Small Queens - Half Cent

The Half Cent Small Queen is Canada's smallest stamp and also one of my favourites. It was printed from a plate of 200 subjects which was divided by a central vertical gutter into two 100 subject (10 X 10) panes. The Left Pane has a reversed 2 above the top central imprint, and the Right Pane has a reversed 1 above its top central imprint. This has resulted in these panes often being referred to as Plates 1 & 2, but there was actually only the single plate of 200. Much study over the years has led us to believe that the plate was re-entered at least three times, resulting in four different states. This also resulted in a great number of re-entries, some of which came and went with the different states. This little gem is also known for its many variations in width, a problem caused by the fact that the wheels of the perforating machine could not be set close enough together to perforate the sheet in a single pass. Therefore, the sheets had to be fed through twice, perforating every other row at a time (that is, the odd-numbered rows, and then the even-numbered). Careless handling and/or loose perforating wheels resulted in anything from very narrow to very wide stamps, even to pairs that are imperforate between. As with the other values of the Small Queens, the sheets were not gummed until after printing, resulting in the stacking of newly-printed damp sheets together and a great number of offset varieties. These are sometimes mistaken for 'printed on both sides' varieties. All-in-all, a great little stamp with lots for the specialists to have fun with!

RE-ENTRIES.COM SMALL QUEEN ISSUE 1870-1897 Half Cent Black This is one of my very favourite stamps! The Half Cent Small Queen is Canada's smallest stamp and also one of my favourites. It was printed from a plate of 200 subjects which was divided by a central vertical gutter into two 100 subject (10 X 10) panes. The Left Pane has a reversed 2 above the top central imprint, and the Right Pane has a reversed 1 above its top central imprint. This has resulted in these panes often being referred to as Plates 1 & 2, but there was actually only the single plate of 200. Much study over the years has led us to believe that the plate was re-entered at least three times, resulting in four different states. This also resulted in a great number of re-entries, some of which came and went with the different states. This little gem is also known for its many variations in width, a problem caused by the fact that the wheels of the perforating machine could not be set close enough together to perforate the sheet in a single pass. Therefore, the sheets had to be fed through twice, perforating every other row at a time (that is, the odd-numbered rows, and then the even-numbered). Careless handling and/or loose perforating wheels resulted in anything from very narrow to very wide stamps, even to pairs that are imperforate between. As with the other values of the Small Queens, the sheets were not gummed until after printing, resulting in the stacking of newly-printed damp sheets together and a great number of offset varieties. These are sometimes mistaken for 'printed on both sides' varieties. All-in-all, a great little stamp with lots for the specialists to have fun with!
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*1	Scott #34 Half Cent The Major Re-entry Plate 1 (Right Pane) Position #49 The Major Re-entry on this, Canada's tiniest stamp, is found throughout the entire design, showing a nice clockwise twist. Most of the lettering is doubled, along with the corner designs. Notable amongst all of the major re-entries on this stamp is the doubling of many of the radial lines surrounding the portrait. Here the doubling of these lines is strongest at the top, particularly below 'ADA POSTAGE.' The one unique feature of this Major is that the twisting of the design has resulted in the lines on the Queen's neck coming together so that four of the lines now appear to be almost solid. While originally thought to be a fresh entry, this belief was dispelled by the discovery of a full pane of 100 that does not show many of the later re-entries, including this major.	Neck on Major above ^ Neck of Normal below v
*2	Scott #34 Half Cent A Major Re-entry Plate 1 (Right Pane) Position #98 This is the second nicest of the major re-entries that are to be found on this stamp. Note the doubling in CANADA POSTAGE, HALF CENT, all four corner ornaments, the shading lines on the Queen's neck, and the radial lines around the portrait at the bottom.
*3	Scott #34 Half Cent A Major Re-entry Plate 1 (Right Pane) Position #10 This major shows sharp doubling in CANADA POSTAGE and HALF CENT, strong extensions of the top right corner lines into the upper margin, and faint doubling of the radial lines below the portrait.
*4	Scott #34 Half Cent A Major Re-entry Plate 1 (Right Pane) Position #96 This major shows strong doubling of the entire lower right corner, including the radial lines.
*5	Scott #34 Half Cent A Major Re-entry Plate 1 (Right Pane) Position #
*6	Scott #34 Half Cent Strong Re-entry Plate 1 (Right Pane) Position #40
*7	Scott #34 Half Cent Strong Re-entry Plate 1 (Right Pane) Position #50
*8	Scott #34 Half Cent Strong Re-entry Plate 1 (Right Pane) Position #80
*9	Scott #34 Half Cent Strong Re-entry Plate 1 (Right Pane) Position #99
*10	Scott #34 Half Cent Re-entry Plate 1 (Right Pane) Position #100
*11	Scott #34 Half Cent Re-entry Plate 2 (Left Pane) Position #18
*12	Scott #34 Half Cent A Major Re-entry Plate 2 (Left Pane) Position #41
*13	Scott #34 Half Cent
*14	Scott #34 Half Cent
*15	Scott #34 Half Cent
*16	Scott #34 Half Cent An Interesting Re-entry Position Unknown This is interesting because it shows an extremely clear doubling of the top of the portrait oval; clearer than any other copy I have seen. It does not appear of either of my Right or Left panes (both early states)
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Return to Index Return to Listings Page Ralph E. Trimble Specialist in BNA Re-entries retrimble@rogers.com