SMALL QUEEN ISSUE

1870-1897

Two Cents

Scott #36

There are a number of wonderful items to be found on the 2¢ value, with such things as two different latent re-entries, a spectacular major re-entry, and a number of other strong re-entries. These together with all of the other constant plate varieties that have been documented elsewhere (Reiche & Sendbuehler and John Hillson, as two examples), the 2¢ Small Queen can be a life-long specialty all in itself for someone so predisposed.

*1

Two Cent

Latent Re-entry/Lower

Version 1

A misplaced entry, this is one of Canada's scarcest stamps. The most obvious feature is found in the margin below the L.R. 2. These marks are from the centre area of the portrait oval, showing the design has been misplaced by a full half-stamp. Lines are also seen on the left side in the left 2 and the 'E' of 'CENTS.'

The Plate Position is not yet known.

 Back to top

^ The RETrimble Collection ^

*2  

Two Cent

Latent Re-entry/Upper

Version 2

Ottawa Plate of 200

Plate Position #188

Similar to the Version 1 above, this stamp shows a misplaced entry in the upper left margin, above the 'NAD' of 'CANADA.' The marks in the margin above the 'D' are from the 'bun' of the Queen's hair, while the horizontal lines to the left are some of the background shading lines behind the Queen's head and neck. This, too, is a misplacement of about one-half a stamp.

There was originally some thought that these two latent re-entries occurred one above the other on the plate, but the discovery of a bottom strip of 20 of the Ottawa plate of 200 showing this latent in the bottom row in position #188, with no sign of Version 1 in the stamp above, finally put this theory to rest.

Back to top

^ Courtesy of Jim Jung ^

^ From the RETrimble Collection ^

*3

Two Cent

The Major Re-entry

Plate Position #97 of the Montreal Plate

This is THE strongest re-entry on the 2¢. Unfortunately, it is often confused with the many other similar types of re-entries that may be found on this stamp. The distinguishing feature, besides the heavy doubling of the 'points' within the 2's, is the 'mangled' appearance of the doubling in 'CENTS.' This is quite distinctive and unmistakable, and will also be found in three of the Major Re-entries on the 6¢ Red Brown. Also note the very extensive doubling of the engraved lines on the Queen’s neck. The doubling gets ‘wider’ the further down the design you go, with only a slight ‘squeezed’ effect in CANADA POSTAGE.

This re-entry is much more scarce than the catalogue prices imply.

*Scroll to the bottom of this section to see an amazing MNH single with selvedge of this marvelous re-entry.

This copy has a rather unbelievable story behind it...This stamp was originally part of a lower imprint block of 16 (actually two matching vertical blocks of 8 that were somehow separated) in a fairly recent auction (2006). The Greene Committee Expert Committee was recently stunned when this SINGLE with selvedge was submitted for a certificate, and we realized it was part of the above-mentioned large piece and had been SEPARATED from the rest of the block! To a specialist interested in plating, this amounted to sacrilege! It is totally unimaginable to think that this important piece had actually been separated from the rest of the block! Even if it had been maintained in a block of four, it wouldn’t have been so bad. BUT, the purchaser saw it differently and now this beautiful major re-entry is on its own. At least the bottom selvedge with partial imprint was not removed, still proving the position as #97 on the sheet. Oh, well.

Note: If you compare this piece to mine above, you will no doubt notice that the ink on this copy seems a little heavier or smudgier, even giving the appearance of possible doubling in CANADA POSTAGE, which is not found on my copy. I believe this is due to either heavier inking, or a slight slip print - note the many signs of ink in the white portrait oval and the general bluriness of the design, compared to the crisp print found in the above example. Fortunately, this did not obliterate the doubling of the re-entry.

Back to top

^ The RETrimble Collection ^

*4

Two Cent

A Major Re-entry

But NOT the Major! Note that it does not have the 'mangled' look in CENTS that THE Major has, even though the doubling in the left 2 is even stronger than the Major.

Back to top

50X

50X

50X

*5

Two Cent

A Major Re-entry

The lower portion of the design is clearly doubled, especially in the lower left corner.

Back to top

*6

Two Cent

A Major Re-entry

This one shows a strong shift down into the lower margin, with the sharpest doubling in the left 2 and below the lower left corner. There is also a line in the top of 'TS' of CENTS and doubling of the lower right corner.

Back to top

50X

50X

50X

*7

Two Cent

A Major Re-entry?

This is one of those really questionable ones! The apparent doubling is fuzzy or blurry and is strongly indicative of a slip print. However, some of the 'doubling' looks so re-entry-like that some may say it is indeed a re-entry. I guess the best way to see this would be in a pair or block with other 'normal' stamps not showing the 'slip.'

I will note here for the record that there is a re-entry on the 2¢ green  Registered Letter Stamp of this same era that has the same type of 'slip print' look, BUT I have seen it in a piece surrounded by normal prints, so it is recognized as a re-entry.

Interesting to ponder!

Back to top

50X

50X

50X

50X