The $1 Edmonton Oilfield Stamp From The 1967-1973 Centennial Issue



Today, I finally reach the end of my detailed coverage of this incredible definitive issue, with the $1 value depicting the Edmonton Oilfield, by H.G Glyde. Like most of the stamps in this issue, this stamp had many printings and there are plenty of paper and gum varieties to collect, as well as a few subtle shades. 
Unitrade lists no fewer than 6 varieties of this stamp, four of which have dextrine gum, and the remaining two of which are PVA gum printings. The dextrine gum printings are listed as existing on dull, dead, low fluorescent and hibrite paper. As is the case for the other values of this series, the paper exhibits other differences besides the fluorescence level, and the low and medium fluorescent papers are actually flecked papers at a lower fluorescence level, which appear brighter than they actually are, due to the fluorescent fibre content of the paper. 
The shades found on this stamp are very subtle and really only visible when several stamps are very closely compared. Consequently, I am not going to approach this stamp by discussing the shades first. Rather, I will go back to describing the different attributes of the stamp: the paper characteristics, fluorescence, gum, etc. 
According to Unitrade, all of the dextrine gum printings were issued in 1967. The printings on hibrite paper were issued in March 1971. Finally, the printings with PVA gum were issued in December 1971, like the 50c value. Given the prevalence of the perforation varieties on the other values, I would expect to find all four line perforations on all printings of this stamp. Indeed this proves to be the case on all printings that I examined. 
There are between 3 and 5 different identifiable variations for each of the Unitrade listed fluorescence levels. In addition, there are 4 different shades of ink, and nine different types of paper, ignoring fluorescence. However, it would appear that each variety of paper and shade corresponds to one fluorescence level, so that the number of possible collectible varieties, while significant, is not as vast as one might as first assume. Finally, there are 6 different types of dextrine gum and 2 types of PVA gum, which does further add to the complexity of the stamp, as it does appear that several of the fluorescence levels exist with more than one type of gum. 
For the full article, please go to my website, which you can access via the following link:

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