A stamp collector has won what amounts to the postal “lottery.”
A set of stamps issued by Canada Post in March 2015, designed by Kelowna artist Laurie Koss, has been discovered with a significant printing flaw.
The two stamps issued as part of the 2015 floral series are based on Koss’ paintings of a purple ice and blue pansy. The stamps were issued in a miniature sheet, and four sheets have been found where the perforations cut right through the design.
“These errors are very rare and can be worth several hundred to several thousand dollars,” said Mark Oakley, with the Okanagan Mainline Philatelic Association. “For example, one of the most famous Canadian errors is the 1959 St. Lawrence Seaway stamp which has a catalogue value of $16,000.”
Oakley said the value of the Pansy error is yet to be determined as none have been offered for sale.
“Finding a stamp error is one of the great thrills in stamp collecting — it’s something everyone dreams about, but like winning the lottery, happens to only a very few and lucky collectors,” said Oakley.
As Koss said when describing her design of the blue pansy, “Blue flowers in gardens are extremely rare.”
Just like the blue pansy, so too this stamp error is a rare find.
For more information on rare stamps, stamp collecting or are interested in buying or selling stamps, come to the Schubert Centre Saturday to meet other collectors and participate in the OMPA’s stamp show and auction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. The Schubert Centre is at 3505-30th Ave., Vernon.
For more information, call Oakley at 250-878-2700 or email OMPA@shaw.ca
