2 Cent.—In February, 1912, some few sheets were issued, having the red horizontal guide lines running across the stamps. These were printed from unfinished plates from which the guide lines had not been removed. They are easily distinguished, having the lines about 2 millimeters apart running across every stamp on the sheet. The lines are very plain where they run through the figures of value.—C. L. P.
The variety last described is a very interesting one which may also be found in connection with the 1c denomination. To term them guide-lines and prints from “unfinished plates” is, however, quite incorrect. Such guide-lines as are marked on a plate are only placed vertically or horizontally to correspond with the top or bottom or one of the sides of the stamp design. The lines, which we are now considering, appear comparatively close together though they are not equi-distant, as the above description would lead us to imagine, nor are they always parallel or straight. They are undoubtedly due to some inherent defects in the plates. Possibly, in the rush to finish sufficient plates to cope with the demand for the new stamps some of them were hardened too quickly with the result that the surfaces cracked. These defective plates were certainly among the earliest ones used and judging by the scarcity of the stamps showing these peculiarities they were not in use long before they were discarded.
The 1c and 2c values of this series were issued in coil form for use in automatic vending machines. These were first issued in November, 1912, perf. 8 vertically and imperforate at top and bottom. In October, 1913, the 1c was issued perf. 8 horizontally and imperforate at the sides and shortly afterwards the 2c appeared in the same way. These coil stamps show quite a number of distinct shades. The 1c in coil form was also issued with the 12 perforation at top and bottom and imperforate at the sides.
Reference List.
Engraved and Printed by the American Bank Note Co., Ottawa. No wmk. Perf. 12.
- 93. 1c green, Scott's No. 104.
- (a) Perf. 8 vertically. Scott's No. 104c.
- (b) Perf. 8 horizontally, Scott's No. 104b.
- (c) Perf. 12 horizontally, Scott's No. 104a.
- 94. 2c carmine. Scott's No. 105.
- (a) Perf. 8 vertically, Scott's No. 105a.
- (b) Perf. 8 horizontally, Scott's No. 105b.
- 95. 5c deep blue. Scott's No. 106.
- 96. 7c olive-yellow, Scott's No. 107.
- 97. 10c dull purple, Scott's No. 108.
- 98. 20c olive-green, Scott's No. 109.
- 99. 50c sepia, Scott's No. 110.