U. S. Scott #1241 - Used - [NA01-0217-03-03]

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

1241

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 #1241 (Used – Single Stamp)
5¢ Multicolor – Audubon, American Artist, 1963
(Audubon Issue – Engraved, Perforation 11)

Design Overview:
Scott #1241 was issued in 1963 honoring John James Audubon, the American naturalist and artist best known for his bird studies. The engraved design shows two blue birds perched among branches and foliage, printed in layered color with fine line engraving that emphasizes feather texture and movement. Script inscription at left reads “Audubon, American Artist,” with “5¢” and “U.S. Postage” at lower right. 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 are clearly clear of the design to the unaided eye, but one or two margins are narrow, consistent with the Fine/Very Fine definition under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide. The top margin is the most narrow and controls the centering grade. The right margin is the least narrow, and the left margin is narrower than the bottom, producing an evident but acceptable imbalance.

Soundness Evaluation:
Extremely Minor Fault: Corner perforation irregularity.
No tears, thins, pinholes, creases, stains, or repairs are visible. The noted corner perforation irregularity is localized and does not intrude materially into the design, but it is a measurable perforation defect. Under the PSE Guide this is classified as an Extremely Minor Fault, producing a small soundness deduction.

Perforations and Margins:
The stamp is perforated 11. Perforations appear original and generally intact, with one corner showing an irregularity consistent with the stated fault. There is no evidence of trimming or reperforation. Margins are present on all four sides, with the top margin tightest and the right margin most generous.

Cancellation Evaluation:
A cancellation with bold horizontal bars is present across the stamp, crossing the inscription area and the upper bird. The cancel is visually strong and intrudes into the central field, but the main subject remains identifiable and not obliterated. Under PSE terminology this is best classified as heavy, as it materially reduces design clarity without destroying the design.

Collector’s Note:
This Audubon issue remains a popular topical and commemorative choice. Even with a strong cancel, examples that retain clear bird detail and intact perforations remain collectible.

Eye Appeal Adjustment:
Color and engraving remain solid, but the heavy horizontal-bar cancellation is the dominant visual element and disrupts the composition, especially across the inscription and upper bird. An eye appeal adjustment of –5 is applied to reflect the cancel’s impact.

Final Numerical Grade Calculation:
Centering Grade: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness Deduction: –4 (Extremely Minor Fault: corner perf irregularity)
Adjusted Base Grade: 73
Eye Appeal Adjustment: –5
Final Grade: 68 (VG-Fine)

Final Summary:
Scott Number: 1241
Condition: Used, No Original Gum
Centering: 77 (Fine/Very Fine)
Soundness: Extremely Minor Fault, –4 deduction
Perforations: Perf 11, original with corner perf irregularity
Cancellation: Heavy horizontal-bar cancel, –5 via eye appeal
Eye Appeal: –5 due to cancel prominence
Final Grade: 68 (VG-Fine)

Summary:
This Scott #1241 grades VG-Fine 68 under the 2009 PSE Grading Guide. It offers Fine/Very Fine centering with sound paper integrity and only an extremely minor corner perforation irregularity, but a heavy horizontal cancellation significantly affects visual balance and design clarity, requiring an eye appeal deduction. Despite the bold cancel, the birds remain recognizable, keeping it a collectible used example of this sought-after Audubon commemorative.

Seller Information

Seller

jamisonenterprises (1042)

Registered Since

03/18/2005

Feedback

100%

Store

Jamison Stamps & Books

Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions