the silver snowflake engraving and the offset printing... Fluorescent coated paper, perforated 12. Printed by the Canadian Bank Note Company. Winnipeg tag - one bar on the centre. The essay of proof is genuine in all respects." Note that single bar of Winnipeg tagging mentioned is running across the centre of the block, so each stamp is tagged W1B either on the left or the right (depending on its position inside the original sheet). Also note that the dark carmine colour of the proof is noticeably brighter than the one used on the finished stamp. A very interesting philatelic collectible that does not often appear on the market, but which can easily sell for $250+ when it does! Regular copy tagged W2B (#556p) and a photocopy of the original certificate included as a reference.

Very scarce upper left corner block of an essay or progressive proof of the 1971 dark carmine 10¢ from the Christmas Snowflakes issue. Here is a transcript from a margin block of four certified by a renown AIEP stamp expert, Richard Gratton: "Essay or progressive perforated plate proof of ten cents, Christmas (1971 issue) - Snowflake, deep carmine, without the silver snowflake engraving and the offset printing... Fluorescent coated paper, perforated 12. Printed by the Canadian Bank Note Company. Winnipeg tag - one bar on the centre. The essay of proof is genuine in all respects." Note that single bar of Winnipeg tagging mentioned is running across the centre of the block, so each stamp is tagged W1B either on the left or the right (depending on its position inside the original sheet). Also note that the dark carmine colour of the proof is noticeably brighter than the one used on the finished stamp. A very interesting philatelic collectible that does not often appear on the market, but which can easily sell for $250+ when it does! Photocopy of a certificate for a block of four included as reference and explanation.

Very scarce upper right corner block of an essay or progressive proof of the 1971 dark carmine 10¢ from the Christmas Snowflakes issue. Here is a transcript from a margin block of four certified by a renown AIEP stamp expert, Richard Gratton: "Essay or progressive perforated plate proof of ten cents, Christmas (1971 issue) - Snowflake, deep carmine, without the silver snowflake engraving and the offset printing... Fluorescent coated paper, perforated 12. Printed by the Canadian Bank Note Company. Winnipeg tag - one bar on the centre. The essay of proof is genuine in all respects." Note that single bar of Winnipeg tagging mentioned is running across the centre of the block, so each stamp is tagged W1B either on the left or the right (depending on its position inside the original sheet). Also note that the dark carmine colour of the proof is noticeably brighter than the one used on the finished stamp. A very interesting philatelic collectible that does not often appear on the market, but which can easily sell for $250+ when it does! Photocopy of a certificate for a block of four included as reference and explanation.