Canada Stamps - Loon (#1687) & Polar Bear (#1690): Socked-on-the-Nose First Day Cancellations (from thematic #83-4)

Collection of two stamps (#1687 & #1690) with magnificent first day of issue cancellations that are socked-on-the-nose (right in the centre) and who still possess their original never hinged gum on the back! These can only be found in the thematic collections #83 (loon: cv. $40) and #84 (polar bear: cv. $45), which are scarce box set from 1998 that also contains an exclusive coin from the Royal Canadian Mint.

The same customized cancellations were also used for the official first day covers, but in their case they are always located on the lower left corner of the stamp, never in the centre! Both of these thematic collections, from which the stamps came from, are also notoriously hard to find, sought-after and quite possibly undervalued in the catalogue!

While it is a bit sad that they were separated from their original box and coin, these stamps are nevertheless fantastic collectibles by the same fact! These are also some of the most beautiful cancellations ever produced by Canada Post in our opinion, especially when they are socked-on-the-nose (in the centre)!