The 8c Alaska Highway Stamp of the 1967-73 Centennial Issue
Today I begin to examine my favourite part of the entire Centennial series: the high values. These stamps were all reproductions of paintings by members of the famous Group of Seven. The high values consist of an 8c, 10c, 15c, 20c, 25c, 50c and $1 value. Today's post will explore the first of these, being the 8c. The stamp was printed in shades of purple brown and depicts the painting "Alaska Highway", by A.Y Jackson. It was only a high value during the period, when the first class letter rate was less than 8 cents. When the letter rate increased to 8c on December 30, 1971, this stamp ceased to be issued and was reduced to low value status and replaced by the 8c Parliamentary Library design that was the subject of my posts for the past several weeks. Because it was replaced at the end of 1971, it is not known to exist with PVA gum. Though it seems curious that it doesn't since there were plenty of stamps issued in 1971 that at least were the experimental spotty gum...