Newfie #88c (Odd Perf)--Newly Acquired ...comments?

Speaking of Canadian perforations (slightly different thread), I am quite happy to have just acquired this nice little variant #88c.

Very hard to find stamp, and I've been seeking it to finish my page for about 10 years.

It came from an auction without a grade (though it is NH!)--and I'd welcome the community's opinions on that. To me it is F-VF...nice margins for the era, but not well centered. Or would we say VF? Or would we say F?

Anyways, #88 is the 1910 John Guy Issue and the Coat of Arms is typically 12 x 11.8 perf in carmine. MV about $5/Unitrade catalog =$16 VF mint.

Also, a 11.8 x 14.2 perf--the 88a. MV about $5/Unitrade catalog is $9

But there then there is the 88c, which has 11.75 x 11.4 perf. Catalog of $600 VF + 100% for NH.

My books are vague on the reason for the differences but that 5 million of the 88 and 88c were made, but 5,000 of the 88c

Enjoy and welcome any comments

Different perforations can usually mean different printers. With regards to Newfoundland stamps, they were printed by several different printers both from North America and Europe. The North American printers which were the American Bank Note Company and the National Bank Note Company had mostly engraved perforation 12 line perforated stamps. The European printers had many different engraved and lithographed printing line and comb perforated stamps ranging in gauges from 11 to 14.25 with many in between gauges and combinations. This can be confusing at times.

My personal grading would have to be FNH

My reason for this is that the design is centered quite a bit to the left. I have seen other stamps of this design with better centering. My opinion of course.

Still a very nice stamp though.

Chimo

Bujutsu

you are very fortunate to own a Newf 88c...they don't come up very often..don't own one yet ...but I do have a 92ii....another rare item.....regards DT

tommy...I got 2 of them and I was wondering about the perfs...going to check mine again and post what I find..Robert

Flexocube,

Welcome to the SC. I only collect Newfoundland, and am fortunate in general and on the 88c.
Please consider sharing the 92ii image. I assume you are referring to the Type II backward "Z" in "Colonization"...its a classic one that a lot of collectors miss in their piles--or at trade shows.
I have one and will try and share it, if you start a new thread.