Wildflowers: 1977-79
This set replaced the Caricatures after the standard five-year period, but was delayed a couple of months due to production problems. They were the first low values to be printed by two different processes - lithography (and later photogravure) and steel engraving. Apart from the different perforation and printing methods, this series produced very few other varieties. The 12c and 15c values were issued for postal rate increases, intended for new third class rates. An oddity is the 10c CBN plate 2 variety perforated 13 x 13.3. It is very difficult to find, yet priced by most dealers at little more than the earlier 12 x 12.5 variety.
BRC# Description Perforation Tagging Paper Printer Format Issued Scott/U Darnell
1c Bottle Gentian
WF-01 a) Lithography (Plate 1) 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-4 A-C CBN S100 77-04-22 705 776
b) Litho, Precancelled 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-4 A-C CBN S100 78-02-01 705xx 776c
c) Photogravure 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-3 A-U BABN B6(2) 77-11-01 781a 776b
d) Photogravure (Plate 2) 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-3 A-U BABN S100 79-08-16 781 776a
2c Western Columbine
WF-02 a) Lithography (Plate 1) 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-4 A-C CBN S100 77-04-22 707 777
b) Photogravure 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-3 A-U BABN B7(4) 78-04-01 782b 777b
c) Photogravure (Plate 2) 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-3 A-C BABN S100 79-08-02 782 777a
d) Photogravure, Ribbed
(Plate 2)		 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-3 A-U(R) BABN S100 79-?? UNL UNL
3c Canada Lily
WF-03 a) Lithography (Plate 1) 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-4 A-C CBN S100 77-04-22 708 778
b) Litho, Precancelled 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-4 A-C CBN S100 78-08-?? 708xx 778a
c) Photogravure (Plate 2) 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-3 A-U BABN S100 79-04-11 783 778a
4c Hepatica
WF-04 a) Lithography (Plate 1) 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-4 A-C CBN S100 77-04-22 709 779
b) Photogravure (Plate 2) 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-3 A-U BABN S100 79-07-03 784 779a
5c Shooting Star
WF-05 a) Lithography (Plate 1) 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-4 A-C CBN S100 77-04-22 710 780
b) Litho, Precancelled 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-4 A-C CBN S100 78-05-?? 710xx 780b
c) Photogravure (Plate 2) 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-3 A-U BABN S100 79-01-23 785 780a
10c Lady's Slipper
WF-05 a) Lithography (Plate 1) 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-4 A-C CBN S100 77-04-22 711 781
b) Litho, Precancelled 12.0 x 12.5 GT2-4 A-C CBN S100 77-07-?? 711xx 781b
c) Lithography (Plate 2) 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-4 A-C CBN S100 78-09-?? 711a 781a
d) Photogravure (Plate 3) 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-3 A-U BABN S100 79-10-04 786 781b
12c Jewelweed
WF-06 a) Photogravure (Plate 1) 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-3 A-U BABN S100 78-07-06 712 822
b) Photo, Precancelled 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-3 A-U BABN S100 78-09-?? 712xx 822a
15c Canada Violet
WF-07 a) Photogravure (Plate 1) 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-3 A-U BABN S100 79-08-16 787 874
b) Photo, Precancelled 13.0 x 13.3 GT2-3 A-U BABN S100 79-08-16 787xx 874a

 

Notes and Identification Characteristics. See Abbreviations for Tagging, Paper, Printer and Format types.
  1. Canada Post allowed the 1c value to be overprinted as promotional and revenue generating items for three different stamp club shows. However, the stamps were rendered invalid for postage in such condition. The following overprints exist: "HINTON/PEX/1977" on WF-01a, "EXUP XI/12 au 14/MAI/1978" on WF-01a and "PHILABEC '80/31 MAI/ 1er JUIN"on WF-01d. Oddly, the two Quebec overprints did not adhere to Canada Post's official bilingual policy.
  2. Aside from the perforation differences, the photogravure and lithograph versions are easily distinguished by the intensities of the colours.
  3. The 1c precancel (WF-01b) exists printed on the gummed side.
  4. The 4c (WF-01a) exists printed on the gummed side.

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