U. S. Scott #1171 - Used - [LA01-0076-04-04]

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

1171

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

65 & Below

Year of Issue

1960

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #1171 (Used – Single Stamp)
4¢ Rose Carmine – Andrew Carnegie, 1960
(Commemorative Issue – Engraved, Rotary Press, Perf 11)

Design Overview:
Issued in 1960 to honor philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, Scott #1171 depicts him seated with an open book, symbolizing the vast public library system he endowed across the United States. The engraved portrait is surrounded by bookshelves, rendered in deep rose carmine that reflects the stately tone of mid-century commemoratives. “UNITED STATES POSTAGE” appears above, with the 4¢ denomination at upper right. The submitted example is postally used, never hinged, and retains no original gum.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering Grade: 82 (Very Fine).
The margins are full and comfortably clear of the design, though not evenly balanced. The right margin is the narrowest, the left the broadest, with the top margin slightly narrower than the bottom. The framing is strong and meets the PSE “Very Fine” standard for modern engraved commemoratives: clearly off-center but with full, safe margins on all sides.

Soundness Evaluation:
The stamp exhibits a combination of faults:
Minor Fault: Light crease.
Very Minor Faults: Corner perf crease; perf tip crease.
Under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, two or three minor or mixed minor/very minor faults elevate the classification to Fault.
Soundness Classification: Fault.
Very Fine centering combined with Fault soundness produces a grade in the Very Good range (50–54). Your deduction of –30 is consistent with this category.

Perforations and Margins:
Perforations gauge 11 and remain intact, though several tips show creasing consistent with handling or postal use. There is no evidence of trimming or reperforation. Margin distribution matches the centering notes: right narrowest, left widest, top slightly narrower than bottom.

Cancellation Evaluation:
The cancel is a horizontal black machine cancel crossing Carnegie’s face and upper body. Its density obscures facial detail but does not fully obliterate the design. Under PSE standards, this qualifies as a Heavy cancel, which typically carries an eye appeal deduction of up to –10 depending on severity.

Collector’s Note:
Despite the structural faults, the stamp retains strong color—an important factor for rose carmine issues, which often show oxidation or fading in used condition. For collectors assembling a used commemorative run, this remains a serviceable example with above-average centering.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Color and impression remain strong, but the heavy cancel reduces clarity across the portrait and upper frame. A deduction of –8 is appropriate.
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –8.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 82 (Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –30 (Fault)
Adjusted Base Grade: 52
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –8
Final Grade: 44 (Good/Very Good)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 1171
Condition: Used, Never Hinged, No Original Gum
Centering: 82 (Very Fine)
Soundness: Fault (–30), due to crease and multiple perf-tip issues
Perforations: Perf 11, intact but creased
Cancellation: Heavy machine cancel across portrait
Eye Appeal: –8, due to cancellation impact
Final Grade: 44 (Good/Very Good)

Summary:
This used Scott #1171 combines attractive Very Fine centering with several structural faults and a heavy machine cancel that suppresses the design’s clarity. Even so, the stamp retains strong color and remains a collectible example for a mid-grade used commemorative album. Under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide, it earns a final grade of 44 Good/Very Good.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (1012)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions