U. S. Scott #1240 - Used - [NA01-0217-04-02]

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

1240

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Used

Centering

F/VF

Stamp Format

Single

Certificate Grade

70 (Fine)

Year of Issue

1963

Item Description

Stamp Evaluation – Scott #1240 (Used – Single Stamp)
5¢ Blue – Christmas Tree, 1963
(Christmas Issue – Engraved, Perforation 11)

Design Overview:
Scott #1240 was issued in 1963 as the U.S. Christmas commemorative depicting the National Christmas Tree near the White House. The engraved design shows a tall, illuminated evergreen topped with a star against a winter sky, with the White House rendered at left for setting and scale. “CHRISTMAS 1963” anchors the upper inscription, while “UNITED STATES” and the 5¢ value complete the lower frame. The submitted example is used and has no original gum.

Grading Breakdown:
Centering is assigned a grade of 77 (Fine/Very Fine). The perforation holes remain clearly clear of the design to the unaided eye, but the margins are not balanced. The right margin is the most narrow and controls the centering grade. The top margin is the least narrow, and the bottom margin is narrower than the left, creating a noticeable but still acceptable imbalance that fits the Fine/Very Fine definition under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide.

Soundness Evaluation:
Faultless.
The stamp is completely sound, free of tears, thins, pinholes, creases, stains, or repairs. No soundness deduction is applied.

Perforations and Margins:
The stamp is perforated 11. Perforations appear original and intact, with no evidence of trimming, reperforation, pulled perforations, or missing teeth. Margins are present on all sides, with the right margin setting the limit and the top margin providing the most room.

Cancellation Evaluation:
A black cancel is present with horizontal elements crossing the design and entering the central field. The cancellation is clearly visible and somewhat disruptive to the scene, though it does not fully obscure the key subject. Under PSE terminology this is best classified as heavy, and it reduces design clarity at mid-height.

Collector’s Note:
This classic 1963 Christmas issue is widely collected, and used examples remain appealing when the impression is clear and the cancel, while noticeable, does not destroy the primary imagery.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Color and impression remain strong with clean paper for a used example, but the heavy horizontal cancel across the design is visually dominant and detracts from the peaceful winter scene. Eye appeal adjustment is applied at –5.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –0 (Faultless)
Adjusted Base Grade: 77
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5
Final Grade: 72 (Fine)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 1240
Condition: Used, No Original Gum
Centering: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Faultless, no deduction
Perforations: Perf 11, intact and original
Cancellation: Heavy, crosses design, –5 via eye appeal
Eye Appeal: –5 due to cancel prominence
Final Grade: 72 (Fine)

Summary:
This Scott #1240 grades Fine 72 under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide. The stamp is faultless in soundness with intact perforations and Fine/Very Fine centering limited by a narrow right margin. A heavy horizontal cancel reduces visual balance and scene clarity, leading to a modest eye appeal deduction, but the stamp remains a solid, collectible used example of this popular early U.S. Christmas issue.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (1021)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions